Red light therapy can smooth fine lines and more
A few weeks ago I spent some time with a friend who was visiting. She represents a number of beauty brands ranging from lotions to cosmetics, so understandably, she is quite meticulous about her daily beauty routine. She introduced me to a small portable massager she carries with her everywhere she goes and she swears by. It has a red light which help lotions penetrate deep into the skin. I’ve heard about Red Light Therapy (RLT) before, but I decided to read more about what seems to be a growing trend in anti-aging solutions.
Technically known as photobiomodulation, or photomedicine, RLT uses low wavelength redlight to solve a wide range of problems from nerve pain and muscle recovery, to inflammation, acne and cold sores, but also wound healing, fine lines and wrinkles. In case of nerve pain it works by activating a protein located on the surface of the neuron reducing cells ability to receive and transmit pain. It may also be helpful in speeding up muscle recovery following an injury by stimulating cellular mitochondria, the energy powerhouse of cells, boosting the body’s ability to repair itself more efficiently. As someone who exercises regularly I was intrigued by learning about this specific use, but I was also interested in learning more about the potential skin healing effects.
Red light therapy (RLT) has shown to significantly reduce inflammation.
Sunlight as a medical treatment has been found in many civilizations from the ancient Egyptians to the Ayurvedic and Chinese traditions, but the advent of electricity has been a game changer. Recently, the scientific community has devoted more studies to the physiological benefits of red light and near-infrared light as a way to improve the appearance of the skin. In fact, according to a controlled trial where participants were undergoing a treatment with a polychromatic light of between 611–650 up to 850 nanometers (nm) for a period of 30 sessions, they saw a significant improvement not only in their skin complexion and feeling, but also structural changes in intradermal collagen levels which causes wrinkles and fine lines to be significantly reduced.
To sum it up, studies have shown that red light waves are able to penetrate through the layers of the skin and stimulate cellular metabolism and intra cellular communication, significantly decreasing inflammatory response and increasing cellular growth inducing a positive effect on the skin.
I personally went back and forth between purchasing a mask, which are generally bulky, even though there are new ones that are more lightweight (and more expensive), a wand or a wand-like device and I settled for the last one because I decided that I wanted to be able to use it not only on my face, but also on my muscles and lower back.
Whichever home device you go for the most important things to look for are the following:
The wavelengths need to be between 620 and 750 nm, or above 750 nm if you are looking for infrared which penetrates deeper into the skin.
Although you may be tempted to buy a device that offers a wider range of colors, what really matters is the quality of the red light. So a good red light is more than enough!
Protect your eyes from the redlight and avoid looking directly at it.
Even though red light therapy is indeed promising to prevent or smooth out existing fine lines it won’t work for deeply etched wrinkles, for which you will need an in-office treatment with laser.
Lastly, like with everything else, being consistent in using whatever device you chose, combined with a healthy lifestyle, which includes lots of leafy greens, drinking at least 1 liter of water a day and using SPF everyday, all contribute to a healthier and clearer skin.
Try it and let us know what you think!
