Can red light therapy be harmful?
Is red light therapy safe? Red light therapy appears to be safe and is not associated with any side effects, at least if used short-term and as directed. This therapy is not toxic, not invasive and not as harsh as some topical skin treatments.
What Are the Risks? Red light therapy is generally considered safe, even though researchers aren't exactly sure how and why it works. And there are no set rules on how much light to use. Too much light may damage skin tissue, but too little might not work as well.
However, a practitioner with little experience or someone who exposes themselves to too much of the treatment may cause tissue and cell damage. Products for use at home may also lead to misuse, causing damage to the skin, burns, or damage to unprotected eyes.
The answer is yes. As long as you are following the manufacturers instructions, you can use red light therapy everyday. If you have chronic pain, it's recommended to start a daily routine with using red light therapy.
The major contraindications for the use of light therapy are diseases that involve the retina of the eye, such as diabetes, and the use of photosensitizing medications like lithium, melatonin, phenothiazine antipsychotics, and certain antibiotics.
The theory is that red light wavelengths stimulate the production of melatonin. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that helps you sleep. Your brain releases more melatonin as darkness falls and tends to release less when you're exposed to light.
Red light therapy causes vasodilation, which is a temporary widening of the blood vessels, and this can cause some individuals to feel momentarily lightheaded after a treatment session. We recommend getting up slowly from a red light bed to help prevent or lessen this feeling.
A: It is not required that you wear eye protection, nevertheless the lights are very bright and may be uncomfortable for some individuals with sensitivities to light. Q: Is Red Light Therapy similar to tanning? A: No not at all. You will not get a tan from Red Light Therapy, nor does it expose you to damaging UV rays.
Salicylic Acid & BHAs
Salicylic acids and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) penetrate deep into the skin to clear clogged pores, reduce inflammation, and loosen and exfoliate dead skin cells. Treatments containing salicylic acid and BHAs work well with red light therapy.
Key Takeaways: Red light therapy is used for skin health, body contouring, mood, brain health, hair regrowth, and pain management. Possible side effects are topical and mostly temporary, including hyperpigmentation and skin sensitivity.
Is red light therapy FDA approved?
“Red Light Therapy is a clinically studied, FDA-approved treatment that can improve the appearance of skin if you have acne, scars, wrinkles, and other visible signs of aging,” says Shane Miller, a licensed esthetician and the owner of the popular Instagram account @howtohydrate.
How long does it take to see results when doing red light therapy? Every individual may respond differently to specific treatments and results will also depend on the goal you want to achieve. However, with daily use, you should be able to see improvements in 4 to 6 weeks.
Red light therapy is a safe, natural way to protect your vision and heal your eyes from damage and strain, as shown in numerous peer-reviewed clinical studies.
Stimulates Hair Growth. Red light therapy isn't just for women. Men with patchy facial hair can benefit from red light therapy as well. It can help stimulate hair growth, filling in those unsightly patches.
People with any skin type and color can use LED light therapy. LED light therapy doesn't use ultraviolet (UV) light, so it doesn't cause damage or burns to your skin.