Light therapy has many benefits, working from the inside, out. It not only helps with our appearance but also internal wellness — because who said beauty's just skin deep? 

Many people find themselves turning to this new form of treatment since it's non-invasive and comes with long-term positive effects — something most people aren't used to hearing. 

While outwardly, the skin smooths out, pores are reduced, wrinkles diminished, and collagen restored. Inwardly, light therapy works directly with our cells, generating an increase of ATP, the energy that fuels us. 

LED Light Therapy uses color wavelengths of visible light, each with specific skin benefits. Due to sun damage, aging, skin disorders, healthy skin cells are compromised and have a more difficult time renewing themselves normally.

But why are wellness gurus going crazy for light therapy? 

Light therapy is not that new; however, it's been gaining popularity due to its benefits, especially in the wellness industry. While everyone is eager to look younger, going under the knife is very invasive. Light therapy is not only effective and easy to use; it's non-invasive. The device needed for light therapy is usually a lamp or light therapy box. 

Is light therapy good for skin? Absolutely. And one of the best things next to the long-term effects is that light therapy can be used as laser light therapy at home. This is the most comfortable way of having the benefits of light therapy. Many celebrities themselves are opting for this route as opposed to invasive treatments.

Light is used as a source of energy, and our skin soaks it up, turning it into ATP (our life fuel). Cells reproducing faster and more efficiently brings the repair and rejuvenation of damaged cells, or, in the case of treating acne, kill bacteria. This stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, boosts circulation, and accelerates tissue repair. You simply lie underneath a light screen during the treatment while the LED light device.

What can light therapy be used for you may be wondering? It isn't only beneficial for your skin; it works directly within our cells, accelerating ATP production. This makes it helpful with overall health, physical and mental. Light exposure has also been linked to being a trigger of serotonin, the way natural light does as well. Not only does it trigger serotonin, but also melatonin, which helps regulate your sleep cycle. 

Luckily, instead of having to go to a doctor for your treatments, you have your own LED light therapy mask or device in the comfort of your home. Allowing wellness gurus and everyday people to enjoy the benefits of red light therapy. 

Light therapy devices work not only the face but as a full body treatment that can help with muscle tension and fascia. Fascia is the connecting tissue that holds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber, and muscle in place.

Gwyneth Paltrow even explores on goop.com the many different appealing sides to it. “Light acts as a mild stressor on the body in a dose-dependent manner. We always consider stress to be a bad thing, but at low levels, stress can be good for us. It conditions our tissues and stimulates endogenous protective responses that prime us for either existing or future insult.”

Kourtney Kardashian has taken her LED light therapy mask to the public as well, promoting the device and its benefits. She enjoys both red and blue light treatments, often posting her with her at-home mask. She’s mentioned retinol use alongside the regular treatments, and other skin rejuvenating products. 

But more and more celebrities and wellness gurus are turning to light therapy for a full body treatment. Jessica Alba, alongside celebrities including Emma Stone, Chrissy Teigen, Lena Dunham, Kelly Rowland, and Real Housewives of New York City’s Carole Radziwill, have openly discussed red light therapy treatment. 

Many top skincare and wellness brands are turning to Kaiyan for their red light therapy device production. And though we produce devices that are incredibly effective, our devices are also MDASAP-certified and FDA-approved, giving you security in knowing your devices not only are effective but are safe.  Contact our team for more information.

It’s common knowledge that as we age, our normal brain function gets disrupted. We tend to find it harder to recall information, memorize names, and respond with reason. The decline of our mental acuity causes these commonplace mental problems. Contrary to popular belief, aging is not the sole culprit for mental deterioration. Many factors, such as aging, lifestyle changes, and environmental stress, contribute to the decline of mental acuity.

As cognitive decline progresses, significant mental changes can result in disorders such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. While these can be common aspects of life, they aren’t inevitable. Many medical experts believe that there are many lifestyle changes that you can take to prevent the degradation of Mental Acuity.

What is Mental Acuity?

Mental acuity is known as the sharpness of the mind. It involves our cognitive ability to concentrate, process, understand, reason, and memorize. On the other hand, intelligence means the extent to which our brains absorb and process a specific amount of information at a given amount of time. Mental acuity is a natural and essential aspect of our brain health and is not a measure of how “smart” we are.

