Light-emitting diode technology has been around since the 1960s. In the late 1980s, NASA’s research into growing plants in space was so promising that it led to the use of LEDs for stimulating astronaut health. This, in turn, sparked a huge body of research into LED light therapy for general human wellness. Even if you’re targeting a small area, like your wrist to help relieve carpal tunnel syndrome, keep in mind that the body is not a flat plane. There are bumps and dips, which means that light travels shorter distances to reach the bumps, and longer distances to reach the dips. For example, red light therapy bulb's 660 nm wavelength is immensely beneficial. PlatinumLED panels red light therapy devices produce this wavelength directly from semiconductors using LED technology. A red halogen bulb would produce a variety of lights from a filament, and then pass them all through red glass. We should be clear in stating that these panels are not ' infrared saunas.' They are RLT panels engineered for sauna use. The bulbs only last up to 15,000 hours. If a manufacturer talks about bulb replacement, it's most likely a fluorescent light since LEDs last indefinitely.

The gold standard of studies to determine if a product is effective is a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. This means that a certain number of people with the same range of characteristics (age, weight, race, gender, etc.) get either the study treatment or a placebo (fake or “sham” treatment) for treatment of the same condition. Some studies also include a comparison to another commonly used treatment. Results can then be compared between the emerging treatment versus no treatment (the placebo group) or versus a “current standard” treatment.People with cancer or a history of cancer may decide to avoid red light therapy. A 2019 study suggests that red light therapy may potentially make cancer cells more aggressive. However, more research is still needed and there are also possible benefits. What are the cons of red light therapy? One older study published in the journal Obesity Surgery in 2011 found that when 40 adults with excess weight were regularly exposed to red light therapy, their adipocyte cells released triglycerides, resulting in fat loss. Participants in this study lost approximately 2.1 centimeters of girth over a four-week period [4] Caruso-Davis M, Guillot T, Podichetty V, Mashtalir N, Dhurandhar N, Dubuisson O, Yu Y, Greenway, F. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy for body contouring and spot fat reduction. Obesity Surgery. 2011;21(6):722–729. . The light that emanates from incandescent and halogen lights is diffused. It emanates 360 degrees from the filaments so most of the light energy isn’t even directed toward the skin. Even if it's reflected or directed, the light loses energy as it travels, so very few light photons can be absorbed effectively.

Preliminary scientific results look very promising, though. Here are some of the conditions that are showing potential for treatment with red light therapy. Improvement for Skin and Hair Conditions Red light therapy and other low-level light modalities take advantage of a phenomenon called photobiomodulation, which is how different components of our cells are activated or respond to different wavelengths of light, explains Erum Ilyas, M.D. a Pennsylvania-based board-certified dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology.

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Bjordal JM, et al. (2006). A randomised, placebo controlled trial of low level laser therapy for activated Achilles tendinitis with microdialysis measurement of peritendinous prostaglandin E2concentrations.

For general maintenance and health once or twice a week is acceptable. Are there any risks from red light therapy? This same mechanism is also responsible for many of the benefits of sunlight, which contains the red wavelengths as part of its spectrum. Sunlight however, comes bundled with potentially harmful UV (and potentially beneficial) & blue light, making red light therapy different in various respects. Gaida K, Koller R, Isler C, Aytekin O, Al-Awami M, Meissl G, Frey M. Low Level Laser Therapy—a conservative approach to the burn scar?. Burns. 2004;30(4):362-367.To relieve pain and inflammation associated with ankle tendonitis, rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome and osteoarthritis of the knee. LED red therapy, on the other hand, is limited to only the most effective wavelengths, uncompromised by other light waves, and delivered at incomparable irradiance. Red light therapy appears to be safe and is not associated with any side effects, at least if used short-term and as directed. This therapy is not toxic, not invasive and not as harsh as some topical skin treatments. Unlike the cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or tanning booths, RLT doesn’t use this type of light. Taking a sauna post-exercise has been shown to have benefits as well. In one well-known study, six male distance runners took a sauna after each training session, for three weeks. This resulted in what researchers noted as “a worthwhile enhancement of endurance running performance, probably by increasing blood volume.” Also called photobiomodulation (PBM), this kind of therapy is applied via medical grade LED light panels that produce truly powerful bands of light during frequent or daily sessions of 10 to 15 minutes.