DOES RED LIGHT THERAPY WORK?

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in red light therapy as a home treatment for a variety of ailments.  In this article, we address whether red light therapy (RLT) is actually effective, drawing upon numerous academic findings in recent years.  Red light therapy is sometimes also referred to as low level laser therapy (LLLT) and level laser light therapy. Whether you’re seeking affordable, at-home treatment for yourself or for a loved one, read on to learn more about how red light therapy may be able to help, including academic findings from randomized trials on the effectiveness of RLY.   Is Red Light Therapy an Effective Treatment? Aside from the innumerable accounts of successful treatment, research findings are important to turn to in asking whether red light therapy is an effective treatment.  This section begins with a digestible review of peer-reviewed studies and clinical trials on red light therapy, spanning a variety of different health benefits.  The benefits of health due to low level laser therapy include but are not limited to skin health, hair regrowth, eye health, brain health, improved sleep, reproductive health, and a variety of others  With consistent treatment, outcomes can include the following:  Younger looking skin with RLT Red light therapy is shown to reverse signs of aging by increasing collagen and elastin production for skin rejuvenation and increased skin health. It also stimulates the growth of capillaries under the skin, which will reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and restore youthful skin thickness, firmness, and elasticity. Hair regrowth in Men and Women Low level laser therapy increases blood flow to the scalp, boosts collagen production, and stimulates activity in dormant hair follicles, helping foster hair regrowth and treat hair loss.   Better sleep with RLT Low level laser therapy stimulates melatonin production and helps regulate the circadian rhythm. This has to do with maintaining more consistent sleeping schedules and getting nights of fuller, uninterrupted sleep, which also in itself helps treat a variety of ailments.     Weight loss Red light has appetite-suppressant effects, as it increases muscle mass to stimulate the metabolism. It reduces autoimmune activity in the thyroid, reduces insulin resistance, reduces the appearance of cellulite, and has a remarkable ability to cause fat cells to “leak” and release their contents.    Pain Relief and Exercise Recovery Red light therapy helps relieve inflammatory pain and reduce neuropathic pain, helping treat pain and disability. It can treat tendonitis, which is a persistent problem among athletes. RLT is also used extensively in professional athletic programs for faster recovery from exercise while treating osteoarthritis and treating carpal tunnel syndrome. It can relieve knee pain and low back pain by reducing inflammation and accelerating healing. These and other extensive studies show that RLT can be effective at pain relief and quicker injury recovery.    Brain health with RLT Red light therapy has numerous positive effects on the brain. RLT acts as a neuroprotector, protecting the brain from neurodegenerative disorders. Red light therapy accelerates healing from traumatic brain injuries. This works partly by reducing oxidative stress, and partly by stimulating the normal, healthy growth of neurons. Oxidative stress is linked to Alzheimer’s disease and non-seasonal depressive disorders, so it can be a significant help to seek a way to reduce it.    Eye Health Red light therapy can preserve vision and treat age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and eye injuries. Exposure should typically be limited to 20 minutes per day. When it comes to blue light therapy, this treatment does not have a negative impact on eyesight when used sparingly and in accordance with treatment guidelines. Treatment should be differentiated from overexposure to blue light from excessive screentime.    Thyroid treatment Red light therapy can help relieve the symptoms of an underactive thyroid. These include weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, and muscle weakness. This can also help with weight loss.   Male sexual and reproductive health Level laser light therapy stimulates energy production in testosterone-producing Leydig cells and improves sperm motility, which can also increase the chances of conception.   Chronic skin disorders Red light therapy minimizes symptoms and treats inflammation that contributes to (and aggravates) acne, psoriasis, and eczema. RLT also helps treat rosacea.   Physical performance Red light therapy does a number of things to decrease recovery time from intense physical activity and help with workouts. This includes decreasing muscle fatigue, increasing muscle mass, and minimizing delayed onset muscle soreness.   