The wellness benefits of red light therapy that you can’t do without
Light has a profound impact on health and wellness. Humans need light to be healthy…and red and infrared light make up a big part of the reason why. We’ve known for many years that red light therapy has the power to optimize health. But now, scores of scientific studies and years of clinical application link red light therapy to a wide range of specific benefits ranging from anti-aging to hair growth to wound healing to pain relief to fat loss to muscle recovery, and the list goes on. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of light energy so you can best understand how so many wellness benefits flow from red light therapy. Then we’ll highlight the specific wellness benefits that you can deliver with red light therapy. And we'll end by sharing a few of our red light therapy device recommendations - so you can start reaping the wellness benefits of red light therapy right away!
This is article number four in our wellness business series with business owners, body contouring professionals and healthcare providers in mind. Each article breaks down the steps to successfully add wellness services to your business.
You can trust what you read. We’ve utilized light therapy to treat our medspa patients since 2006.
- We’re Shannon, an esthetician, and Kay, an RN/Attorney. We’re long time medical spa owners/operators.
- We’ve used a broad-spectrum of light therapy (including red light and near infrared light therapy) since we opened the doors of our first medical spa in 2006.
- And for the past seven years, we have served as faculty for the Body Contouring Academy, sharing the knowledge and expertise we’ve gained over the past twenty years. We also regularly publish blogs (like this one!) and host a biweekly podcast designed to help others to achieve business success.
Before we dive into the light energy details and the red light science, we’ll give you a sneak peek at the wellness benefits of red light therapy…
I
Light Energy Basics
What is light?
- Light is electromagnetic energy that is all around us.
- Light = energy.
Light travels in wavelengths; these wavelengths have a powerful impact on the body
- Light travels in waves that penetrate the body and trigger reactions in the cells.
- Think of a prism and a white beam of light going into that prism that then splits into what looks like a rainbow. All the colors of the rainbow. These are the many wavelengths of light.
- And anytime there is white light in the environment, it includes all of those wavelengths (colors). There are additional wavelengths that we cannot see that emanate from the sun.
- But whether or not we can see these colors (or wavelengths), they all have a powerful impact on the body.
→ Remember this as you study the wellness benefits of red light therapy.
→ Light is energy that impacts a multitude of human biological processes and plays a huge role in health and wellness.
What is a wavelength (color) of light?
- A ‘wavelength of light’ is the horizontal distance between the two peaks in the wave.
- Light wavelengths are measured in nanometers (nm).
- There are light wavelengths we can see, called visible light, and light wavelengths we cannot see, which are invisible to the human eye.
The nanometer range of wavelengths (colors) of visible light
The wavelengths of visible light range from about 380 nanometers to about 750 nanometers.
What are the wavelengths (colors) of visible light?
- These color wavelengths fall within the range of 380 nm to 750 nm (visible to humans).
Color Approximate wavelength range
Violet 380 - 450 nm
Blue 450 - 495 nm
Green 495 - 570 nm
Yellow 570 - 590 nm
Orange 590 - 620 nm
Red 620 - 750 nm
What are the wavelengths (colors) of invisible light?
- Any light outside the visible range of 380 to 750 nm is invisible to humans.
- Ultraviolet light is shorter than 380 nm.
- Infrared light is longer than 750 nm.
Color Approximate wavelength range
Ultraviolet 10 - 390 nm
Infrared 750 nm - 1 mm
II
How does red light therapy (and infrared light therapy) provide so many wellness benefits?
Red and Infrared have powerful impacts effects on health and wellness
- While most wavelengths of light, both visible and invisible, are able to penetrate the body, they stay in the layers of the skin.
- This is how red light and infrared light stand out when it comes to wellness benefits.
- Both red light wavelengths and infrared light wavelengths are able to penetrate deep into the human body and affect the cells, tissues, blood, eyes, brain, and even the bones, tendons, etc.
- And when red and/or infrared light penetrates into these deeper tissues, the wavelengths have incredible healing power on the cells increasing energy production, reducing inflammation, increasing cell regeneration, relieving pain, and so much more.
Photobiomodulation (PBM): red light therapy’s powerful mechanism of action
- Photobiomodulation (or PBM) is the term used to describe how red light therapy works.
- Specially, red light therapy induces the process called photobiomodulation (PBM).
- Just as plants convert light from the sun into energy (photosynthesis) to grow and survive, PBM is the process of delivering light as energy for the body and producing and stimulating a variety of processes within the body.
- Red light wavelengths directly enhance and strengthen numerous organs, influence biological processes and produce multiple beneficial actions.
- Seems complicated, but it’s not. Red light and infrared light’s photobiomodulation (PBM) is simple. The PBM of red light therapy (and infrared light) acts directly on the mitochondria.
