There are many ways that we all try to target skin health and muscle recovery. Not all of them are as beneficial as others and many of them don’t have the research to back them up. Red light therapy, on the other hand, has shown tremendous benefits, backed by an incredible amount of research.
Light therapy has become very popular as the wavelength of certain light waves are able to penetrate the skin and provide healing benefits. Red light is within visible light with a wavelength of 630-700nm. This differs from infrared light therapy that has a wavelength of 780nm to 1mm, is not visible and penetrates deeper into the skin.
As red light therapy is a little shorter than infrared it is most commonly used for penetrating into the skin to promote skin health and tissue healing. Whereas infrared light is much deeper and is used more for treating issues deeper in the body
What is the benefit behind red light therapy?
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Improves blood flow and promotes circulation
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Stimulates skin cells of the epidermis (top layer of the skin) to promote wound healing and skin health
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Calms skin inflammation and treats skin conditions like psoriasis, acne, and eczema
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Increases collagen synthesis - thus helps reduce wrinkles and signs of aging
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Promotes cellular repair to reduce inflammation, pigmentation, and redness
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Improves skin elasticity and texture
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May support hair growth and scalp health by improving circulation
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May improve sleep quality
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Can support the body in combatting oxidative stress
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Supports muscle recovery by improving circulation, repairing minor tears and reducing soreness
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Helps reduce cortisol and calm the nervous system
To get the most out of red light therapy it is recommended to use it 3-5 times a week for 10-20 minute sessions. You’ll get the most benefit here for collagen synthesis and wound repair. Utilizing daily isn’t always beneficial as you need a day of repair in between and you can also reach a light dose saturation point - where going beyond the recommended amount isn’t going to give you any additional benefit.