Immunity Red light therapy boosts the production of stem cells, which are key elements of the immune system. Stem cells can transform into specialized cells as needed to help heal wounds or diseases.    Peripheral nervous system health Red light therapy stimulates nerve regeneration and the production of connective tissue cells known as fibroblasts. These are critical in restoring communication between nerve cells when one or more are damaged.   Wound healing Red light therapy reduces chronic inflammation, increases blood flow, and stimulates collagen production and collagen density increase, which helps heal wounds faster.     Bone health Red light therapy regulates bone growth, prevents bone loss, and accelerates bone repair.   Scar reduction By supporting the normal organization of collagen and activating stem cells, level laser light therapy can help reduce scarring. In existing scars, red light therapy helps replace scar tissue with healthy skin tissue as scar cells die off. If applied immediately after injury, red light can stimulate the growth of normal tissue rather than scar tissue at the site of the wound. Additionally, it can help with the reduction of fine lines. It can treat skin roughness and intradermal collagen, affecting intradermal collagen density. In summary, a wide variety of studies show that red light therapy is medically reviewed and has far-ranging benefits.  Take a look at the most advanced red light therapy panels on the market to learn about how to get started with affordable, at-home treatment.  How Does Red Light Compare to Other Wavelengths? All visible and invisible light, including low level laser light, has a bioactive effect on the human body.  Plants are not the only organisms that generate energy from sunlight.  Light also affects human cells, and our physical and emotional well-being depends on our having consistent light exposure. How the Human Body Responds to Light In numerous research projects, Scientists have discovered and expanded upon our understanding of how light affects the body.  For example, ultraviolet (UVA/UVB) light is now known to stimulate vitamin D production, which is a key contributor to mental health.   Ultraviolet light has been used to treat psoriasis, scleroderma, and multiple sclerosis.    Meanwhile, Blue light boosts physical energy and alertness, cognitive functioning, memory, and mood in addition to regulating the circadian rhythm, which is the natural sleep/wake cycle. Blue light also kills bacteria. The therapeutic effects of light depend largely on the depth to which wavelengths of light are absorbed into the body's tissues.  Blue light, for example, has a shorter wavelength than red or NIR light. The therapeutic uses of blue light are limited to the surface of the skin, where it has powerful antibacterial properties, nonetheless. Meanwhile, red light has longer wavelengths than blue light and penetrates the outer layers of skin. That’s why it is so popular as a skin rejuvenating therapy.  The wavelength range of red and infrared light is 650-850 nm, which is optimal for treatment and is regarded as deep penetrating healing light therapy.    This range of wavelengths is also referred to as the ‘therapeutic window,’ given its effectiveness in therapeutic contexts. Near-infrared light absorbs more deeply into the body than red light. It has the ability to penetrate bone, which makes it an ideal solution for deep-muscle therapy, joint pain, and brain health as well as having an impact on intradermal collagen density. Yet, it does not have the negative effects of ultraviolet uv rays. Thousands of peer-reviewed studies on photobiomodulation and low level laser light have shown the most pronounced therapeutic effects of red light to be from exposure in the 630nm to 660nm range and NIR light in the 810nm to 850nm range. When light is shone on the body, the energy of light photons interacts with cellular mitochondria, which are inside cells and are colloquially termed the “power generators” of cells. Much like the process of photosynthesis in plants, mitochondria soak up light and convert its energy into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which serves as energy-rich cellular fuel.  Red light therapy stimulates the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—the fuel for cellular activity.       Increased ATP production means increased energy within each cell. A cell with high energy is better able to perform its specialized functions, repair itself, and replicate after exposure to low level laser light. Improved cellular functioning results in stimulated collagen creation, and increased circulation. This leads to a ripple effect that can vastly improve overall health. In general, red light therapy has a whole host of therapeutic benefits. Read on to learn more about some of its additional uses.

11-24-2022

RED LIGHT THERAPY VS INFRARED LIGHT THERAPY: WHICH IS BETTER FOR ANTI-AGING TREATMENT?

