When you wake up before you put on your makeup, after you’ve finished work, right after that big workout, or right before bed—what’s the best time for red light therapy? Fortunately, there’s a fairly straightforward answer to that question: It really depends on what you’re trying to treat, and what your goals are for treatment.
There are many different issues that people are treating with red light therapy. From skin health to muscle recovery, and from sleep quality to overall well-being, getting your therapy in at the right time of day can certainly have a significant impact on its effectiveness.
Let’s look at some issues one might treat in the morning, afternoon, or the evening, and also check in on one of the most-asked questions that we get about whether to do red light therapy before, or after a workout. Let’s get started!
Morning sessions to improve energy and cognitive function
Ready to get your day started off right? Wondering about morning vs evening for red light therapy? Yeah, you are. One of the ways you can do this is by getting your red light therapy routine started first thing in the morning. Here’s why.
When you expose yourself to near-infrared light in the morning, your body may find its way to regulating its circadian rhythms at a higher level. You’ll start reinforcing your body’s natural wake cycle and, in turn, you’ll get a boost in both your mood and energy levels. For people who have trouble getting through an entire day, it’s a great way to keep up with everyone around you!
It’s also a great way for people who suffer from the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder to get rid of some of the doldrums, sluggishness, and malaise that accompany the condition. Getting a session in right after you wake up could go a long way towards boosting your serotonin and dopamine levels, giving you the energy you need to make it through the day.
The best red light therapy panels are specifically designed to help with these issues and a lot more. To make sure you’re getting the best device, check out the great selection in our store by clicking here.
If you’re able to combine red light therapy with a good, brisk walk outside, even better! You’ll help to optimize light exposure and get your body aligned with the natural cycles of daylight where you live.
Afternoon use to reduce stress and improve skin health
Somewhere around 10 years ago, I started to fade off around 2pm every afternoon. Big lunch, small lunch, no lunch, cup of tea or coffee, no matter the situation, I crashed like the stock market in 1929. We’ve had quite a few people let us know they’re also experiencing these kinds of afternoon energy dips, as well.
Most often, it’s caused by either a dip in blood sugar levels or not getting enough sleep or even just disrupted sleep. A red light therapy session might help you to get the natural energy boost you need without having to grab another cup of coffee, which may mess with your sleep later on, which will cause you to get tired the next afternoon, which will cause you to drink more coffee, which will mess with your sleep… you get the idea.
The afternoon might also be the optimal time for a red light therapy session when you’re dealing with skin issues. Because red light therapy has been shown to increase the production of collagen, many find that their therapy sessions lead to a reduction in inflammation, leading to happier, healthier skin.
Those who commit to doing regular therapy session over the long term often find that their skin texture improves greatly, giving them a reprieve from the most common signs of aging. They also tend to use red light therapy panels that are tested by trusted third-party organizations, like these ones.
Your skin cells are hard at work regenerating themselves all day long, so giving them a little boost in the afternoon can do a great job of complementing that natural cycle!
In the evening for relaxation and sleep enhancement
According to the American Psychiatric Association, one third of adults in the USA say that they get less sleep than is recommended and more than 30% say the quality of their sleep is “fair” or even “poor.” An astonishing 50 million Americans have chronic sleep problems. And that’s way, way too much.
If you’re one of those people, red light therapy can help you get the sleep you need by doing your red light therapy sessions in the evening. Many of us spend much of our day in front of screens that emit blue light. Studies show that this blue light can slow down melatonin production, which leads to hindered sleep. On the other hand, red light therapy actually can increase those melatonin levels that are so crucial to helping us get a proper night’s rest.
Do you have a hard time winding down at night? Or maybe you suffer from insomnia. Red light therapy at night could really help you to turn that around. By getting in a short session about half an hour or an hour before bedtime, you can reduce stress hormones and prepare the nervous system for rest.
It’s also a great time for those of us who have muscle tension or pain. A quick session in the evening can help to cut back on inflammation and alleviate chronic pain symptoms. It’s just one more weapon in your arsenal to help you relieve pain and get a great night’s sleep.
Is red light therapy best before or after a workout?
For those of you asking about whether to employ red light therapy before or after you work out, the answer is that it depends on what you’re looking to accomplish with your therapy.
Pre-workout red light therapy sessions
For example, getting a session in before you exercise might give your muscles added enhancement and help to reduce fatigue. You may benefit from increased blood flow, which , in turn, helps you to achieve at your highest level of physical performance.
There are some studies that show that ATP (the “energy currency” of our cells) is produced at its highest level somewhere between three to six hours after a red light therapy treatment. So, this means that if you can fit your workout into that window, you’ll get the highest level of benefits from the therapy.
Post-workout red light therapy sessions
All that is not to say that there isn’t a place for red light therapy in that post-workout spot, though. When you need some help with muscle recovery, getting under (or over, or beside) your red light lamps can help out a lot by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
From the research, we find that exposure to red light does a great job of healing those pesky microtears in your muscles that you get from being physically active. With faster healing you can even delay that delayed onset muscle soreness and get some added support for tissue repair.
Choose the right red light therapy time based on your goals
So, we can see that one might get specific benefits at different times of day, and that the best time to use red light therapy really depends on what it is that you’re trying to treat.
When should you use red light therapy? Do you want to increase your energy levels and gain more focus throughout the day? The morning is the right time for you. If you’re focusing on skin health and stress reduction, take a break in the afternoon and get in a quick session. And if you’re trying to get more sleep and better relaxation, the nighttime is the right time for you.
Consistency is key when using red light therapy. While some benefits may be noticeable immediately, significant results often emerge from regular use over time. Once you’ve integrated the therapy into your daily routine, you’ll have a sustainable and effective habit from which you’ll be able to reap the benefits..
Whenever you choose to do your sessions, make sure you get your red light therapy device from a trusted source and, again, make sure to check in with your health professional. And have fun!
FAQs
What’s the best time for red light therapy?
It really depends on your goals and what you’re trying to achieve. Morning sessions are ideal for energy and focus, afternoon sessions help with stress reduction and skin health, and evening sessions may help you relax and get a great night’s sleep.
Should I use red light therapy before or after I workout?
You’ll get benefits from either one and it depends on why you’re using red light treatments. Do your sessions before you workout to reduce fatigue and get better muscle performance, and do your sessions after you work out for muscle recovery, inflammation reduction, and tissue repair.
How do I get the most out of my red light therapy sessions?
First of all, consistency is key. Make sure to do your sessions on a regular basis. Things like distance from the red light therapy device, hydration and incorrect settings can make a big difference in your results, as well. You can find out about these points and more by reading this article.