Red Light Therapy & Photobiomodulation

“I have used photobiomodulation (red light) devices on my face, neck, gall bladder, liver, back, and even my testicles (it optimizes hormones, increases testosterone)” – James

When was Red Light Therapy introduced?

RLT was first introduced in the 1960s to treat wrinkles. It was not until the 1990s that RLT began to be used for other skin conditions, such as scars and stretch marks. Of course, now, you can see these devices have advanced to the point of being affordable and small enough 

It was developed as a treatment for wrinkles because promoters thought that the red light would stimulate collagen production, the protein that makes up the connective tissue in the skin.

The FDA approved RLT in 2003 as a treatment for joint pain and inflammation. It has been used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve pain, and other conditions. 

How does RLT work?

RLT works by using low-level lasers or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to emit red light at a wavelength of 630-670 nanometers (nm). Chromophores absorb this wavelength of light in the skin, which leads to an increase in collagen and elastin production. The result is firmer, smoother, and more elastic skin.

The process starts with the light energy absorbed by chromophores in the skin, which are molecules that absorb light. The chromophores then convert the light energy into heat energy, which triggers collagen and elastin production.

Red Light Therapy on the Thymus Gland & Boosting Immune Function 

I am always looking for ways to boost my immune function. My roughly $1300 investment in my own red light device at home was an investment in my long term health. Let’s get into how this can improve your immunity.

The thymus gland is located in the chest and is responsible for producing T cells, a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection. RLT has been shown to increase the production of T cells in the thymus gland, which can help boost the immune system.

According to the National Center of Biotechnology Information, how the immune system responds to low-power laser light intensity depends on the cumulative dose and where the surface is irradiated. Different populations of cells responded differently to laser radiation. T cells were more responsive among the examined populations of cells. If the exposure to low-intensity laser light does not last more than ten days, the immune cell activity will increase. If you expose the cells to low-intensity laser light for a more extended period, then the changes in the immune system will be more severe, up to immunosuppression. This means that there are diminishing returns with red light therapy; more is not always better. Find the sweet spot. 

“When low-power laser treatment was applied to the thymus projection region, it resulted in more immunomodulatory benefits. The increase in IL-2 and Hsp70 synthesis observed following short-term laser therapy may be reversed after repeating therapeutic treatment. We propose that additional therapies should be used to aid immune system stability long-term,” according to E G Novoselova and colleagues of the Institute of Cell Biophysics in Russia.

Other areas of benefit with Red Light Therapy?

Here re are some of the red light therapy uses that you should know:

• Dementia. In one small study, people with dementia who received near-infrared light therapy on their heads and through their noses for 12 weeks had better memories, slept better, and were angry less often. In these neurocognitive disorders, studies have found that red light therapy can make mitochondria more dense, increase blood flow, improve glucose metabolism and  help with the formation of new synaptics in the brain. 
• Dental pains. After red light therapy, some people with temporomandibular dysfunction syndrome (TMD) had less pain, clicking, and jaw tenderness.
• Reverse Hair Loss! In this study, participants saw a 39% increase in hair growth after a protocol  Some people who lost hair because of a genetic condition started to grow thicker hair after using an at-home RLT device for 24 weeks. People who used a fake RLT device didn’t get the same results.
• Osteoarthritis is a condition that can cause a lot of pain. One study found that red and infrared light therapy can help to reduce this pain by more than 50%.
• Tendinitis. A study of 7 people showed that RLT might help lessen inflammation and pain in people with Achilles tendinitis.
• Wrinkles, skin damage, and other signs of aging. Research shows that RLT may help to smooth your skin and reduce wrinkles. RLT also helps with acne scars, burns, and the effects of UV sun damage.