Red Light Therapy Every Day For 5 Years (Plus New Research)!

And how to get the most out of the correct kind of device:

There’s no stopping this red light

Over the past 5 years, the use of red light therapy (RLT) has moved from being a fringe “biohack” to a more mainstream, research-backed tool.

It’s not new, though! RLT originated in the 1960s when a Hungarian scientist observed improved wound healing and hair growth in rodents exposed to low-level red light.

Now here in the modern era, strong evidence supports red light therapy for wound healing, collagen production, skin health, and treating hair loss, nerve damage in extremities, and age-related macular degeneration.

Going down the list, less certain but promising applications include muscle recovery, ameliorating depression symptoms, managing the pain of conditions ranging from osteoarthritis to fibromyalgia, and improving metabolic and cardiovascular health.

How it works: it’s not magic; red and near-infrared light stimulate mitochondria by interacting with cytochrome c oxidase, increasing ATP production and thus cellular energy. Other mechanisms include reactive oxygen species signaling for tissue repair and nitric oxide release to improve oxygen availability.

What kind of device is best: simpler devices with red (around 660nm) and near-infrared (around 830nm) wavelengths are more effective than more complex devices with additional wavelengths (including multicolored lights).

This is particularly important as wavelengths above 1000nm or below 500nm can irritate sensitive skin and (ironically) cause redness rather than calming effects.

As with many things, consistent use—ideally daily or at least 5 times per week—is necessary to see noticeable benefits.

And of course, results are best supported by a broader routine including skincare (e.g. tretinoin), diet, exercise, and sleep, rather than relying on RLT to do all the work alone. Your body is, after all, a system of systems, and works best when treated holistically!

For more on all of this, enjoy:

Click Here If The Embedded Video Doesn’t Load Automatically!

Want to learn more?

You might also like:

Casting Yourself In A Healthier Light ← our main feature about RLT

Take care!