Red light therapy beds have been around for a while and are becoming more popular as people learn about their potential benefits. But do they work? Check the article to learn about it.
Red light therapy beds have grown in popularity over the past few years. But does this type of therapy actually work? Are there any proven scientific facts that support its efficacy?
Red light treatment is a type of phototherapy. It is famous because it has a beneficial effect on well-being. The Heliotherapy Institute is an informative resource where you can find many reviews about different light therapy devices. Visit it to learn about all the benefits of phototherapy for your health.
This article will examine red light therapy beds’ effects on the human body. We will also discuss the potential benefits of this treatment for healing and pain relief.
The main point about red light therapy
Red light therapy is a popular topic these days. Many people are interested in this treatment method because it has many benefits. It uses low levels of red or near-infrared light to stimulate healing in the body. It improves cell function and promotes healing. It is also sometimes referred to as biostimulation. Red light therapy beds are becoming increasingly popular as people look for alternative ways to improve their health and well-being.
There are many uses for red light therapy. You can use it for general wellness or treat specific conditions.
Red light therapy bed and its work principle
A red light therapy bed uses LLL and LEDs to emit red and near-infrared light over the entire body. The session usually lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. You will lie on a bed equipped with LED lights during this time.
The science behind red light therapy beds is still emerging, but there’s some evidence that it may be beneficial. The theory is that this exposure can help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
- It works by delivering low-level red and near-infrared light energy to the body, which can:
- Stimulate mitochondrial activity [5]: Mitochondria are the energy centers of cells and play a key role in cellular metabolism.
- The body’s cells absorb energy and convert it into ATP (adenosine triphosphate). It is the primary source of energy for all cellular processes.
- By increasing ATP production, the red light therapy bed can help improve cell function.
- Red light therapy works by increasing collagen production. Collagen is a protein that plays a crucial role in wound healing.
All these processes provide healing and recovery of the body’s tissues. And they can help treat various conditions, including skin wounds, joint pain, and muscle soreness.
Cases when to use RLT bed
The red light therapy bed is a relatively safe and non-invasive way to treat many disorders. Increasing blood circulation and stimulating cell production positively affect our body. It can help reduce hair loss, weight loss, wound healing, bone repair [1], and more. Read more about these conditions.
Skin diseases
Red light therapy can positively affect certain skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo. Although there is no cure, red light therapy can help improve the symptoms of these conditions. We have a shred of scientific evidence [2] about its positive effect.
In a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, patients with psoriasis who had treatment with red light therapy showed significant improvement in their condition.
Similarly, another study published in the International Journal of Dermatology showed that red light therapy effectively treats patients with eczema. The study found that after eight weeks of treatment, patients significantly improved their symptoms.
Vitiligo is a condition that causes patches of skin to lose color. While there is no cure for it, red light therapy can effectively restore the lost color. One study informed that patients treated with red light therapy beds showed significant improvement in reducing their symptoms.
Red light therapy bed also can help in the treatment of acne. It helps reduce acne breakouts as it calms the inflammation in the skin’s sebaceous glands. Also, it improves skin appearance and texture and heals post-acne marks.
Additionally, you can safely use a red light therapy bed for any of these conditions. In that case, you should consult a dermatologist or other qualified health care professional to ensure it is safe and effective.
Reduce aging signs
Your body produces less collagen as you age, resulting in fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. By increasing collagen production, a red light therapy bed can help reduce the visible signs of aging. It can also help add elasticity to the skin. Positive effects on the skin include:
- Red light therapy is effective in reducing wrinkles, fine lines, and crow’s feet.
- It can also help improve skin texture and smoothness.
- Red light therapy can also help diminish the appearance of age spots and sunspots.
A study done in 2009 showed that participants who underwent eight weeks of red light therapy significantly reduced the appearance of wrinkles.
A study published in 2014 [6] found that red light therapy effectively reduced the size and number of age spots after eight weeks of treatment.
So if you think about ways to improve your skin and have more youth and a glowing look, look no further than a red light therapy bed.
Joint pain of various etiologies
It is a common complaint in the outpatient setting that often significantly limits an individual’s quality of life. The current evidence suggests that RLT may be effective for treating some types of joint pain, such as arthritis, knee osteoarthritis, tendonitis, carpal syndrome, fibromyalgia, and others.