Mental acuity allows us to perform daily activities effectively and efficiently. When our cognitive ability functions well, we’re more capable of doing things without damage or conflict.

What are the symptoms of a Deteriorating Mental Acuity?

Some signs of a deteriorating cognitive ability may be subtle. However, when left untreated could progress over time to more serious mental disorders. According to the National Institute on Aging, 8 out of 10 people who experience amnestic mild cognitive impairment develop into having Alzheimer’s disease.

Here are some early symptoms of a deteriorating mental acuity:

• Absent-mindedness and having trouble concentrating
• Forgetfulness of specific details like names, dates, events, and facts
• Inability to reason and make vital decisions
• Difficulty in retrieving information
• Memory loss
• Difficulty in following simple instructions

How to Improve Mental Acuity

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to developing chronic brain disorders. Here’s how you can take your brain health into your own hands by observing these lifestyle habits:

1. Ensure a well-balanced diet

Getting enough nutrition is the key to ensure mental sharpness. Making sure you eat a well-balanced diet can help your body supply enough nutrients to your brain. Omega 3 Fatty Acids are essential nutrients that help build and restore brain cells. The brain also needs antioxidants to prevent inflammation.

Excessive intake of toxins such as alcohol and drug can depreciate your mental ability. Experts agree that poor gut health also results in a weakened immune system. As a result, it weakens your body’s inflammatory response. A poor inflammatory response causes mental disorders such as schizophrenia and dementia.

1. Have Enough Sleep

Irregular sleep patterns and sleep deprivation disrupt your body’s circadian rhythm that can lead to short-term mental problems as well as long-term chronic health problems.

Your body’s circadian rhythm is a natural body clock that controls your sleep-wake schedule as well as your digestive patterns. When you’re sleep-deprived, these rhythms get disturbed. As a result, you experience headaches, mood swings, and difficulty to focus and recall information. Aside from these unwanted effects, not having enough sleep also negatively impacts your overall brain health.

1. Get Yourself Moving

Exercise isn’t just for physical and aesthetic purposes. It also affects brain function in multiple ways. When you exercise, your body pumps more oxygen into your brain through an increased heart rate. Exercise allows your body to release hormones that are vital in nourishing your brain cells. It also promotes growth factors in your brain to assist in the growth of neuronal connections.

A study at the University of Georgia shows that a 20-minute exercise daily can improve memory retention and information processing. Many experts agree that a sedentary lifestyle may accelerate your way into cognitive decline.

1. Use Red Light Therapy

Red Light therapy is a more modern approach to non-invasive and low-risk medical treatments. It is a form of photobiomodulation that allows light to change human cells' physiology that causes a wide range of benefits such as biological balance and cellular energy.

Kaiyan Medical is one of the pioneers of Red light therapy that uses red wavelengths to deliver benefits to the skin and near-infrared lights to penetrate deeper within the skin’s surface. This dual technology allows for better absorption and effectiveness of the benefits of Red light therapy.

As near-infrared wavelengths penetrate the brain’s cellular system, it promotes energy production by stimulating the mitochondria. It also prevents stress by keeping away oxidative stress. Thus, it delivers multiple benefits such as better blood flow, faster cell regeneration, and improved healing.

A study shows that red light therapy has significantly improved brain function when given to patients with cognitive dysfunction. All these benefits are vital in promoting and maintaining a healthy mental acuity. Red light therapy delivers all these cellular benefits to promote better sleep quality and a more balanced circadian clock.

As you maintain these lifestyle changes, you can experience a more improved brain function and better brain health. Now you can defy all odds and allow your brain to perform at its peak by having a healthy lifestyle and a balanced body.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4043367/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324044#oily-fish

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12595152/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5403829/

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/brain-exercises

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4870908/

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It is said that stress is the precursor of all sickness. In a modern and increasingly fast society like ours, stress is responsible for many mental and physical health issues. Being stressed has become the norm, and yet we often waste our free time on things we don't even enjoy that much (social media scrolling, anyone)? 

We've all been there. We feel stressed as a result of family or relationship issues, or before a test or daunting event. On top of that, leading a hectic and unbalanced lifestyle doesn't help keep us calm and collected, but it rather intensifies the stress.