See how the PBM of red light therapy works…
Boosting mitochondria: the secret behind the wellness benefits of red light therapy and infrared light therapy
- Red light’s PBM acts directly on the mitochondria in cells to stimulate increased cellular energy production (ATP).
- Since the mitochondria are the ‘powerhouse’ of every cell in the human body, the increased mitochondrial energy produced by red light therapy provides multiple biological wellness benefits, affecting multiple biological processes and bodily systems.
III
Wellness benefits of red light therapy
- Using its power to boost mitochondria, red light therapy can benefit virtually every system in the body.
- A wealth of studies have shown that red light therapy can reduce and slow the signs of aging, regrow hair, lessen pain, speed healing, decrease inflammation, reduce fat, minimize cellulite and more.
Let’s break this down into bodily systems.
1
Aging and Longevity
Wellness benefits of red light therapy related to the Aging Process and Aesthetic Concerns
- Reduces wrinkles and scars
- Smooths and tones skin
- Slows hair loss and can stimulate hair regrowth
- Slows bone loss
- Slows muscle loss
- Minimizes cellulite
- Reduces fat deposits
2
Increased Energy Production and Improved Vitality
Wellness benefits of red light therapy related to energy production and vitality
- Increases energy levels
- Promotes feelings of overall wellness and vitality
3
Boosted Immunity and Anti-inflammatory Actions
Wellness benefits of red light therapy related to Immune Function and Inflammation
- Provides a direct boost to the immune system to fight infection and disease
- Powerful anti-inflammatory actions
- Combats and relieves arthritis pain and improves joint health
- Improves symptoms of chronic diseases and degenerative diseases
4
Improved Muscle Health and Better Performance
Wellness benefits of red light therapy related to muscle and tendon health
- Increases muscle growth when combined with exercise
- Helps prevent muscle fatigue
- Promotes fast muscle recovery
- Shortens time needed for healing injured muscles and tendons
5
Faster Wound Healing
Wellness benefits of red light therapy related to healing from wounds, burns, incisions and other injuries
- Wounds, burns, incisions and other injuries regenerate and heal faster
- Reduces inflammation and pain associated with wounds, burns, incisions and other injuries
6
Improved Sleep Quality
Wellness benefits of red light therapy related to sleep
Get great wellness benefits with the best red light therapy devices
Great news! Red light machines are not complicated to manufacture, so you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a great machine.
Our top red light therapy machine choices
A red light device that delivers red light via a panel mounted on an adjustable stand.
Good for: Home Use and/or Professional Use
Ability to treat: Face and/or Body (in separate sessions)
Price Range: Under $100
What we love about it: Affordability, versatility, ease of use
Red/NIR Light Therapy via Lamp Applicator
#ad We are amazon associates, so if you click on a link that is a qualified purchase, we may earn a small fee. It comes as no extra cost to you and we only recommend products based on our experience and/or use.
A clinical grade full body LED panel delivering red light and infrared light.
Good for: Intended for Professional Use; good choice for Home use too
Ability to treat: Full body, including face
Price Range: Under $750
What we love about it: Professional quality, ease of use, solid construction
Red/NIR Light Therapy via Panel Tower Applicator
#ad We are amazon associates, so if you click on a link that is a qualified purchase, we may earn a small fee. It comes as no extra cost to you and we only recommend products based on our experience and/or use.
A portable, wearable red light therapy belt to treat targeted areas of the body.
Good for: Home Use and/or Professional Use
Ability to treat: Multiple targeted areas of the body
Price Range: Under $75
What we love about it: Flexibility, easy to use, low cost
Red/NIR Light Therapy via Belt Applicator
#ad We are amazon associates, so if you click on a link that is a qualified purchase, we may earn a small fee. It comes as no extra cost to you and we only recommend products based on our experience and/or use.
Summary
Red light therapy is a game-changer for wellness, offering scientifically backed benefits that can transform health, beauty, and vitality.
From boosting energy levels and improving sleep to reducing fat, relieving pain, and even reversing signs of aging, red light therapy is a must-have for both professionals and individuals looking to enhance their well-being.
With its ability to penetrate deep into the body and stimulate cellular energy production, this powerful therapy supports healing, longevity, and overall wellness.
Whether you’re a body contouring professional or business owner expanding your services or someone seeking an effective at-home solution, red light therapy can deliver remarkable results.
Ready to experience the benefits? Explore our top red light therapy device recommendations and start your journey to better health today!
Look for our upcoming articles as we continue to guide you through the process of designing a blueprint to successfully add wellness services to your business.
Did you miss our last article? Read it here.