Red light therapy is hugely popular for anti-aging. But could infrared light be even more effective? In this article, we’ll explore the differences between red light therapy and infrared light therapy.   It turns out that the best results actually come from using both red and infrared light.  Read on to learn more about why!   The Impact of Red Light Therapy on Anti-Aging Looking younger and healthier is a priority for many people.  Whether you seek treatment at a dermatologist, wellness spa, or at home, you’ll notice that most red light therapy devices have treatment options (red light, infrared light, or both). Which should you choose? Red light or infrared? Red wavelengths are part of the visible light spectrum. The most beneficial wavelength of red light is between 610 and 660 nanometers.     Infrared light is invisible. The term infrared light therapy refers to near-infrared (NIR) light, which is usually between 810 and 850 nanometers.   Red light therapy can refer to red light, near-infrared light, or both together. The benefits of near-infrared light are closely related to the benefits of red (visible) light. The difference is the depth of absorption into the tissues. Red light treats the layers of the skin, whereas NIR light treats the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Read on to learn more about how red and near infrared light therapy work together.  RLT and Infrared Light Therapy: Better Together Using red and infrared light together to treat signs of aging is the best approach.  Infrared and red light have similar benefits. They are both natural, safe, non-invasive, and free from side effects.  The only major difference between red and infrared light is the depth of penetration into the tissues. For anti-aging, red wavelengths alone could be enough, but you will get superior results by using both red and near-infrared light together. Why?  Any inflammation found deeper in the body could negatively affect your cells, interfere with cellular metabolism, slow collagen production, and affect blood flow. If these underlying disorders are beyond the reach of red light, you’ll need NIR light.  Using both red and NIR light will reach the source of accelerated aging, which can include poor circulation, systemic inflammation, and poor cellular performance in the major organs.  While red light is great at addressing skin surface concerns, only infrared wavelengths have the ability to absorb deeper into the body, into the organs themselves, to stimulate systemic health. Okay… so why not just use NIR light therapy for facial rejuvenation? When you use both shorter and longer wavelengths of light, there is a doubling up of effects in the tissues accessible by red wavelengths. Red light absorbs into the skin tissue to up to 2 centimeters. Human facial skin ranges in thickness from ⅕ to 2 centimeters. Red light absorbs through the dermal layers for reduced oxidative stress, increased blood flow, and a boosted cellular metabolism. NIR light absorbs beyond the surface of the skin, up to 5 centimeters into the tissues, where it reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in subcutaneous tissues beyond the reach of red light. Within those first 2 centimeters, both infrared and red light reduce oxidative stress, stimulate mitochondrial performance in all cells, including fibroblasts that synthesize collagen and elastin. They also stimulate blood flow and lymph flow and reduce inflammation. How Red and Near Infrared Light Treat Signs of Aging The secret of facial rejuvenation using red light therapy lies in the cells. How Red Light Therapy Boosts Collagen Production Restoring collagen production is key to rejuvenating skin. The dermal collagen matrix is the network of collagen proteins that make up 80% of the skin's structure. As collagen production slows with age, the dermal collagen matrix becomes fragmented. The fibroblasts that produce collagen need to attach to the collagen matrix to produce new collagen, but they can’t attach to a fragmented matrix. This slows collagen production, and the matrix doesn’t have a chance to rebuild. It just continues to break down.  Red light therapy stimulates production of new undamaged collagen; it also treats the underlying causes of poor collagen synthesis, allowing the matrix to rebuild. Red light stimulates collagen production in the skin NIR light addresses underlying inflammation that damages fibroblasts Red Light Therapy Can Reverse Mitochondrial Dysfunction  Inside each cell are tiny organelles called mitochondria which are responsible for converting glucose and oxygen into cellular fuel called adenosine triphosphate (ATP).  But with age come many challenges to the mitochondria. Diet, lifestyle, environmental toxins, and even psychological stress can cause the mitochondria to struggle to produce energy.  Aging occurs when many dermal cells are struggling for survival: dying faster than they should, not repairing themselves when damaged, not fighting off pathogens, and not proliferating at a healthy rate. Reversing mitochondrial dysfunction is at the heart of boosting collagen synthesis. This is something red light therapy does very well. In a way, we’re like plants. Our bodies actually convert light into energy. When red and infrared light photons interact with light-sensitive chromophores, this spurs the mitochondria into action; and in their excited state, they produce more energy. More energy leads to better performance and a positive effect on the skin. Red light stimulates mitochondria within the skin NIR light stimulates mitochondria in the skin and subcutaneous circulatory system   Red Light Therapy Treats Oxidative Stress and Inflammation  Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants. The production of free radicals is a natural and normal part of cellular metabolism but they must be balanced by antioxidants that neutralize them to prevent cell damage. Diet, lifestyle, pollution, or other factors can result in too many free radicals, leading to oxidative stress. This leads to chronic inflammation which interferes with collagen synthesis and leads to aging and chronic skin disorders like acne, rosacea, and eczema. Feel free to seek more info on our site about how red light therapy treats inflammation. Both red light and infrared light effectively reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which helps restore normal mitochondrial activity and cell function.  