What is Red Light Therapy?
Red Light Therapy is an innovative, modern medical therapy that uses low levels of red or near-red infrared light to penetrate the skin. Initially, it was used by NASA to help heal astronauts' wounds, and while NASA did not discover Red Light Therapy, the organization is credited for the research and development of this treatment. Since then, Red Light Therapy has evolved into an accessible treatment for a variety of ailments and inflammation including skin conditions like acne and sun damage and muscle recovery.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
The process of Red Light Therapy involves using low wavelengths of red light to penetrate deep into the skin, where it’s absorbed and used by cells to help promote energy and healing. Specifically, the mitochondria—which are referred to as the “powerhouses of the cell”—convert those light particles into the energy source for all your other cells, strengthening them and helping them repair and rejuvenate quicker.
At Restore Hyper Wellness, you’ll enter a special, private room with red light panels, remove your clothes and stand in the light for up to 15 minutes. The entire process is painless and quick, and most clients report feeling a boost to their mood immediately.
What are the Benefits of Red Light Therapy?
Research has proven Red Light Therapy to be a safe, non-invasive, effective treatment for a variety of conditions that we'll explore in this article.
Better Skin Health
Red Light Therapy can provide significant improvements in skin health, including the stimulation of collagen—which plays a critical role in maintaining your skin's firmness, elasticity, and overall youthful appearance—and the treatment of acne and psoriasis.
It also has the potential to enhance wound healing, improve skin tone and texture, and repair UV-induced sun damage.
Improved Vision
Did you know that rods and cones—which are responsible for your vision—are the most metabolically active cells in your entire body? When these cells lack the energy to properly function, you may experience a decline in eyesight, especially as you age.
Red Light Therapy may help improve vision by increasing the production and use of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a chemical that provides energy to drive and support a variety of cell processes, including eyesight. When photoreceptors have the energy to more easily convert light information into electrical signals, visual acuity has been shown to improve by 17-20%.
Faster Muscle Recovery
The increased production of ATP also plays a critical role in muscle recovery and reduced inflammation. When cells have more energy, there’s increased cell proliferation and oxygen in the tissues which can result in reduced muscle damage, pain, and fatigue—as well as an increase in muscle mass, recovery and athletic performance.
Red Light Therapy has also shown the potential to help manage inflammation, which is your body’s natural response to injury and illness. However, chronic inflammation can result in a variety of conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases and autoimmune disorders. Red Light Therapy works by inhibiting the production of cytokines, which are signaling proteins essential to your immune system but that can result in damage to healthy cells if overproduced.
Enhanced Energy
Studies have shown that Red Light Therapy has the potential to increase both physical energy and mental alertness. When the red light penetrates the skin’s surface, it’s absorbed by the mitochondria. This triggers a positive biochemical effect in your cells that strengthens them which can increase blood flow and oxygenation. Because mitochondria play such a key role in energy production and health, the stronger they are, the more energy your body has available.
Boosted Mood
According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and can result in prolonged feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Red Light Therapy has been shown to effectively treat depression and other psychiatric disorders by boosting serotonin and dopamine levels, which are the chemicals responsible for mood and emotion regulation.
Improved Sleep
Melatonin is a hormone that plays an important role in sleep. It helps regulate your circadian rhythm, which is your body’s natural 24-hour wake and sleep cycle. Red Light Therapy can help increase melatonin production and regulate circadian rhythms, improving sleep and reducing the symptoms of sleep disorders.
Start Sleeping & Feeling Better
Incorporating Red Light Therapy into your health and wellness routine can unlock a myriad of benefits, from rejuvenating aging skin to improving your sleep and mood. This safe, non-invasive solution can be done in as little as 10 minutes and provides an immediate boost for the rest of your day.
Book your Red Light Therapy appointment at your nearest studio.
Medical services are provided by an independently-owned physician practice. Some services may require medical clearance and a prescription. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. Services, therapies, ingredients and prices may vary per location.
The content on our site, blog posts, educational materials, app, promotional newsletters, and any other written content are not intended to replace an evaluation with a qualified healthcare professional and are not intended as medical advice.
