There are several skin therapy treatments that are being used by various people all over the world in order to improve their skin condition. Some of them include chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser skin tightening and so many others. All these are done in a bid to make our skin look youthful, plump and smooth again in order to regain our confidence back and to look nice.
A major new trend in skin therapy and treatment is the use of red light therapy. One question that you may be asking in your mind right now is what is it? What exactly is red light therapy and where can I get it done? and what are red light therapy pros and cons? Do not worry, all those answers will be responded to down below.
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red Light Therapy is a new form of skin treatment that involves the use of low red level light to treat various skin conditions such as burns, wounds, scars, and the like. It is also referred to as Low-Level Laser Therapy.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
As compared to other forms of light, red light has been identified to penetrate the body to great lengths. This makes it really effective in treating various skin conditions. The wavelength of red light grants it the ability to penetrate deep into the body’s cells, deep enough to access the mitochondria. It initiates a reaction in these cells which boosts the function of the mitochondria. Mitochondria are assigned with the task of producing the cell energy which is known as ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) through the process of respiration.
As such, when red light boosts the function of the mitochondria, it grants them the ability to produce more energy and in the process carry out other processes such as cell growth and healing in a faster, more efficient way.
Red Light Therapy Benefits
Red Light Therapy works effectively and the following are some of the red light therpay pros;
• Assists in the healing of wounds and repair of damaged tissue
• Improves the appearance of the skin by getting rid of wrinkles and blemishes.
• Aids in hair growth
• For people with diabetes, it helps in the healing of their wounds which often takes longer time to heal.
• Provides pain relief for people suffering from arthritis
• Helps to greatly reduce cancer treatment effects
• Assists in the building of collagen
Different Types of Red Light Therapy
There are a couple of different ways in which you can get red light therapy done. For instance, you may look up different types of salons that offer this kind of therapy and call them up to book an appointment. Most of them have a bed that resembles that which is used during tanning. This kind is efficient if you want to use the red light therapy for big surface areas such as your back and arms. If you prefer to carry this out at home, you may invest in your own personal kit which you can use on areas of your body such as your face and chest. Most of these kits consist of handheld devices that are quite easy and convenient to use.
All these may incorporate the use of either LED (Light-emitting Diode) or of low energy lasers. Whatever the case, both are pretty and safe to achieve al the desired results.
How Often Should You Do Light Therapy?
In order to get results, you need to do the red light therapy for a couple of weeks and get to establish and view exactly the type of effects the therapy is having on you. It is recommended to start with about 15-20 minute sessions, for around 3-5 times a week during the first month. Afterwards, you may opt to reduce the number of times that you do it, and eventually, you must be done two sessions per week.
Of course, these figures differ depending on the type os session you are using for. For instance, if you want to get rid of acne on your face the this requires a different time period as compared to using red light to get rid of pain or stiffness.
If you are planning to do red light therapy then it is must to talk to your dermatologist or a local doctor where they can provide you complete details of the treatment and the number of sessions required to get the optimum results.
Red Light Therapy Side Effects
Red light therapy is pretty safe and there are no harmful or negative side effects. The light is natural and it will not have any mutative effect on your body cells. One may, however, experience headaches but this is a common occurrence due to staying in the glare of the red light for a while. Ensure that if you are doing this at home you take precautionary measures for sensitive areas of your body such as your eyes.
Moreover, do not overdo the therapy as this may actually hinder the emergence of the positive effects that you had hoped for. Stick to the schedule that will be assigned to you by your doctor or dermatologist as they know what is best for you and what will work most effectively for your skin or whatever condition you may be aiming to treat.
Red Light Therapy, in general, is a safe, effective and convenient method that can be used to treat severe acne, provide pain relief, get rid of stiffness, promote collagen growth, treat wounds and basically clear away blemishes from your skin. Ensure to follow all the instructions given, and if you experience any difficulty in doing it by yourself at home, it is best to get it done at a salon or at the gym. If you have various ailments such as cancer or arthritis, it is best to consult your doctor first and explain to him or her that you wish to engage in red light therapy. This will help both of you to discuss a schedule and a program that will work best for you.
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