Types Of Red Light Therapy

There are 2 primary types of red light therapy: LED-based and laser-based. Each type is suited for different treatment needs.

LED (Light Emitting Diode) Therapy

LED therapy emits non-coherent light, which spreads out more than laser light and covers a larger surface area. LED devices offer several advantages to laser therapy:

• Broad coverage: LED devices are excellent for treating large surface areas, like the skin on the face and body.
• Lower intensity: LED light is generally less intense than laser, which makes these red light therapy devices safer for home use and reduces the risk of overexposure.
• Cost-effective: Generally more affordable and accessible for personal use than laser systems. At-home devices are available for purchase online and in many beauty stores.

Suited treatment needs for LED-based red light therapy include:

• Skin rejuvenation: Effective for reducing wrinkles and fine lines and improving overall skin tone.
• Acne treatment: Helps in reducing inflammation and bacteria on the skin.
• Anti-aging: Boosts collagen production, enhancing skin elasticity.
• Pain management: Beneficial for reducing superficial pain and inflammation.

Laser-Based Red Light Therapy

In contrast, low-power laser therapy uses coherent light, which means the light waves are tightly collimated (focused). This allows laser therapy to be directed precisely and penetrate deeply into the tissues, offering its own unique advantages:

• Higher intensity: Laser light is more concentrated, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the tissues for more substantial effects on deeper musculoskeletal issues.
• Precision: The ability to focus the beam can minimize exposure to surrounding tissues, reducing side effects and focusing healing where it's most needed.
• Professional guidance: Laser-based red light therapy can typically only be accessed in-office through a dermatology professional, which means more informed and adequate treatment for even better results.

The best treatment needs for laser-based red light therapy include:

• Deep tissue repair: Effective for reaching deeper layers of muscle and joints to alleviate pain and inflammation.
• Wound healing: Promotes faster healing of deep wounds and can reduce the formation and appearance of scar tissue.
• Pain relief: Particularly useful for chronic conditions such as tendonitis, deep muscle aches, or bone injuries.

Top 4 Benefits

The research on red light therapy is pretty promising — existing studies show positive results with very minor (if any) negative side effects. Here are the top four science-backed red light therapy uses:

1. Heals Acne And Scarring

If you’re dealing with acne and acne scarring, speeding up the healing process of blemishes can be a huge relief. Red light therapy has been shown to promote faster wound healing, which can treat acne and reduce scarring. (1)

2. Boosts Collagen

The majority of the research on red light therapy focuses on skin appearance. Studies have shown that red light therapy boosts collagen production and reduces signs of aging. (2)

Collagen is a natural protein in the body that keeps skin plump, elastic, and hydrated. One showed that regular exposure to red light therapy led to a significant increase in collagen density as well. (3)

The increased collagen production and density offered by red light therapy may reduce wrinkles and result in smoother, younger-looking skin. Hence, the “anti-aging” benefits of RLT.

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3. Leads To Hair Growth

You may not think of thinning hair as a skin issue, but hair follicles are embedded in the skin and are a part of overall skin health.

Thinning hair is a common problem among men and women. Research has shown that exposing the scalp to red light therapy can stimulate the health and overall growth of hair follicles. (4) This is a promising treatment option for people with hair loss health conditions like alopecia.

4. Reduces Inflammation

Studies have shown that red light therapy can increase the production of blood vessels, thus stimulating blood flow, which aids in relieving inflammation. (5)

While inflammation is at the root of many skin issues, laser-based red light therapy can even penetrate deep enough to reduce the inflammation, which can lead to joint and muscle pain.

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