Red Light Therapy: The Secret to Better Aging?

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Red light therapy or LED therapy (light emitting diode) is all the rage in the skin health and wellness world. From spas and estheticians to gyms and home masks, they’re everywhere, and for very good reason. There are face masks, handheld wands, mouth devices for oral health, and full-body devices. 

You name it, there’s a light device for that body part.

Sunshine is a nutrient in my book and light therapy is nothing new. Sunlight therapy, also known as heliotherapy, has a rich history of being used in hospitals. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, sunlight was used extensively to treat tuberculosis (TB). Dr. Niels Finsen received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1903 for his pioneering work using light therapy to treat skin conditions like lupus vulgaris, a form of tuberculosis affecting the skin​.

If you want the science behind light therapy, I’ve got some here. Or just do a quick search for red light + whatever issue you’d like to see studies on because there are plenty. 

What is red light therapy?

Imagine a magic red flashlight that can shine deep into your skin. This special red light helps fix broken skin cells, making them healthy again (think mitochondria). When that happens the body’s natural healing process is turned on. The red light wavelength is used mostly for anti-aging, wound healing, and soothing sore muscles.

What’s the difference between red light therapy and LED therapy?

Red light therapy is part of LED therapy, but it only uses the red wavelength of light, whereas LED therapy uses the full spectrum of color to help with a wider variety of skin problems.

LED (light-emitting diode) is like having a bunch of magic flashlights in different colors—red, blue, and green. Each color does something different for your skin. For example, blue light is a shorter wavelength and is used on the surface of the skin to zap the C. acnes bacteria that can cause pimples. Green light helps get rid of dark spots, and red light is a longer wavelength that goes deeper into the skin which is why it’s more known for anti-aging.

What does red light therapy do for the skin?

There are so many things! Red light therapy (RLT) basically rebuilds the skin's matrix and stimulates fibroblast cells to produce collagen and elastin.

Red light and the mitochondria 

This is really where LED therapy shines through when it comes to overall health benefits, particularly red and near-infrared light. When exposed to this light, the mitochondria, the powerhouse of your cells, absorb it and produce more energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). This boost in energy helps cells function better, promotes faster healing, reduces inflammation, and enhances collagen production. Essentially, LED therapy tamps down inflammation while also promoting healing. 

Two treatments per week for 8 weeks.

Here are five key benefits of LED therapy: 

1. Improves Skin Tone and Texture

Red light therapy can enhance overall skin appearance by improving tone and texture. A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy found that participants who underwent RLT experienced significant improvements in skin complexion and texture.

2. Reduces Wrinkles and Fine Lines

One of the most celebrated benefits of RLT is its ability to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Red and near-infrared wavelengths enhance the body’s ability to activate the cells that produce collagen and elastin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. A study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology reported that red light increases collagen production, which helps diminish the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin elasticity.

3. Accelerates Wound Healing:

Red light therapy promotes faster healing of wounds and minor injuries. According to research in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, RLT accelerates tissue repair by enhancing cellular regeneration and increasing blood circulation to the treated areas.

4.Reduces Inflammation and Redness:

RLT has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce skin inflammation and redness. A study published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine demonstrated that red light therapy significantly reduced inflammatory markers and improved conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. RLT can life life-changing for acne sufferers! Blue and red light kill bacteria that cause acne breakouts, and reduces inflammation, pimples, and redness.

5. Enhances Scar Reduction:

Red light therapy can improve the appearance of scars by promoting collagen production and cellular turnover. Research in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy showed that regular RLT sessions resulted in notable improvements in the appearance of hypertrophic scars and surgical scars.

The Celluma LED Therapy device that I use in my office has been FDA-cleared to treat:

• Decreased local blood circulation

• Inflammatory acne vulgaris

• Muscle & joint pain 

• Muscle tissue tension

• Hair restoration

• Wrinkles 

• Arthritis

What it comes down to is that LED or red light therapy is a noninvasive, nonaggressive, yet powerful therapy that can address so many health issues. And it’s safe, requires no downtime, and is very affordable. 

I often see my clients walk in with inflamed, angry skin, and after their session, they leave with much calmer, less red skin. It's incredibly rewarding to help them find relief and see their confidence boost as their skin improves.

All Jet Plasma clients get a complimentary LED session during each treatment, and I offer a series of stand-alone red light packages. Check them out below.

“Excellent experience with the 4 sessions of Celluma LED light therapy. I had some puffy under eyelids and I saw an obvious reduction after 3 sessions! Added bonus, my skin looks more firm, and an indentation, somewhat of a wrinkle on my top lip was noticeably reduced. I’m really happy with the results, pricing and the level  of care from Laureen. When paired with the high-quality facial products, results will be even better. I’m looking forward to trying Jet Plasma next! Thank you, Laureen!” -Meaghan, Celluma client

References:

1. The history of light therapy in hospital physiotherapy and medicine with emphasis on Australia: Evolution into novel areas of practice. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 37(3), 389–400.

2. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2014.

3. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2006.

4. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 2015.

5. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2017.

6. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2016.