Seeing Red: The Rise of Red Light Therapy
Image Courtesy: Time Magazine
It’s undeniable that skincare has been at the forefront of all things health and beauty in recent times. From chemical peels, cold water dunks, and countless serums, everyone does what they can to keep their skin blemish-free and youthful. One trend currently on the rise is red light therapy.
Red light therapy, or RLT for short, is a treatment that uses low-frequency infrared light on the face and skin to address various issues. It has been used for decades to target problems such as wound repair, hair loss, psoriasis, and even small forms of melanoma, the focus is beginning to expand. Dermatologists and estheticians are starting to recommend RLT for acne and face-related issues as well—hoping to slow down aging and repair facial tissue in the process.
Image Courtesy: Fast Twitch Yoga
Red light therapy works by stimulating the arteries in the area of use, which increases blood flow—an essential part of tissue repair. It also promotes and intensifies the formation of collagen, which is responsible for the strength and elasticity of skin. There is also evidence that RLT can reduce inflammation, stretch marks, wrinkles, and other aging-related blemishes, while also reversing sun damage.
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Many at-home devices have hit the market since the introduction of the RLT skincare revolution. These devices range from small handheld wands that are hardly larger than a razor, to large circular applicators and full-on masks that cover the totality of your face. These at-home devices’ prices range from a low $100 to a hefty $1000. In-office RLT is also available at certain dermatology practices and is considered to be more effective, so this might be a good starting point for any skeptics out there.
Image Courtesy: Nusculpt Skin
If you’re racing to add a red light wand to your Amazon shopping cart, maybe slow your roll. Scientific data supporting red light therapy is limited, and further studies and evaluations need to be conducted before declaring red light a complete remedy for aging and blemishing. The good news is that recent studies, such as the skin-density assessments done by The Photomedicine and Laser Surgery Journal in 2014, show significant results in wrinkle reduction with red light therapy use. Several other small-scale observations have been done that show similar results. If you have the resources, RLT can be a fun addition to your skincare regimen, and a promising investment for your long-term self-care but don’t go into your purchase with sky-high expectations just yet.
Strike Out,
Writer: Sarah Bourloukas
Editor: Lindsey Limbach
Tallahassee