4 minute read
Red Light Therapy
Health
RED LIGHT THERAPY
It’s no secret that as we age, our skin loses elasticity and collagen, which in turn create wrinkles, thins and dries our skin out, creating saggy and scarred skin. What if you could wave a magic red light wand over your body, increase collagen production, reduce wrinkles, reduce the appearance of acne scars, sagging skin, ease muscle and joint pain and increase mental clarity in the process?
Let’s go back to the 1990s when light-emitting diodes (LED) red lights were used in space to assist in the growth of plants. What the scientists found was that the intensity of the red light emitted encouraged photosynthesis of plant cells. The boosted plants’ growth caused the researchers to wonder if the same cell growth would help humans, so astronauts used red lights to see if it would help them keep their muscle mass and bone density and promote wound healing, which are issues faced by humans who remain in a weightless environment for long periods of time.
So what is red light therapy (RLT) and how does red light therapy work? Healthline.com states that “Red light is thought to work by producing a biochemical effect in cells that strengthens the mitochondria. The mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell — where the cell’s energy is created. The energy-carrying molecule found in the cells of all living things is called ATP (adenosine triphosphate). By increasing the function of the mitochondria using RLT, a cell can make more ATP. With more energy, cells can function more efficiently, rejuvenate themselves, and repair damage. RLT is different from laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) because it doesn’t cause damage to the skin surface. Laser and pulsed light therapies work by causing controlled damage to the outer layer of the skin, which then induces tissue repair. Red Light Therapy bypasses this harsh step by directly stimulating regeneration of the skin. The light emitted by RLT penetrates roughly 5 millimeters below the skin’s surface.”
After years of research with RLT, multiple benefits from the treatments have been discovered. Many people claim that Red Light Therapy is beneficial for many medical and non-medical issues such as: • Easing the pain of carpel tunnel syndrome • Easing arthritis symptoms, inflammation and joint pain • Assisting athletes in faster recover of some injuries
• Helping diabetics who may be suffering from foot ulcers • Reducing acne scars, Rosacea, and scars from psoriasis • Reducing fine lines and wrinkles on the face and body • Increasing collagen production • Reducing some side-effects from chemotherapy • Increasing mental clarity and mood • Reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression
Many doctor’s offices use red light therapy in various ways to aid patients in recovery from a variety of issues. Wahoo Tanning, 4320-I East 10th St., has a red light therapy bed. Many customers find the red light therapy bed has improved their lives by decreasing their pain, improving moods, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and improving tightness of the skin. The 15-minute session is a quick and affordable way to assist you in your overall health maintenance plan.
I recently started using the red light therapy bed to reduce my Fibromyalgia and arthritis pain from years of dancing and to reduce pain and swelling in my hands from writing too much. I also hoped it would be 15 minutes of peaceful calm to bring my body and mind back into focus. You can go every day, a few times a week or a few times a month, and it can take several rounds or months of using the red light bed to see results. Many people use the red light bed prior to their tanning session to increase the tanning process. Exposure to RLT has been proven effective for a wide range of healing and rejuvenating uses and can be utilized with UV to enhance both your skin and your tan.
It’s just like getting in the tanning bed. You wear protective eye wear, and allow your mind to slow down and your body to lie still in the bright, red lights. It doesn’t hurt. When you close your eyes, you may see purple behind your eyelids. But then you become relaxed knowing the red lights are penetrating the layers of skin and giving the cells a “pep talk,” telling them to shape up and heal. You know that feeling you get just minutes before you fall into deep sleep, when the bed seems to fall away from you and you feel like you are floating? That is what it felt like. I felt safe and comfortable and the red lights emitted a slight warmth around my body. I’m looking forward to additional sessions through the winter to decrease my joint pain and increase mental clarity which has been known to decrease for many during dark winter months.
It’s always good to try new things, to look for non-medical ways to heal our bodies without taking a pill, cutting into our skin or taking radical medical steps to feel better. To find out more about red light therapy, it’s always best to do your own research and talk to your doctor. For more information, call Wahoo Tanning at 252-758-7589.
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Her Magazine — October 2021 www.reflector.com/her
