THE EXPERIENCE: Stand, skin exposed, between two panels of red lights for up to 10 minutes. The red light is a mix of low levels of red, or near-infrared, light which your body can feel as heat and is visible. The theory for Red Light Therapy is that the red light increases the amount of energy in the skin cells’ mitochondria allowing them to helps repair themselves and become healthier. This improves healing in skin and muscle tissue.

Red Light Therapy doesn’t include UV rays which damage the skin and the heat put off from red light panels is subtle.

WHO MIGHT BENEFIT:

• If you have skin blemishes, wrinkles or scars
• If you have skin issues like acne, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea
• If you have muscle aches
• Potential osteoarthritis pain relief
• Potential hair regrowth
• Potential reduction in fat and cellulite

RESEARCH & REASONS TO BELIEVE:

• Red Light Therapy Benefits
• Red Light Therapy

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: I currently get my Red Light Therapy at Elevate Cryotherapy & Wellness Studio. Personally, I have a couple spots of eczema on my ankles and elbows, stretch marks from having two children a couple decades ago, and sore muscles. So I expose all my skin between the two red light panels.

For the first 5 minutes I stand face-on to the red-light panels. I prefer to close my eyes despite hearing from several studies that the red light will not damage my eyes. For the second 5 minutes I stand with my sides exposed to the red-light panels.

Even though the red lights are intended to generate a lot of heat, I do feel as if the red light penetrates and warms my muscles. (In fact, when I go next to the Cryotherapy Room, my skin temperature is often in the mid-to-upper 80s.)

After six Red Light Therapy sessions over three weeks, the eczema on my ankles and elbows has almost disappeared. My stretchmarks are significantly faded. And while I haven’t yet noticed any reduction in my fat and cellulite, I won’t be upset if I do notice a change in the sessions to come!

TIPS & THINGS TO KNOW:

• If you have specific areas of concern, make sure to prioritize exposure to that area of your skin. Since one area of concern for me was my ankle, I needed to stand with my ankle lifted to ensure it was in the light.
• When you finish, (even if your eyes are shut), things might seem extra blue. Give your eyes a few minutes to readjust to the light.

As I continue using the Red Light Therapy, I’ll keep you posted on any additional updates.