peptides vs red light therapy FAQ

How does red light therapy work? It's believed to stimulate mitochondria - tiny "powerhouses" in cells - to reduce inflammation and boost the production of collagen, a structural protein that makes skin stronger and more supple. While it's not a miracle fix for skin issues, the AAD says that research suggests red light therapy can help

Known medically as photobiomodulation and previously called low-level laser light therapy, it involves using devices that emit red or near-infrared light aimed at the skin. It's available in a dermatologist's office or through a plethora of at-home devices, many of which use LEDs or low-level lasers considered safe for home use, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Even home versions can be expensive, however, with masks, caps, and wands typically costing several hundred dollars or more. "When I'm talking with patients about rejuvenation and skin care, patients are definitely asking about red light therapy more frequently," Dr. Reynolds says.

Research on the benefits of red light therapy is ongoing. While more research needs to be done, there is some evidence that it may be useful for several health and beauty concerns. Red light therapy for dementia A 2021 research review found that in all 10 studies included in the review, red light therapy had benefits for people with dementia. In one of the studies, five people with dementia who had regular light therapy on their heads and through their noses for 12 weeks had better memories, slept better, and were angry less often. The review noted that many of these studies were small and lacked controls and that larger trials need to be done before any benefits can be confirmed. Red light therapy for pain Research shows that red light therapy may be useful for relieving some types of pain, particularly pain due to inflammation (irritation and swelling of body tissues). A review of 11 studies looking at the effect of red light therapy on pain found mostly positive results, though the authors said that more studies are needed. In another small study, people with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) had less pain, clicking, and jaw tenderness after red light therapy. Red light therapy for arthritis A review of studies found that red light therapy may be a helpful short-term treatment for pain and morning stiffness for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, it doesn’t seem to be very helpful for other forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis. Red light therapy for tendinopathy Tendinopathy is a condition that causes pain and loss of function in your tendons. A review of 17 clinical trials studying the impact of red light on treating tendinopathy found low-to-moderate quality evidence indicating that red light can help relieve pain or improve function. Red light therapy for hair loss A review of multiple studies found that red light therapy can be an effective treatment for androgenic alopecia, a genetic disorder that causes hair loss. Another review of 11 studies found similar promising results. In some studies, hair thickness improved as well as hair growth. Red light therapy for skin Research shows red light therapy may smooth your skin and help with wrinkles. Researchers think it does this by stimulating collagen production, which helps improve skin elasticity. Research shows it also helps improve signs of sun damage. Red light therapy for acne Research has found that red light therapy can be effective for acne treatment. This may have to do with its ability to help reduce inflammation. In addition to helping with active acne lesions, red light lasers may also help treat old acne scars. Red light therapy for weight loss Some providers use red light therapy as a weight loss treatment. This is often called body contouring, or body sculpting. Red light therapy may help reduce the circumference of your body in the area that was treated, but the effect will likely be temporary and not due to any real weight loss.

If you don’t want to use an at-home red light device, you can get red light therapy at a variety of places, including a doctor’s office or a spa. If you want to see a doctor to do red light therapy, you will likely see a dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in treating the skin. At a clinic or a spa, you may see an aesthetician — a licensed skin care professional. Red light therapy cost The cost of this therapy can vary greatly depending on whether you are using a device at home or you are getting treatment in a clinic. But in general, red light therapy isn’t cheap — treatments can cost $80 a session or more.

In red light therapy, you expose your skin to a lamp, device, or laser with a red light. It uses an LED (light-emitting diode) that emits the correct spectrum of light. Red LED light travels deeper into the skin than blue LED light, which is sometimes used to treat skin surface conditions such as acne. When the light enters your skin, your mitochondria soak it up and make more energy, which helps cells repair themselves. Red light therapy uses very low levels of heat and doesn’t hurt or burn the skin. Unlike the light used in tanning booths, it doesn’t expose your skin to damaging UV rays. Red light therapy devices There are many different types of red light therapy devices, some of which can be used at home. But home devices are usually less powerful than those used in clinics and may be less effective or take longer to work. Red light therapy devices include: Red light therapy mask. This fits over your entire face and has red LED lights on the inside, pointed toward your skin. It is designed to be worn for a short length of time several times a week. It's used as a treatment for acne, wrinkles, or other facial skin concerns. Red light therapy bed. This looks like a tanning bed but has red LED lights instead of UV lights. It is big enough for you to lie down inside, and your whole body is exposed to red light. Red light therapy panel. This is a panel of red LED lights that you can mount on a wall or place on a table, either at a clinic or home. Panels range in size from small to large. Small panels are used for targeted areas such as your face, and large panels can target larger areas of your body. Red light therapy wand. These are handheld devices that have red LED lights at one end. You use them by moving the wand over your skin in the areas that you want to treat. They are used to treat very small areas, such as the back of the hands, one knee, or a particular spot on the face.

Red light therapy is a treatment that may help skin, muscle tissue, and other parts of your body heal. It uses low levels of red light to target your skin and cells. It is thought to work by increasing the production of mitochondria, your cells' energy sources. This may improve cell function and repair. Red light therapy is also sometimes called low-level laser therapy, low-power laser therapy, low-power laser, or photobiomodulation.