Does Red Light Therapy Work?​

Does red light therapy work, though? Here’s what the science says…

Now that you know a bit more about red light therapy, it’s time to address the elephant in the room…does red light therapy work? While there is no shortage of positive reviews on red light therapy, reviews are no substitute for science and research.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), red light therapy is backed by thousands of peer-reviewed articles. The National Institute of Health [2], NASA [1], the Mayo Clinic [4], Harvard Medical School [5], and countless other universities and organizations have done their own research on red light therapy to determine its efficacy for a wide range of issues.

The growing body of evidence of red light therapy benefits is stronger than ever as the world’s top dermatologists, estheticians, and salon experts are adopting the technology at a rapid pace. We are just scratching the surface of the power of red light therapy on human health. The results speak for themselves. So, let’s get into some of the evidence-based research supporting the fact that YES – red light therapy does work!

The science-based benefits of red light therapy

Unlike conventional treatments that use drugs or surgery to address symptoms of a problem, red light therapy targets the source of the issue. As we touched on above, the light energy emitted by the device stimulates cells in the body to react positively and promote healing.

When this form of red light is used on the skin’s surface, the light penetrates between 8-11 millimeters into the body. So depending on where the red light is directed, whether it’s the face, limbs, or back, for instance, all of the surrounding layers of skin, lymphatic pathways, and blood vessels are modulated [6].

But there’s more to it than that.

Red light therapy is known to affect the cells that are responsible for generating energy in all living organisms, commonly known as mitochondria. These cell structures absorb light and use it to produce more energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is what cells use for fuel.

The more available energy a cell has, the better it functions. Red light therapy works by increasing the amount of ATP within the cell so that your cells can perform at a higher level [3]. Because red light therapy works on a cellular level, its benefits can be seen throughout the entire body.

When red light therapy first hit the market, it was used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including hair loss [7]. But since its introduction, researchers have discovered that red light therapy can offer a wide range of health benefits.

Here’s what red light therapy can do for you…

The benefits of red light therapy are numerous and ever-growing. Research is ongoing, with scientists studying its effects on skin health, cellular regeneration, wound healing, inflammation, and more.

Currently, red light therapy treatments have been proven effective in fighting acne, improving rosacea symptoms, lightening age spots, and boosting collagen production. This is one of the best uses for this revolutionary light treatment – which is why we have a complete guide discussing red light therapy for skin.

But that’s not all it can do.

Below we break down some of the most significant findings of how red light therapy can help.

• Skin conditions like acne and psoriasis

• Hair loss in men and women

• Enhance athletic performance

• Anti-aging and collagen production

• Improve mood and energy levels

• Lower blood pressure

• Reduce inflammation

• Improve cognitive function

• Red light therapy benefits for weight loss

Want to learn more about why you should use red light therapy? Check out our detailed article that fully explains all the red light therapy benefits you stand to gain!

Now that you know red light therapy does work, how can you reap the benefits it has to offer?

You may have heard of red light therapy and its health benefits while visiting a health spa, a dermatologist’s office, or a functional medicine doctor. Until recently, if you wanted to reap the benefits of red light therapy, you had to either visit a clinic or invest in an expensive laser device.

These devices (known as low-level laser therapy, or LLLT) can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $40,000. And a single 15-minute treatment at a spa or doctor’s office could cost around $100 [8]. Getting treatments weekly for several months would end up costing you thousands of dollars. Because of this, it was not very feasible for most people to use red light therapy regularly.

Luckily, red light therapy has now become more affordable and accessible with the advent of LED technology. LED stands for “light-emitting diode.” LEDs are a type of semiconductor that emits light when an electrical current passes through it. Because they don’t overheat as lasers do, LEDs are safer and easier to work with than lasers. In addition to that, LEDs are the most cost-effective for at-home treatments.

Recent studies have shown that lasers are not any better than other kinds of lights with similar wavelength and power output. This means that affordable home devices like the Vital Red Light Vital Pro can provide the same great results as much more expensive lasers.