Introduction
Ever feel like you practically run on coffee fumes thanks to your late-night adventures? You're not alone! But what if there was a way to naturally boost your energy, even as a night owl? Or perhaps you're struggling with sleep and thinking of a way to naturally regulate your sleep cycle? Whatever the reason is, I feel your pain!
To be honest, those late nights can leave their side effects: tired eyes, a dull face, and sluggish brains! Right?
You're not alone. So, here, meet the game-changer: Red light therapy. This isn't a passing trend; it could be your companion in improving your health. With its amazing powers, red light therapy improves both skin health and overall well-being.
Are you ready to stay healthy and fit? This article will cover how red light therapy can help night owls achieve their health and wellness goals.
Red and LED Light Therapy Miracles for Night Owls
Red and LED light therapy use specific wavelengths of light to provide amazing benefits. Here, I will discuss some important benefits of RLT.
Improved Sleep Quality
If you're reading this at 2 AM, you're likely one of 70 million Americans who suffer from some type of sleep disorder. Maybe you're also exhausted by the side effects of sleeping pills, or you feel that a lack of sleep affects your quality of life.
If you're a night owl, your circadian rhythm is slightly longer than 24 hours, significantly affecting melatonin production. Using red light at night can help your body transition into its sleep cycle more naturally. Red light therapy uses visible light between 660nm and 850 nm-which is not the same as harmful ultraviolet light-to help regulate circadian rhythms.
Studies on red light therapy have indicated that it promotes melatonin production, thereby regulating your "circadian clock," and helping you get healthy sleep. Several scientific studies back these benefits. A similar study conducted on female basketball players also showed a dramatic improvement in their sleep quality and performance.
Wound Healing and Tissue Repair
Red light therapy can promote wound healing and tissue repair by increasing cell proliferation and tissue regeneration. This can be beneficial for individuals dealing with chronic wounds or injuries. A study investigated the impact of red light therapy on tendinopathy-associated pain. The researchers concluded that RLT reduces pain by boosting blood flow to the injured area. This speeds up the healing process by interrupting the pain-spasm-pain cycle.
Deeply penetrating the injured tissues, the red light stimulates the production of collagen, prevents the growth of excessive scar tissue, and promotes cell regeneration. This helps in faster tissue healing, increases flexibility, and enables you to resume normal conditions earlier than anticipated.
Enhanced Skin Health
Are you a night owl who is battling dullness and signs of fatigue? No worries! For skin health, red light therapy does wonders. It's effective for the following skin conditions:
- Glowing skin tone and texture:It stimulates the production of collagen, the protein responsible for skin elasticity and freshness, and also improves your texture and skin tone.
- Reduces wrinkles and fine lines: A study conducted in 2020 demonstrated that red light therapy reduces the appearance of aging signs by increasing fibroblasts, which in turn increases the production of collagen.
- Minimizes dark circles: And guess what? Dark circles under your eyes? Red light therapy can help minimize the dark circles under your eyes, those unwanted shadows that often accompany late nights. This happens by improving blood circulation and reducing inflammation in the delicate under-eye area.
- Treats acne: Red light therapy works well for treating acne-prone skin. It has been shown in a recent study to reduce acne breakouts by 36%.
- Reduces scarring: Scaring affects about 100 million people every year. Scar tissues produce less collagen when red light therapy is used, which prevents scars from getting thicker.
Reduced Fatigue and Improved Energy Levels
Have you ever had those moments when you feel as though your body is constantly exhausted and lethargic? Red light therapy has been demonstrated to raise energy levels and even improve muscle performance. If athletes want to reach their full potential, they need to be extremely energetic and resilient. Red light therapy stimulates mitochondrial activity and increases ATP production (cellular energy). Studies have also shown that applying red light therapy to the muscles during rest and after exercise increases resistance to muscle fatigue. Red light therapy also helps in muscle recovery _ a benefit regardless of whether it is used before or following exercise.
Different Types of Light Therapy for Home Use
There are several types of light therapies, each with unique properties and functions. Let's discuss it!
Red Light Therapy:
This therapy utilizes specific red light wavelengths typically ranging between 620-750 nm. Basically, red light therapy is used for:
- Skin health
- Wound healing
- Tissue repair
- Overall well-being
- Pain relief
LED Light Therapy:
LED (Light-Emitting Diode) light therapy consists of a broad spectrum, including red light therapy. However, colors like blue and yellow are also used in it.
- Red light: benefits are mentioned above
- Blue light: used for acne treatment
- Yellow light: for treating hyperpigmentation and sun damage
Red and Blue Light Therapy Combinations:
Some devices are designed in such a way that they can combine red and blue light therapy. These devices offer a diverse approach. This can be beneficial for individuals who are struggling with both skin aging problems and acne.
Cautions and Safety Precautions
- Consult a healthcare professional before starting any light therapy
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions
- Start slow and gradually increase treatment time
- Wear protective eyewear during treatment
- Discontinue use if irritation occurs
- Don't use it on open wounds or burns
- It is not a replacement for medical treatment; consult your doctor for any health concerns.
Conclusion
Red light therapy is a safe, risk-free natural treatment that can have significant benefits for many health issues—it improves skin health, tissue repair, and overall well-being in people struggling with the effects of staying up late at night. Hundreds of peer-reviewed clinical research studies have proven the effectiveness of red light therapy for overall well-being. So, if you want to receive red light therapy or LED light therapy, be sure to discuss it with your trainer/coach or doctor about any concerns you have related to this treatment.
References:
- Antonialli, F. C., De Marchi, T., Tomazoni, S. S., Vanin, A. A., dos Santos Grandinetti, V., de Paiva, P. R., Pinto, H. D., Miranda, E. F., de Tarso Camillo de Carvalho, P., & Leal-Junior, E. C. (2014). Phototherapy in skeletal muscle performance and recovery after exercise: effect of combination of super-pulsed laser and light-emitting diodes. Lasers in medical science, 29(6), 1967–1976.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-014-1611-7
- Heiskanen, V., & Hamblin, M. R. (2018). Photobiomodulation: lasers vs. light emitting diodes?. Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology, 17(8), 1003–1017.https://doi.org/10.1039/c8pp90049c
- Doyle, A. T., Lauber, C., & Sabine, K. (2016). The Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Pain Associated With Tendinopathy: A Critically Appraised Topic. Journal of sport rehabilitation, 25(1), 83–90.
- Zhao, J., Tian, Y., Nie, J., Xu, J., & Liu, D. (2012). Red light and the sleep quality and endurance performance of Chinese female basketball players. Journal of athletic training, 47(6), 673–678.https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-47.6.08
- Zhao, J., Tian, Y., Nie, J., Xu, J., & Liu, D. (2012). Red light and the sleep quality and endurance performance of Chinese female basketball players. Journal of athletic training, 47(6), 673–678.https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-47.6.08
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