Learning about new types of health treatments can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially with the amount of varying information available online. Many people turn to "Dr. Google" to answer their questions about alleviating stubborn symptoms.
At Recharge Lights, our mission is to make this process easier. We believe in educating people on the power of red light and how it can be used to improve health, moving away from quick-fix Western-based drugs that often contribute to ill health and ongoing side effects.
Understanding Red Light Therapy
Previously, we discussed two common questions we get asked daily: What is Red Light Therapy and What Does Red Light Therapy Do? While these are essential questions to understand red light therapy, the million-dollar question that everyone wants the answer to is: How effective is red light therapy?
The Effectiveness of Red Light Therapy
Our customers frequently ask us about the effectiveness of this treatment for improving specific symptoms. From arthritis and joint pain to acne and skin health, many symptoms can be treated using red and infrared light.
What proves the effectiveness of something? Science-based clinical trials and results. In this blog, we’ll provide the facts and compile a list of clinical trials that demonstrate the effectiveness of red light therapy.
Skin Health
In 2014, a controlled trial investigated the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and increased intradermal collagen density. Patients treated with red light experienced significantly improved skin complexion and feeling, as well as increased collagen density. The clinical evaluation of photographs confirmed significant improvement in the intervention groups compared with the control.
In 2004, another study examined the effectiveness of red light therapy in reducing scars. It was found that 17 out of 19 patients who had undergone red light therapy had less visible scars than those who hadn’t, with no side effects following treatment.
In 2016, studies showed that red light quickened the healing process of burns by decreasing inflammation levels and increasing the formation of new tissues. The results suggested that 660 nm and 850 nm LEDs reduced inflammatory response and oxidative stress parameters, decreased dermal necrosis, and increased granulation tissue formation, thus accelerating the repair of burn wounds.
Fat Loss
In 2015, Brazilian researchers conducted a clinical trial on 64 obese women aged 20-40. Participants were divided into an exercise-only group and another group that used red light therapy treatments alongside their exercise program. The study showed that the combination of exercise and red light therapy was more effective in reducing fat mass while increasing muscle mass.
The researchers stated: "Our results demonstrated for the first time that light therapy enhances the physical exercise effects in obese women undergoing weight loss treatment, promoting significant changes in inflexibility metabolic profile."
The same study was trialed again in 2018 with younger obese women. Results showed that women who combined red light therapy with exercise experienced greater reductions in insulin and fat mass than those who only exercised.
Researchers concluded: "Exercise training associated with light therapy promotes an improvement in body composition and inflammatory processes. The light therapy group especially presented positive modifications of WNT5 signaling, FGF-21, and ANP, possible biomarkers associated with browning adiposity processes. This suggests light therapy is applicable in clinical practice to control obesity."
View the clinical studies here & here
Joint Pain & Inflammation
A 2018 study demonstrated that red light therapy targets cellular function concerning the joints, focusing on the root cause of arthritis. Brazilian researchers in photomedicine published a study indicating that cytokine levels were reduced and immune function boosted with red light therapy application. They inferred that light therapy alters the pathway for inflammation caused by arthritis and increases the rate at which inflammation is resolved via immune cell photobiostimulation.
The Journal of Rheumatology published a meta-analysis examining 13 different studies conducted before 2000. These studies found significant evidence supporting the effectiveness of red light therapy in treating arthritis. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis experienced a 70% decrease in pain when red light therapy was applied compared to placebo therapy.
Researchers concluded: "LLLT should be considered for short-term relief of pain and morning stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis."
View the clinical studies here
Clinical Studies Database
Apart from these significant health benefits, there have been over 4,000 clinical studies to date investigating how this therapy can improve various health symptoms and diseases. If you have a specific symptom and want to see whether red light therapy can help improve it, we highly recommend searching the database and reviewing the completed studies.
Using Red Light Therapy at Home
After reading about these health benefits, you can see how effective red light therapy is. There has never been a better time to invest in your own device and start benefiting from this therapy. At Recharge Lights, we provide high-quality devices that are as powerful as clinical-grade devices, allowing you to get all the benefits without paying per session at a health studio or clinic.