Red light treats inflammation in the skin NIR light treats inflammation deeper in the body Red Light Therapy Boosts Circulation   The circulatory system includes the cardiovascular circulatory system and the lymphatic circulatory system. Blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to the cells Lymph removes toxins and pathogens  Poor circulation leads to: An excess of acne-causing bacteria Poor nutrient delivery to the cells, which affects mitochondrial function  An exaggerated immune response Red light therapy promotes circulation by stimulating the release of nitric oxide, which is a vasodilator that helps capillaries deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the skin.  Red light therapy also stimulates growth of endothelial cells which make up the structure of capillaries. The body can create new capillaries that branch off from existing blood vessels to increase circulation and benefit skin health. Red Light Therapy Boosts Elastin Production Poor collagen synthesis is the main reason faces can look older than they should. Red light therapy boosts the production and intradermal collagen density by addressing these underlying conditions. But let's not overlook elastin, the protein that gives skin its elasticity. Red light therapy also boosts the production of elastin. Both collagen and elastin are needed to restore the skin's youthful firmness and elasticity.     Research on Anti-Aging Red Light Therapy Treatments   Can shining light on your face really restore youthful skin? Research suggests red light therapy can be an effective treatment for signs of aging.  A landmark 2014 study found that both red and near infrared light led to significantly improved skin complexion and smoothness, and increased collagen density.   Another study found that a combination of 633 nm and 830 nm led to 52% of subjects showing a 25%-50% improvement in photoaging scores by the 12th week of use. 81% of subjects reported a significant improvement in periorbital wrinkles (crow’s feet) after the treatment. An article published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology stated that treating human dermal cells with low level red (640nm) and infrared (830nm)LED lights resulted in a significant increase in the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin in as little as three days.    This is just a small sampling of the huge body of research available on red light therapy and dermatology. Many related studies such as studies on wound healing, stretch marks, chronic skin conditions, acne, and uneven pigmentation all concur. The benefits of red light therapy are real and measurable. There appears to be little or no difference between the effects of red and NIR light on skin concerns. Both are effective. All you need is a high quality medical grade light therapy device and a regular treatment plan to achieve results comparable to clinical trials.

07-06-2022

THE HISTORY OF RED LIGHT THERAPY

In recent years, red light therapy has become far more popular as an everyday wellness routine.  It is used for a variety of applications including skin treatment, managing chronic pain, improving sleep, anti-aging, hair loss, and more. In this article, we discuss some of the key historical developments around red light therapy.  It wasn't until the discovery of specific wavelengths of light, and the development of optics that light therapy began its shift into what we know today.   Natural Light Therapy Throughout the Ages   Historically, the use of natural sunlight for therapeutic applications has been referred to as Hilotherapy. It is derived from the Greek word ‘elios’ meaning ‘sun.’ Sunlight therapy was for medical and psychological treatment for thousands of years, all over the world, by ancient healers who knew that the sun could heal. In 1666, the so-called ‘annus mirabilis’ or miraculous year, marked Isaac Newton’s scientific experiments with prisms and light, which lead to breakthroughs in understanding the properties of light.  Newton conducted experiments with sunlight and prisms, which demonstrated that clear white light was composed of seven visible colors, described as the light spectrum. His work in 1666 led to his second masterwork book in 1704 about optics. The Advent of Light Technology  In 1879, Thomas Edison invented the first practical electric lightbulb, which paved the path for light therapy that previously relied on sunlight. Another breakthrough was acknowledged when Niels Ryberg Finsen won the Nobel Prize for the scientific discovery of light as therapy.   In 1893, Danish physician Dr. Finsen used ultraviolet light therapy for the first time using artificial light sources rather than the sun. This was the first instance of using isolated wavelengths of light for healing. Finsen had developed Pick’s disease, a severe neurodegenerative illness. He found that sun exposure helped his symptoms, and this sparked his own interest in the therapeutic powers of light. He had success treating smallpox and lupus vulgaris, a type of tuberculosis. Finsen received the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1903 for his use of light to treat tuberculosis (using UV light) and smallpox scars (using red light). Although these initial light treatments were painstaking since Dr. Finsen could only treat a 2cm area at a time and treatments took several hours every day. They were nonetheless successful in clearing lesions. Advancements in Light Therapy Science The 1900s saw great interest in sunlight therapy in various fields, including ophthalmology, cardiology, and dermatology.  