Is Red Light Therapy Safe?
Red light therapy, a form of photobiomodulation, is the newest up-and-coming skin care treatment with a vast array of healthcare benefits. However, the technology behind red light therapy isn’t a new phenomenon. Red light therapy was first utilized in a medical practice in the late 1800s. Dr. Finsen, a Nobel Prize-awarded scientist and physician, used the technology to treat Lupus patients. With the rise in popularity of red light therapy, especially red light saunas, to treat wrinkles, acne and inflammation, many are questioning how these light therapies differ from harmful UV light.
The History of Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy was first used in medicine in the late 1800s by Dr. Niels Ryberg Finsen, a Danish physician who used the technology to first treat smallpox and then lupus. It wasn’t until the early 2000s, two hundred years later, that the impacts of red light therapy for overall health and wellness were discovered, prompting additional scientific studies into specific use cases for improved sleep, cognitive function, and decreased inflammation. While the technology is not a new concept, red light therapy is now more accessible than ever.
What is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy uses wavelengths of light on the red (650nm) and near-infrared (850nm) spectrum. While red light therapy has a multitude of benefits, it is most often utilized in skincare practices to reduce wrinkles, repair sun damage, promote wound healing, and stimulate the production of new cells. In some cases, read light therapy is even used to treat skin conditions, including skin cancer, psoriasis, and acne.
According to Cleveland Clinic, some of the additional benefits of red light therapy include the following.
Benefits of Red Light:
Stimulate collagen production
Increase blood circulation to the tissue
Reduce inflammation in cells
Red light is commonly used in combination with blue light in LED therapy, which kills acne-causing bacteria.
How does Red Light Differ from UV Light?
Red light therapy is used to heal the body versus present harm and does not utilize the same type of light used in tanning beds. For this reason, red light therapy does not expose your skin to damaging UV rays at all. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, tanning beds omit UV radiation, that work to develop a tan by causing cell damage and photoaging. Red light, on the other hand, utilizes an entirely different wavelength on the spectrum noted by Very Well Health to be “nontoxic, noninvasive, and considered safe for all skin types.”
Is Red Light Therapy Safe?
According to PBM Foundation and Everyday Health, “red light therapy is cleared by the U.S. Food Drug Administration (FDA).” However, as always, it is a best practice to consult with your healthcare provider to see if red light therapy is an option for you.