Does Red Light Therapy Help? We Analyzed 13 Studies

Red infrared light therapy has gained increasing attention in recent years as a potential treatment for a variety of conditions. Since everything you read on the internet is true (right?), we went down the rabbit hole of reading peer-reviewed, scientific research papers with the help of online medical libraries on variable aspects and applications of red light therapy. As it turns out, not everything you read on the internet is true, and while many studies showed very promising results, some were inconclusive at best! If you’re interested in reading the studies yourself, we’ve included the links for each study we reviewed so you, too, can check out the legitimacy of this information.

Lets dive in to see what scientific studies have to say about Red Infrared Light Therapy!

Red infrared light therapy is said to have many benefits for various conditions including skin rejuvenation, pain relief, and mood disorders. The therapeutic effects of red light infrared therapy are thought to stem from its ability to penetrate deep into the skin and tissues, stimulating cellular processes and promoting healing. Despite its growing popularity, there is still limited scientific evidence on the effectiveness of red light infrared therapy, particularly in the area of mood disorders. In this research article, we aim to provide an overview and no b-s scientific evidence on the use of red infrared light therapy in an attempt to answer ‘Does Red Light Therapy Help?’ and ‘What Does Red Light Therapy Help With?’.

Red Light Infrared Light Therapy Video – The Short Version Overview

What is Red Infrared Light Therapy?

Red Infrared Light Therapy is a form of alternative therapy that uses red and infrared light wavelengths to promote healing and relieve pain in the body. The therapy involves exposing the skin to these wavelengths using specialized LED lights, which penetrate deep into the skin and tissues to boost circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote cellular rejuvenation. Red Infrared Light Therapy is non-invasive, pain-free, and safe, making it a popular choice for those seeking natural and holistic treatments for various health conditions.

How Is Red Light Applied and Used On The Body?

Red light infrared light therapy is typically applied using a device known as a light therapy lamp or panel. The panel emits red and/or near-infrared light, which is delivered to the skin at a specific wavelength and intensity. It is usually held close to the skin or can be positioned directly over the treatment area. The individual receiving the therapy will typically sit or lie down and be exposed to the light for a specific period of time, usually ranging from 5-30 minutes. Some light therapy devices also include features like adjustable intensity levels, timers, and wearable options. The specific application and duration of red light infrared light therapy can vary depending on the individual’s health condition and the recommendation of a healthcare provider.

Red Light Therapy and Eye Health – Promising Results

According to a recent study published in The Journals of Gerontology, a significant improvement in rod and cone performance was achieved in people 40 years and older with therapy using red light wavelength of 670-nm.

One of the key culprits in the aging process is the loss of mitochondrial function, which powers cells through ATP production, throughout our entire bodies. As we get older, the mitochondria don’t work as well, and this can make us age faster. The retina, part of the eye that sees color, is the first to show signs of aging due to its high energy demands, leading to a decline in color vision. The study found that using red light therapy (670-nm light) can significantly improve photoreceptor function in people over the age of 40, resulting in improved color contrast sensitivity and rod thresholds. This highlights the potential of utilizing specific light wavelengths to help combat the aging process in the retina and maintain eye health.

Research Cited:
1. The Journals of Gerontology: Optically Improved Mitochondrial Function Redeems Aged Human Visual Decline

Red Light Therapy, Hair, and Pattern Baldness (AGA) – Promising Results

Red Light Infrared Therapy showed promising results for hair loss, particularly male/female pattern baldness (AGA). Red light therapy, specifically Low-Level Therapy Devices, have been found to be both effective and safe, either as a standalone treatment or in combination with other options. Multiple studies have demonstrated the positive impact of red light therapy on hair growth in patients with pattern baldness. The exact mechanism action on hair growth is not yet fully understood, but it is believed to increase the proliferation of matrix cells in the hair follicles and improve blood circulation.

FDA-Cleared LLLT Devices for AGA Several LLLT devices have received FDA clearance for the treatment of AGA, including the HairMax LaserComb, Capillus Laser Therapy Cap, Oaze helmet-type device, and the Revian Red all-LED cap device. These devices have been found to be effective and safe, with the most common side effects being itching, dandruff, and rash.

In conclusion, red light therapy is a promising treatment option for hair loss and pattern baldness (AGA) with several studies showing its efficacy and safety. Its combination with other approved treatments may lead to better outcomes for those suffering from this common condition.

Research Cited:
1. Photobiomodulation For The Management Of Hair Loss 

Red Light Therapy for Skin and Sunburns – Unclear Results

When it comes to treating skin burns, researchers are always on the lookout for innovative and effective solutions. In the first study we reviewed, the impact of red LED light therapy on the healing process of third-degree skin burns in rats was evaluated.

