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Tanning Bed Red Light Therapy at a Salon: is it Worth the Cost of Treatment?

Woman using red light therapy at a salon
Stop wasting $1,000’s at the health spa every year when you can get red light - right at-home.

Red light therapy has long been used in Eastern medicine and recently has gained popularity in the US, especially among athletes and world-class fitness enthusiasts. It has become a popular treatment at gyms, medical spas, and dermatology offices. These days, you can get tanning bed red light therapy near you — but the question is, should you? Is it worth it? 

The red light therapy benefits are proven – from reducing inflammation, improving skin health, and aiding muscle recovery, the cost of sessions at a tanning salon can range from $50 to $100 per session depending on where you go.

Is red light therapy at a tanning salon or clinic worth it? Answer: probably not. Investing in an at-home red light therapy device can provide the same benefits for a one-time cost while saving you time with all the trips to the spa.

Plus, with an at-home device, you have the convenience and flexibility to use it whenever you want without having to schedule and pay for multiple sessions at a salon. Let’s compare the cost of sessions at a tanning salon with the investment you’d make in an at-home device

What is tanning salon red light therapy?

Red light therapy has been around for a very long-time but has just recently been making its way mainstream and into tanning salons. The technology was pioneered largely by NASA in the 1980s. At the time, scientists were studying how LED-based light technologies (specifically) red light worked for plant growth in space.

Since then, there is a lot of impressive, peer-reviewed clinical research that has been conducted over the last 20 years demonstrating red light therapy’s effectiveness in a variety of indications. Throughout all these studies and trials, very few side effects or risks have been documented – making it safe for a wide range of people. 

More than ever, people are looking for effective treatments that don’t rely solely on prescription drugs, chemicals, or a trip to the doctor’s office. There’s an exciting trend happening, one that is predicated on preventative medicine and lifestyle changes to improve health & vitality. And one that people can do right in their own homes. That is where at-home light therapy comes in. 

Health & wellness benefits of red light therapy

Red light therapy works by delivering your body the natural light that it needs to function at its best health. Red light therapy is able to penetrate deep into the human body. Once in the deeper tissues, red and near-infrared light have incredible healing effects on the cells – leading to reduced inflammation, enhanced energy production, cellular regeneration, anti-aging, and much more. 

Red light therapy works because it treats the underlying root causes of disease and cellular dysfunction at the source, enabling a wide variety of health benefits to people of all ages. Whether you’re an athlete, a busy mom, or a health expert, you can benefit from more healthy light in your life. 

  • Pain & Inflammation: Red light therapy has shown great potential as a natural alternative to pharmaceuticals. It alleviates chronic inflammation by increasing blood flow and by boosting your body’s natural antioxidant defenses. Red light therapy reduces pain and inflammation by inhibiting the cellular process involved in inflammatory conditions – relieving you of joint pain, arthritis, injury recovery, wound healing, and other types of inflammation. Learn more in our full guide on red light therapy for inflammation.

  • Promotes Deeper Sleep: Red light therapy can help you relax and wind down in the evenings, ultimately promoting deeper and more restful sleep. Red light has a long wavelength, which has a calming effect on the body. Clinical research is also showing that red light therapy can improve sleep quality and duration, and help people produce more of their own melatonin – also known as the sleep hormone

  • Mental Health & Mood: Red light therapy can help you feel more energetic and balanced, which is important for supporting a positive mood. Red light therapy has proven to be an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) which is caused by low levels of melatonin and serotonin (chemicals that make you feel happy). Red light therapy is an excellent drug-free way of regulating the levels of these chemicals in your body – melatonin, serotonin and dopamine. Learn more in our full article on red light therapy for depression.

  • Athletic Performance & Muscle Recovery: Many professional athletes are discovering the benefits of red and near-infrared light therapy. Recent studies show that red light therapy can repair muscle, enhance athletic performance, and aid in the recovery process following a workout or injury. It’s also been found that red light therapy helps the body get more benefits from exercise, both in terms of muscle gain and fat loss. Learn more in our full guide to using red light therapy for weight loss.

