Introduction

Red light therapy is becoming a go-to for people seeking relief from chronic skin conditions, muscle and joint pain and for those who want to reduce the visible signs of aging. If you are wondering how often you should use red light therapy, we are here to provide some structure in implementing red light therapy into your health routine.  This guide should be read over before starting your RLT journey.

How does red light therapy work?

A light therapy device is a simple and easy way to get a healthy dose of natural light on a daily basis. Just 10-minutes a day with a Vital Red Light therapy device is all you need to get the dosage of light that your body requires. Vital Red Light devices treat your body with Red and Near infrared (NIR) wavelengths of light, delivered directly to your skin and body. This is just like the wavelengths of light your body needs from natural sunlight, but without the heat or UV rays that cause sun damage. When your cells begin to absorb the natural light, you begin to change the way you look and feel. Vital Red Light devices use both red and near-infrared light for a dual therapy experience. You are probably wondering; what is the difference between red and near-infrared light? We will get into that next.

What is the difference between Red and Near-infrared Light? 

Red light is visible (630-700nm) and near infrared light is invisible (700 and 1200nm). As the wavelengths near infrared light puts out are longer, this allows infrared light to penetrate deeper into the body than red light. These are really the only two differences. It should be noted, as these two light therapies differ in wavelengths, this will affect what they treat.

The difference between the two is that red light is clearly visible to the eye and at 660nm is absorbed externally by skin tissue, leading to increased collagen production and faster skin healing. Near infrared light is 850nm and is invisible to the human eye. It penetrates deeper into tissue, leading to increased muscle recovery, reduced joint pain and energy production. In summary:

Red light at 660nm: Best for targeting the skin directly. Working on wrinkles & fine lines, balancing skin tone, and enhancing collagen production. 660nm light is able to penetrate the skin at a meaningful level that will enable skin rejuvenation and improvement of complexion.

Near infrared light at 850nm: Can penetrate to reach deeper tissues, muscles, organs, the brain, and even bones. Near infrared light works as an anti-inflammatory agent, enhances muscle recovery, promotes blood flow and circulation, stimulates energy production on a cellular level.

Quick Start: Key tips for using red light therapy

When it comes to red light therapy, consistency is key. Implementing red light into a preexisting health routine such as yoga, meditation, morning coffee, reading, stretching, or working out leads to success.

• Eyes: Eye protection should be used when near-infrared mode is active. Use general pre-cautions when using any light therapy product. You should not shine a red light device directly in your eyes, just as you never look directly towards the sun. We recommend initially using the product in a well-lit room to allow your eyes to become accustomed to the light.
• Double-check any medications: Red light doesn’t include UV light, but to be on the safe side, you should check with your doctor if you’re taking any medication that can make your skin light-sensitive, before you start treatments.
• Continue your usual beauty regime: t’s important to carry on cleansing and moisturising even when using red light therapy. Make sure you use products that don’t block the pores (especially if you’re treating spots or acne). Red light doesn’t replace your skincare regime, but it does enhance it!
• Clothing: For effective Vital Red Light use, the area of your body that you’re treating needs to be exposed directly to the light. Clothing prevents the red and near infrared light from reaching your cells, so be sure to remove any garments from the part of your body you’re treating.

Results and expectations for using red light therapy

The amount of time required to seek benefits and improvements depends on the individual. The cellular health benefits of red light therapy have been proven thousands of time across clinical studies – so trust that your body is benefiting from every therapy session. There are many factors that affect how quickly you experienced your improvements. For some it is immediate, and for others it takes between 8 to 12 weeks of consistent use. By using your device on a daily basis, you can maximize your body’s rate of healing time.

Your first week of red light therapy treatment.

For the first week, begin with a 10-minute session every other day. During and after treatment you may feel a gentle warmth in your skin. Sensitive individuals may experience temporary redness and tightness. In this case, decrease your therapy time or move further from the device. If you don’t experience redness or tightness, you can extend your daily therapy time to 15-20 minutes.

As with everything, “more” isn’t necessarily “better.” You won’t notice big changes in your skin immediately because healing is occurring at the cellular level and cells require time to heal and regenerate. Noticeable improvement usually comes after 8-12 weeks of consistent use.

Frequently asked questions fur using red light therapy at-home

Is red light therapy safe?

