The basics you need to know
Today we are going to share with you the answer to a very common question: How does red light therapy work? Below you will find:
- The science behind Red Light Therapy (RLT)
- What does RLT feel like?
- How often should I use RLT?
- How long should the RLT sessions be?
- When is the best time for RLT?
- Conclusion
The science behind Red light Therapy
If you still haven’t, take a look at What is Red light therapy?
As we have previously mentioned in past blogs, a proper red light therapy device has to deliver the right intensity of light to penetrate the deepest layers of the skin.
The optimal therapeutic range goes from 660nm to 850mn.
Red light goes from 630nm to 700nm and it’s perfect for:
- Rejuvenating the skin
- Treating scarring
- Eye health
- Reduce acne breakouts
- Stimulating hair growth
- Sleep improvement
- Increase blood flow and tissue restoration
Near Infrared (NIR) goes from 700nm to 1100nm and is able to reach the deepest layers of the body. It’s perfect for:
- Delaying muscle fatigue
- Enhance physical performance
- Accelerate bone and tendon healing
- Speed up wound healing
- Accelerate injury recovery time
- Reduce inflammation after an injury
- Reduce depression and anxiety
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Increase blood flow and tissue restoration
- Pain treatment
- Surgery recovery
Depending on your goal, you can choose which light is best for you.
All our Red light therapy devices (except the TL670) have both RED and NEAR INFRARED lights in the wavelength 660nm and 850nm. They have independent switches that allow you to use both wavelengths at the same time, or just one at the time.
Unless you want to focus on surface skin issues or eye health, which are conditions that only require Red Light, our Target Light 670 is perfect, we advise everyone to purchase a light with both red and near infrared light to get the best results.
Our lights have 50% of LEDs with RED light and 50% of LEDs with NEAR INFRARED light.
You can learn more about them here Red Light Therapy at Home?
What does RLT feel like?
You will experience a relaxing feeling and a gentle warmth in the areas exposed to the light during the session and a few minutes after the session.
Some people experience a tingling sensation and others a temporary tightness in the skin. Both will disappear once you have finished with the session.
If at any time you experience any discomfort you can always increase the distance from the light, and reduce the time of the session.
Red light therapy (with LEDs) is not hot and will not burn your skin.
How often should I use RLT?
Treatments depend on the condition or goal we are targeting.
Usually we recommend 4 to 5 times a week minimum, and up to twice a day at maximum. Having a day off every now and then.
We advise a general maintenance program of 2 to 4 sessions a week indefinitely, that’s why having a home user device is so much more convenient and cheaper in the long run.
How long should the RLT sessions be?
All sessions depend on the power of the light, and the distance from the light.
The closer you are, the shorter the session.
The further you are, the longer the session.
Here’s a graphic with the general rules:
When is the best time for RLT?
The general rule is around sunrise and sunset time. Examples:
- For skin conditions use red light therapy in the morning after cleansing your skin and before applying any creams. Use it again 2-3 hours before bed time and before applying your skin care routine.
- To treat aches and pains use it in the morning to warm up the joins and prepare them for the day. Use it again at sunset/ late afternoon to have a pain-free sleep.
- Lastly, athletes looking to accelerate muscle recovery, enhance performance and grow muscle mass, red light therapy can be used before exercise to warm the muscles for the physical activity, and after exercise to promote recovery.
You can also use the light at specific moments.
If you have had an accident or hit yourself, use the light right away to decrease inflammation and promote tissue restoring.
In case that you are experiencing acute pain, you can also use it to mitigate the suffering and relieve yourself.
RLT devices can be used anytime if you are not treating a specific condition or using it with a clear goal.
We do not advise taking RLT directly to the face and eyes before bed, as the brightness can delay sleep.
For sleep benefits, 2- 3 hours before bed is recommended and is best on the back of the body, to avoid the bright light to the face.
Conclusion
If you made it to the conclusion, now you know all the basics around Red Light Therapy.
As you can see, once you learn the basic knowledge, the lights are easy to use appropriately.
Now that you have the knowledge, are you going to take action?
Discover our Red Light Therapy devices here.