Being quarantined for months has brought some advantages too. We all started searching for ways to entertain ourselves in this craze, and seems like skincare is one of the things that got us hooked. If you’re one of those people who are constantly looking for new products to perfect their skincare routine, we might have something interesting for you!

Have you heard about red light therapy? Well if you have a favorite skincare influencer, we’re certain that you know a thing or two about the wondrous benefits that red light has on the skin because everyone is talking about it. If you want to know more about this universal treatment, you’ve come to the right place because in this article, we provide a detailed skin care guide with red light therapy.

What Is Red Light Therapy

What Is Red Light Therapy

Before we talk about red light therapy benefits for the skin, let’s get familiar with the science behind the treatment.

Red light therapy is a form of phototherapy that uses low-level light wavelengths (650nm-850nm). These light waves have the power of penetrating the skin deeply, affecting damaged tissue and cells. Red light particles accelerate cell metabolism, which leads to improved cellular functions.

In the process, mitochondria produce more ATP – a molecule that carries cellular energy. As a result, our cells have more energy that they can use to carry out their basic functions as well as regenerate after damage.

How Does Red Light Therapy Help Skin Issues

Because of the fact that red light therapy can reach deep tissue layers beyond the epidermis, it helps treat skin issues from within. The number of concerns you can treat with red light is truly overwhelming. Let’s take a look at a few most common skin conditions that have been proven to respond well to RLT.

Acne Treatment

Even though acne is the most common skin issue in the world, specialists still have a hard time treating it. Getting rid of acne causes and symptoms is a complex process that may take years and a lot of patience.

Extensive research proves that red light therapy can be an effective treatment for acne patients. Red light has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help get rid of acne-causing bacteria and prevent the further spread of breakouts. What’s more, red light therapy can help skin heal quickly and helps form healthy cells with more endurance.

Scarring

Another great benefit that red light therapy can add to your skincare routine is to help get rid of scars. Scarring is a part of the natural healing process and a result of excess collagen production. Regular exposure to red light helps get collagen levels in check, which is essential for reaching a smooth texture.

What’s more, red light therapy promotes blood circulation, which plays an important role in delivering necessary nutrients to the skin, speeding up the healing process.

Psoriasis Treatment

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that affects over 2% of the US population. This skin condition is a result of a malfunctioning immune system that mistakenly attacks healthy skin tissue. This results in cell overproduction, creating patches on the skin surface.

Unfortunately, psoriasis has no cure; therefore, keeping the condition under supervision is always necessary. Recent studies suggest that red light therapy can be effective in 80 out of 100 psoriasis patients. Red light exposure helps psoriasis scales heal faster and prevent future flare-ups.

Anti-aging

Red light therapy not only helps with skin diseases and issues but also acts as a successful anti-aging treatment. Research indicates that continuous red light exposure improves skin texture and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

This is achieved by boosted collagen and elastin production. These two are essential proteins that are responsible for the skin’s firmness and elasticity. As we age, elastin and collagen levels drop, resulting in dullness and wrinkling. Red light therapy helps balance these and rejuvenates the skin.

How Long Does It Take For RLT To Treat Skin?

This is probably the most frequently asked question regarding red light treatments, but it has no straightforward answer. Like with any other treatment method out there, the success of red light therapy greatly depends on your individual condition and medical history. Another variable that determines the results of red light therapy is the issue you’re trying to treat. For instance, it may take up to 6 months to get rid of scarring when in the case of moderate to severe acne, improvement is usually visible in a month.

Therefore, if you decide to get your own red light therapy devices and incorporate light sessions into your skincare routine, keep in mind that patience and consistency are the most important. Start with 2-3 minute sessions and gradually increase the duration up to 15 minutes; repeat it 3-4 times a week, and the results will keep up.