What Is Red Light Therapy And Do I Need It?

Red light therapy is an innovative therapeutic technique that uses low-level red light wavelengths to improve cell function. Traditionally associated with improving skin issues, in recent years, red light therapy has been used for everything from accelerating wound healing to reducing the side effects of chemotherapy.

Red light therapy is non-invasive, pain free, and comes with a very low risk of side effects, but no procedure is right for every patient. If you are considering red light therapy, below is a brief overview of the basics to help you make an informed decision about whether treatment would meet your individual needs. 

How Does Red Light Therapy Work?

Red light therapy is an innovative therapeutic technique that uses low-level red light wavelengths to improve cell function. Traditionally associated with improving skin issues, in recent years, red light therapy has been used for everything from accelerating wound healing to reducing the side effects of chemotherapy.

Treatment is noninvasive, pain free, and comes with a very low risk of side effects, but no procedure is right for every patient. If you are considering treatment, below is a brief overview of the basics to help you make an informed decision about whether treatment would meet your individual needs. 

How Does Red Light Therapy Work?

First used in the 1990s to help grow plants in space, scientists eventually became curious about whether red light therapy could have medicinal benefits. It can increase the activity in human cells, potentially helping them function more efficiently, repair damage, and even rejuvenate themselves.

Originally, researchers hoped red light therapy would be able to treat conditions such as muscular atrophy, slow wound healing, and bone density issues. In recent years, therapy has been used to treat an even wider array of conditions, including:

• Side effects of chemotherapy
• Wrinkles, discoloration, sun damage, fine lines, and other skin issues
• Pain and inflammation
• Carpal tunnel syndrome (for short term treatment only)
• Osteoarthritis
• Depression

While red light therapy has technically been around for over three decades, its use for medicinal purposes is still relatively new. The effectiveness of red therapy is not fully understood, but it does carry very low risk of complications and side effects. That being said, further studies are needed to ascertain its effectiveness at treating many of the above conditions. For now, it may be used in conjunction with other treatments to ensure the best results. 

What Happens During Treatment?

Sessions vary depending on patient need. Your practitioner will typically expose your skin to red light with a laser or lamp device for a set period of time. You may be asked to wear protective goggles to keep your eyes safe during the procedure. Sessions usually take between 10 to 20 minutes, but may be shorter or longer depending on the treatment area.

Red light therapy is not painful and most patients can resume the majority of their normal day-to-day activities right away. However, alwaystalk to your practitioner about specific guidelines for you. Follow all aftercare instructions closely to reduce your risk of complications. 

Is Red Light Therapy Safe?

When you work with a qualified practitioner, red light therapy is very safe and rarely causes side effects. Prior to undergoing therapy, your practitioner should have a consultation with you to talk over your current health, lifestyle, medical history, and other factors to ensure you can safely undergo therapy.

In rare cases, there have been reports of redness, blisterning, and burns and some patients sustain lasting tissue damage. There is also a potential risk for eye damage if you do not use proper protection during treatment. However, with proper safety precautions, complications remain extremely unlikely.

The best way to ensure safety is to work with a qualified professional with experience administering therapy.

Is Red Light Therapy Right For Me?

For patients with chronic conditions who have had limited success with more traditional treatment routes, red light therapy may be worth trying. Many medical conditions – such as chronic pain, acne scarring, carpal tunnel syndrome, and more – are notoriously difficult to treat. 

If you are interested in red light therapy, it can sometimes be difficult to find a practitioner in your area with enough experience to safely administer treatment. While gyms, spas, and tanning salons often offer this treatment, for safety reasons, it is best to seek a provider with a medical background and who uses FDA-approved devices. Talk to your general practitioner about  therapy and see if they can offer you a consultation for a provider in your area.

At CORR, our team of medical professionals have extensive experience in a variety of innovative therapeutic techniques, including red light therapy. Reach out here if you are interested in learning more.

The Bottom Line

While red light therapy is still relatively new, it shows promise for treating a variety of chronic conditions that often fail to respond to more traditional treatments. When working with a qualified professional, it is very safe and comes with a low risk of side effects.