  • Skin Health: Red light therapy is one of the safest, most effective natural skin treatments available today on the market, and it’s being used by some of the top skincare professionals in the world for skin rejuvenation, anti-aging, healing, and enhanced complexion benefits to name a few. Learn more in our full article on red light therapy for skin.

Why use red light therapy? If you’re still not convinced of the impact this treatment can have on your health and well-being, you will be after reading our full guide on the subject. But for now, let’s talk about tanning bed red light therapy vs at-home treatment.

Girl doing yoga infront of a VItal Red Light
Vital Red Light can also be used in combination with other wellness practices like yoga, meditation or exercise. You can even use Vital Red Light while you sleep!

Tanning Salon Red Light Therapy vs At-Home Treatment: Which is better?

Ok, so you’re convinced of the advantages of red light therapy. The next logical question is probably about money ⁠— how much does it cost to use red light therapy at a tanning salon? Let’s do some quick calculations for each scenario:

Tanning Salon Red Light Therapy

A single red light therapy session at a tanning salon or other office usually costs between $30 and $100. Even though $50 for a session doesn’t seem like much, these expenses can quickly add up over time. Thus, it would be more financially savvy in the long run to buy your own device that you can use an unlimited number of times instead.

Another thing to keep in mind is that red light therapy is a long-term solution. You’ll need to use it consistently over time to see results such as an improvement in skin tone, adult acne or wrinkles. And if you’re looking to use red light therapy as a muscle recovery treatment following exercise, you’ll want it every time you finish exercising.

At Home Red Light Therapy Devices

Let’s take a closer look at Vital Red Light’s prices. The company’s lowest-priced unit, the Vital Charge, costs $329. This small device is best for targeted treatment, such as your upper body and face, or lower back. Like all Vital Red Light devices, the Vital Charge has the highest irradiance of its class on the market, so it’s powerful and effective in shorter sessions.

Compare that with a typical red light therapy device at a salon, which will most likely offer full-body coverage for about $50 a session. By the time you complete seven sessions, you’ll have spent enough to cover the cost of an in-home red light therapy device that can be used at your convenience, as often as you’d like—and it doesn’t matter if you want to use it on your head or your feet.

The benefits of using red light therapy are many and varied, but for those looking for something more than just a quick fix, this treatment can provide long-term results as well. It’s important to keep in mind that red light therapy is more of a long-term investment than a quick fix.

Not only will you see the best results from using it regularly, but its many beauty and health benefits mean it can serve you for months or even years to come, as your wellness goals change over time. Why pay for just a few sessions at a tanning salon, gym, spa, or anywhere else when you could have your own device at home to use whenever you want?

Working from home while using red light therapy
Vital Red Light can also be used in combination with other wellness practices like yoga, meditation or exercise. You can even use Vital Red Light while you sleep!

Other ways to experience this treatment besides red light therapy in tanning beds

We’ll talk about tanning salon red light therapy in just a moment. But first, we want to cover all the ways you can get the benefits of red light therapy. Which method you choose is up to you, but we suggest investing in a high-quality at-home device for the most cost-effective and convenient option. More on that later.

  1. Red light therapy devices. One of the easiest ways to get red light therapy is with an at-home device like the Vital Pro which can be used on any area of your body. Red light therapy devices like this one emit therapeutic wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to help boost collagen, improve circulation, and increase cellular energy.

  2. Red light therapy clinics. You can also find red light therapy at spas and wellness clinics. These facilities may use red light lamps or panels that emit therapeutic wavelengths of red and near-infrared light energy to treat skin conditions like acne or wrinkles or to reduce pain from arthritis or other chronic pain conditions.

  3. Red Light Therapy Tanning Beds. If you’re familiar with tanning beds, then you may have heard of red light therapy beds as well. These are designed to help users achieve sunless tans by using UV-free bulbs that emit therapeutic wavelengths of red and near-infrared light energy to stimulate melanin production in your skin cells.