Red Light Therapy (RLT) is a new technique that is gaining popularity because of its potential to relieve pain without drugs or surgery. It works by reducing inflammation. Inflammation is critical in several conditions, including joint pain and muscle soreness. So, red light therapy can help to improve these symptoms.
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis [4] of randomized controlled trials found that RLT was associated with significant improvements in pain and function in patients with arthritis.
Other health benefits
As red light therapy has an anti-inflammatory effect [3] by increasing the blood flow to the treated area, the RLT bed is effective for treating several medical conditions. There is evidence of improving symptoms of these disorders:
- Type two diabetes;
- Alopecia areata;
- Autoimmune thyroiditis, or inflammation of the thyroid gland;
- A possible treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia due to the systemic effect of RLT: Some research suggests that it may help improve cognitive function in people with these conditions.
Although the effectiveness of red light therapy has not yet been studied, some studies have shown promising results. If you’re looking for an alternative treatment option, red light therapy may be worth a try.
Drawbacks and contraindications
Red light therapy bed is generally considered safe. However, there are several possible side effects. Therefore, consult your doctor before trying this type of treatment. Side effects from red light therapy beds are rare, but they may include:
- Eye irritation
- Dry skin
- Itching
- Burning sensation
- Rashes
Usually, these side effects will go away in a few days.
Besides, the insurance may not cover the high cost of some RLT beds, and not all are FDA-proven.
It is better not to use red light therapy beds for people with epilepsy or who are pregnant. It’s also not recommended for people to take medications that make them sensitive to light, such as some acne medications.
The effectiveness of red light therapy bed
The question about the effectiveness of red light therapy beds is still in debate in the medical community. Some doctors believe this therapy can be helpful for various diseases, while others are skeptical about its benefits. But for the most part, the answer to this question is positive because there is more evidence of its positive effects and improvement of particular conditions. But there are certain circumstances in which you will see positive results:
- Red light therapy bed could be effective if your condition is treatable by this method and responds well to it.
- Not all red light therapy beds are created equal. Make sure you research before purchasing a red light therapy device, as some devices on the market may not be as effective as others.
- In most cases, the research on red light therapy has been conducted on animals or in small studies on humans. More extensive, more well-designed studies are needed before making a solid conclusion about the effectiveness of this treatment modality.
Take into account this information before making a decision.
Summary
A red light therapy bed is a convenient alternative for treating several conditions, including skin disorders, joint pain, and many others. Researches prove its effectiveness. It is the best option if you look for a natural way to cure your body. We gathered all information about the red light therapy bed. We hope this article was helpful for you to make an informed decision in favor of an RLT bed to have a healthy body.
Sources
- Carolina Dos Santos Santinoni, Hiskell Francine Fernandes Oliveira, Victor Eduardo de Souza Batista, Cleidiel Aparecido Araujo Lemos, Fellippo Ramos Verri. Influence of low-level laser therapy on the healing of human bone maxillofacial defects: A systematic review – J Photochem Photobiol B. 2017 Apr;169:83-89. doi: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2017.03.004. Epub 2017 Mar 7.
- Pinar Avci, Asheesh Gupta, Magesh Sadasivam, Daniela Vecchio, Zeev Pam, Nadav Pam, and Michael R Hamblin. Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring – Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2013 Mar; 32(1): 41–52.
- Michael R Hamblin. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation – AIMS Biophys. 2017; 4(3): 337–361.Published online 2017 May 19. DOI: 10.3934/biophy.2017.3.337
- Ron Clijsen, Anina Brunner, Marco Barbero, Peter Clarys, Jan Taeymans. Effects of low-level laser therapy on pain in patients with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis – European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 2017 August;53(4):603-10. DOI: 10.23736/S1973-9087.17.04432-X
- Tanupriya Agrawal,1,2 Gaurav K. Gupta,1,2,3 Vikrant Rai,4 James D. Carroll,5 and Michael R. Hamblin. Pre-Conditioning with Low-Level Laser (Light) Therapy: Light Before the Storm – Dose Response. 2014 Dec; 12(4): 619–649. DOI: 10.2203/dose-response.14-032.Agrawal
- Alexander Wunsch, Karsten Matuschka. A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase – Photomed Laser Surg. 2014 Feb;32(2):93-100. DOI: 10.1089/pho.2013.3616. Epub 2013 Nov 28.
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