Technology is changing how we live. From checking your sleep and other health information from your smartwatch to self-driving cars, there’s an app, artificial intelligence (AI), or gadget to help us do almost anything. Natural healthcare isn’t immune to these advancements. Lately, a certain technology used for wrinkle reduction, temporary pain relief, healing, and other health benefits has been capturing the spotlight—red light therapy.
According to Alyson Evans, DC, red light therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and photobiomodulation (PBM), has been used to treat skin problems, hair loss, and pain management for almost 50 years.
A Brief History of Light
In 1965, a Hungarian physician named Endre Mester discovered that LLLT stimulated the mitochondria and increased cellular energy production, which could, in turn, promote cell repair, regeneration, blood flow, healing, and the reduction of inflammation.
Nearly 100 studies on PBM therapy (PBMT) have been published in biomedical and life sciences journals cataloged by the National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine in the last year. That’s an increase of 400% over the previous four years combined. PBMT, in all its manifestations—LLLT, red light therapy, cold laser—is trending. Dr. Evans, who specialized in lower extremity biomechanics and sports injury rehabilitation for years, explains how PBM works: “Because red and near-infrared light are absorbed through the skin, it energizes the cells, creating a cascade of benefits, including improved circulation, lymphatic function, oxygen consumption, and ATP production—all of which can help the body heal.”
Dr. Evans says she uses PBM to provide her relief from sports injuries. Backing up the published research and her personal experience, a metadata review published by the University of Toronto concluded that PBM demonstrated predominately positive outcomes in minor to moderate sports injuries.
“Sunlight helps all living things grow, energize, and heal. It makes sense that—when used correctly—red light therapy can offer similar benefits.”
What Can PBM do for You?
According to researchers at Cleveland Clinic, PBM has successfully treated and approved by the FDA for such things as acne treatment, cold sores, and wrinkle reduction for years. Proponents believe PBM may also have potential medical uses for other health concerns. Both Mayo Clinic and Harvard Medicine warn that PBM has yet to definitively prove its therapeutic effects on diseases, such as cancer, dementia, or traumatic brain injury, in large-scale human studies. Also, just because a PBM treatment or device is FDA approved, does not mean it is effective. It only means that when the treatment or device is used correctly, it is not dangerous.
Side-effects, Wavelength, and Uses
PBMT may produce side effects for some users, including minor skin redness, itchiness, and changes in pigmentation. Most practitioners suggest that patients not stare directly at the light because it may cause eye sensitivity in some individuals.
All electronic devices, including PBM devices, emit electromagnetic fields (EMFs) as a by-product of the energy they use and create. Many PBMT product manufacturers use copper, aluminum, steel, or nickel to shield LED drivers, LED boards, and power cables to help reduce EMFs.
There is a lot of discussion around the “right” frequency for PBMT. Dr. Evans says it depends on what you are using it for and how long, but most research surrounding the bioactive effects of red and near-infrared light fall in the specific ranges of 630 to 680 nm (red) and 800 to 880 nm (near-infrared). “There have been thousands of scientific studies on red light therapy confirming its safety and effectiveness for a large variety of uses,” Dr. Evans says. “However, everybody is different, and some people are more sensitive to light therapy. You should always check with your healthcare professional before starting red light therapy,” she says. (See 'Suggested Sessions' below.)
According to one medical literature review of PBM, its most studied use is in pain management and dermatology. Michael R. Hamblin, PhD, a world-renowned PBM researcher and former associate professor at Harvard Medical School states that PBM has “proven in clinical trials to have a good effect on pain, inflammation, and tissue repair.” Hamblin’s decades of research also hypothesize potential useful applications of PBM for improving sleep, periodontic health, gut health, and facilitating weight loss, just to name a few.
Staying healthy and feeling good is the goal of all PBMT. Talk to your healthcare professional to determine if this health hack is right for you.
Suggested Sessions
Dr. Alyson Evans shares these suggested guidelines for PBMT.
- For a PBMT Wrap: Once a day for 20 minutes. You can do multiple body parts for 20 minutes each; just stick to the 20 minutes in any one area.
- For a PBMT Panel: Once a day, 4-6 inches away from the body, for 10-30 minutes. You can do multiple body parts for 10-30 minutes each.
- For PBMT Room Lighting with a Panel: You can use a PBMT panel to light up a room for as many hours during the day or night as you would like. But for sleep, it is recommended that you light your room for only 30 minutes, no sooner than one hour before bed. You can also do 30 minutes for one hour in the morning for an extra boost.
- For a PBMT Face Mask or Wand: Once a day, on any one mode, for 10 minutes, 3-7 times/week. Using multiple modes in one day or in one session is not recommended.
These are good guidelines for most people. A general rule of thumb is that if you increase the duration or frequency, you reduce the light’s intensity and/or increase the distance from the panel or wrap to your body. As always, check with your healthcare professional before beginning any PBMT or making changes to your healthcare routine.