Stress is tied to a 36 percent greater risk of developing 41 autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, and celiac disease. We've become our own enemies. While we're rushing and running to get everything done, our bodies are developing serious problems, and we're not even noticing. 

Taking fifteen minutes out of your day to focus on yourself, your mind, and your body shouldn't be viewed as a luxury. In the time you spend complaining that it takes time out of your day, you could've paused and done it. So, why not change your narrative and allow yourself a little bit of relief? 

So, it’s time to invest in yourself. Light therapy is not only beneficial for our outer beauty but our inner balance as well. It works inward, directly targeting cells and promoting cellular rejuvenation. And there are many ways to use light therapy; from aiding in skincare problems to using our UV light therapy for wound healing.

The type of light therapy depends on your choice; there are a variety of colors that target different issues. Ranging from red and blue to yellow and purple, they all share the same benefit of light working on accelerating our adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the fuel of our cells and a better ATP production equates to a better organism in total. 

Light is known to trigger the release of serotonin in our brain. Serotonin is also known as the happy "feel-good" brain chemical. Light therapy is the perfect intervention when feeling down; it's also linked to improving other mental issues. 

It helps alleviate stress and is something that can be done at home with our light therapy devices. Not only are you reaping health and beauty benefits, but also you're promoting balanced brain activity. The beauty of doing the treatments yourself is that you get to choose when to do them and on what terms. Pairing your light therapy treatment with meditation could be the way to go.

Why do we mention meditation? Well, its benefits to the body and mind are infinite, and it can also help with your light therapy treatment. There are many different ways to incorporate meditation into your daily routine.

Meditation is, in general, a practice to achieve greater control of the activities of our mind so that it becomes capable of concentrating on a single thought, on a high concept, without overthinking and becoming still, peaceful. Akin to meditation is contemplation, which means letting the mind rest in its natural state. Therefore, it is a practice aimed at self-realization, which can have a religious, spiritual, philosophical purpose, or improve psychophysical conditions.

Pairing your time for light therapy with meditation will only compel your body even more to enter a state most pure to its well-being. Letting the outside world go and only focusing within while your cells truly are being rejuvenated is an incredible process, and a ritual you can incorporate into your daily or weekly self-care regimen.

We so often struggle to find a real escape when we could obtain one right within our homes. Scheduling light therapy-meditation sessions for yourself daily will give you a mindful time to look forward to. You can benefit both physically and mentally in your health, even now when that seems harder to accomplish each day. 

At Kaiyan, we’re dedicated to improving the body from the inside out. To help you achieve a balanced life, our MDASAP-certified and FDA-approved light therapy devices are the perfect at-home treatment. Contact our team for more information.

Maybe you’ve heard of grounding, but don’t really know what it means. Grounding is a therapeutic technique that involves performing activities that “ground” or energetically reconnect you to the earth.

This practice builds on the science of grounding and grounding physics to explain how electric charges from the ground can have positive effects on your body. After all, we are all a bunch of atoms and electrons packed together in a body, right? 

There’s a science to grounding and it’s being heavily explored—the risks and benefits, and how to perform grounding best.

The most recent scientific research has explored grounding for inflammation, cardiovascular disease, muscle damage, chronic pain, and mood. 

The results are astounding. Grounding is very effective as it reduces and prevents inflammation from occurring in the body, which in turn helps prevent inflammation-related health disorders. It’s also shown that the process of grounding helps release stress, thus reducing it. Another significant benefit is improved circulation. 

So, here’s how it works: when you’re outside, you can easily engage in the act of grounding by allowing the soles of your feet, perhaps also palms, or your whole body to touch the ground. Walk on the grass, lie on the sand, or swim in the sea. These are all simple ways to reconnect naturally, and this is what grounding essentially is; it’s in the expression itself. It is the reconnection of your body, with nature and with itself. 

Grounding is best when done daily for 20-30 minutes; however, any amount of time helps and can be beneficial. If persistent, grounding will allow your body enough time to absorb the energies, and this should be enough to begin easing the pain, tension, and stress we regularly experience.

There are many kinds of grounding techniques to do as well, with various emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical grounding techniques. All of them possess a certain effect, and there are very strong physical and emotional implications to unpack with grounding. 

It’s important to note that grounding doesn’t have to be done in nature; the point of grounding is to reconnect to yourself and your body in the most peaceful and non-disturbing way possible. One of the most used methods and oldest is the 5-4-3-2-1 method. 