In 1917, Albert Einstein proposed a theory of ‘light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation’ or LASER. However, the technology wasn’t developed until 1960. By the 1920s and 30s, researchers understood that vitamin D was essential for good health and that sunlight stimulated vitamin D production in the body. Ultraviolet light was specifically good for this purpose.  Researchers showed that UV exposure to the skin was enough to cause beneficial changes in the body. For this reason, bright light therapy became far more popular in the 20th Century. ‘Sun lamps’ that emitted UV rays were used for treating emotional issues as well as a host of physical ailments including rickets, psoriasis, lupus, fungal infections, eczema, and vitiligo. In the 1950s, UVB light was still widely used to treat dermatological conditions. Its use became more widespread when it was discovered that UVB light could treat hyperbilirubinemia (neonatal jaundice).  When a nurse at Rochford General Hospital in Essex, England, found that a jaundiced infant experienced a reduction of jaundice in sun-exposed areas, Dr. Dobbs, the attending physician, agreed that exposure to direct sunlight was indeed the cause of the decrease in symptoms.  Even today, phototherapy, or the therapeutic use of light, is used to treat high bilirubin in newborns. Although instead of UV light, modern photobiomodulation for jaundice involves the use of wavelengths of light between 310-490 nm. The Invention of Laser Technology In 1960, engineer and physicist Theodore H. Malman developed the first laser. Laser light is emitted in a consistent wavelength. This allows it to be incredibly focused in a tight beam.  In 1967, Hungarian physician Endre Mester developed the first low-level laser therapy device, which delivered concentrated red and near-infrared light for skin cancer treatments. Later, the device was used to accelerate the wound-healing process.  Laser therapy is used in dermatology, surgery, and other applications depending on the intensity of the laser. For example, low-level laser therapy is used in the same way as LED light therapy, while "hot" lasers are used to kill and remove damaged cells. Lasers have become part of everyday life, including the consumer entertainment market. They also have their place in a multitude of industrial and healthcare contexts.  The Invention of LED Technology In 1961, the light-emitting diode (LED) was invented by Robert Biard and Gary Pittman.  However, these early LEDs were small and impractical.   In 1962, General Electric scientist Nick Holonyak, Jr. (now known as the ‘Father of the Light Emitting Diode’) invented the first viable, functional LEDs. LEDs were first used as lights for circuit boards and small electrical equipment, offering a highly efficient alternative to incandescent light bulbs. Today, LEDs are ubiquitous in lighting since they are vastly more efficient than incandescent and halogen lights. Most importantly, LEDs can produce a single wavelength of light, instead of the many wavelengths produced by incandescent light bulbs. Initially, they only produced red wavelengths but were later developed to produce any desired wavelength of light.  Today, LED light therapy devices intended for consumer use typically include blue, amber, red, and near-infrared light, either alone or in combination. However, the exploration into colors other than blue or red light for treatment has in most cases been fruitless.  NASA Experiments with Light Therapy NASA was interested in developing the ability to grow plants in space with a vision to reshape the future of interplanetary exploration. They experimented with this by growing food indoors.  NASA's red light therapy experiment aimed to see if red wavelengths of visible light would stimulate plant growth aboard spacecraft, where it’s difficult to use conventional grow lights due to their heavy power consumption and heat.  Red light emitting diodes (LED) lights were shown to be a viable light source for plants because of their small size, safe operation, and low heat output.  In a ‘happy accident,’ the researchers responsible for growing these plants were also exposed to red light, and they experienced rapid and unexpected healing of hand wounds.  Subsequent studies into the effects of red light on human health soon followed, using both red and near-infrared (NIR) light. Red light therapy is an umbrella term that can mean red light from 620-650 nm, near-infrared light from 810-850 nm, or a combination of both. In zero gravity, astronauts experience significant and dangerous bone and muscle loss, as well as slow healing. Research showed that these problems resulted from poor cell growth in zero-gravity conditions aboard spacecraft. This sparked interest in how red light affects the body. One of red light therapy's first applications was to counteract poor cell growth in zero-gravity environments. Red light was found to have a stimulating effect on cellular metabolism that allowed astronauts to maintain muscle mass and bone density while in space. With this groundbreaking discovery, red light therapy was born. Red light has also been used for grow lights in horticulture here on Earth, but the 90s saw increased interest in red and near-infrared light as the ‘therapeutic window’ of visible and invisible light that has multiple health benefits without side effects. Developments in LED Technology  LED technology took a leap forward in the 1990s with manufacturing advances that made the technology affordable and efficient. Most importantly for healthcare, it was able to deliver consistent wavelengths just like lasers (although not as concentrated). In fact, LED devices have replicated the effects observed in red light studies that used lasers.  