There are many people in the world suffering from skin afflictions that they find hard to treat. In the United States alone there are up to 50 million people with acne, and there are over 125 million people worldwide with psoriasis.
Although there are treatments available for these conditions, not all patients respond to traditional medications. Then there are other conditions including burns that are not healing well, sports injuries, tendonitis, and skin conditions such as the effects of aging. Again, there are treatments for these too, all of which have varying results. Make up your own mind by reading some information on red light therapy below.
What if there was one treatment that could have a positive effect on all these conditions and more, plus it could be done affordably and effectively at home? Too good to be true? Make up your own mind by reading some information on red light therapy below.
How to describe red light therapy?
The first thing on your mind will be what does it mean? RLT often goes by other names including LLLT or low-level laser therapy or LPLT which means low-power laser therapy.
It is a type of treatment that is used to help with skin conditions and to help various parts of the body heal. It may be used primarily to reduce the healing time for muscle tissue injuries or skin treatments but it is said to be useful for other applications too.
It is similar to infrared but differs in some ways. Whereas infrared light is invisible to humans you will be able to see red light should you undergo therapy.
Red light therapy may sound like a new idea and another trend but it has been around since 1896 when Dr. Finsen tested out the first red light therapy on a form of tuberculosis. A few years later he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology for advancing light therapy treatments.
How does it work?
When someone undergoes red light therapy their skin will be exposed to the light particles that are emitted from an LED panel. This panel will emit red light and near-infrared light which is absorbed by the patient’s cells.
Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cells and these absorb various elements and proteins and then turn them into energy. They also absorb the red light from the LED panel and it is this that is believed to improve cellular performance and then increase healing times.
What can red light therapy do?
While it is becoming more popular with treating the effects of aging, and a variety of skin conditions it can also aid many other problems. Here are some areas that red light therapy is being used today:
- Muscle recovery and muscle growth
- Pain management
- Weight loss
- Depression and anxiety
- Insomnia
- Dementia
- Psoriasis
- Reduction of scar tissue
There have even been clinical trials on the effects of red light on body contouring with positive results.
Is red light therapy harmful?
When light therapy only involves light that is actually visible then it can be considered safe. As with any therapy, there can be some side effects. The most common side effects from light therapy are all temporary and involve headaches or eye strain.
Sometimes patients will report an outbreak of hives or acne but again these appear to be transitory and disappear quickly. There are no known injuries or damage associated with any of these side effects.
Could you do this type of treatment in a home setting?
There are many home remedies for skin conditions and there is no reason why red light therapy couldn’t be added to that list.
As with any home treatment, you should consult a medical professional before embarking on an extended program. However, there are many good reasons why someone might want to undertake light therapy in the comfort of their own home.
Due to the conditions that red light therapy is used for, the treatments can last weeks and sometimes months. This means for most people it is far more convenient to use this therapy at home rather than travel to clinics regularly. It could also be more affordable.
Like most people, you likely understand why you need good health insurance but it may be that your policy does not include treatments such as light therapy. It may also be expensive to attend a private clinic regularly. So, it would seem to make sense to undergo light therapy at home.
How can you do this type of therapy in your home?
The FDA has approved LED devices for use in the home and there are also many products that are classed as general wellness devices meaning they do not require FDA clearance.
To make sure your home therapy is effective you need to follow a couple of measures. Firstly, you need a good quality red light device that works.
This means the device needs to have a high-output performance that uses a combination of red and near-infrared light. The reason some devices do not require FDA clearance is that they are ineffective. Not all of them, but certainly a few of them. To see some effective devices you can visit RLT Home at redlighttherapyhome.com and find the right one for your budget.
Investing in a good red light therapy device will mean saving money on replacing poor quality, weak machines that seemed like a bargain at the time.
Once you have your light therapy device you then need to work out a program that fits your needs and lifestyle and stick to it. This is a key point. If you do not commit to regular therapy then you won’t get the most out of any home treatment.
Discuss with your doctor or other professional about how your program should work and then stick to regular therapy sessions until your condition has improved satisfactorily. Depending on what you are treating you may find you have to use the device on the problem area to stop flare-ups later on. Another benefit of having your own device is that you don’t have to book follow-up appointments.
How long should you undergo red light therapy?
At the moment there are no concrete rules about how long a period the therapy can be used for. When working out a program you should look at using the therapy for 3 to 5 times a week at the start and then lower that to maybe 2 times a week to keep the condition at bay.
When you first use red light therapy at home don’t go overboard. Some areas of skin, such as the face, need to be treated more carefully. Start with shorter treatment periods and increase them if necessary. Again, consult with a professional on how long you should expose your skin to the LED panel before you begin.
Summary
Research has proved the efficacy of red light therapy and there is no reason why it shouldn’t be undertaken in the home. As long as you are dedicated and committed to sticking with the treatment then you should be able to undergo effective therapy.
Look for a reputable dealer and you will be able to buy an affordable red light therapy device that works. Combined with some advice from your doctor you will then be armed with all you need to treat yourself in the comfort of your favorite room.
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