Every so often, a new skincare trend surfaces on our social media feeds that seem equally as satisfying as it is promising. In this case, red light therapy has been gaining popularity due to its non-invasive and painless approach. With benefits like reduction in wrinkles, acne scars, and fine lines, it has us asking: Is red light therapy (RLT) the beauty secret that you should know, or just a passing fad?
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy (RLT) is a treatment that uses low-level red light wavelengths to help promote skin health, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. The treatment is typically performed by exposing your skin to a red light lamp, device, or laser to your skin.
Within the cells of our skin are tiny powerhouses called mitochondria that soak up the red light and generate more energy. Experts say the benefits of red and near-infrared light therapy on a cellular level, include promoting the growth and function of mitochondria and promoting wound healing.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
Red light therapy works by penetrating the skin at a depth of around 5mm, where it stimulates the production of collagen and ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Collagen is a protein that gives skin its elasticity and helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, while ATP is a molecule that provides energy to cells, which helps them to function more efficiently. So you can kiss those acne scars, and premature fine lines goodbye.
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What Are The Benefits of Red Light Therapy?
One of the most significant benefits of RLT is its ability to improve skin health. It has been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve the texture and tone of the skin. It can also help to reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks, and age spots.
RLT has also been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce pain and swelling in joints and muscles. This makes it an effective treatment for conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other chronic pain conditions.
Beyond the enhancements it can make to your skin, RLT can also help to improve sleep quality. We know that getting our beauty rest is just as essential to our skin health as our skin routine, so using red light to stimulate the production of melatonin, can be an impactful way to regulate sleep patterns and reduce insomnia.
Is Red Light Therapy Worth Trying?
Although there is promising research and results around the usage of, according to experts, it is still uncertain whether red light therapy (RLT) is effective for all of its claimed uses. Despite this, the benefits that have been linked to this device are reason enough to test it out on your own.
If you’re looking to get try red light therapy for yourself, there are many at-home devices that you can use to test out the treatment. However, it’s always recommended that you consult a board-certified dermatologist prior to attempting red light therapy on your own.
Still, if red light therapy sounds like it could be the next best skincare treatment you need in your routine, we’ve provided a list of the best masks, wands, and devices to get your hands on.
Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite Dpl FaceWare Pro
SolaWave Advanced Skincare Wand
GYH LED Beauty Mask
HigherDOSE Red Light Therapy Face Mask
Skin Gym WrinkLit LED Mask
NEWKEY LED Light Therapy Face Mask
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Featured image by Westend61/Getty Images
