I am sure the reels have engraved the idea of red light therapy in your head. Don’t worry, my friend; I also gave in to the FOMO. But many of these influencers don’t tell us how much is too much. Thankfully, I did my research, so you don’t have to!
Before starting, I will tell you one thing: moderation is your safest bet.
Better Understanding Red Light Therapy
Now, before starting, I would like to properly make you understand what exactly red light therapy is. Understanding the purpose behind is a must before you start using it.
Red light therapy is a cumulative skin rejuvenation technique that uses ultraviolet light wavelengths between 600 and 700nm to the skin’s surface. The red LED light stimulates the functional activity of cells to produce maximum benefits for your skin.
How Does This Red Light Therapy treatment Work
This laser light can penetrate deep into the skin, where mitochondria in the skin cells can absorb these light particles. This can help the cells produce more adenosine triphosphate, the energy source for all cells.
With this extra energy, the cells may be able to respond better to damage and rejuvenate themselves.
Can You Do Too Much Red Light Therapy? Overdoing LED Light Therapy
Yes, you can! Red and infrared light creates Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in the body. By overexposure, these Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) may have the opposite effect.
Too much red light therapy may produce so many reactive oxygen species that the body’s defense and repair systems cannot keep up with demand. This will result in excessive free radical stress that might disrupt the mitochondrial function of skin rejuvenation.
So, to put it simply, it’s all about balance. Stimulate skin cells in equilibrium so that you can get the beneficial effects of red light therapy without causing too much stress on them.
The Right Treatment Time of Using Red Light Therapy
The frequency of red light therapy sessions per week will depend on the issue you are trying to treat. However, most LED devices can be used for between 3 and 20 minutes daily, giving the best results.
Personally, I recommend starting with low levels of red light therapy, especially when using an at-home red light device. This is because, at home, you don’t have professional guidance, and you need to be extra cautious. Once your body gets used to it, you can gradually start increasing the dosage.
| Important Note: The wavelengths of home devices and professional tanning clinics can vary. The red light device used in a doctor’s office versus your at-home device will affect your desired result. |
Benefits Of Red Light Therapy In Proper Frequency
Now, I am not here to villainize RLT for you in any way. It has its own scientifically proven benefits, too, and I have listed them below, but you can only expect to witness them when you are using light therapy safely and at the right frequency.
Using red light therapy safely can help reduce inflammation.
It can help ease muscle soreness.
It boosts collagen production and improves skin health as well as skin complexion.
Improve your skin’s appearance by reducing wrinkles, scars, redness, and acne.
It can help tackle sleep problems and insomnia by stimulating the body’s melatonin production.
According to studies, it improves wound healing and can also help heal injured brain tissue.
Reduces conditions associated with skin cancer like oral mucositis, radiation dermatitis, and lymphedema.
Improve hair growth in people with androgenic alopecia
Can help treat carpal tunnel syndrome in the short term.
Help reduce problems associated with psoriasis, lesions, and burn scars.
Clinically proven in reducing neuropathic pain.
Improve neural function and other cognition process of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Overdoing Red Light Therapy Dangers
If you are still choosing to overdose, it’s my duty to inform you about the potential dangers too. Some of these are listed below:
Skin Sensitivity: Some individuals may experience increased sensitivity to light due to excessive sessions. This can lead to redness, irritation, or rash.
Skin Damage: Prolonged exposure to red light can potentially cause skin damage, including burns or hyperpigmentation.
Eye Safety: Direct exposure of the eyes to red light therapy devices can lead to discomfort or damage which can eventually worsen with high dosage. This can cause harm to your eyes, especially if you are not wearing any protective eyewear.
Step By Step Instructions Of Doing Red Light Therapy at Home
Can’t afford the professional spa treatment? Don’t worry—you can also do home LED light therapy. Here are the step-by-step instructions for at-home usage:
Set up the Red light therapy device as instructed in the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Cleanse and dry the treatment areas thoroughly.
Remove your clothes from the treatment target area so that those areas can get proper exposure to light.
Turn on either red light, near-infrared light, or both settings (depending on your treatment target).
To ensure safe and effective treatment, stand or sit between 3 inches and 1 foot away from the device and put on your protective goggles.
Keep a single treatment session for only 3 to 20 mins ( 3 to 5 times a week).
Take photos at the end of each week to track your progress.
The Final Verdict
In conclusion, consistency is more important than the quantity of this therapy. Be consistent instead of trying to squeeze in a week worth of session in one go. There is just no point in doing too much even if you don’t witness any effects.
Rest assured, even less light therapy treatment time will give you the glass skin you aim to achieve!