Using the 5-4-3-2-1 technique, you will purposefully take in the details of your surroundings using each of your senses. The point is to notice small details that your mind usually tunes out, such as distant sounds, the texture of an object, and even the smell of a certain room in your house.

Emotionally grounding connects you to your thoughts, and brings awareness to your feelings and mood. Physically, it makes you more aware of your body first and foremost, and then, more importantly, it can positively affect health. 

Grounding is also studied to be of help in more serious diseases, particularly those dealing with inflammation.

Light therapy uses and benefits are plenty, and now it’s something to consider using alongside grounding. It is a complementary wellness experience, as light therapy works by encouraging the process, while grounding can create it. 

With grounding, our body is recharging, boosting the number of white blood cells, and light therapy works alongside to multiply and accelerate cell reproduction. This can rejuvenate your whole organism. 

Both processes aim at achieving the same goal; they are holistic, non-invasive practices that improve your general well-being. 

Grounding techniques are also a proven tool for trauma survivors and people with PTSD, as well as conditions such as anxiety, depression, or just general stress and fatigue. This is also where grounding connects with light therapy, since LED light treatments help with many mental disorders, as well. And, light therapy is proven to help regulate our brain chemicals such as serotonin, help with sleep disorders, and melatonin production.

Together, these two modalities can reconnect you to your body and mind, and ultimately bring your body back into balance. 

With the use of Kaiyan light therapy devices, you, your patients, and clients can receive light therapy treatment that actually works, and attends to all aspects of mental and physical well-being. 

As humans, we are made of energy and fueled by light. While nutrition and exercise play a role in our well-being and health, light plays a crucial role in us functioning optimally. New and groundbreaking research is unearthing a new understanding of how our cells function and the evidence points to the power of light.

Through technological advancements in science, it’s discovered that our bodies operate similar to a battery. Wavelengths of light give us power, while our overall health determines our ability to receive and maintain the energy from light. And this is where light therapy comes into the equation.

What is Red Light Therapy

Science has proven that our bodies interact with specific wavelengths that benefit our bodies in various ways. 

Red light therapy devices, such as light therapy masks, shine red and near-infrared light onto the skin, stimulating the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) within the mitochondria. By stimulating ATP, damaged cells heal, and new cells are produced faster than normal. But we’ll talk more about that in-depth a little later.

Red light therapy comprises both red light and infrared wavelengths, penetrating through the skin’s layers, right into the cells. Red light wavelengths boost collagen and elastin and improve cell communication. It penetrates superficially and helps aid various skin conditions. 

Near-infrared wavelengths stimulate healing, increase mitochondrial function, and improve blood flow and tissue oxygenation. Near-infrared wavelengths penetrate deeply into the body. 

Recharging Your Body From Within

At the core of your body’s healing capabilities are the mitochondria. The mitochondria play a vital role in your internal organs and tissue, including the liver, skin, heart, and muscles. It’s in charge of the body’s energy supply via ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

With both working together, they provide energy to our body and maintain the cell cycle and growth. This is why you’ll often hear the mitochondria referred to as the “powerhouse of the cell.”

Here's how the mitochondria is affected by red light:

1. LED light wavelengths from 600-800nm(red) and between 810-850nm(infrared) penetrate through the skin into the cells via a red light therapy device.
2. Light enters the cell's mitochondria, absorbed by chromophores which include EZ water and protein cytochrome c oxidase (CCO), resulting in stimulating activity.
3. Subsequently, three molecules are affected: Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), and Nitric Oxide (NO).

Interestingly, our body weight is made of 70% water, with 99% of our bodies' molecules also made of water, making it a powerful component in red light therapy treatment.

Research by Prof Gerald Pollock of the University of Washington proved that water adjacent to a cell is structured water, also known as EZ water. This specific water forms a separation of charge, functioning in the body as positive and negative poles - similar to a battery.

What Does “Red Light Therapy” Mean?

While we’ve been talking about red light therapy, what does it actually mean? Typically, “red light therapy” refers to natural light treatments which deliver red and near-infrared wavelengths as natural sunlight using LEDs or cold lasers. 

