All about Red Light Therapy
All about Red Light Therapy
The light you are exposed to can have a huge impact on your overall health. Our bodies use wavelengths from light to give us life and help us thrive. The average time we spend indoors is approximately 93%! Our bodies are meant to soak up way more sun rays than that, so you can imagine why Vitamin D deficiency is so common in the United States. But there are many other problems can arise from lack of sunshine, so it might be worth it to look into some nourishing light therapy options.
What types of wavelengths do our bodies use?
We have Blue Light, UV Light, Far Infrared and Near Infrared light. We get exposure to ALL of these wavelengths directly from the sun! So with 93% of most people time being spent indoors, are you really getting enough vital light from the sun? Chances are, probably not.
How do wavelengths affect our body?
Wavelengths of red and near infrared go into the body and act on our mitochondria to optimize energy levels. Mitochondria give our bodies metabolic flexibility to burn fat, slow aging and help us thrive in life. These mitochondria are the powerhouses of our cells and quite literally give energy to every cell in our bodies. Every.single.cell.
What is “Red Light Therapy?”
Red light therapy uses a device that produces red and near infrared light. You can think of the sunrise and sunset- the orange hues they provide are red and near infrared. Another example is just like when you shine a flashlight through your finger, only the red hue makes it through. These devices provide a broad application of these two wavelengths and are extremely safe. Anybody can benefit from them and they are truly a wonderful addition to any health and wellness routine. There has been no evidence of any risks or negative side effects from using a red light therapy device.
What are the benefits of using this device?
Red light stimulates our cells to do the job they are meant to do, helping us produce collagen and elasticity. This wonderful wavelength helps scarring, psoriasis, eczema, acne, promotes hair growth, and treats fine lines and wrinkles.
Near infrared light penetrates deep into our muscles, joints, tissues, organs and even through the skulls of our brain creating an anti-inflammatory effect. This wavelength has been shown to help arthritis and joint pain, muscle pain and recovery, and increases circulation. Better circulation results in more oxygen and nutrients being brought to the injured areas to promote faster and more effective healing. Because of this, your immune system greatly benefits from this light as well.
Both of these wavelengths also help our bodies adjust to a circadian rhythm (rising with the sun and resting when it sets). Therefore this device has been shown to drastically promote better sleep.
When should you you do it?
There is no right or wrong time, the most important part is just getting it in. That being said, some people have benefited the most when using it right before bed. Some say that it is better in the morning because it gives them energy. You could try using Red Light Therapy in the morning and evening, similar to sunrise and sunset when the red hues are their strongest. You could also try it in the afternoon- this is when our bodies absorb the most Vitamin D because the suns rays are the strongest. Do what works for you because no matter when you do it, you will likely benefit in one way or another.
I personally use red light therapy every single day for 20 minutes. It gives you a lovely warm feeling and is extremely relaxing and I currently use mine to treat my acne scarring, promote hair growth, and slow down signs of aging. Using it for inflammation in my lower back from pelvic instability has also been amazing. The morning is my favorite time- it boosts my circadian rhythm, but I do sessions in the afternoon as well depending on how my day is going. I notice a huge difference in my hair growth, acne scar healing and just the overall texture of my skin. I have also noticed my recovery time after working out is much shorter, I sleep better, and have experienced less back pain.
This device is a huge win for me, so I hope to invest in a full body one soon. But for now, my desktop one covers my face, neck, chest, shoulders and arms for treatment (you sit at a closer distance for treating problems). For maintenance (sitting further away), my device covers from my waist up and it's under $200!
Here is the device I use:
Bestqool Red Light Therapy Device
There are some spas that offer red light therapy, or you can purchase a device like the one above to have in your home. I believe having one for convenience is a great option since it is recommended to use daily and consistently to experience all of the incredible benefits.
Now go and get some sunshine and some red light therapy, so you can start feeling like your best self!
Chat soon,
Leah xo
