Red Light Therapy for Skin Care: 6 Benefits of Red Light Therapy You May Not Have Realized by 30Seconds Health

Adults have approximately 8 pounds and 22 square feet of skin, and skin is the largest of the body’s organs. Knowing that your skin makes up almost 16 percent of your body, it's no wonder we try to take good care of it with skin-care routines and techniques. With so many procedures and products on the market, it can be tricky to know which ones work and which are fads.

If you have heard about red light therapy (RLT) – referred to as light box therapy or low-power laser therapy (LPLT) – and have considered this treatment, it's a good idea to have an understanding of this form of skin therapy and the benefits it may provide.

Red light therapy is not a miracle cure for skin health. You should always consult a dermatologist or beauty physician on any serious skin issues you experience and learn which therapies may work for you. Let’s take a look at what red light therapy is and how it may benefit you in promoting healthier looking skin.

What Is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy is a form of skin therapy that works through exposing your body and skin cells to a low wavelength infrared red light that penetrates deep into the layers of skin. This may allow the cells to absorb the energy, thereby helping to promote stimulation of collagen and elastin in skin. This form of therapy may assist in boosting circulation as well as providing the necessary oxygen the skin needs to regenerate and heal where it needs to most.

The energy from the red light may penetrate into approximately 8 to 10 millimeters of skin. Depending on where the red light is positioned on your body, the targeted area may experience a boost in cell regenerative functioning. The great thing to know here is that red light therapy may be a non-damaging treatment with the absence of UV rays or any pain to the skin. For more context into red light therapy, as well as information about the potential side effects, read more articles explaining RLT such as OGLF (Our Good Living Formula).

Be sure to consult your dermatologist or skin-care professional on how to treat your skin, no matter what the situation may be. There are many harmful exposures and reactions you might face if you do not follow the correct procedures and treatments to suit your needs and skin specifically. If you have already done the research and you are interested in red light therapy, here are six benefits of trying this type of skin therapy:

1. Skin Health

The most obvious benefit of red light therapy is the promotion of skin health. RLT may have an incredible impact on the skin when it comes to acting as an anti-inflammatory for various conditions associated with obesity, diabetes, arthritis and tendonitis. It may assist in reducing uncomfortable inflammation in the targeted areas as well as the body tissue and surrounding organs. For those who experience joint, knee or back pain, RLT may help reduce pain by exposing the areas to the infrared red light and energy.

2. Scars

Red light therapy may benefit people with residual scarring from surgeries, acne scarring, stretch marks and burns. Through the cell regenerative functions stimulated by the red light, the cells may increase a healthier tissue repair in your skin, reducing the scarring over time. Many people don’t mind their scars as it symbolizes a memorable battle wound. However, there are many people who have struggled with their self-confidence because of acne scarring on the face or back, as well as large scars or residual burn marks from unpleasant experiences. This is where red light therapy may assist in not only reducing the scarring, but giving people back their confidence.

3. Muscle Aches and Stiffness

Living an active lifestyle is a great way to promote overall fitness and health, but sometimes a day at the gym can cause uncomfortable muscle aches and stiffness. If you find yourself experiencing stiffness quite often, or perhaps you prefer not to be slowed down by stiffness, consider booking regular red light therapy sessions. Many professional sportsmen and women opt for regular RLT sessions to assist in relieving their muscle aches in order to continue with the activities that form a large part of their careers.

4. Environmental Factors

For both men and women, aging can be an unpleasant thought, especially when the wrinkles set in. We can't shield our skin from the harsh exposures of the sun and other environmental factors, but the use of red light targeted therapy may help build up collagen within the skin and may decrease wrinkles and promote cell regeneration, giving you healthier and younger-looking skin.

5. Cold Sores

One benefit that's not so well known is that red light therapy may assist in the treatment and prevention of cold sores typically associated with herpes simplex viral infections (HSV). Cold sores can become very uncomfortable, painful and embarrassing for people, and being able to prevent them from occurring, especially if you have been diagnosed with HSV, can certainly relieve the insecurities that come along with them. Practicing good hygiene is always of vital importance if you suffer from regular cold sores, but trying out RLT treatment may help you manage and reduce their appearance, too.

6. Better Sleep

Do you struggle to fall asleep at night, or perhaps you simply cannot relax as easily as you used to? We carry a lot of tension and stress in the body and that has been known to suppress the sleep hormone melatonin. Sleep is incredibly important for how our body functions when we are awake. We need the appropriate amount of sleep and rest each day for mental health and physical well-being, but sometimes, due to other circumstances in life, people struggle to experience a peaceful sleep. Red light therapy treatments may enhance your quality of sleep by stimulating the production of melatonin in the body.

Red light therapy is not to be defined as a cure for any of the ailments or health issues mentioned above, and thorough research and medical consults should always be taken into account before committing to any treatment. But with minimal damage or harsh exposure to the skin, RLT may improve your skin's overall health, your physical and mental well-being, as well as promote beautiful and healthy looking skin.

The content on 30Seconds.com is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The information on this site should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your personal healthcare provider. The opinions or views expressed on 30Seconds.com do not necessarily represent those of 30Seconds or any of its employees, corporate partners or affiliates.

Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community. Inspire and be inspired.