The main benefit of modern LED light therapy devices versus lasers is the ability to deliver specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to a larger part of the body. This makes LED light therapy more convenient for full-body well-being as well as for the treatment of large-scale conditions like psoriasis. With the explosion of research into this natural treatment, the use of red light therapy expanded into the realms of chronic pain management, supportive cancer care, neurological diseases, traumatic brain injury, oral mucositis, hair restoration, chronic skin disorders, and much more. Conclusive Medical Research Findings on Red Light Therapy Red light therapy was found effective in treating the skin, and a lot of early research focused on the ‘how’ of this natural treatment.  Study after study, including this one co-authored by world-renowned red light researcher Dr. Michael Hamblin, outlined the core effects of red and near infrared light, including an increase in cell metabolism and energy production, which later studies confirm as a key element in supporting the body in healing.  In 2001, NASA-sponsored researchers built on previous NASA research and exposed US Navy SEALs to red light. The result was significantly faster wound healing.  In 2002, the FDA approved a low-level laser therapy device, which brought red light therapy into the realm of clinical applications in dermatology and the wellness industry. A 2008 landmark study published in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery was the first to explain how red light therapy affects the body. Researchers found that red light stimulates the mitochondria in the cells to produce more energy. This positively affects cellular function. More studies quickly followed, including one that found red light therapy could promote improved sleep quality among elite basketball players. Another found that red light therapy produced improvements in cognitive function. Red light therapy has head-to-toe applications, ranging from hair restoration to chronic skin disorders, neuropathic pain, and muscle recovery. The many scientifically-validated uses for red light therapy can be found in the Learning Center. Red Light Therapy in Clinics and Spas The desire to look younger is an important reason many people visit dermatology clinics and spas. With more and more research finding that red light therapy is effective for anti-aging, skin care clinics and spas quickly got on board to offer their clients a non-invasive and natural way to turn back the clock on aging. LED light therapy devices, infrared saunas, and “cold lasers” have become key elements of skin care and quickly found applications in athletic training. Advances in LED technology made red light therapy more accessible as spas, fitness facilities, professional sports teams, and skin care clinics adopted the technology.  However, it was still out of reach for much of the general public. Subsequent Research Findings on the Benefits of Red Light Therapy What’s new in the world of red light research?  First, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of action, particularly in the realm of inflammation which is believed to be the root of all diseases in the body. A 2017 study confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects of red light therapy. This helps to explain why red light therapy is so effective in treating inflammatory arthritis.  In recent years, red light therapy has come to the forefront in modern medicine as a potent treatment for various physical and psychological conditions.  One of the most prominent researchers in the field of red light therapy is Dr. Michael Hamblin.  Dr. Hamblin was a principal investigator at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, an associate professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School, and a member of the affiliated faculty of Harvard-MIT Division of Health Science and Technology.  Since the early 1990s, Hamblin has studied red light therapy as a treatment for wounds, traumatic brain injury, arthritis, and hair regrowth. He has published nearly 300 papers about his research findings. In a March 2020 interview, Hamblin was asked if he used red light therapy personally, and if so, how he uses it. He explained that he indeed uses the technique regularly to alleviate soreness in his knees and elbows, and applies it to his forehead twice weekly to boost brain health. For example, according to Hamblin, red light therapy has an anti-inflammatory response in those who do have chronic inflammation.  As confirmed by numerous studies, red light therapy can speed up healing. And in cases where underlying inflammation causes autoimmune or other disorders, red light has a powerful healing effect. Recent Findings on Cancer Treatment Some exciting preliminary findings also relate to cancer treatment. Although Hamblin does not believe red light should be applied to a tumor, he says that applying red light to the thymus (a lymphoid organ just below the breastbone) may stimulate the body's ability to fight off cancer. He also stated that preliminary studies on infrared therapy for advanced cancer have been promising. A 2021 article stated that “a reasonable body of clinical trial evidence exists to support the role of low-energy red/near-infrared light as a safe and effective method of skin rejuvenation, treatment of acne vulgaris and alopecia, and, especially, body contouring.” Other peer-reviewed studies found that red light therapy is beneficial in tissue repair and pain control and chronic low back pain.    

02-10-2022