While you may think red light therapy includes all colors of light, it doesn’t. The term doesn’t include blue or white light, and it isn’t equivalent to full-spectrum light. Red light therapy doesn’t rely on heat, differentiating it from other light-based treatments such as infrared saunas and heat therapy. 

Red light therapy is also known as RLT, photobiomodulation (PBM), phototherapy, LED therapy, LED light therapy, infrared therapy, low-level laser therapy, or low-level light therapy (LLLT). 

Red Light Therapy: The Multilevel Treatment

As stated before, red light therapy works to heal the entire body and functions on multiple levels.

Molecular

• Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
• Retrograde mitochondrial signaling
• Reactive oxygen species
• Water, opsins, chromophores, cytochrome c oxidase
  

Calcium

• Melatonin
• Gene transcription factors
• Heat-shock proteins
• Akt/mTOR/CyclinD1 pathway
• Brain-derived neurotrophic factor
  

Cellular

• Inflammation, Cytoprotection, Proliferation
• Protein synthesis
• Stem cell production and migration
• Immune cell viability
• Retrograde mitochondrial signaling
• Transforming growth factor
• Pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines
• Vascular endothelial
• Mitochondrial membrane potential

Tissue

• Muscles: Increase endurance, tone density
• Brain: Improves cognition and immune
• Nerves: Repair and pain relief
• Healing bones, tendons, and wounds
• Increases hair growth
• Improvement of the collagen network, anti-aging, skin disorders
• Fat re-absorption improved by enhanced micro-circulation
• Improved immunity and lymphatic system

Systemic Effects: Positive Affects on Bodily Systems

Red light therapy affects the body in multiple ways, including bodily systems:

Fascia

Fascia is the thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds virtually every organ, muscle, nerve fiber, blood vessel, and bone in place. While it performs as an internal structure for your body, the fascia also contains nerves, making it almost as sensitive as skin.

The fascia may look like a layer of tissue; however, it’s made up of interwoven layers of collagen and elastin fibers. The fascia is overlooked, yet over recent years, it has been the key to understanding how changes in one area of our body affect others. Red light therapy works to improve communication within the fascia network.

Gut-Brain Axis

The gut-brain axis connects the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with peripheral intestinal functions. Recent research discovered the importance of gut microbiota concerning these interactions.

Red light therapy can positively influence mood and neuropsychological issues by the following:

• Reducing gut spasms and bowel inflammation.
• Increasing neurotransmitters, activating the brain’s immune system, thus increasing blood flow and eliminating toxins.
• Reduce blood pressure and increase circulation to eliminate brain fog and anxiety.
• Changes the vagus nerve, which connects the gut and brain. It plays a role in stress and social communication.
• Changes of the micro-biome.

Immune System

Red and near-infrared light penetrate through the skin into the cells, which results in low-dose metabolic stress that strengthens the cells’ anti-inflammatory and natural defense systems. In turn, the body becomes resilient to infections.

Safe and low exposure to red light therapy improves the body’s response to external viruses and bacteria. Red light therapy can influence the immune response in the following ways:

• Enhances proliferation, maturation, and motility of fibroblasts.
• Activates macrophages to behave as phagocytes.
• Increases production of fibroblast growth.
• Proliferation and activation of lymphocytes.
• Release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mast cell degranulation.
• Activation of mast cells results in reduced inflammation.

Circulatory System

Red light therapy is scientifically proven to increase the micro-circulation of blood and support the circulatory system as a whole by stimulating the development of new capillaries which carry oxygen throughout the body.

Proper oxygen supply and flow are essential for the proliferation of cells, protein synthesis, tissue restoration, inflammatory response, and angiogenesis. In addition, circulation is also responsible for waste elimination, specifically degenerated cells.

Nervous System

The nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord, neurons, and neural support cells, which is your body’s command center. It controls your movements, automatic responses, and other body systems such as digestion and breathing.

Red light therapy affects the nervous system in the following ways:

• Releases growth factors.
• Increases the vascular network and collagen.
• Facilitates neural regeneration.
• Regenerates the nerve lesions and damaged nerves at a faster rate.
• Improves the electrophysiological function.
• Myelination of fibers.

For all forms of nerve damage, red light therapy offers non-pharmaceutical treatment options. 

Stem Cells

Red light therapy shows impressive results regarding stem cell growth, maximizing the potential of stem cell implantation for various medical needs. Therefore, red light therapy may show positive results after surgery to stimulate stem cells which repair tissues and organs.

