What are the Benefits of Red Light Therapy at Home?

LED red light therapy at home holds great promise as a safe and effective method for skin rejuvenation, pain relief, wound healing, and potentially even mood enhancement. As with any skincare practice, informed decisions are vital to reaping the benefits while prioritizing your safety and health. In this blog, Dr. Marmur’s medical expertise answers all the questions people may have about red light therapy.

What is red light therapy?

LED red light therapy at home is a cutting-edge method with a wide range of potential advantages in the constantly changing worlds of beauty, skincare, wellness and health. This non-invasive procedure has drawn the interest of many people looking for natural remedies for everything from skin rejuvenation to pain alleviation.
Visible light, which spans from 400 to 700 nanometers in wavelength, was once believed to have limited therapeutic value in dermatology. However, recent research suggests that using visible light emitted by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) could actually be effective in treating various dermatological conditions. This light-induced biological effect on tissues is known as photobiomodulation therapy or PBMT.

The specific components in cells that respond to visible light are located in complexes I, III, and IV of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. When exposed to visible light, these components initiate a photochemical reaction, leading to increased ATP production and the activation of cellular signaling pathways. Different wavelengths of PBMT have been found to influence a range of biological processes within the skin. The full spectrum of colors available for LED light therapy is Red, Blue, Purple, Green and Amber. 

What does red light therapy do?

Red PBMT provides a number of skincare, health, and wellness benefits especially in the form of light-emitting diode (LED) devices. Not all home devices are equal so beware of marketing science: look for research to prove the device you are using has been clinically studied on real people. Red light therapy at home promotes a number of benefits and is known to relieve pain such as headaches when applied to the face or the head. Red light also calms inflammation that may arise after procedures, as well as reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and pores, and can also stimulate collagen production.
Red photobiomodulation therapy with a wavelength of 625-740 nanometers has been suggested as an ancillary measure for optimal early wound healing and scar formation. There are plenty of in-vitro studies showcasing fibroblast proliferation in red LED-treated cells. Also, red PBMT has been shown to improve erythema, severity, and pain in epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor-induced paronychia. This is only a fraction of the benefits of using red PBMT, as there are many uses of red light beyond for skin care purposes.
Much of the research and development in red LED therapy can be attributed to NASA, who originally found that LED therapy can help with plant growth and photosynthesis. In the 1980s, NASA scientists investigated how light impacts plant growth in outer space, finding that specific wavelengths of light that included red light enhanced plant growth and photosynthesis. Also called photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), red light therapy simply repairs the body’s cells. The story continues that these astronauts who studied the red LED light returned from their mission with better vital signs and their skin looked younger, too! Hence the switch from plant growth to beauty and wellness.

Benefits of red light therapy

There are countless benefits of red light therapy at home. Try it once and see for yourself. Listed below are more of the red light therapy benefits for the skin:

  • Soothes pain and alleviates headaches 
  • Calms inflammation (post-procedure like lasers and injectables)
  • Reduces fine lines, wrinkles, pores 
  • Improves sleep and improves circadian rhythm
  • Stimulates collagen 
  • Red PBMT with a wavelength of 625-740 nm has been suggested as an adjunctive measure for optimal early wound healing and scar formation, 2,6,7 with in-vitro studies demonstrating fibroblast proliferation in red LED-treated cells. 

Red PBMT has also been shown to improve erythema, severity, and pain in epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor-induced paronychia. 

Can red light therapy cause cancer?

No.Red LED light is not UVA or UVB light. Light is composed of different wavelengths. Shorter wavelengths, like the ultraviolet UVA and UVB (280nm-400nm) in sunlight can cause suntans, sunburns, and DNA damage that may lead to skin cancers. Red light is a longer wavelength range (usually 620 to 700 nanometers) that does not contain the carcinogenic potential associated with UV exposure. Red light therapy has actually been researched as a possible cancer treatment strategy due to its capacity to alter cellular functions.

How often should you use MMSphere red light therapy?

The general guideline to follow is to use the light therapy 3-5 times per week in targeted 20-minute LED Light Therapy Sessions. For people with sensitive skin or those who are new to LED light therapy, you can to start with shorter sessions and gradually lengthen the treatment as tolerated. Due to its relaxing dopamine/oxytocin effect, try using red light with the MMSphere at night, which may help you sleep longer and uninterrupted due to the improved circadian rhythm. Turn off all other digital blue light devices for optimal treatment.

What is the best red light therapy at-home device?

Recently, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of new skincare devices have been coming out with new tools using red light therapy at home, taking self-care to another level. The MMSphere 2.0 has won several awards as the best at-home LED red light therapy device. Dermatologist trusted and safe to use, this device may heal and rejuvenate your skin in ways you wouldn’t even think possible. Pair it with other products like the MMRepose Serum , MMRepose Face Mask and MMRepose Neck and Chest Mask for ultimate rejuvenation and have you feeling younger and healthier instantly. Watch your skin continue to improve over time!

Who should not use red light therapy?

While LED red light therapy at home is generally considered safe, there are certain groups of individuals who should exercise caution or avoid its use altogether: Those who have photosensitive skin should refrain from using LED light treatment. People who are particularly sensitive to light, whether due to medical conditions or medications, should consult their healthcare provider before undergoing red light therapy. While there is ongoing research into the potential benefits of red light therapy for cancer treatment, individuals with a history of cancer should consult their doctor before considering this therapy.