Red light therapy is a cutting-edge, non-invasive treatment that's popular due to its ability to boost collagen and elastin production. Let’s explore the benefits of red light therapy and why it should be added to your skincare routine.
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses low levels of red or near-infrared light to penetrate the skin’s surface. The treatment is designed to rejuvenate skin, reduce inflammation, and boost the body's natural healing processes without causing heat or skin damage.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
Much like photosynthesis in plants, red and infrared (IR) therapy -- or “low-level light” therapy -- uses specific, proven wavelengths to stimulate a natural response in human tissue that can increase circulation, accelerate tissue repair, ease muscle pain, relieve joint stiffness, and enhance overall cell performance on a microscopic level. Infrared (IR) light therapy works by boosting cellular energy to encourage and enhance the body’s natural healing abilities.
Powers Skin Cells With Energy
Research indicates that cells absorb particles of light (photons) and transform their energy into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the form of energy that cells utilize. With more ATP available, your skin cells can carry out their functions more efficiently like repairing damage and producing better-quality tissue.
Activates Fibroblasts
Fibroblasts make collagen and elastin, so when your skin’s exposed to red light, it actually boosts fibroblast activity. This helps give your skin a firmer, smoother look, while helping with overall skin health.
Reduces Skin Damaging Enzymes
Collagen and elastin naturally break down over time due to aging, environmental stressors, and enzymatic activity. Red light therapy can reduce the activity of enzymes like matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which degrade these proteins. By limiting this breakdown, red light therapy helps preserve your skin’s health.
Boosts Circulation
Red light therapy improves blood flow in treated areas, and better circulation means more oxygen, nutrients, and immune support for your skin cells. This creates an ideal environment for repairing skin damage and improving your overall skin health.
Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation damages skin tissue and accelerates collagen breakdown. Red light therapy works as an anti-inflammatory agent, soothing your skin and supporting the healing process. When inflammation is under control, your body can focus on building and maintaining healthy tissue.
Helps With Collagen & Elastin Production
When it comes to keeping your skin looking youthful and healthy, collagen and elastin are the real MVPs behind skin elasticity and resilience. Healthy collagen levels are what give us a glowing complexion, firm skin, strong nails, dense bones, and healthy hair. It is also essential in keeping muscles, joints, and tendons in a healthy working order. Simply put, the more our bodies produce collagen, the better we’ll look and feel as we age and attempt to delay tissue and cell degeneration.
What Are The Benefits of Increased Collagen & Elastin?
Reduced Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Collagen holds your skin up and gives it its structure and firmness. Elastin is what gives your skin its stretch and ability to snap back into place. Together, they keep your skin smooth and healthy, helping to soften fine lines and give your face a fresher, more revitalized look.
Increases Skin Healing
Collagen plays a crucial role in wound repair. By increasing collagen production, red light therapy accelerates the healing process, which is particularly helpful when paired with treatments like tox and filler!
Glowing Skin
When your skin’s structure is healthier, it reflects light more evenly which gives you that natural, radiant glow. The improved circulation from red light therapy also helps your skin appear brighter and more nourished.
Red Light Therapy After Treatments
Red light therapy is an excellent post-treatment option after injectables, dermal fillers, and facials to help speed recovery and enhance results. We use Celluma in-office to deliver targeted, professional-grade light therapy, available as an add-on to many of our services.
After Dermal Fillers & Injections
- Minimizes bruising, swelling, and tenderness
- Supports collagen production and skin healing
- Improves skin texture around the injection site
After Facials
- Soothes redness and inflammation
- Enhances absorption of post-facial products
- Helps fight acne-causing bacteria and boosts radiance
Red Light Therapy FAQs
Can I do red light therapy at home?
Yes, Omnilux LED and Celluma offer a range of at-home red light therapy devices designed for different areas of the face and body.
How do I incorporate red light therapy into my skincare routine?
Use it on clean, dry skin because products can block light absorption. After your treatment, apply a hydrating moisturizer to help enhance product absorption.
Is red light therapy safe?
Yes, red light therapy is non-invasive and safe when used as directed. It doesn’t use UV light, so it won't burn or tan your skin.
How often should I use red light therapy at home?
Depending on your LED device, it’s recommended to use 3-5 times per week for 10-minute to 30-minute increments for 4-6 weeks, followed by maintenance as desired.
How long does it take to see results?
Results vary depending on age, skin elasticity, and frequency of treatment.
Schedule A Skincare Consultation
If you have any questions about how red light therapy could work for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. To find the right skincare routine for your unique needs and skin type, request a consultation with our team, so we can create a personalized plan.