One group of rats received daily red LED light therapy at the burn site, while the control group did not receive any treatment. The results revealed that the treatment group showed a higher number of inflammatory cells, which promote tissue repair, during the early stages of healing, but by the advanced stages, the control group had a higher number of inflammatory cells.

These findings suggest that red LED therapy can play a role in modulating the number of tissue repair inducing cells in the early stages of skin burn healing, but its efficacy in reducing the number of these cells in advanced stages is less clear. Thus, red light therapy may be helpful in the early stages of burn or sunburn, but not once injury matures.

Another investigation delved into the effects of various light therapy treatments on skin burn healing in rats. A total of 100 rats were randomly divided into five groups: a control group that did not receive any treatment and groups that received red laser, infrared, photodynamic therapy, and green LED treatments. The results revealed that the treatment groups experienced a stimulation in collagen production and maturation, as well as an improvement in food and water consumption compared to the control group. Among the treatment groups, the red laser and infrared treatments showed the largest reductions in third-degree burns in rats.

While neither of the studies studied red light therapy in burns on humans, it does seem that red laser, infrared, photodynamic therapy, and green LED all had positive effects on burns in the early stages of injury.

Research Cited:
1. Effects of red laser, infrared, photodynamic therapy, and green LED on the healing process of third-degree burns: clinical and histological study in rats.
2. Effects of photobiomodulation therapy with red LED on inflammatory cells during the healing of skin burns.

Effects of Red Light on Wound Healing – Promising Results

This is probably one of the largest studied areas, with several research papers available on the topic.

One study explored the impact of red light therapy on wound healing using different wavelengths of light in the red and near-infrared spectrum. The results showed that wavelengths of 635 nm and 810 nm was effective in promoting wound healing in mice with partial-thickness dermal abrasions. The 810-nm wavelength was found to be the most effective, leading to enhanced collagen accumulation and complete cell repair. These results suggest that the effectiveness of red light therapy depend on the wavelength used, with the 810-nm wavelength potentially being more effective due to its interaction with cytochrome c oxidase.

In a separate study, Red Infrared Light therapy, which uses red and near-infrared light, was found to be a promising, drug-free approach for promoting wound healing, reducing inflammation, and reducing pain. The most effective and widely studied wavelength range was found to be near-infrared (800-830 nm), followed by red (630-680 nm) and 904 nm superpulsed light, which were found to have positive effects on impaired dermal wound healing.

Finally, another study conducted a literature review from 1965 to 2003 to evaluate the efficacy of red light therapy in promoting wound healing. The results showed that some articles reported an increase in cell proliferation and collagen production in vitro with specific laser settings, but the mechanism behind this effect was not fully understood. Some studies reported improved wound healing in rodent models, but these results were not duplicated in pigs and human studies produced inconsistent results. The conclusion was that more controlled clinical studies are needed to better understand the role of red light therapy in wound healing. Currently, conflicting studies have limited the use of red light therapy in wound healing in the United States.

Research Cited:
1. Effect of red and near-infrared wavelengths on low-level laser (light) therapy-induced healing of partial-thickness dermal abrasion in mice.
2. Noninvasive red and near-infrared wavelength-induced Red Infrared Light: promoting impaired cutaneous wound healing.
3. Low-level laser therapy for wound healing: mechanism and efficacy.

Red Light for Stretch Marks and Scars – Promising Results

The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of red light therapy for stretch marks and on skin scars in a lab-based model of human skin scarring. The researchers applied red light therapy to various types of scars using red light. The results indicated that the therapy heightened death of old cells and improved the structure of matrix components within the scars. After the treatment, there was a noticeable increase in the proteins responsible by tissue remodeling and ELN gene which encourage the formation of elastin (an important protein that makes our skin pliable and elastic), compared to normal skin and untreated controls. These findings suggest that red light therapy has the potential to be an effective treatment for stretch marks and skin scarring.

Research Cited:
1. Ex vivo evaluation of the effect of photodynamic therapy on skin scars and striae distensae.

Red Light for Wrinkles and Skin Rejuvenation – Promising Results

This study looked at the effects of red light infrared light therapy light therapy on facial skin. The therapy used a combination of two wavelengths, 633 nm and 830 nm, and was applied to 31 subjects over 9 sessions. The researchers evaluated the effects of the therapy on the skin’s surface and used measurements like profilometry, clinical photography, and patient satisfaction scores. The results showed that the therapy was effective in improving the appearance of facial skin, with 52% of subjects showing a 25-50% improvement in photoaging scores by week 12 and 81% of subjects reporting significant improvement in wrinkles. Those are some extremely promising results for a non-invasive treatment with little to no side effects!

Research Cited:
1. A study to determine the efficacy of combination LED light therapy (633 nm and 830 nm) in facial skin rejuvenation.

