With thousands of studies on red light therapy it is a simple task to demonstrate both the pros and cons of using red light therapy.
What is Red Light Therapy and How Does it Work?
Red light therapy, sometimes referred to as Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has gained popularity in recent years as wellness and health conscience individuals harness its power for their greater benefit. Red light therapy works by activating our cells and mitochondria which speeds up healing, fat loss and improves sleep.
Red light therapy is the administration of red and near infrared light to our bodies and cells for the benefit of healing and recovery. Countless studies have highlighted the benefits of red light therapy for humans.
When you have a red-light therapy session the warmth you feel is from the infrared light and the red color you see is from the red LEDs. The best frequencies of red light to use are found between 630nm and 660nm. The most effective near infrared light frequencies are located at 850nm on the electromagnetic spectrum.
By activating cytochrome c-oxidase at the fourth phase of electron chain transport, red light therapy has been shown to stimulate more efficient energy production. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is produced at a cellular level and is enhanced by red light therapy assisting the freeing up to oxygen atoms by reacting with nitric oxide.
When energy production is more efficient it allows our cells to restore, rejuvenate and repair easier. This helps with a lot of conditions such as hair loss, medically diagnosed mild arthritis and acne.
Red Light Therapy Pros
Red light therapy comes with incredible benefits. We have listed the best benefits below.
Health Benefits – Red light therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for a wide range of health conditions. Always ensure you have your medical conditions medically diagnosed first. Red Light Therapy has been shown to improve skin conditions (excluding skin cancer), hair growth, collagen production, morning stiffness, wound healing medically diagnosed mild arthritis, sleep and recovery.
Convenient – Red light therapy can be used in the comfort of your own home. Gone are the days of having to pay tens of thousands of dollars per year to use red light therapy in a salon. Today you can purchase small handheld panels all the way up to large full body modular panels depending on your requirements. Red light therapy at home is great for skin rejuvenation (activating skin cells), seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and improved blood flow.
Backed by Clinical Research - Red light therapy has been shown in over 4,000 clinical trials and academic studies to be safe, effective and benefit humankind. When you look for additions to your wellness routine it’s always a great idea to ensure the products you use are not only backed by science but registered as medical devices. BON CHARGE red light therapy panels are registered with in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and with the Food and Drug Administration in the USA.
Little to No Side Effects – Studies have consistently shown that red light therapy is a safe and effective treatment for a range of health conditions. The scientific community is mostly in agreement that red light therapy is safe.
Easy to set up and use – Red light therapy is simple and quick to use. Setting up a device take a few minutes and treatment sessions can be administered from as little as 5 minutes per day.
Red Light Therapy Cons
Before embarking on your journey into red light therapy it is paramount to assess the downsides. there can be some negative effects of red light therapy to consider.
Photosensitivity – Some people report having irritated skin when using red light therapy. When you first get your red light therapy device you can perform a light sensitivity test to see if you have a reaction to red light panels. You should always seek medical advice before using red light therapy devices for the first time from your doctor or physician.
Inefficient Machines – Not all red light therapy devices are created equal and it can be hard to see which are backed by science and which are not. Many companies sell red light therapy panels that are better used for plants. Also, inflated irradiance reports are commonplace where companies can inflate the power and efficacy of their panels which can be misleading. We would always recommend partnering with a brand that has high irradiance panels and has them registered as medical devices.
Not Registered as Therapeutic Goods – Many brands do not have their red-light panels registered with the Australian Register of therapeutic Goods or the FDA in the USA. BON CHARGE has both registrations for our red light therapy machines. If the panel you are buying does not have medical device status, then you risk purchasing a device that may not complies with Australian or American safety and efficacy standard.
We always recommend asking the company you purchase from to show you that their red-light devices are registered with the relevant medical governing bodies.
Electrical Safety Concerns – The majority of red-light devices on the market may not have been tested to high quality electrical standards. This can render your device unsafe for use. Unsure that your device as electrical safety certification and is registered as “electrically safe”. BON CHARGE has ensured all their applicable red light panels have been entered into the EESS database and hold SAA electrical safety certification.
Non-standardised – Whilst clinical trials have shown what wavelengths of red light are beneficial to human health this isn’t always what is found in red light therapy devices. As the field is not fully regulated it means some cheaper red-light machines may not provide the most beneficial frequencies of light. They may not have even been tested to see what frequencies of red light they emit.
What Does Red Light Therapy Assist With?
There are countless conditions that red light therapy can help with. It is best to have a condition medically diagnosed first to ensure you get the correct medical treatment. Red light therapy has been shown to help many conditions but below you can find our top ten.
1. Eczema and Psoriasis
2. Acne
3. Wrinkles
4. Skin Roughness
5. Vitiligo and Pigmentation Issues
6. Scars
7. Fat loss
8. Sleep
9. Morning Stiffness
10. Medically Diagnosed Mild Arthritis
Can Red Light Therapy be Dangerous?
Red light therapy has been shown to be effective and safe in countless studies. The medical community agree that red light therapy is very safe with little to no adverse effects.
With any medical treatment it is always best to consult your doctor prior to starting red light therapy. Always ensure you have your condition medically diagnosed first by a qualified doctor before seeking supplementary treatments.
How to Use a Red Light Therapy Device?
The advantage of red light therapy is that it is easy it install and quick and simple to use. Red light therapy can be used in the home with use and you can also go to a salon or gym to have a session.
Instructions for using your red light therapy device are as follows:
1. Set up your device as per the manufacturer’s instructions
2. Remove clothing for the area you wish to treat
3. Set a timer for 10-20 minutes and put on your protective goggles.
4. Stand 3 inches to 1 foot away from your panel
5. Enjoy your session
Red light therapy is best used at home. At home red light therapy is more affordable and comfortable to use than sharing a session with someone at the gym or paying expensive salon rates.
Conclusion
The advantages of having so many studies on red light therapy means we can safely demonstrate the pros and cons of red light therapy.
Red light therapy has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment for numerous medically diagnosed conditions. Red light devices should not replace conventional medical treatments, only supplement them.
You should always seek medical advice prior to starting red light therapy
BON CHARGE Red Light Therapy
At BON CHARGE we only use clinically proven frequencies of red and near infrared light in our red-light therapy panels. This gives people peace of mind that their BON CHARGE red light therapy panels are the highest grade.
The reviews don’t lie, we have helped thousands of people with their health, wellness and happiness over the years and have become a trusted brand in the wellness community.
If you are looking for other wellness products check out our game changing Sleep Masks, precision Blue Light Blocking Glasses and EMF Protection Products
Further Reading
References
Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring
Effect of phototherapy on delayed onset muscle soreness
Low level laser therapy for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: a metaanalysis
Light-emitting diode phototherapy improves muscle recovery after a damaging exercise
Red Light and the Sleep Quality and Endurance Performance of Chinese Female Basketball Players
The growth of human scalp hair in females using visible red light laser and LED sources
