While research is promising on red light therapy, there are still conflicting studies — and some show no benefit for certain health conditions. In general, studies need more standardisation across the board (in dosage and timing) depending on the condition for scientists and practitioners to fully understand red light therapy's range of benefits. Below are potential promising uses for red light therapy, according to experts.
One of the more commonly cited benefits of red light therapy is its effects on skin. It can be used to address:
Red light therapy decreases inflammation to address redness, acne, and hair growth, also allowing topical or oral treatments for these conditions to work even better, says Jagdeo. In addition, when it comes to banishing breakouts, “red light therapy increases our immune defences against the bacteria associated with the formation of acne,” he adds. For lines and wrinkles, these treatments target enzymes associated with the breakdown of collagen and stimulate collagen production, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Being sidelined by an injury is extremely tough mentally and physically, but red light therapy may help you get back on your feet. “Red light can be used to improve skeletal muscle performance, reduce pain, and improve recovery from injury,” says Arany. The authors of a review published in December 2021 in the journal Life noted that PBM might be used in both rehab of sports injuries, and to enhance sports performance, though more research is needed.
Whether you have an ulcer in your mouth or an open sore on your foot, the anti-inflammatory properties of red light have been shown to improve the body’s ability to heal. PBM can activate a potent growth factor that promotes tissue healing and regeneration, something that could be especially important for oral wounds, research has shown.
Pain is notoriously difficult to treat, but light therapy may be a viable tool to help. Red light acts on neurons that transmit pain.
Red light may be better for certain types of pain than others, according to one recent review published in July 2022 in the Journal of Pain. The authors noted there is some evidence of the efficacy of red light for pain conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic low blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and neuropathy.
When used preventively before a chemotherapy or radiation treatment, red light therapy may help decrease side effects, such as pain, and their severity, says Arany, though more human studies are needed to fully understand this benefit.
For example, one study on mice, published in December 2021 in the journal Photonics, found that red light and near-infrared therapy decreased the severity of skin damage in radiation and improved the skin’s ability to heal.
