Red light therapy (also referred to as photobiomodulation or PBM) improves overall wellbeing through the combination of red and near infrared frequencies. While short wavelengths penetrate skin’s surface, longer ones reach deeper tissues.
The 630nm frequency stimulates melatonin production to help regulate circadian rhythms for improved sleep and ease depression, while the 660nm frequency reduces muscle fatigue and facilitates bone healing.
630-660 nm
630-660nm frequencies penetrate shallowly into the skin, stimulating collagen production to improve tone and reduce fine lines while relieving pain and inflammation; they may help with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis as well as treating tempromandibular disorders (TMD) such as jaw pain.
As well as anti-aging and wrinkle preventative benefits, the 660nm wavelength also promotes bone cell proliferation and accelerates bone fracture healing. Furthermore, this wavelength has been shown to alleviate neuropathy pain while speeding wound and muscle recovery. Furthermore, its formation of new blood vessels enhances collagen deposition which speeds healing. Finally, training fatigue reduction and increased skeletal muscle performance is enhanced.
This wavelength has also been demonstrated to alleviate oral mucositis, a side effect of cancer treatment. Furthermore, it may help with various other health and wellness concerns, including fibromyalgia, psoriasis and acne – it could even help alleviate gastrointestinal conditions like IBS or diverticulitis.
The wavelengths between 660-850nm penetrate deeper into tissue, reaching muscles and joints. Furthermore, these wavelengths have been shown to boost ATP production which aids cell metabolism and tissue repair – these wavelengths may even help treat autoimmune conditions like Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis as well as neurological conditions like Parkinson’s Disease or Traumatic Brain Injury.
Red light therapy is generally safe and non-invasive for most healthy individuals; however, it is wise to consult your physician prior to using any light therapy device. For those with heart disease history or history of prolonged or intense exposure such as prolonged or intense sunlight exposure on chest areas. Furthermore, prolonged or intense sunlight exposure could result in irritation and inflammation as well as eye injuries from prolonged or intense exposure on head or face areas.
660-670 nm
Wavelengths in this range penetrate deeper layers of skin and muscle and connective tissues, stimulating collagen production, increasing circulation and alleviating pain or inflammation. Nitric oxide release can also be increased – helping vascular health, healing processes and bone/joint health; they’re known as the “sweet spot” in red/near-infrared light therapy.
660-670nm wavelength red light therapy can be particularly useful in targeting the retina and optic nerve. One rat study that employed this combination to treat retinopathy of prematurity (RoP), using 590, 670 and 850nm red lights simultaneously, demonstrated how it helped retinal cells regenerate (283). Further evidenced this fact when one more study used only 670nm red light; they discovered it protected retinas from excessive oxygen damage (284).
Human evidence supports treating diabetic macular edema with red light therapy. Studies were highly encouraging, with most patients reporting improvement in everyday life after exposure. Most treatments lasted five to fifteen minutes due to diminishing returns from prolonged sessions due to cell heating or biphasic dose responses involving ROS and nitric oxide production.
Finding the appropriate red light therapy device is key. Look for one that has been FDA-cleared and includes wavelengths to target your specific condition. Also make sure it’s safe for both eyes and skin; if there are any questions or concerns speak with a healthcare practitioner prior to beginning treatments.
An additional factor to keep in mind when choosing red light therapy is its pulsing frequency. A higher pulsing frequency such as 40 Hz may be more tiring for eyes and bodies alike, since its rate reveals how often light is activated/deactivated per second; lower frequencies, such as 20 Hz, appear more consistent to the eye.
670-850 nm
Red light therapy is an innovative form of photobiomodulation, using red and near infrared (NIR) wavelengths to improve skin health and wellness. Studies have proven its efficacy for pain reduction and wound healing – as it does not involve surgery and side effects are nonexistent! Compared with many medical treatments, red light therapy offers many advantages: no adverse reactions; non-invasive; non-invasive; side-effect free!
Red and NIR wavelengths penetrate deep layers of skin without exposing it to harmful UV rays, with optimal frequencies ranging between 630-680nm (visible red) and 800-880nm (invisible near infrared). For red light therapy purposes these wavelengths should be between 800-880 nm.
Red light works by stimulating cytochrome C oxidase enzyme, responsible for creating energy from oxygen in cells, in the mitochondria. Unfortunately, nitric oxide binds with it and prevents its use of oxygen by binding to its substrate molecules and stopping their function.
Red light exposure dissociateses nitric oxide molecules, allowing cytochrome C Oxidase to produce energy, leading to cell production of ATP and thus decreasing inflammation, pain, and tissue damage.
While red light therapy offers many advantages, it’s essential to understand its optimal duration. Individuals should start out slowly by starting with shorter sessions every day before gradually increasing duration to avoid irritation or overexposure. Consult a dermatologist or skin care professional for tailored advice.
The 660nm frequency can help minimize lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation by stimulating collagen formation and speeding skin regeneration. Furthermore, its healing effects have been found to speed healing wounds more quickly; and finally it may even enhance muscle recovery and increase athletic performance.
Finally, 810nm frequency can be utilized to treat various psychiatric conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, studies have confirmed its ability to promote hair growth for those experiencing androgenetic alopecia. Furthermore, its therapeutic benefits extend to helping individuals recover from traumatic brain injuries quickly while limiting long-term neurological damage.
Optimal results
Red light therapy’s success depends on multiple factors, including your device and goals for using it. Because red light’s longer wavelengths penetrate more deeply into tissues than blue or UV lights do, they may be especially useful in relieving joint pain and muscle fatigue as well as increasing circulation, altering platelet-derived growth factors and inhibiting apoptosis.
Red light type also plays an integral part in how it’s absorbed by your body, with some devices emitting it continuously while others pulse it. Pulsed red light has proven more effective as it stimulates cells faster. Pulsing frequencies typically range between 1-40Hz; higher frequencies stimulating them more than lower ones.
Many find it challenging to keep to their red light therapy appointments on a consistent schedule, particularly when starting with 20-minute sessions twice weekly. But to achieve maximum effectiveness from red light therapy treatments it is crucial that they become part of a consistent regimen; doing this allows your body to adapt and build tolerance over time which in turn decreases irritation or side effects of treatment.
Red light therapy devices don’t use heat to produce biological effects like saunas do – instead they directly emit light into your skin to positively influence cells without harming or disrupting them – this is one reason RLT produces such impressive results when compared with other forms of treatment.
Researchers conducted a trial with patients suffering from fibromyalgia and found that those in the RLT group experienced significant improvements over the control group. Treatment was provided using a gallium-arsenide diode laser and three cycles were completed on each patient, showing reduced pain and inflammation along with improved sleep patterns in RLT group members while no changes occurred for controls.