The Benefits of Redlight Therapy

 

Redlight Therapy is becoming very popular.    So, what is red-light?  And what are the benefits? 

Whenever you go outside into sunlight you are experiencing many different parts of the Sun’s electromagnetic spectrum including:

UV - Ultraviolet Light – while eyes cannot sense Ultraviolet light – UV is responsible for tanning, sunburn, and production of Vitamin D

Far Infrared light – this is invisible to our eyes but we feel this as heat!

Redlight – we see this quite literally as redlight and the percentage of the sun’s rays that are redlight are highest earlier and later in the day (think sunset or a campfire!).   

Blue light – think typical indoor lighting and your computer screen.    The sun has plenty of blue light earlier in the day and less late in the afternoon and evening when red takes over.    This type of light stimulates the brain and nervous system which is why it is a good idea to go outside early each day into the sunlight whenever possible.

NIR - Near Infrared Light – we cannot see this with our eyes but near infrared light has many benefits similar to the benefits of redlight.   About 40% of the Sun’s Rays consist of Near Infrared which is one of the reasons being in sunlight can have many benefits if you follow safe sun exposure rules!     To learn more about safe sun exposure see this blogpost:  https://workoutanytime.blogspot.com/2022/08/the-incredible-health-benefits-of-safe.html

How does Redlight and Near Infrared Light Work?

Redlight and Near Infrared Light work through the Mitochondria of your cells.   You may remember Mitochondria from high-school biology as “the powerhouse of the cell.”   Almost all cellular energy comes from your mitochondria.   As we age we have less mitochondria and they function less well.   Redlight and Near Infrared Light increase oxygenation of the mitochondria resulting in big increases in cellular energy production.   More energy means better cell function.

What are the Benefits of Redlight and Near Infrared Light?

Redlight is extremely beneficial for the skin!   It stimulates collagen production and reduces inflammation which can improve skin structure, strength, and elasticity.    It can help improve many skin conditions including:

Acne

Alopecia (male pattern balding)

Reduction of stretch marks

Reduction of wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots

Improvement in psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema

Most of the benefits of redlight therapy are skin deep but Near Infrared Light can penetrate much deeper into the body.     The benefits of near infrared light are similar to redlight including:

All the skin benefits provided by redlight.

Decreased joint and muscle pain including low back pain.

Improved wound healing.

Improved circulation and Recovery

Reduction in whole body inflammation

Increased white blood cell production.

Increased cellular metabolism.    

Near Infrared Light and Cellular Melatonin

Near Infrared Exposure also generates increased melatonin production in the cells it hits.  This is different than circulatory melatonin produced in your brain at night because it does not make you sleepy! 

Melatonin has been shown to have antioxidant and anticancer effects, to play a role in the regulation of blood pressure and glucose levels, is highly anti-inflammatory, and has also been shown to lower the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality.

Melatonin exists in two main forms within the body – circulatory melatonin, which is produced by the pineal gland and has its major effect on sleep and the circadian rhythm, and subcellular melatonin, which is produced and used locally by the mitochondria within our cells.