Yes. Red Light therapy is safe and free of ultraviolet (UV) rays. Unlike using other laser therapies or tanning beds, red light therapy does not use UV light (which can cause skin damage). With every Vital Red Light therapy treatment, you can rest assured that you are getting the right dose of light without any negative side effects. There have been hundreds of studies around the world that provide the safety and effectiveness of red light therapy on all parts of the body.

Who can benefit from red light therapy?

Our general rule of thumb is that if it is safe and tolerable for a person to be outside in the sun for 20 minutes, then it is probably also safe for a 20 minute exposure to Red Light Therapy. For preexisting conditions, light sensitivities, use of photosensitizers, or photosenstizing drugs, then it is always best to consult with a doctor before starting a new health activity like red light therapy.

There are situations in which you should be careful when using red light therapy. Consult your doctor before using your any form of red light therapy if:

• You are pregnant.
• You have an active malignant disease.
• If have Epilepsy or a history of seizures
• You are undergoing chemotherapy.
• You have highly photosensitive skin.
• You take medication that makes your skin photosensitive.
• You have thrombo-embolism or bleeding
• You have any acute systemic infections

How long should treatments be?

Daily use is key. To get the most out of your Vital Red Light, consistency is vital. We recommend minimum once daily, however 2-3 times per day can be beneficial when using for multiple goals such as sleep, training, and mental acuity.

When should I use my red light?

Use your Vital Red Light anytime of the day that works best for you – but either first thing in the morning or in the evening is optimal.Some people benefit from using red light first thing in the morning upon waking to give them a boost of energy to begin the day. Others wait until the evening to help them wind down after a long day, or as an alternative to bright, artificial lights after the sun sets. The important thing is fitting red light therapy into your daily routine, regardless of what time.

How often should I use my red light?

Daily use is key. To get the most out of your Vital Red Light, consistency is vital. We recommend minimum once daily, however 2-3 times per day can be beneficial when using for multiple goals such as sleep, training, and mental acuity. For optimal full body benefits, including both surface level and deep tissue treatments, we recommend doing 10-minute treatment for each desired treatment area at a distance of 6-18 inches away from your device to experience the best results. Time of use and distance away from the device vary from person to person, so find what is best for you.

Is it safe for my eyes?

Eye protection should be used when near-infrared mode is active. Vital Red Light provides eyewear with every purchase. Use general pre-cautions when using any light therapy product. You should not shine a red light device directly in your eyes, just as you never look directly towards the sun. We recommend initially using the product in a well-lit room to allow your eyes to become accustomed to the light. You may see a blue / green tint after first use, this is completely normal as your eyes are adjusting to the bright light.

Should I remove my clothes?

Many of the Vital Red Light users use their devices in the nude. Delivering light to more surface area on your body leads to better light therapy outcomes, but full nudity is not necessarily required for effective use. Lighter garments like underwear, bras, shorts, and socks may be worn without hampering a treatment, though the covered areas not exposed directly to the light won’t receive any benefits.

How long does it take to work?

You can experience a reduction in symptoms as early as after the first treatment session with red light therapy. To get the most out of your Vital Red Light, consistency is key. We recommend once daily use, although using your device 2-3 times a day may be beneficial for symptomatic areas. Red light therapy has been proven to work fast and effectively. Consistently using red light is key. We must note, for the “healthy glow” of a photofacial, you’ll see a difference right away.

What are the natural health benefits of red light therapy?

Red light therapy has been proven thousands of medical research reports and clinical studies to produce a wide range of natural health benefits. Some of these benefits include reducing inflammation and pain relief, reducing recovery time and muscle soreness, improved sleep, hair regrowth, and assists with mood disorders such as seasonal depression disorder and anxiety.

Are there side effects?

Everyone is different, and although there are not very many side effects of red for near infrared light therapy it’s always possible an individual could experience problems that no one else does. Therefore, when beginning with any type of light therapy one should start out slowly and always do an initial patch test to confirm that no negative reactions will occur. Some individuals are sensitive to intense light, and some do not know it until trying to use an intense light therapy device. This is very rare but it is a possibility. Those taking any medication that could make them to light exposure should avoid using any type of light therapy. People who have migraine headaches caused by intense light exposure also avoid any type of light therapy, as should anyone who has seizures triggered by light.

Why should I choose Vital Red Light?

Vital Red Light is the most powerful and affordable red light therapy device on the market today. We believe that the benefits of red light therapy should be able to be experienced by everyone, not just high end salons. Our panels are manufactured in an FDA approved facility and are backed by a 2 year warranty. Vital Red Lights emit high irradiance (power) and low in EMF output – making the experience optimal for you.