New to All Things Holistic - Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy (RLT) is a controversial therapeutic technique that uses red low-level wavelengths of light to treat skin issues, such as wrinkles, scars, and persistent wounds, among other conditions.

Red light is thought to work by producing a biochemical effect in cells that strengthens the mitochondria. The mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell — it’s where the cell’s energy is created. The energy-carrying molecule found in the cells of all living things is called ATP(adenosine triphosphate).
By increasing the function of the mitochondria using RLT, a cell can make more ATP. With more energy, cells can function more efficiently, rejuvenate themselves, and repair damage.
RLT is different from laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) therapies because it doesn’t cause damage to the skin surface. Laser and pulsed light therapies work by causing controlled damage to the outer layer of the skin, which then induces tissue repair. RLT bypasses this harsh step by directly stimulating regeneration of the skin. The light emitted by RLT penetrates roughly 5 millimeters below the skin’s surface
How is red light therapy used?Ever since the initial experiments in space, there have been hundreds of clinical studies and thousands of laboratory studies conducted to determine if RLT has medical benefits.
Many studies have had promising results, but the benefits of red light therapy are still a source of controversy. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), for example, has determined that there isn’t enough evidence to show that these devices are better than currently existing treatments for treating wounds, ulcers, and pain.
Additional clinical research is needed to prove that RLT is effective. At the moment, however, there’s some evidence to suggest that RLT may have the following benefits:
  • promotes wound healingTrusted Source and tissue repair
  • improves hair growth in people with androgenic alopecia
  • help for the short-term treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome
  • stimulates healing of slow-healing wounds, like diabetic foot ulcers
  • reduces psoriasis lesions
  • aids with short-term relief of pain and morning stiffness in people with rheumatoid arthritis
  • reduces some of the side effects of cancer treatments, including oral mucositisTrusted Source
  • improves skin complexion and builds collagenTrusted Source to diminish wrinkles
  • helps to mend sun damageTrusted Source
  • prevents recurring cold sores from herpes simplex virus infections
  • improves the health of jointsTrusted Source in people with degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee
  • helps diminish scars
  • relieves pain and inflammationTrusted Source in people with pain in the Achilles tendons
  • Any Pain


red light therapy does the following: