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What is Red Light Therapy?

Red Light Therapy (RLT) is a secure, innovative healthcare technique that uses specific light wavelengths to stimulate cellular metabolic processes for healing and rejuvenation.

These low levels of red light reportedly improve your skin's appearance, like reducing wrinkles, scars, inflammation, redness and acne.

It's also touted to treat other medical conditions and research shows that red light therapy may be useful for relieving pain due to inflammation. (irritation and swelling of body tissues) as well as assisting other body parts to heal. It has been found to be helpful in treating arthritis, tendinopathy, and even androgenic alopecia, to name a few.

It is thought to work by increasing the production of mitochondria, your cells' energy sources. This may improve cell function and repair.

With regards to skin rejuvenation, this therapy is seen to stimulate the production of collagen, an important protein for the preservation of skin elasticity and the minimization of aging signs.

LRT is non-invasive, painless and required no recovery time.


Red light therapy is also sometimes called low-level laser therapy, low-power laser therapy, low-power laser, or photobiomodulation.

The evolution of RLT will undoubtedly be shaped by future research, potentially revolutionizing our approaches to health and wellness.


There are primarily two types of LED chips used in these devices:


  • Red LED Chips: These typically emit light at wavelengths around 630-660 nanometers (nm). Red light is known for its ability to penetrate the skin and promote collagen production, improve circulation and skin texture and reduce inflammation.


  • Near-Infrared (NIR) LED Chips: These emit light at wavelengths around 810-850 nm and are invisible to the human eye. Near-infrared light can penetrate deeper into the tissues compared to red light, providing benefits such as enhanced wound healing, pain relief, and muscle recovery.



Other wavelengths used, which specifically target various skin conditions include:


Blue LED Light: Wavelength: Typically 405-420 nm.

Benefits:

  • Kills acne-causing bacteria.

  • Reduces oil production.

  • Helps in treating acne and preventing breakouts.


Green LED Light: Wavelength: Typically 495-570 nm.

Benefits:

  • Reduces pigmentation and evens skin tone.

  • Helps in reducing redness and calming the skin.


Yellow LED Light: Wavelength: Typically 570-590 nm.

Benefits:

  • Reduces redness.

  • Improves circulation.

  • It can help in reducing the appearance of fine lines.



How Red Light Therapy Works


Red light therapy is an important development in the health and wellness industry and holds potential for various therapeutic uses. It is believed to amplify cellular metabolic activities, which in turn encourages tissue repair, reduces inflammation, and mitigates pain.


The skin’s absorption of light interacts with chromophores, which are photoreceptor molecules found within cells. Consequently, these interactions initiate a host of cellular activities, such as:


  • Production of ATP: The light energy stimulates more adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production from the mitochondria, the cell’s powerhouse where energy is generated. This increased energy helps cells to work more efficiently, heal faster and rejuvenate quicker.

  • Collagen and Elastin Synthesis: In particular, red light triggers the synthesis of collagen and elastin proteins, which keep the skin firm, smooth, and young-looking. 

  • Increased Circulation: Moreover, this light enhances blood flow, supplying extra oxygen and nutrients to an area that facilitates reducing inflammation and speeding up healing processes, leading to better skin tone.

  • Reduction of Inflammation: It has been shown that LED light treatment inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines while promoting anti-inflammatory cytokines; thus, it can be useful in certain conditions like acne and rosacea.


It should also be noted, that there are different kinds of apparatuses accessible for this treatment.


Generally, these can be grouped into three primary categories:

  • Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) Devices: These are also identified as ‘cold lasers’ as they don’t generate heat. They are commonly utilized in professional environments like physiotherapy clinics.

  • Light Emitting Diode (LED) Devices: These are typically employed for skin treatments and are seen in handheld home-use gadgets or larger panels.

  • Full-Body LED Light Beds: These are utilized for whole-body treatments and are regularly seen in medical spas or wellness centers.


Each of these types of red light therapy apparatuses provides unique advantages and are chosen based on the particular therapeutic requirements of the patient.



Key Factors when selecting a RLT Device.


Red light therapy has been extensively studied for its promising results for wound healing, hair growth, hormone balance, sun damage, pain, and inflammation, to name a few.


Irradiance is the amount of energy a specific part of your body receives over a set period while using the device. Think of it as the rate of energy delivered. This is perhaps the most defining factor when considering red light therapy at home since higher irradiance can result in better results in less time.


The most used format to measure irradiance is mW/cm2 or milliwatts per square centimeter, e.g. 80 mW/cm2. However, just stating the irradiance measurement means nothing if the distance is not provided. Some red light therapy devices have a high mW/cm2 reading on the surface of the device and not on the object exposed to it.


Frequency - In typical red light therapy devices, the range of frequency used is from 633 nm (a deep red that penetrates the skin and acts on mitochondria) to 850 nm (a near-infrared light penetrating deeper into tissue). This is the standard range in many red light therapy devices because most of the desired benefits, like anti-aging, revolve around it. Red light wavelengths penetrate the skin and promote collagen production and wound healing. Near-infrared light, on the other hand, can go deeper, targeting deeper wounds and joint or muscle pain. Lower frequencies such as blue wavelengths, while providing more superficial penetration, can also be effective for treating skin issues like acne and oil regulation.


Will the Treatment Coverage be for the face or the whole body? While many would go for smaller devices to treat wrinkles and stretch marks, others may opt for bigger ones if they want to maximise the use of red light therapy for muscle recovery, hair loss, hormone balance, and even joint pain.

If the budget allows, buying a red light therapy device with maximum coverage is always a better idea, as larger devices emit more light energy and better performance than smaller ones.

That isn’t to say smaller devices are poor investments. Some red light therapy devices are portable and let users take them to work, a friend or relative’s house, or even abroad.


Quality is not something to overlook when it comes to tools, supplements, and devices designed for the human body.

With the rise of at home red light therapy devices being made available, the market has become vulnerable to products produced solely for cashing in on the trend. Always look for standards or certificates that attest to the device’s authenticity and safety to prevent buying a fake or unsafe red light therapy device.

Standards to look out for include those relating to the safety of the parts used and those that refer to light calibration.


Lastly, Customer Feedback and testimonials can show how a particular red light therapy device performs in real life. Some customers leave details regarding results, ease of use, images of the product and whether the device is robust or poorly made.

Customers will also let you know if the company offers customer-friendly returns and replacement procedures, and good communication.


Over tine, we have a cultivated a trusting and reliable relationship with our LED Light device manufacturer in China, and can confirm that they test their devices before sending them, and will replace any faulty parts under warranty.



Download or See our range and price list, for RLT devises and we sell




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