For dermatologists and other skin experts, the focus seems to be mostly on near-infrared. “Low-level light [laser] therapy refers to exposing the skin to low levels of red and near-infrared light, which helps stimulate tissue repair and healing,” Dr. Garshick explains.
Full Answer
Is infrared light therapy safe for your skin?
“Topical antioxidants, such as Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, can be helpful, to neutralize free radicals that can be induced by infrared radiation as well as UV radiation,” she adds. Even though it’s become a popular skin-care treatment, it seems that a lot more research on infrared light therapy is needed.
What happens when your skin is exposed to infrared radiation?
When your skin is exposed to infrared radiation, it converts it into heat. During this process, your skin’s temperature can raise to more than 104ºF, when its normal temperature is around 92ºF. With this temperature increase, inflammatory cells are triggered and DNA damage results.
What should you not do after an infrared light treatment?
Do not use something that is not absorbent (such as your hand), because if even a tiny droplet of sweat gets flung into the infrared bulb while it’s hot, it may shatter. If you’ve sweated profusely, you may wish to immediately shower after your treatment to wash off excess oil and dirt.
What will I need to do an infrared light therapy treatment?
Here are the basics- what you will need to do an infrared light therapy treatment. Each person is different, so you may find that other items are must-haves for you (such as an anti-slip floor mat if you are concerned about slipping on a hard floor or an extension cord if your lamp’s cord isn’t long enough to reach the socket).
Does skin need to be exposed for red light therapy?
With red light therapy, you expose your skin to a lamp, device, or laser with a red light. A part of your cells called mitochondria, sometimes called the “power generators” of your cells, soak it up and make more energy. Some experts think this helps cells repair themselves and become healthier.
How do you prepare your skin for red light therapy?
Perform your skin care routine as usual in the days leading up to your appointment. Treat your skin nicely—avoid irritating your skin with aggressive exfoliant products or sun exposure. Clean your skin with a gentle, non-drying cleanser before treatment to remove any mineral-based sunscreen or makeup containing zinc.
Can you put infrared light directly on skin?
Intense infrared radiation, or heat, has been shown to be detrimental to the skin. Heat increases the production of melanocyte pigment within the skin, so it can worsen melasma and other skin pigmentation concerns.
How far does skin have to be from red light therapy?
Generally, for skin issues, it's recommended to sit between 12-36 inches from your device, and for issues involving deeper tissues, 6-12 inches is advised.
Should you put anything on your face before light therapy?
What Should I Put on My Face Before Red Light Therapy? For best results, it's always recommended to use LED products on a clean face with no serums or moisturizers. This allows the light therapy to effectively penetrate the skin without any barriers.
Should I wash my face before red light therapy?
While you're always encouraged to wash your face before light therapy treatments, makeup should not interfere with the effects of the LED lights. There is just one exception. If your foundation, or anything else on your face, contains sunscreen it will block some of the light waves.
Can you use infrared on your face?
This suggested that IR radiation treatment at an ambient temperature is safe and does not cause harmful thermal injuries. Our results further suggest that IR radiation may result in beneficial effects on skin texture and wrinkles by increasing collagen and elastin in the dermis through stimulation of fibroblasts.
How often can you use infrared light therapy?
You may need a treatment each week for about a month. Then you might need maintenance treatments every month or every few months. Some at-home devices may also require a substantial time commitment. You might need to use your device twice a day for 30 to 60 minutes for four to five weeks.
How far does infrared penetrate the skin?
about 2 to 7 centimeters deepInfrared light penetrates to the inner layers of the skin at about 2 to 7 centimeters deep. Hence, it reaches the muscles, nerves and even the bones. Many studies have shown that a frequency of infrared light, with wavelengths from 700 to 1,000 nanometers, is best used for healing inflammatory conditions.
Can you overuse red light therapy?
Red light therapy is one skincare treatment that responds well to multiple daily uses and using it more than once a day may bring you faster results. A red light therapy device does not harm the surface of your skin or the underlying tissue.
Do you need eye protection for red light therapy?
A: It is not required that you wear eye protection, nevertheless the lights are very bright and may be uncomfortable for some individuals with sensitivities to light. Q: Is Red Light Therapy similar to tanning? A: No not at all. You will not get a tan from Red Light Therapy, nor does it expose you to damaging UV rays.
