How does Red Light Therapy work? With red light therapy, essentially, you expose your flesh to a high-energy lamp, often device, or ultra-bright laser with a red light on. Sometimes, a component of your own cells known as mitochondria soak it up and create more energy for itself. Some experts believe that this helps healthy cells become stronger and repair themselves faster. Others think that the light stimulates an increase in blood circulation. Still others believe that it may have some sort of “inflammatory” effect on the skin and its appearance.
Different types of red light therapy use different concentrations of ultraviolet (UV) light, blue light therapy uses a different wavelength of light, and green light utilizes a different color. Studies are continuing to examine the possible health benefits of this treatment. It has been shown to stimulate collagen growth in the skin, possibly increasing firmness and elasticity. It can help heal damaged cells while promoting new cell growth; it can also reduce scars, sun damage, age spots, and blemishes, according to some research.
In some cases, red light therapy has been found to be very effective in the treatment of some forms of acne, including severe cystic acne, which is resistant to topical treatments. However, there is much evidence that these treatments work best when used with an acne medication along with them. One of the side effects of this treatment is that some patients experience minor redness of the skin or mild swelling at the site of treatment. Some patients also report a burning sensation or itching after receiving treatments. These effects usually go away within a few days and will subside within a couple weeks.