Acne and Red Light – Discouraging Results

The study aimed to determine the effectiveness and safety of using red light therapy for treating acne. 13 studies involving 422 participants were analyzed. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the average number of both non-inflammatory and inflammatory acne lesions between red light therapy and traditional treatments. There was also no significant difference in the improvement of different types of acne lesions. Red light therapy had only mild or no side effects. However, it should be noted that the had small sample sizes.

Research Cited:
1. Application of red light therapy for moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Infrared light and Mood Disorders – Unclear Results

This one, in particular, involves infrared therapy rather than red light therapy. Since both are often packaged together in a single bulb, it is worth including on this list. Furthermore, we should mention that bright light was at the center of more studies, with more research available on the topic.

Infrared radiation therapy has been the focus of research in regards to its potential to improve mood disorders, while red light therapy has not been studied extensively in this area. One study investigated the effect of infrared radiation on depression and anxiety in rats. The rats were separated into three groups: one group was exposed to one session of infrared radiation, another group was exposed to 10 sessions, and the third group served as a control, only being exposed to the sound of the machine. After the exposure, the rats were tested for signs of depression and anxiety, with the results showing that the group exposed to 10 sessions of infrared radiation had decreased signs of depression and anxiety, but no impact on their overall activity.

Another study analyzed the evidence for the use of light therapy to treat mood disorders by reviewing studies that met specific criteria. The results showed that only 13% of the studies met the criteria, but the studies that did meet the criteria showed that bright light therapy and dawn simulation for seasonal affective disorder and bright light therapy for non-seasonal depression can be effective in reducing depression. However, the authors found that the use of bright light as an addition to antidepressant medication for non-seasonal depression did not have a significant impact. The authors recommend future studies to have better study designs in order to evaluate the use of light therapy for mood disorders more effectively.

Research Cited:
1. Red Infrared Light therapy in mood disorders: a systematic review.
2. Infrared radiation has potential antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in animal model of depression and anxiety.

Infrared Light and Chronic Pain – Promising Results

Many studies which focused on how phototherapy affects chronic pain were studying infrared light rather then red light.

This study looked at using infrared light as a way to treat musculoskeletal problems and chronic pain. They searched through various databases and found 233 relevant papers, and after going through them, 13 studies were chosen for further analysis. These studies looked at the effects of infrared light on various conditions like osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and other musculoskeletal disorders. The results showed that using infrared light helped decrease pain in patients with musculoskeletal problems, but it didn’t seem to help with muscle recovery after sports injuries.

Research Cited:
1. Infrared Radiation in the Management of Musculoskeletal Conditions and Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review.

Red Light and TMJ Pain – Promising Results

The study looked at the effects of using a device with red and infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on pain and jaw movement in people with temporomandibular disorder (TMD). 18 people were divided into two groups, one group used the LED device and the other group was a control group. The LED device was used once a day, three times a week for two weeks on the jaw area. Pain levels were measured using a visual analog scale, and jaw movement was measured with a digital tool. The results showed that using the LED device reduced pain levels in the people with TMD, but it didn’t have any effect on their jaw movement.

Research Cited:
1. Simultaneous red and infrared light-emitting diodes reduced pain in individuals with temporomandibular disorder: a randomized, controlled, double-blind, clinical trial.

Can Red Light Therapy Be Dangerous?

Red light therapy is considered safe for most people. It involves exposing the skin to low levels of red and near-infrared light. This type of light is non-invasive, non-toxic, and does not produce harmful UV radiation. The therapy has been used for decades to treat a variety of skin conditions, such as acne, fine lines and wrinkles, and rosacea. The therapy has been reported to have few side effects, with the most common being mild redness or swelling at the site of treatment, which usually resolve within a few hours. However, it’s always best to consult a healthcare provider before undergoing red light therapy, especially if you have a history of skin conditions or are taking any medications, to ensure that it’s safe and appropriate for you.

A precaution should be taken when it comes to your eyes. It is important to avoid direct exposure of the eyes to the light source and to protect the eyes with protective eyewear or goggles. Although studies show that red light is beneficial for the eyes, some experts recommend not looking directly into the light for extended periods of time, as this could cause discomfort or damage to the eyes.

Conclusion

So, does red light therapy help? The answer is yes, Red Infrared Light Therapy seems to have many potential benefits in various health conditions, including skin aging, pain management, and mood disorders. While many of these studies are promising, further research is needed to optimize treatment parameters and to establish its efficacy and safety. It is important to note that this therapy should not be used as a substitute for conventional medical treatments and it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before using this therapy. Overall, Red Infrared Light Therapy is a promising area of research, and further studies are needed to better understand its potential benefits and limitations.