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Benefits of Red Light Therapy and Skin Health
Why is Skin Important for Overall Health?
Skin is our largest organ, and it’s the first line of defense for our immune system. The skin also plays a central role in key bodily processes like blood circulation, hormone production, and temperature control. [1] Here’s a look at some of the most important functions of the skin:
- Protection and Immunity: The skin is our barrier to the dangers of the world. It protects us from the dirt and debris we can see, and from invisible invaders like germs and diseases. Skin is an essential component of a healthy immune system, fighting off risks from allergens, toxins, and carcinogens. [2]
- Circulation and Repair: Skin is also central to our circulatory system, and good blood circulation is needed for healthy skin. Blood flow brings oxygen and nutrients to the skin, and removes carbon dioxide and waste products. When skin is injured, circulating blood delivers proteins and cells needed for repair. [3]
- Storage and Hormone Production: The deeper layers of our skin are also vital storerooms for water, fat, and metabolic products. Our skin also produces key hormones such as Vitamin D, which is made with exposure to sunlight. [2]
- Temperature Regulation: The skin is essential to body temperature regulation, protecting you from heat or cold, and helping to prevent dehydration. [2]
- Beauty: Your skin plays a much larger role than just appearance, but that doesn’t mean appearance isn’t important too. Skin is central to how we perceive ourselves, and how others view us, which affects self-esteem and mental health every day.
Red Light Therapy for Skin Health
Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation (PBM) or low-level laser therapy (LLLT), is a simple, non-invasive treatment that delivers wavelengths of red and near infrared (NIR) light to the skin and cells.
Red light therapy works by enhancing cellular function. Wavelengths of red and near infrared light have been shown to stimulate the mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell, and can optimize the cellular respiration process that makes ATP (adenosine triphosphate) energy. [4] Red light therapy treatments are quick and easy, at about 10 minutes per session, allowing a person to supplement the sunlight they get from their environment with specific wavelengths of red and NIR light.
Taking in light is crucial for skin health, and overall health and wellness. Our bodies work better, and even look better, when our cells are in a state of balance, or homeostasis. Red and near infrared light promote balance across the body by enhancing the cellular environment, making energy production more efficient, with less inflammation and oxidative stress. When your cells are in greater balance, your skin will look & feel softer and more invigorated. [5] That inner balance is ideal for outer beauty.
How Red and Near Infrared Light Therapy Supports Skin Health
Red light therapy can help support skin health across the entire body. The skin functions mentioned above all rely on millions of cells performing and communicating with one another. When the mitochondria in those skin cells absorb healthy red and near infrared light, they can produce more energy (ATP), stimulating the synthesis of pro-collagen, collagen, basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGF), and proliferation of fibroblasts. Red and near infrared light therapy also increase microcirculation that improves cellular balance [6]. In summary, balanced skin cells operating at full capacity do all of those jobs better. That can translate to healthier, glowing skin that looks & feels smoother and softer.
Red Light Therapy and Inflammation: Inflammation can wreak havoc on skin health and appearance. In addition to supporting cellular health, red light therapy, combined with a healthy lifestyle, has been shown to have a positive impact on inflammation. [6]
Dr. Michael Hamblin of Harvard Medical School is a leading light therapy researcher. Dr. Hamblin has written about how red light therapy has the potential to reduce oxidative stress, and increase blood flow to damaged & inflamed tissues. This can help skin tissue regenerate and heal faster, reducing inflammation and improving bodily balance. [6,7]
Why Use Red Light Therapy for Full-Body Skin Health?
A decade ago, red light therapy was mostly used in high-end salons and spas for skin treatments. Thanks to innovations in LED technology, red light therapy is now accessible to just about anyone. The skincare community has taken notice of the numerous benefits of using red light therapy for skin health. Many of the world’s leading skin experts trust red light therapy as an integral part of their skincare routine.
Full-Body Skin Health: Your face gets the most attention, but skin health doesn’t end at the neck. Exposing more of your skin and cells to red and near infrared light will have a greater effect on your overall health. The more of your skin you can expose to healthy wavelengths of light, the more energy you can produce, which translates to better overall health.
Balance is about your whole body working together as a system, so you’re going to see better results treating more of your skin with red and near infrared light. It may seem counterintuitive, but giving the skin on your legs and back the light they need can have just as much effect on how your face looks and feels as doing targeted facial treatments. True health and beauty is a full-body phenomenon.
Sources and References:
[3] “Circulation & Skin Integrity: Importance, Risk Factors & Examples.” Study.com. Feb 2017.
[4] Karu T, Pratibrat L, et al. “Effects of Monochromatic Low-Intensity Light and Laser Irradiation on Adhesion of HeLa Cells in Vitro” Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 1996.