Backed-Up Benefits

Red light therapy has been thoroughly tested to determine its benefits, making it a trustworthy treatment due to the scientific evidence supporting it. Numerous studies have investigated its efficacy for a variety of issues, ranging from skin health to mental well-being. The consistent positive outcomes of these studies and trials affirm the reliability of red-light therapy.

Red Light Therapy for Skin Healing and Rejuvenation

A total of 113 subjects were randomly assigned to four treatment groups and received red light therapy twice a week for 15 weeks, using either 611–650nm or 570–850nm wavelengths. The treated subjects showed significant improvements in skin complexion, skin texture, and collagen density. Red light therapy effectively supported skin healing and rejuvenation.

Reduced Inflammation and Wound Recovery with Red Light

Researchers conducted a review of 48 red light therapy studies, analyzing the biological effects of red-light therapy. Their findings showed reduction of inflammatory cells, increased formation of tissue cells, stimulation of collagen synthesis, and granulation tissue formation in the body.

Mood Enhancement with Light Therapy

Ten patients with depression, including 9 who also had anxiety and 7 with a history of substance abuse, were treated with near-infrared light therapy. After just two weeks, researchers observed an improvement in depressive symptoms across all three rating scales used. The near-infrared therapy positively influenced overall mood.

Red Light Therapy Improves Joint Pain and Osteoarthritis

This study examined the effectiveness of red-light therapy for osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease. Researchers discovered that red light therapy provided pain relief in the knees of patients with osteoarthritis, reducing their discomfort. These findings indicate that red light therapy is a viable option for treating symptoms of arthritis.

Red Light Supports the Immune System

In this study, 20 patients with psoriasis, an immune disorder that causes dry patches on the skin, received red light therapy three times a week for four weeks. Researchers observed that the therapy reduced the severity of psoriatic lesions, improved skin texture, and lowered inflammation markers in the blood. By reducing inflammation and supporting the immune system, red light therapy helps in alleviating symptoms of psoriasis. These findings indicate red light therapy can be an effective treatment to improve both skin health and immune system function.

Improved Facial Skin with Light Therapy

Thirty-one subjects with facial wrinkles received nine light therapy treatments. Improvements in the skin’s surface were assessed at weeks 9 and 12 using eye socket casts. At the 12-week follow-up, significant results were observed: 52% of subjects showed a 25-50% improvement in premature aging scores, and 81% reported a significant reduction in eye socket wrinkles. The combination of red and near-infrared LED therapy is an effective and acceptable method for photorejuvenation, enhancing the skin’s appearance.

Red Light Therapy for Arthritis Symptoms

This review offers valuable insights into previous light therapy treatments for arthritis, including key references, model techniques, and evaluation methods used in studies. Arthritis significantly impacts patients’ quality of life by causing pain and discomfort. The review presents evidence that red light therapy induces a photobiological response in cells by regulating their function and reducing inflammation, caused by arthritis.

Light Therapy Enhances Eye Health

Near-infrared light has been seen as a powerful method for eye treatment as it induces beneficial metabolic and antioxidant effects. The near-infrared light absorbs into the tissues of the eye and repairs and protects neurons in cases of methanol poisoning, optic nerve trauma, neuropathy, retinal injuries, and macular degeneration.

Improved Vision with Light Therapy

This study highlights the benefits of using light therapy to enhance color vision. It found that 3-minute exposures to 670 nanometer light for one week significantly improved color contrast detection in older adults (ages 37–70), bringing their vision to levels comparable to younger individuals.

Enhanced Physical Performance and Recovery with Red Light

This review compiles randomized controlled trials and case-control studies involving both athletes and untrained participants, including elite athletes, to examine the benefits of red light therapy on sports performance and recovery. The findings indicate red light therapy supports increased muscle mass and reduced inflammation, enhancing participants’ performance during training and improving muscle recovery afterward.

Rapid Improvement in Patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder

The placebo-controlled study focused on the immediate effects of red-light therapy on patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Following a single session of active light therapy, patients showed a noticeable but modest improvement in their scores. The study demonstrated that light therapy can provide an immediate and slight improvement in depressive symptoms.

Recovering Brain Injury with Red Light

This study examined the effects of using pulsed red and near-infrared LED light therapy at three different frequencies to treat traumatic brain injury (TBI) in veterans. The findings suggest that pulsed red light therapy can significantly improve cognitive function and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) even years after a TBI.

Safety of Red Light Therapy on Pre-Existing Issues

A preliminary study aimed to investigate the effect of red light therapy on wound healing in the presence of pre-existing cancer cells and tumors. The researchers measured the tumors daily and found no significant impact of red light therapy on tumor growth. These findings suggest that red light therapy may be safe even when malignant lesions are present.

Improved Nearsighted Vision with Light Therapy

To evaluate the effectiveness of red light therapy for treating myopia (nearsightedness), researchers conducted a study involving 264 children with this condition. The results showed that repeated low-level red light therapy is a promising alternative treatment for controlling myopia in children. The therapy was well-accepted by the children and caused no functional or structural damage.even when malignant lesions are present.

Red Light Therapy Promotes Hair Growth

In a study on the effects of red light on hair growth, researchers used hair follicles from patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) who had undergone hair transplants. The follicles were treated with 650nm red light or left untreated. The results showed the 650nm red light promoted hair growth and helped reverse the miniaturization process of AGA, changing the hair follicles’ genetic activity.

Improved Brain Function with Light Therapy

Researchers studied the effects of low-level laser light therapy (LLLT), a method of emitting light in the red and near-infrared spectrum, on brain function. The study revealed that LLLT increases energy production and oxygen consumption in the brain, both of which are essential for memory and cognitive functions. The data suggests that by enhancing the brain’s metabolic activity, LLLT can improve the retention of fear extinction memories, meaning it reduced the likelihood of fear responses reemerging after being extinguished.

Light Therapy Reduces Muscle Fatigue

This case-control study evaluated light therapy with a strength-training program during 12 weeks to observe the effects. Compared with the placebo, the group with light therapy increased the maximal load in exercise and had reduced markers of damage and inflammation. Based on the findings, light therapy can help reduce muscle damage, pain, and fatigue after exercise.

Reduced Overall Body Pain with Light Therapy

A review compiled multiple evidence-based studies to support the benefits of low intensity light therapy, including red light therapy. The paper found that light therapy offers a non-invasive, safe, drug-free, and side-effect-free method for pain relief of both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis.

Red Light Improves Sleep Quality

Twenty athletes from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army team participated in a study to evaluate the effects of red light on sleep quality. The participants were divided into two groups: one receiving red-light treatment and the other receiving a placebo. After 14 days of whole-body, red-light irradiation, the elite female basketball players showed improved sleep quality, increased serum melatonin levels, and enhanced endurance performance.

Red Light Therapy for Acne

In this review, researchers explore potential solutions for acne treatment, compiling studies on oral medications, diets, and red-light therapy. The evidence presented shows that red light therapy is an effective treatment for acne as it reduces bacteria present on the skin and lessens sebum production that contributes to acne formation.