How do you use red light therapy at home?
Tips For Using Red Light Therapy At Home LED lights don't contain UVA or UVB rays, but it is still a good recommendation to protect your eyes with protective eyewear when using your Red Light Therapy Device. Try a 10-20 minute session 3 times a week, and move up to 5 sessions a week if you have time.
What serum should I use with LED light therapy?
Several potentially effective hydrating serums are: The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid Serum 2% + B5. The Plant Base Waterfall Moist Balanced Hyaluronic Acid 100. Cetaphil Deep Hydration 48 Hour Activation Serum with Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E & Vitamin B5 for Sensitive Skin.
Can you wear lotion before red light therapy?
The Day of Your Treatment As well as the exfoliation part of the preparation, you should also make sure your skin is free of any other products. This includes makeup, lotions, perfumes, or anything else you normally use as part of your daily routine since these can reduce the red light's effectiveness.
How often should you use red light therapy on your face?
The answer is more than a simple yes or no. Most experts and device manufacturers will recommend 3-5 sessions a week at 10-20 minutes each. And the reason it's pretty standard across the board is because of how red light therapy works.
What is infrared light?
“When infrared light is used in the form of a device, it is thought to help [boost ] collagen production, reduce inflammation, and improve skin cell repair ,” explains Dr.
How many types of infrared light are there?
There are actually three types of infrared radiation: near-infrared, which has the shortest electromagnetic wavelengths (between 760 nm and1400 nm); mid-infrared, which measures between 1,400 nm and 3,000 nm; and far-infrared, which is between 3,000 nm and 1 mm. Due to its longer wavelength, far-infrared radiation can penetrate the body deeper than near- or mid-infrared radiation— up to 1.5 inches. But advocates of infrared light therapy believe that all three regions encompass different benefits. Kyle Jones, cofounder of iCRYO —a recovery and wellness center offering infrared sauna services—says that all three can improve the skin. He also points to a study that NASA did on near-infrared and red light therapy that showed both to be effective in improving wound healing, due to their ability to reduce inflammation and increase collagen production.
Does infrared light therapy work?
Dr. Ronald Moy, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, California, also believes that infrared light therapy combined with LED chromotherapy can improve the skin. “Infrared light therapy penetrates into the skin, to stimulate cell production,” he says.
Does UV light cause premature aging?
The combination of UV rays with infrared and visible light generated more cellular damage than from UV rays alone, meaning an increase in premature aging for those exposed to all three wavelengths at the same time. Another possible risk has to do with melasma and hyperpigmentation. Dr.
Can you see infrared light with the naked eye?
While we cannot see infrared light with the naked eye, our bodies can feel it as heat.
Does red light help wound healing?
He also points to a study that NASA did on near-infrared and red light therapy that showed both to be effective in improving wound healing, due to their ability to reduce inflammation and increase collagen production. For dermatologists and other skin experts, the focus seems to be mostly on near-infrared.
Does far infrared radiation help with wrinkles?
One study showed that far-infrared promoted wound healing in rats. In another study, researchers treated 20 patients who had mild to moderate facial wrinkles and hyperpigmentation with far infrared radiation (at 900–1000 µm) and found that it had improved their skin after six months.
Why is infrared therapy used today?
Why is Infrared Therapy Widely Used Today? Infrared therapy is widely used in the fields of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and in autoimmune diseases, to name a few. The therapy is safe and natural, which enables it to be offered as an alternative treatment for various health conditions like muscle pain, joint stiffness, and arthritis, ...
What is infrared therapy?
Infrared therapy is a new and innovative light-based method to treat pain and inflammation in various parts of the body. Unlike ultraviolet light, which can damage the skin, infrared light enhances cell regeneration.
Why is infrared light important?
Infrared light increases the production of nitric oxide, a vital signaling molecule that is important for the health of blood vessels. This molecule helps relax the arteries and prevents blood from clotting and clumping in the vessels. Aside from these, it also combats free radicals to prevent oxidative stress and regulate blood pressure.
How does infrared therapy help with pain?
