A Brief Introduction to Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy, also known as Low Level Laser Therapy and Photobiomodulation, is a therapeutic technique that uses red and near infrared wavelengths of light to treat skin issues, such as wrinkles, scars, and persistent wounds, as well as other conditions such as joint, tendon and muscle discomfort.

In the early 1990s, red light was used by scientists to help grow plants in space. The scientists found that the intense light from red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) helped promote growth and photosynthesis of plant cells.

Red light was then studied for its potential application in medicine, more specifically to find out if red light could increase energy inside human cells. The researchers found that it was indeed an effective way to treat the muscle atrophy, slow wound healing, and bone density issues caused by weightlessness during space travel.

There are many different types of red light therapy. Rouge red light devices help reduce cosmetic skin issues, like stretch marks and wrinkles. They are also used to treat more serious conditions, psoriasis, slow-healing wounds, and even the side effects of chemotherapy.

How does red light therapy work?

Red light produces a biochemical effect in cells that strengthens the mitochondria. The mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell — it’s where the cell’s energy is created. The energy-carrying molecule found in the cells of all living things is called ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

By increasing the function of the mitochondria using red light therapy, a cell can make more ATP. With more energy, cells can function more efficiently, rejuvenate themselves, and repair damage.

How is red light therapy used?

Ever since the initial experiments in space, there have been hundreds of clinical studies and thousands of laboratory studies conducted to determine what other medical benefits could come from red light therapy.

At the moment, there’s quite a lot of evidence to suggest that red light therapy has the following benefits:

promotes wound healing and tissue repair
improves hair growth in people with androgenic alopecia
help for the short-term treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome
stimulates healing of slow-healing wounds, like diabetic foot ulcers
aids with short-term relief of pain and morning stiffness in people with rheumatoid arthritis
reduces some of the side effects of cancer treatments, including oral mucositis
improves skin complexion and builds collagen to diminish wrinkles
helps to mend sun damage
prevents recurring cold sores from herpes simplex virus infections
improves the health of joints in people with degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee
helps diminish scars, including acne scars
Reduce inflammation in people with Achilles tendons and tennis elbow

It’s important to note that when red light is used with cancer treatments, the light is only used to activate another medication.

How safe is red light therapy?

Red light therapy is considered perfectly safe, there are no known side-effects. Further, Rouge devices emit only extremely small levels of EMF that barely even register on the EMF meter.

There is however a potential risk of damage to the eyes. Although safer on the eyes than traditional lasers, proper eye protection should always be used while undergoing red light therapy, especially when exposing the face at close range. We include eye protection with most rouge models.