Red light therapy is one of the newest crazes to take over social media. However, this is not a new wellness technique. The origins of red light therapy date back to the 1800s, and it's only gaining in popularity now as more and more people are learning how effective it is.
If you haven't heard of or tried it before, you may be slightly confused about how red light can help your body heal. But don't worry! We're here to break it down for you.
First things first. What is Red Light Therapy?
The explanation truly is in the words of this one. Red light therapy uses low levels of red light to target your cells and skin. It is a non-invasive treatment. It works by helping increase the production of mitochondria in your cells, which then improves their function and rate of repair. This means that injuries, illnesses and several ailments don't take as long to recover.
What is Red Light Therapy good for?
We've already mentioned some things that red light therapy is good for. However, it is great for more than wounds and cell repair. Some of the reasons why you may consider red light therapy include.
- Healing wounds
- Promoting healthier skin
- Reducing psoriasis
- Stimulating hair growth
- Reducing inflammation
- Improving sleep
- Improving circulation
- Reducing acne
- Anti-ageing
- Building collagen
- Stimulating weight loss
- Reducing wrinkles
- Reducing pain
- Improving eye health
- Healing bones
When should you try Red Light Therapy?
You don't need to be at your 'final stop' or 'wit's end' to try red light therapy. While it has helped many people who have tried everything else, it's not a final solution. You can attempt red light therapy at any time throughout your recovery or treatment journey. If you're not experiencing any of the above, you can try it too! Red light therapy is an excellent preventative, meaning it can help deter some of these conditions, especially those more prevalent with ageing.
How often do you need Red Light Therapy?
Consistency and rapid deployment are the keys to effective red light therapy. For the best results, doctors and practitioners will typically recommend three sessions a day for 20 minutes each. Typically, results will begin to show within three days. These include a reduction of pain, less stiffness and reduced redness. For larger ailments, results show within four weeks.
It's important to remember, however, that everybody is different. Your body may respond quicker or slower to the treatment. So, it's always best to chat with a professional to find out how long you will need to try to see specific results.
Is Red Light Therapy something you need to do forever?
Like all treatments, the best results will show if continuity is maintained. However, this doesn't mean you need a three-times-a-day schedule for the rest of your life! Red Light Therapy is one of those things that you can do less and less frequently as your body heals. You may start with three times a day over four weeks and then move down to two times a day. Before long, it will only become a nighttime ritual. Even soon after that, it may only be something you do once or twice a week.
The real trick is finding a pace that works well for you after you've achieved the results you're after.
It's also important to note that stopping for a holiday or having a red light therapy break will not immediately reverse all of your progress. However, you may notice that your body begins to feel sore or skin conditions arise once more if you ditch the therapy for a prolonged period.
Does Red Light Therapy Hurt?
The great thing about red light therapy is that it's non-invasive. It simply uses red light to heal! This makes it great for people of all ages seeking an alternative way to treat ailments and clear up conditions. In most cases, you won't feel anything at all. However, if you are performing it in a red light therapy bed, you may feel warmth due to the globes! Think of it like a warm hug.
Is Red Light Therapy enough to cure?
Studies have seen some great results, and many people rave about the effectiveness of red light therapy. Like all things, however, we recommend utilising it alongside a great diet, healthy exercise and a healthy lifestyle. This will be the best way to achieve quick and lasting results that your body will thank you for. As always, each person is different. So, you must consider your body, your circumstances and your past medical history when choosing to try red light therapy.
What are the sources of Red Light for Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy can be administered using red lights (duh). But this is not the only source. In fact, there are many natural sources, and one of the best ones is easily accessible. It's the sun!
To enjoy it safely, always head out when the UV is low, use sunscreen and enjoy exposure in cooler parts of the day, such as sunrise and sunset.
You might be mistaken into thinking that this is the only natural source of red light. However, others include campfire light, heated rocks and clay and human bodies. Of course, the intensity of each can impact their healing properties, which is why the sun will heal better and much faster than the warmth of another.
How does it differ from Blue Light Therapy?
If you've been looking into blue light therapy, you're probably unsure as to how the two differ. We've spoken about red light therapy already, but to summarise it:
Red light therapy penetrates deeply into the skin, stimulates collagen, supports wound healing, assists muscle recovery and aids joint pain relief. It's also ideal for reducing inflammation and promoting cell regeneration.
On the other hand, blue light therapy targets the surface of the skin, making it better for skin conditions such as acne by killing the bacteria that cause it. However, when used too often, it can disrupt the skin by causing dryness or sensitivity. It can also disrupt sleep, just like the light of your computer or TV screen makes it harder to switch off before bed.
We recommend red light therapy as it has fewer adverse impacts and is known to target the deeper healing your body is craving.
The Jomeis Fine Foods range is great alongside Red Light Therapy
As our range is detoxing, anti-inflammatory and great for the gut, it can assist in accelerating the results of red light therapy. We recommend pairing your therapy with a latte a day to see the change you've been hoping for. Explore our Nutritional, dairy-free and coffee-free latte range today.