In studies, red light therapy has proven to stimulate mesenchymal stem cells in bone marrow, enhancing their ability to reach the brain. This research shows the possibilities of using red light therapy to heal degenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia.

The Origins of Modern Red Light Therapy

It’s clear red light therapy provides multilevel treatment to the body, becoming a popular natural and holistic option for both professionals and consumers, but where did it come from? 

Light therapy technology isn’t new; it’s been around for decades as NASA experimented with red light therapy during the 1980s and 1990s. Over the past 10-20 years, red light therapy reached a breakthrough in LED lighting technology, allowing the production of safe and affordable clinical and at-home devices.

In 2016, Kaiyan Medical became the first leading manufacturer of red light therapy of affordable FDA-approved and MDASAP-approved light therapy devices.

What is Holistic Medicine?

We mentioned red light therapy being a holistic treatment option, but what does that mean. Holistic medicine is a full-body approach to healthcare. By focusing on the body, mind, and soul, the body receives the full support and care it needs to function optimally.

Principles of Holistic Medicine

Holistic medicine is based on the following principles:

• Optimal health is the combination of emotional, mental, spiritual, social and physical wellness.
• The focus is to prevent first, and treat second.
• The disease or illness is not caused by a single area, rather the whole body.

The purpose of treatment is to identify the underlying cause of the disease, rather than treating only the symptoms.

6 Main Benefits from Red Light Therapy

While there are endless benefits the body receives from red light therapy, here are the six main benefits.

Relieves Pain And Discomfort

Photobiomodulation, in other words, red light therapy, has proven effective against carpal tunnel syndrome, mucositis, neck pain, menstrual cramps, temporomandibular joint pain, and neuropathic pain from amputation. It also significantly reduces the pain of hypersensitivity while improving sensorimotor function.

These improvements come after anti-inflammatory cells populate the injured area, providing long-lasting pain relief. In addition, it’s also been shown to provide effective relief by affecting the following:

• Represses cyclooxygenase and prostaglandins.
• Activating peripheral opioid receptors.
• Increasing endorphins serotonin release.
• Stimulates the metabolism.
• Changes nerve transmission.

Repairs Skin

Red light therapy has proven to be highly effective in rapidly treating wounds from burns, scars, bedsores, ulcers, surgery incisions, and diabetic neuropathy.

NASA strongly supports this claim as this technology was used in treating wounds. Red and near-infrared light proves effective in all four phases of the wound-healing process:

• Coagulation
• Inflammation
• Migration
• Remodeling
  

These processes are regulated by various factors connected via nitric oxide (NO) signaling release, adjusted by light energy. 

An issue the body encounters when trying to heal a wound is low oxygen flow, and red light increases the flow of oxygen, speeding up the natural healing process. By reducing inflammation and increasing oxygenation of the wounded area, blood vessels can form, rapidly repairing the area, lessening pain and scarring. 

By reducing pain, red light therapy eliminates the reliant on pharmaceutical painkillers during the healing process.

Revives Immunity

The human body receives energy on the cellular level, maintaining communication between organs and ensuring disease resistance.

A strong immune system works to protect the body from harmful bacteria and viruses at all times. With red light therapy, the body receives a boost of support as it releases nitric oxide and melatonin, two components involved in DNA repair and antimicrobial.

This process is called hormesis. Red and near-infrared wavelengths penetrate through the skin into the cells, causing mild metabolic stress, which stimulates cells to activate their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant response.

With the support of red light therapy, the body is better prepared to fight infections. Numerous studies have proven red light therapy to have the following effects on the immune system:

• Improves melatonin production
• Increases NO levels
• Improves antioxidant production
• Improves thyroid function
• Stimulates T cells pre-operatively
• Increases flow of neurotransmitters
• Boosts collagen and elastin production
• Encourages lymph node activity
• Enables the transportation of immune cells
• Stimulates optimal function of cells and organelles

Reduces Inflammation

Inflammation in the body can be acute and topical (short-term, resulting from sprains, infections, and accidents) or chronic and general (long-term, caused by ongoing conditions).

Acute inflammation is a healthy bodily response; however, chronic and general inflammation can negatively impact long-term health.

