Red Light Therapy

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Red light therapy targets mitochondria, the powerhouse inside our cells, by means of specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. Red light therapy is sometimes called “Low-Level Laser Therapy” (LLLT), and both are types of photobiomodulation therapy that use low-level light wavelengths to treat skin, muscles, and other tissues with the purpose to:

• increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (the source of energy in the cells)
• increase blood flow
• reduce inflammation.

A number of studies have shown the following about the red light therapy:

• Low-level laser therapy (LLLT), which utilizes red and near-infrared light, promotes wound healing and reduces pain, inflammation, and swelling, with emerging applications for serious conditions like stroke, heart attack, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury (source).
• Infrared radiation, particularly in low-level light therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation (PBM), shows promise for neural stimulation, wound healing, and cancer treatment, with recent advances in IR therapy methods and applications enhancing therapeutic effectiveness (source).
• Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is an emerging treatment that uses red and near-infrared light to stimulate healing, reduce pain and inflammation, and improve skin conditions like wrinkles, acne scars, burns, and pigmentary disorders, with minimal side effects (source).
• This study demonstrates that two novel polychromatic light sources for photobiomodulation effectively improve skin appearance, feeling, and collagen density, with comparable results to red-light-only treatments, and show safety and efficacy for skin rejuvenation.
• This study demonstrates that LED phototherapy using 830nm and 633nm light effectively reduces facial wrinkles, increases skin elasticity, and promotes collagen production, with no adverse effects, making it a viable option for skin rejuvenation.
• This study shows that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) enhances wound healing by promoting faster wound contraction, including an indirect effect on untreated surrounding tissue, making it an effective treatment for partial-thickness wounds.
• This study demonstrates that combining infrared-LED phototherapy (850 nm) with treadmill training improves body aesthetics by reducing cellulite, preventing body fat gain, and preserving lean mass, with enhanced results from the infrared-LED treatment.
• This study explains that photobiomodulation (PBM) uses red and near-infrared light to stimulate healing, reduce inflammation, and promote cell survival, with effects like increased ATP production, reduced oxidative stress, and decreased inflammatory markers, particularly in conditions like joint disorders, brain injuries, and wounds.
• This review concludes that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may provide short-term relief of pain and morning stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with minimal side effects, but its effectiveness remains uncertain due to inconsistent treatment parameters and the need for further research on factors like wavelength, dosage, and application site.
• This meta-analysis shows that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) significantly improves pain, fatigue, stiffness, anxiety, and depression in fibromyalgia patients, making it an effective and safe treatment, though combined with exercise, it offers no additional benefits.
• This systematic review suggests that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may be effective for chronic neck pain, improving pain, function, and quality of life, though evidence for other types of neck pain is less consistent, and further research is needed.
• This meta-analysis concludes that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) significantly reduces heel pain in plantar fasciitis patients, with lasting effects up to 3 months, though it does not significantly improve pain according to the Foot Function Index.
• This pilot study shows that 830 nm LED phototherapy significantly accelerates return-to-play (RTP) in injured athletes by reducing pain and inflammation, with a significantly shorter RTP period compared to conventional treatments, though further controlled studies are needed.
• This review suggests that low-level phototherapy (LED or LASER) may have limited effects on skeletal muscle injury, pain, and function following exercise, with only LASER therapy showing a reduction in creatine kinase levels when applied before exercise, but no significant effects on edema, range of motion, or strength.
• This study assessed the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on performance and recovery in high-level rugby players during an anaerobic field test. Twelve athletes participated in a randomized, crossover, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. PBMT significantly improved sprint performance (average sprint time and fatigue index) and reduced blood lactate levels and perceived fatigue post-exercise. The combination of super-pulsed laser, red LEDs, and infrared LEDs was shown to enhance performance and accelerate recovery, suggesting PBMT’s potential for use in sports settings.
• This systematic review and meta-analysis found that FDA-approved low-level laser therapy (LLLT) devices significantly increased hair density in individuals with pattern hair loss, suggesting LLLT as an effective treatment option.
• According to this study, red light exposure at 670 nm significantly reduces blood glucose spikes following meals by increasing oxidation rates, suggesting a potential non-invasive intervention for glucose management in diabetes.
• This study showed that transcranial photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy targeting the prefrontal cortex improved sleep efficiency and cognitive performance in individuals with subjective cognitive decline after five days of treatment.
• This pilot trial revealed that transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM) with near-infrared light demonstrated significant antidepressant effects in patients with major depressive disorder, with medium to large effect sizes and good tolerability.
• According to this study, repeated low-level red-light therapy (RLRL) enhances cellular metabolism and energy supply, offering a promising approach to control myopia by targeting mitochondrial bioenergetics, neuronal energy metabolism, and nitric oxide signaling, without adverse effects.
• This study shows that intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is an effective and safe treatment for acne-related post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), showing significant improvement in skin appearance with minimal side effects.

As you can see, the subject of red light therapy has been well studied. Consult with a medical provider to see if the red light therapy is right for you.

I used to be skeptical about Red Light Therapy, but in the spirit of experimentation, I decided to try it myself.

At first, I felt uneasy after using the device, experiencing a fluttering sensation in my chest. Looking back, this was likely because I started with 6 minutes of use right away instead of easing into it. I stopped for two days, then resumed with two minutes and gradually increased to six minutes.

Now, I use LUMEBOX five times a week for six minutes per session, and I no longer experience any discomfort. Additionally, when I have muscle pain or tension, I switch to the infrared setting, and it provides immediate relief.

From a cosmetic standpoint, I’ve noticed my skin looks more radiant with reduced puffiness, and even my spider veins have started to fade. So far, I’m really pleased with the results!