Red light therapy helps to improve our health at the cellular level, and while we’ve spent a few blogs looking at how these therapies can help with pain, muscle recovery and joint conditions like arthritis, we’ve overlooked another benefit of light therapy, and that’s how the technique can improve the health of your skin.
For many clients, having optimal skin health can help them maintain a youthful and healthy appearance. However, as you’ve probably noticed, it gets harder and harder to fight back against natural skin changes caused by aging, so it’s not uncommon to eventually turn to professional help for improving the health of your skin. We typically recommend red light therapy to any patient who wants to improve the appearance of their skin. Below, we explain how low level light therapy can improve the health and appearance of your skin.
Light Therapy And Skin Health
Light therapy uses light waves projected at specific wavelengths to penetrate the body and affect the individual at the cellular level. These light waves kickstart a process known as photobiomodulation. Essentially, these light waves help to fuel mitochondria performance, which helps to create the high-energy molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is your body’s primary fuel cell, making it easier for cells to perform certain functions. Many of those functions can improve or restore your skin health. Red light therapy can help treat:
- Wrinkles – Ultraviolet light from sun exposure breaks down collagen and elastin fibers that help to keep our skin firm and toned. Light therapy can help to improve collagen production and naturally tighten your skin, reducing or eliminating signs of wrinkles. A 2009 study out of Canada found that regular sessions of low light therapy appeared to reduce the depth and severity of wrinkles and skin lines in 94 percent of participants.
- Skin Tone – Your skin tone can develop some patchiness as a result of this collagen breakdown, but red light therapy can help to restore your natural skin tone. A 2014 study out of Germany involving 113 individuals between the ages of 27 and 79 found that participants who were treated with light therapy found that all participants saw improved skin complexion, skin feeling and collagen density.
- Stretch Marks – Stretch marks can develop after our body goes through some physical changes, like after having a baby or if your weight fluctuates a bit. These skin lesions aren’t problematic for your health, but they can be unsightly and something people would rather not have. A 2017 study conducted by researchers in Brazil and Germany found that red light therapy was able to improve skin thickness, collagen formation and elastin density in women who sought to treat an array of stretch marks.
- The Effects Of Tanning – While some feel like a tanning bed provides a short-term visual improvement of their skin health, prolonged tanning bed use has been associated with increased wrinkles and skin lines. Red light therapy is a much more beneficial way to improve the health of your skin than a tanning bed, but if you insist on going this route, consider working to cancel out some of the effects of the tanning bed with red light therapy to boost your skin health.
If you want your skin to have a healthier and more youthful appearance, consider syncing up with the team at HyperCharge Clinic. On top of light therapy, we can also work with you to develop a diet and exercise routine to help you achieve even better skin health. The natural aging process comes for us all, but don’t let your skin show it. Connect with the team at HyperCharge Clinic and let us give your skin that youthful appearance we all want! For more information, contact our team today at (763) 717-8745.