As of today, the current treatment for inflammation is NSAID or steroid drugs, both having a detrimental effect on the healing process and long-term health. Red light therapy stimulates the body to activate its natural healing mechanism, reducing the health risks of long-term drug use.

Red light therapy decreases the number of inflammatory cells, increases fibroblast proliferation (cells that synthesize collagen and other matrix macromolecules), stimulates angiogenesis (creation of new blood vessels), and activates the body’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant response.

The following conditions are connected with chronic and acute inflammation, all proving promising results with red light therapy treatment:

• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Sinusitis
• Muscular sprains
• Fibro-myalgia
• Neuron inflammatory disorders such as Alzheimer’s
• Irritable bowel syndrome and colitis
• Rheumatic conditions

Regains Performance

Red light therapy is extremely popular in competitive sports and performance. It offers natural and non-pharmaceutical treatment, which applies to many areas of the body.

Aside from the overwhelming benefits on overall health, red light therapy encourages muscles growth and repair by stimulating the production of ATP, which aids in faster recovery and better performance.

Red light therapy used before training prepares and strengthens the body while aiding muscle recovery after training.

Here are the scientifically documented effects of red light therapy:

• Reducing DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness)
• Enhanced endurance and performance
• Increasing sleep quality
• Improving sexual function and libido (including Testosterone)
• Aiding weight loss
• Boosting cognitive function
• Reversing skin aging
• Reducing cellulite ‍

Reduces symptoms of depression and seasonal affective disorder

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depressions, impacting 5% of Americans, specifically during the winter when there’s less natural sunlight. SAD is also known as seasonal depression or winter blues.

Many people treat SAD symptoms via bright white light treatment, mimicking the sun’s light daily. However, researchers recommend natural light treatment, like red light therapy, to help with light deficiency. Over recent years, physicians recommend red light therapy alongside psychotherapy and medication.

Who Can Use Red Light Therapy?

While many people are using red light therapy devices for at-home treatment, red light therapy systems are found in many clinical and professional settings:

Skincare Professionals: Red light therapy is a popular skincare treatment among Hollywood celebrities, including Kourtney Kardashian, Julia Roberts, and Emma Stone. Leading skincare professionals like dermatologists and aestheticians use red light therapy to help promote collagen production, reduce wrinkles, and treat skin conditions.

Health Practitioners: Health practitioners from all specialties are incorporating red light therapy into their practice. Dentists use it to reduce inflammation, physicians for mental health conditions, and oncologists for cancer side effects.

Natural Health Experts: Leading voices in the health and wellness industry such as Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, Ben Greenfield, and Dave Asprey strongly support the use of red light therapy. Paleo and Keto health experts like Robb Wolf, Mark Sisson, Luke Story, and Dr. Anthony Gustin also support red light therapy.

Sports Medicine Pros: The National Sports Association of Sports Medicine (NASM) adopted red light therapy to treat sports injuries. Top trainers and doctors, including Dr. Troy Van Biezen and Dr. Ara Suppiah, use red light therapy to heal their athletes.

Elite Pro Athletes: Professional athletes worldwide, including NFL stars like Patrick Peterson, UFC champion Anthony Pettis, and gold medal gymnast Sanne Weavers use red light therapy to enhance performance and quicken recovery.

Fitness & Training: World-renown fitness trainers, including Lacey Stone and Jorge Cruise, use red light therapy to enhance athletic performance and muscle recovery.

Supportive Cancer Care: The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) recommends the treatment of red light therapy for oral mucositis (OM), a common symptom of cancer treatment.

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Sources and References:

Klepeis N., Nelson W., Ott W., Robinson J., Tsang A., Switzer P., Behar J., Hern S., Engelmann W. “The National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS): a resource for assessing exposure to environmental pollutants”. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology 2001.

Hamblin M. “Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation.” AIMS Biophys. 2017.

LED Lights Used in Plant Growth Experiments for Deep Space Missions. NASA.

Gál P,  Stausholm MB, et al. Should open excisions and sutured incisions be treated differently? A review and meta-analysis of animal wound models following low-level laser therapy. Lasers in Medical Science. 2018 Aug.

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Kim HK, Choi JH. Effects of radiofrequency, electroacupuncture, and low-level laser therapy on the wrinkles and moisture content of the forehead, eyes, and cheek. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2017 February.

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