How Red Light Affects Our Skin’s Health
Have any of you been seeing the crazy red light face masks on social media? The likes of Victoria Beckham, the Kardashians, and Chrissy Teigen have been seen utilizing the benefits of red light therapy, but what is it for?
The red light is scientifically proven to reduce inflammation and stimulate the production of collagen. This protein is proven to help with tissue repair and cellular communication. Collagen will help build bonds between the skin cells and give the appearance of more youthful-looking skin. As we age, collagen production decreases, contributing to skin sagging. Red light therapy can help combat this.
The benefits seem too good to be true! The question is, is it safe/doctor-recommended? According to Forbes, Dr. Eells, Ph.D. – red light therapy researcher and professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee – says, “What we are finding now is that light can and should be prescribed like any pharmaceutical—we refer to it as ‘photoceutical. Each and every condition has a different prescribed treatment designed to achieve a specific outcome.” As people experience insecurity from wrinkles, scarring, or hair loss, a common prescription has become red light therapy. One thing that makes doctors confident in recommending this is the fact that this treatment is non-toxic and non-invasive. It differs from UV lights (cancer-causing) as RLT doesn't use this type of light.
Overall, red light therapy seems to be the new trend for naturally tackling the aging process. It is seen as a low-risk-high-reward treatment, as opposed to botox or more extreme practices. We will continue to see the results of the practices as more and more doctors are prescribing regular uses of the technology.
1) Cleveland Clinic, "LED Light Therapy," ClevelandClinic.org, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22146-led-light-therapy.
2) Healthline, "What Is Collagen, and What Is It Good For?," Healthline.com, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/collagen#what-it-is-and-uses.
Kimberly Dawn Neumann and Jessica Cho, "Red Light Therapy: Benefits, Side Effects And Uses," Forbes.com, last modified January 12, 2024, accessed May 16, 2024, https://www.forbes.com/health/wellness/red-light-therapy/.
