Benefits of Red Light and How it Works:

"If you've heard of red light or near infrared light therapies, that is not pseudo-science, that is not woo-science. This is grounded in the very biology of how light interacts ith mitochondria and reactive oxygen species." Dr Andrew Huberman

We know from 1000s of studies that red and infrared light regenerate tissues at the cellular level by stimulating ATP production, providing cells with more energy to perform essential functions such as repair, regeneration, and defense against oxidative stress. This increase in cellular energy is particularly beneficial for cells with high energy demands, such as muscle cells, neurons, and skin cells. The additional ATP allows these cells to function more effectively, promoting faster recovery, enhanced performance, and improved overall health. Red Light also reduces oxidative stress by activating antioxidant enzymes which reduce Reactive Oxygen Species and further protect the mitochondria - the energy center of the cell where the ATP is generated.

Major benefits from this enhanced cellular energy and antioxidant activity in addition to improved general week-being, overall energy and performance are: 

Faster Muscle Recovery

Both pre-exercise and post-exercise red light therapy might improve sports performance and speed recovery from muscle strain.

Limited research has suggested that pre-exercise treatment may have the potential to combat the oxidative stress caused by exercise. And other studies investigating different types of light therapy used before and after exercise have shown improvements in fatigue, number of repetitions, torque, and muscle hypertrophy.

Reduced Inflammation

Red or near-infrared light encourages cells to make antioxidants faster and lowers inflammatory markers. Soft laser therapy can increase circulation to help relieve inflammatory conditions without drugs or surgery, including:

• Osteoarthritis: Several studies have found that red light therapy can reduce pain and disability in people with knee osteoarthritis. The benefits extended up to 12 weeks after the end of treatment.12
• Psoriasis: Cold laser therapy is a common treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis, an autoimmune inflammatory skin condition. However, different light sources are needed for each type of psoriasis. It’s important to use the right light source for the treatment to be effective and to avoid skin burning or other side effects.13
• Carpal tunnel syndrome: In one study, low-level laser therapy helped reduce carpal tunnel syndrome pain in the hands and enhanced electrical activity in the median nerve.14
  
  
• Brain disorders: Red light can deliver light particles to the brain that stimulate mitochondria there. This may encourage blood flow and help lower inflammation in the brain. It can also help the brain create new nerve cells.15

Better Skin Health

Red light therapy is commonly used to address skin issues such as redness, scars, acne, and wrinkles. It is believed to benefit skin health by influencing collagen production and improving blood circulation in skin tissue.1

Possible benefits include:

• Better skin appearance: Used to improve skin that has been damaged or aged by sunlight, red light therapy may promote collagen production, which can help tighten skin and reduce wrinkles.2
• Wound healing: This therapy may enhance healing for chronic wounds by encouraging new skin growth and the development of new blood vessel networks.3
• Acne treatment: Red light therapy may effectively treat acne vulgaris by reducing inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions and decreasing the amount of sebum (oil) the skin produces.4

Improved Hair Growth

Low-level laser light therapy may aid in treating male or female pattern hair loss.5 Many consumer products, like caps and other devices, provide this type of red light treatment.

Research has shown that red light therapy can be effective for hair loss. In one study involving 20 individuals with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), hair density increased by approximately 12 hairs per centimeter after 16 weeks of treatment.6

Less Dental Pain

Red light therapy is used by dental professionals to alleviate pain, inflammation, and ulcers. It may also help control harmful oral microbes.

Conditions that may benefit from red light therapy include:

• Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD): This condition causes jaw discomfort, clicking, and limited movement. Red light therapy may reduce pain, improve range of motion, and enhance muscle function.7
• PeriodontitisThe therapy may aid in treating this condition, characterized by a buildup of dental plaque bacteria. Used with photodynamic therapy, it may reduce bacteria.8
• Burning mouth syndrome: Research indicates that low-light laser therapy may lessen symptoms in postmenopausal women experiencing mouth burning.9
• Stomatitis: In children ages 5 to 12, a study found that red light therapy reduced pain and the size of lesions caused by minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis(MiRAS) within two weeks.

Better Alzheimer’s Management

Formaldehyde concentrations in the brain are associated with oxidative stress and memory loss.

Research has suggested that red light therapy can break down formaldehyde and potentially improve cognitive function in adults with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.19