How to Use Red Light Therapy: Home & Professional Guidelines

Red light therapy is a powerful tool for improving your health and well-being. Whether you're looking to enhance your skincare routine, manage pain, or speed up recovery, understanding how to use red light therapy effectively is crucial. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about using red light therapy at home and in professional settings, including device recommendations, usage instructions, and safety precautions.

Professional Treatments

Finding a Qualified Provider

Seeking out professional red light therapy treatments that are specifically full body beds are going to provide you with the most overall benefits. Whole body red light beds are wrapping the body from head to toe and bathing the tissues in powerful light treatments that allow the mitochondria more opportunities to uptake the energy and kick off the amazing molecular processes that make red light therapy such an extraordinary tool for overall wellness. When seeking professionals look for those who can offer full body bed treatments. Here's how to find a qualified provider:

  • Full body: Look for practitioners who provide full body treatments, wrap systems are not as good as full body red light therapy. Look for irradiance and LED systems. Tanning bulbs only use red and not the deep therapeutic near infrared needed for pain, inflammation, fat, and deep cellular healing.

  • Reviews: Check online reviews and ask for referrals from trusted sources.

  • Consultation: Schedule a consultation to discuss your goals and ensure the provider understands your needs. First session should be at a discount if you have never tried red light therapy before.

Types of Professional Treatments

So where can I use whole body red light therapy beds? And what kind of professional is best for my needs?

  • Chiropractic Doctors: Doctors of chiropractic offer red light therapy for a variety of conditions like pain management, neuropathy, injury recovery, and weight loss. These professionals are great as they add other remedies to red light to achieve maximum benefits for a more wholistic approach.

  • Dermatology and Beauty Clinics: These clinics often offer red light therapy for skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and aging. If facial anti-aging is your primary goal, seeking out these professionals are great as they can combine red light therapy with their other services for a well rounded approach to beautiful skin.

  • Physical Therapy Centers: Red light therapy is used here for pain management and muscle recovery. Using red light during your physical therapy will increase the speed of your recovery and help you get back to your regular routine in no time.

  • Medical Spas: These spas offer aesthetic treatments, including red light therapy for skin rejuvenation and anti-aging. The ultimate biohacking is adding red light therapy with any medical spa services, many spas offer a few treatments in one service for ultimate cellular repair.

  • Tanning Salons: These offer different types of red light therapies, you will need to do some investigation on the type of unit they offer. If they are pink tubes and not LEDs, they will only deliver red light and not near infrared for deep tissue recovery.

Home Use Guidelines

Choosing the Right Device

Selecting the right red light therapy device is the first step in your journey. Here are some factors to consider:

  • Type of Device: small panels, handheld devices, facial devices, blankets, wraps, belts, and full-body panels are popular choices for home use. Small and large panels are versatile and can cover larger areas, while handheld devices are great for targeted treatments.

  • Wavelengths: Look for devices that emit light in the red light ranges of 620-675nm and near infrared ranges of 800-910nm. These ranges have been shown to be the most effective by clinical studies.

  • Power Output: The power output or irradiance, measured in milliwatts per square centimeter (mW/cm²), determines the intensity of the treatment. For home use, devices with 50 mW/cm² are typically sufficient. When deciding on which device to choose always opt for the higher output.

Setting Up Your Device

Once you've chosen your device, proper setup is essential for effective treatment:

  1. Placement: Position the device so that the light is directly on the area you want to treat. Read the manufacturers instructions on distance. Most panels measure their power at a 6-12 inches from the skin.

  2. Timer: Most devices come with a built-in timer. Set it according to the recommended treatment duration, usually between 10-20 minutes per session. If using a smaller device like a wrap or belt. You can complete a treatment in multiple areas of the body in 20 minute increments.

Treatment Protocol

Consistency is key to seeing results with red light therapy. Follow these guidelines for optimal benefits:

  • Frequency: For most conditions, 3-5 times per week is recommended. If using for pain or post surgery try to do a session twice a day, once in the am and again in the pm in the afflicted area. Do this for a the first 3 weeks and then once pain and inflammation subside more you can drop back to 3 - 5 times a week, once a day for maintenance

  • Duration: Each session should last between 10-20 minutes. If the area you are treating gets too warm or uncomfortable, use the pulsing or flashing feature to reduce the intensity.

  • Routine: Incorporate red light therapy into your daily or weekly routine. Red light therapy is accumulative, the more frequent and consistent you do your home device sessions, the better the outcomes. Consistency helps in achieving better results over time.

Safety Precautions

While red light therapy is generally safe, it's important to take certain precautions:

  • Eye Protection: There is a lot of debate about eye protection and red light therapy treatments. Red light therapy is unlike UV tanning rays, where UV can burn the eyes and cause cornea damage. Red light and near infrared in the narrow wavelengths of 625-675nm & 810-900nm does not cause UV damage but it is not recommended to look directly at these lights during treatment and to wear eye protection. Staring at any bright lights over time can cause damage and lead to cataracts and blindness.

  • Malignant Cancers: There is a

    theoretical risk that red light therapy

    may increase cell proliferation in

    malignant cancers.

  • Consultation: If you have any underlying medical conditions or are taking medication, consult with a healthcare professional before starting red light therapy.

Treatment Protocol

Professional treatments may vary depending on the condition being treated, always speak with a professional about the protocol they recommend for your specific conditions.

  • Initial Consultation: Your first session will typically involve an assessment of your condition and the development of a treatment plan.

  • Session Frequency: Depending on your goals, you may need weekly sessions initially, followed by maintenance treatments.

  • Duration: Professional sessions can range from 20-30 minutes, depending on the intensity of the treatment.

Safety and Aftercare

Professional treatments are generally safe, but it’s important to follow aftercare instructions:

  • Post-Treatment Care: Avoid direct sunlight and use gentle skincare products following facial treatments.

  • Hydration: Drink plenty of water to help your body recover and maximize the benefits of the therapy.

  • Follow-Up: Attend follow-up appointments to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

Experience a Versatile and Effective Treatment Option for a Variety of Health and Aesthetic conditions.

Whether you’re using it at home or seeking professional treatments, understanding how to use red light therapy correctly can help you achieve the best results. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can safely and effectively incorporate red light therapy into your wellness routine.

If you have any further questions or need assistance in choosing the right device, feel free to contact us. Start your journey towards better health and rejuvenated skin today with red light therapy!

FAQs About Red Light Therapy Use

What conditions can be treated with red light therapy?

Red light therapy can treat a wide range of conditions including acne, wrinkles, joint pain, muscle soreness, and chronic wounds. Its versatility makes it suitable for both aesthetic and therapeutic purposes.

Are there any side effects of red light therapy?

Side effects are rare and typically mild, including temporary redness or irritation. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

How quickly will I see results?

Results vary depending on the condition being treated and the frequency of treatments. Some people notice improvements after just a few sessions, while others may take several weeks to see significant changes.

Is red light therapy safe for everyone?

Red light therapy is generally safe for most people. However, individuals with certain medical conditions or those taking specific medications should consult with a healthcare professional before starting treatment.