In recent years, red light therapy (RLT) has taken the wellness and beauty world by storm, earning a place in skincare routines, athletic recovery programs, and even home treatments.
Praised for its ability to boost skin health, ease pain, and speed up recovery, RLT offers a natural, non-invasive way to look and feel better. What was once a clinical treatment for wound healing and tissue repair is now widely accessible, thanks to devices like red light therapy masks designed for at-home use.
So, what exactly makes red light therapy so effective? How can it improve your skin, ease muscle soreness, and maybe even stimulate hair growth? And are there any downsides or side effects of red light therapy you should know about?
In this blog, we’ll uncover red light therapy benefits, explore the science behind it, and guide you in finding the best red light therapy for the face from the available options.
What is Red Light Therapy?
Known otherwise as low-level laser therapy or photobiomodulation, red light therapy utilises low-energy red light that penetrates into the skin.
In exploring what is LED light therapy, it’s important to note that LED devices often incorporate multiple wavelengths of light.
By promoting cellular energy production, the low-energy red light therapy improves cell regeneration, reduces inflammation, and heals better.
Red light therapy typically uses wavelengths ranging between 600 and 650 nm. These rays are strong enough to penetrate the skin without any tissue damage. It can be administered using different devices, including options like full-body panels, the handy red light therapy mask, and LED face mask light therapy for home use.
Key Benefits Of Red Light Therapy
The key benefits of red light therapy include:
- Skin health and anti-ageing
- Elimination of acne and inflammation
- Improving skin tone and texture
- Muscle soreness and pain relief
- Hair growth stimulation
Let’s explore each in detail.
1. Skin Health and Anti-Ageing
Among the several red light therapy benefits, the most widely used is the impact it has on skin health. This therapy has been proven to stimulate collagen production, which in turn improves skin elasticity. This makes red light therapy effective for skin care, particularly for its anti-ageing effect.
Consistent sessions of red light therapy for the skin will reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and other manifestations of ageing. The treatment also enhances skin firmness and improves hydration, making it a favourite among those looking for healthy, radiant skin.
2. Elimination of Acne and Inflammation
Unlike UV light which might worsen skin conditions, red light is kind to the skin and doesn’t cause irritation, making it perfect for sensitive skin users. An LED face mask light therapy device that uses red light minimises redness, acne, inflammation, and irritation to promote skin health.
3. Improving Skin Tone and Texture
Most users have pronounced improvements in their skin tone and texture through regular use of red light therapy on the skin.
This is because red light therapy promotes enhanced blood circulation, thereby facilitating oxygen and nutrient supply to the skin and making the complexion look smoother. This is very helpful for patients combating skin concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, and scarring.
4. Muscle Recovery and Pain Relief
Beyond skincare, red light therapy benefits encompass many other aspects, such as relief to athletes and chronic pain patients from muscle soreness or pain.
Red light therapy induces cellular regeneration, decreases inflammation, and acts to reduce muscle soreness and shorten recovery times.
5. Hair Growth Stimulation
New research also shows that red light therapy promotes hair growth, making it an effective tool for people with thinning hair or patterned baldness.
Red light therapy promotes blood circulation and cellular activity at the hair follicle and may result in thicker, fuller hair regrowth.
Popular Devices for Red Light Therapy
Red Light Therapy Mask
Red light therapy masks use red light exclusively, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of red light therapy from the comfort of your home.
They are typically flexible in form and adapt to fit the contours of your face for comfort, which makes them one of the best options for facial red light therapy.
LED Face Mask Light Therapy
LED face mask light therapy is another alternative that people can opt for and uses light of other wavelengths in addition to red light therapy.
These LED masks come with different colour settings that offer specific benefits. An LED face mask is a convenient tool since one can enjoy the benefits of light therapy at home with just a few minutes of use each day.