Since infrared therapy enhances and improves circulation in the skin and other parts of the body, it can bring oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues, promoting healing.
What is the modality of photoimmunotherapy?
One such modality is photoimmunotherapy, using a conjugated antibody- photoabsorber complex that binds to cancer cells.
How does infrared light help with muscle injury?
In other words, infrared light can hasten the repair process after a muscle injury.
Is infrared therapy harmful?
In fact, infrared saunas are in-demand today, but experts warn of possible health risks. Thermal or heat injuries can happen, depending on the wavelength of the infrared light.
What is infrared light?
But before you retreat underground, let’s understand what infrared is. Part of the electromagnetic spectrum, infrared light is emitted along with other frequencies including gamma rays, x-rays, UV rays, visible light, microwaves and radio waves. Infrared has two components.
Is infrared light aging?
The Truth About Infrared Light and Aging. If you’re like us, you understand that it’s bad enough knowing that the sun’s ultraviolet rays are aging us and that when we were kids, sunscreen usage was barely adequate. (Oh, okay - basically non-existent!) But now there is talk of a whole other part of the light spectrum — infrared — as an even deadlier ...
Does infrared light protect against UV light?
And to top it all off, there seems to be evidence that exposure to infrared actually helps our bodies protect against the deleterious effects of UV light. For us, all this suggests that infrared fear-mongering has just been keeping people in the dark in order to sell products. Dr.
Is IR good for you?
And then there is research showing that IR is beneficial. For example, therapies using IR can result in the proliferation of specific cells, gene expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and suppression of the synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators.
What do you need for a near infrared light therapy?
Basically, you will need: A near infrared light therapy bulb. A clamp lamp (make sure it is a high enough Wattage rating with a heat-resistant socket) with a bulb guard. A square piece of wire mesh, about 12 x 12 inches (with holes that are about ¼ to ½ an inch big) Eye protection for infrared heat and light. A timer.
How long does it take for redness to go away after a laser?
The redness will go away in less than an hour. You will probably need to gently adjust your position throughout the treatment so the light doesn’t focus on any one area for too long. Otherwise, leaving the light on any one point for too long may make you feel uncomfortably warm or hot.
How to secure a clamp lamp to a stationary object?
This is very important because many metal clamp lamps have clamps that are not very secure or strong. Another step you can take is to use metal wire or brackets to secure the lamp to a stationary object.
Can you make a sauna with only one lamp?
This is not quite the same as using multiple bulbs to make a DIY near infrared sauna- with only one lamp, some find they do not sweat at all. Still, even the light and heat alone can have a big impact and is well worth doing.
What is red light therapy?
Red light therapy(RLT) is a treatment that may help skin, muscle tissue, and other parts of your body heal. It exposes you to low levels of red or near-infrared light. Infrared light is a type of energy your eyes can’t see, but your body can feel as heat. Red light is similar to infrared, but you can see it.
Does red light therapy help with dementia?
Red light therapy may help with: . Dementia. In one small study, people with dementia who got regular near-infrared light therapy on their heads and through their noses for 12 weeks had better memories, slept better, and were angry less often. Dental pain.
Does red light burn skin?
Some experts think this helps cells repair themselves and become healthier. This spurs healing in skin and muscle tissue. Red light therapy uses very low levels of heat and doesn’t hurt or burn the skin. It’s not the same type of light used in tanning booths, and it doesn’t expose your skin to damaging UV rays.
So What Exactly Is Infrared Light?
The Three Types of Infrared Light
- There are actually three types of infrared radiation: near-infrared, which has the shortest electromagnetic wavelengths (between 760 nm and1400 nm); mid-infrared, which measures between 1,400 nm and 3,000 nm; and far-infrared, which is between 3,000 nm and 1 mm. Due to its longer wavelength, far-infrared radiation can penetrate the body deeper than near- or mid-infr…
Are There Any Risks Associated with Exposure to Infrared Light?
- With all these potential benefits, there are, of course, a few concerns to keep in mind. For example, a recent studydone at Newcastle University in England concluded that UV rays are not the only type of light that can penetrate deep into the skin and create damage—visible and infrared light can also cause harm to our skin cells. “The study reveals...