  4. Red light therapy bulbs or lamps: These are not effective because they do not emit enough power to provide therapeutic benefits. They are usually too weak and cannot penetrate the skin deeply enough to get to damaged tissue. The intensity of red light therapy must be sufficient to penetrate deeply into the body. There are some red light therapy devices that use a laser, but these are highly expensive and have limited application for cosmetic treatments.

An at-home light therapy device is the most cost-effective option, as you can use it regularly and consistently to achieve long-term skin benefits. Visiting a red light therapy clinic or using a red light therapy tanning bed may provide more immediate results, but these options are often more expensive and may not offer the same level of consistent treatment as an at-home device.

No matter how you choose to incorporate red light therapy into your wellness routine, just remember to do your research and find a reputable source for your treatments. And always make sure to follow any recommended usage guidelines for safe and effective results. And with that said, here are some tips for reaping the benefits of this treatment at home.

Using Red Light Therapy At-home: A Better Option Than Tanning Salon Red Light Therapy Beds

There are many ways to use a red light therapy device at home. Depending on the size of the area you want to treat, you can sit or stand in front of it. You can foam roll or stretch in front of it after a workout, between sets, or while doing another type of aerobic exercise like using a spin bike or treadmill.

You can also use it to treat your back and legs after a hard day at work by lying down on the floor or sitting in a chair with your legs outstretched in front of you. You can also put your feet up on a stool and put the light directly underneath them for added circulation to your lower extremities.

Another great way to use red light therapy at home is before bedtime — especially if you have trouble sleeping because of pain or inflammation that keeps you awake at night. Learn more in our article on how red light therapy works.

In the end, investing in an at-home red light therapy device is worth its cost for the convenience, flexibility, and long-term benefits it provides. So save your money and skip the salon⁠— invest in your own red light therapy device for a healthier, more cost-effective solution.

Vital Red Light devices provide the highest irradiance on the market, meaning more effective treatment in less time for you. All devices undergo rigorous testing and protocols to ensure safety, effectiveness, and durability before being shipped to you. After years of precise engineering with cutting-edge technology, we are able to bring you the best Red Light Therapy device at an affordable price tag. Get the best at-home red light therapy device today!

Final Thoughts on if Red Light Therapy in Tanning Beds is Worth it

There you have it – everything you need to know about red light therapy in tanning beds. We’ve discussed whether or not tanning bed red light therapy is worth it, and provided you with a superior alternative to experience the benefits of red light therapy.

Red light therapy devices come in many forms – from full-body red light therapy devices that expose your whole body to therapeutic red and near-infrared light therapy devices to smaller handheld devices that are more portable and convenient. Vital Red Light offers different sizes of red light therapy products that are equally effective in treating the same conditions, but each size is designed for a different purpose. Here’s a quick breakdown of our lineup:

  • The Vital Charge is a small, versatile portable red light therapy device that can be used to treat small areas like the face and hands. It’s the most affordable option in our collection, making it a great choice if you want to try red light therapy before committing to a larger panel.

  • The Vital Pro is our most popular light therapy device. This red light therapy panel is large enough to be comfortably used on the entire front and back of your body at once. Perfect for use with a standing desk or in front of your TV, you can relax while you receive your daily dose of natural light.

  • The Vital Elite is our most powerful device in the line of Vital Red Light Therapy devices. It is designed specifically to treat larger areas such as the back, neck, shoulders, legs, arms, and more. It features 172 5-watt LED bulbs that are spaced 4 inches apart from each other providing maximum surface area coverage.

Or, you can choose to waste money and inconvenience yourself on a regular basis with tanning salon red light therapy. But after this detailed discussion on tanning bed red light therapy, it should be clear. Investing in your own device is a far more convenient and cost-effective choice. So what are you waiting for? Shop our selection today and take your health to the next level!

Couple using red light therapy with coffee
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
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