Handheld and Full-Body Panels
The flexibility of handheld devices allows you to treat small areas by targeting specific blemishes or scars. Full-body panels may be the best option for you if you’re looking for a device that provides all the benefits of red light therapy on a larger area of the body, such as the back, neck or legs.
Potential Red Light Therapy Side Effects
Although red light therapy is generally considered safe, some users may experience minor side effects, especially with prolonged or incorrect usage.
Here are some of the red light therapy side effects to consider:
- Skin sensitivity
- Eye discomfort
- Dry skin
- Headaches
- Acne Breakouts
Let’s dive into each potential side effect in more detail.
Skin Sensitivity
Some patients may experience light skin irritation, which will include some redness or irritability during and after treatments. It is temporary and usually goes away in just a few hours. If you have sensitive skin, start treatment with short sessions and progress gradually from there.
Eye Discomfort
Direct exposure to red light can cause eye discomfort and could even cause damage. While most devices use red light in controlled intensities, it is recommended that you use protective goggles or keep your eyes closed while using red light therapy masks on the face. Some devices may also come with an in-built protection mechanism for your eyes.
Dry Skin
Some people experience dryness when using red light therapy for the skin too frequently. Make sure to moisturise your skin after each red light therapy treatment session.
Headaches
Although this is not very common, some people complain of headaches or dizziness following red light therapy.
This may be a consequence of intensive exposure to light or the user’s intolerance. In case you get headaches, either try shorter treatment sessions or take advice from a doctor before continuing to use red light therapy.
Acne Breakout After the First Session
For some, the first sessions tend to cause an increase in acne since the treatment brings up impurities on the skin's surface. This is usually temporary and subsides as the skin adjusts to the treatment.
What is the Best Red Light Therapy for the Face Treatment for You?
If you're thinking about integrating red light therapy into your skincare routine, there are a few things you may want to consider so you choose the best red light therapy for face treatments suited to your needs:
1. Wavelength
The best wavelength to look for in red light therapy devices is 600-650 nm, which penetrates the skin enough without causing pain and discomfort while still providing all the red light therapy benefits.
2. Type of Device
Choose from red light therapy masks, LED face mask light therapy, or other available devices based on the treatment area and convenience of application.
3. Safety Features
Devices that have safety features like built-in timers, eye protection mechanisms, or certifications are recommended to avoid any potential red light therapy side effects. Well-designed devices that use controlled wavelengths are generally safe, even without additional safety features, as long as they’re used correctly and exposure is limited to recommended guidelines.
4. User Reviews and Brand Reputation
You get the best results along with assured safety in the long term when you use a high-quality device from a reliable brand.
For those who wish to further explore the realm of eye skincare, check out some of the best eye serum online options that can work alongside red light therapy to combat common concerns like dark circles and further enhance the results.
Conclusion
In summary, red light therapy benefits are far-reaching, especially in the context of skin health and rejuvenation, muscle recovery, and pain relief. At the same time, it is essential to note that red light therapy may also have some side effects, like skin sensitivity and eye irritation.
The available devices, be it the LED face mask light therapy, red LED eye patches or full-body panels, are easily accessible and convenient to use. This means you can now decide on the best red light therapy for the face and any other target area without stepping out of your home and achieve healthier, more radiant skin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many times should I use red light therapy?
It is generally safe to use red light therapy 2-3 times per week, though it may differ based on the device used and your skin type.
Can red light therapy be combined with other skincare products?
Yes, you can combine red light therapy with other skincare products, such as serums and moisturisers, to enhance the outcome.
Is there an age limit for using red light therapy?
Red light therapy is generally safe for adults of all ages. However, younger users should check with a doctor before using them to ensure safety.
Does red light therapy work for hair growth?
Yes, red light therapy enhances hair growth by stimulating blood flow and promoting overall cellular health around hair follicles.
How long does a treatment using red light therapy last?
The most common length for a red light therapy session is 10-20 minutes, but it may differ across products. Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines to achieve the best results while being safe.
