If you’re not familiar with red light therapy, let’s get you up to speed. Here’s a quick overview from Google Gemini AI:
Red light therapy (RLT), also known as photobiomodulation (PBM) or low-level laser therapy (LLLT), uses red and near-infrared light to stimulate cellular activity and promote healing. It’s a non-invasive treatment that can be used for various skin and health conditions, including acne, wrinkles, fine lines, and hair loss.
How it works:
- Cellular Stimulation:
RLT stimulates the mitochondria, the “powerhouses” of cells, to produce more ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body’s main energy source.
- Enhanced Healing:
Increased ATP can accelerate natural healing processes for wounds, muscle injuries, and nerve damage.
- Reduced Inflammation:
RLT can help reduce inflammation by stimulating the mitochondria.
- Collagen Production:
Red light may stimulate collagen production, which is important for skin health and appearance.
Benefits:
- Skin: May reduce acne, wrinkles, fine lines, and scars.
- Hair: May stimulate hair growth and reduce hair loss.
- Pain Relief: May help reduce pain and inflammation related to muscle and joint pain.
- Wound Healing: May accelerate wound healing.
Safety and Considerations:
- Generally Safe: RLT is generally considered safe and non-invasive. It’s similar to being out in the sun but without the harmful UV rays.
- Potential Side Effects: Overuse or improper use can cause skin redness or irritation.
- Consultation: It’s best to consult with a medical professional before using RLT, especially for specific health conditions.
Wavelength and dosage of light needed for effective Red Light Therapy:
To be effective, studies have shown that red light therapy needs to cover certain important wavelengths and be delivered in sufficient dosage:
Near Infrared (NIR): 800-950nm light penetrates deep into the subcutaneous layers of your skin and offers several potential benefits, including improved cell function and energy production, reduced inflammation and pain, and accelerated wound healing. It works by stimulating cellular metabolism, increasing blood flow, and promoting collagen production.
Red Light: 600-700nm (primarily 660nm) light penetrates the Dermis and offers various benefits, including reduced neuropathic pain, accelerated wound healing, enhanced bone healing, and reduced inflammation. It also promotes muscle recovery, improves skin texture, and may even aid in reducing wrinkles. Additionally, 660nm light therapy can help with pain relief, muscle soreness, and joint pain.
Blue Light: 400-500 (mainly 450nm) blue light mainly penetrates the epidermis layer of the skin and offers several benefits, primarily for dermatological applications and skin health. It effectively reduces inflammation, combats bacteria that cause acne, and can aid in wound healing. This therapy can also stimulate collagen production, improve skin regeneration, and potentially reduce pain and inflammation
White light therapy (mix of all colors, covering 400-700nm), or bright light therapy, offers various benefits, particularly for individuals struggling with mood disorders, sleep disturbances, and jet lag. It can help regulate mood, sleep, and energy levels by mimicking natural sunlight, which influences hormones like melatonin and serotonin. Additionally, white light therapy may boost the effectiveness of antidepressants and improve overall well-being.
Dosage:
The recommended dosage for red light therapy is usually between 5 and 50 J/cm2 depending on the desired results. This dosage is a product of light intensity and exposure time. The lower the light intensity, the longer the treatment time. At a light intensity of around 120mW/cm2 (or 1200W/m2) a treatment time of 5-7 minutes delivers near maximum dosage. Treatments are recommended once or twice per day, four to five times per week.
We’ve been asked by many customers if they can use their California Lightworks or other LED grow lights for red light therapy. The short answer is “sort of”.
Most grow lights contain 660nm red light, predominantly white light and some blue light. They do not contain any NIR (800-950nm) light. The intensity depends on the distance from the fixture. But generally, within 6-10” of the fixture you can expect an intensity of 50-100 mW/cm2. So, a treatment time of 10-12 minutes would make sense to get near maximum dosage.
Some grow lights like the California LightWorks SolarSystem family have adjustable spectrum so you can turn off the white channel for example and focus the light primarily on 660nm red and 450nm blue. Research has shown that this spectrum has benefits for treating certain skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
But the absence of Near Infra-Red (NIR) light is a major shortcoming in trying to use LED grow lights for red light therapy, especially for deep tissue penetration.
Another challenge in using a grow light fixture for photo biomodulation therapy is the form factor and mounting method. Properly designed Red Light Therapy devices come in the right size and with proper stands to position them vertically to deliver the correct therapeutic light dosage in a relatively short amount of time. Assuming you find a way to jury rig a grow light to angle it properly, getting the right intensity and wavelengths will be an issue.CAUTION: PROTECT YOUR EYES! If you decide to use a grow light for light therapy, make sure it does not contain any UVB and ALWAYS use eye protection. NEVER stare directly at any bright light from a short distance. You can find inexpensive tanning googles such as these online everywhere.
NEVER, EVER use UV-B lights (or UV-C) on humans. UV-B lights, like our SolarSystem UVB are only designed to be used on plants. Exposing skin or eyes to UV can cause serious and permanent damage.
If you’re interested in Red Light Therapy, do your research (lots of clinical trial papers can be found online). It’s a good idea to also consult a medical professional before using RLT.
TheraLuma
If you decide to look for a professional RLT system, our sister company, TheraLuma makes great Red Light Therapy devices.
In fact, they have made a very limited number of their TheraLuma Rejuva Pro systems available to California LightWorks customers at a great discount of 20%. Just use the code CLW20 during checkout and the discount will apply.
We wish a great journey to better health!
