I’ve been loving red light therapy lately for all its health benefits – and it’s all natural. RLT uses low wavelength red light to treat skin issues like wrinkles, scars and age spots; promote collagen production and muscle recovery; improve sleep, joint pain and inflammation; and so much more. Here’s how RLT works and its benefits.
RLT works by delivering 5 millimeters of concentrated wavelengths of natural red light into your skin, which is absorbed by your cells. This helps promote collagen, elastin and fibroblast production. It can also help boost circulation and bring more oxygen and nutrients to your cells and tissues. Basically, when your cells are hit with red light, regenerative effects take place – and that can lead to benefits like younger-looking skin, less scarring and muscle repair. RTL enhances ATP (the energy source of every cell in the body), which is what makes it so beneficial.
In addition to making more ATP energy, natural red light helps promote antioxidant protection, which is important for reducing oxidative stress related to cell injury, muscle fatigue, joint pain and inflammation. It also increases circulation, which means that after receiving RLT your tissues are getting more oxygen and other important nutrients needed for healing.
When doing RLT, it’s important to pay attention to the different wavelengths, which is what gives it the benefit-optimizing boost. 660 nanometers absorbs more quickly by the skin, so this wavelength is more common in anti-aging skin treatments. The other wavelength is 850 nanometers, which penetrates deeper into the body to help with muscle recover, join pain and full body health. In other words, a simple red light bulb WILL NOT give you the same benefits.
RLT isn’t a miracle cure – but it can address a lot of health issues. It’s been proven that red light helps wounds heal faster by increasing tissue repair, plus the beneficial effects of RLT on wrinkles, acne scars and burns. The anti-inflammatory effects can also help clear up skin issues like acne and naturally decrease oil production and bacteria levels in your skin. The anti-aging benefits of RLT are one of my favorites. Not only does it protect existing collagen but it also helps boost new production. I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my complexion, texture, tone, wrinkles and pore size.
Pain relief and muscle repair and recovery and the other main benefits of RLT. A study found that RLT has benefits when used as both pre and post-workout – and it’s led to a decrease in soreness, muscle strength loss and fewer range-of-motion impairments after exercise. The core of all of these benefits comes from RLT’s ability to reduce inflammation and pain. It’s been found that RLT can help reduce physical pain like meniscus tears, general knee pain, back pain and rheumatoid arthritis.
Other than RLT’s skin benefits, I love how much red light has helped improve my sleep by increasing melatonin production and balancing my circadian rhythm. Being exposed to artificial light after dark keeps your body from releasing melatonin, which makes it harder for you to fall asleep and stay asleep. I like to incorporate RLT into my nighttime routine to naturally increase my melatonin output.
You can get RLT at your local dermatologist, spa and maybe even gym – or do DIY treatments at home with a handheld red light device or a red light face mask (these are great for doing at-home facials!).
Is red light therapy in your self-care routine – or will you be adding it in? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
