How Red Light Therapy Improves Wound Healing, Reduces Wrinkles & More

Red light therapy is all the buzz right now, devices and sellers are popping up everywhere boasting about the benefits of red light therapy at home for a variety of concerns, including acne and skin issues, but does it really work? Can red light therapy really turn back time, reduce wrinkles and acne, improve wound healing time, and more? How does it work exactly? We are going to dig deeper and answer these questions, but in short, the answer is YES and there is science to support it because it has actually been used and studied for decades!

One of the many benefits of light therapy is its ability to promote collagen production, which can significantly enhance skin health and appearance and is essential for wound closure and tissue regeneration. By improving circulation and reducing inflammation, red light therapy helps create an optimal environment for healing to occur. This blog will explore how light therapy works, its effects on collagen production, and its role in reducing acne and skin issues and improving wound healing times.

Understanding How Light Therapy Works

Light therapy utilizes specific wavelengths of therapeutic light to penetrate the skin and stimulate the mitochondria to induce various biological responses. In simple terms, our mitochondria are the powerhouse of our cells, producing the energy our body needs to maintain and repair our skin cells. Because our mitochondria are extremely sensitive to light, light therapy stimulates the release of nitric oxide and in a nutshell, increasing nitric oxide levels in the body offers a host of benefits!

From an aging and wrinkles perspective, as we age, our mitochondrial function declines, leading to increased oxidative stress. This stress can damage skin cells and accelerate the aging process, contributing to wrinkles. From a wound healing perspective, tissues that need to heal require increased oxygen, nutrients, energy and growth factors to carry out processes such as cell migration, proliferation, and the synthesis of new tissue. Healthy mitochondria are essential for wound healing and repairing damaged skin cells and their decline can impair this repair process and exacerbate the appearance of wrinkles. So if we can find a way to boost our body's natural healing process, we can improve our mitochondrial function! And this is where light therapy come in!

Two primary types of light therapy are commonly used for acne treatment and skin conditions:

1. Blue Light Therapy: Acts as an antimicrobial, targeting the bacteria which contributes to acne formation and wound infection. The blue light penetrates the skin and reduces bacterial load, thereby decreasing inflammation, promoting wound healing and preventing new breakouts.

2. Red Light Therapy: Focuses on stimulating cellular processes, including collagen production. This type of therapy uses longer wavelengths that penetrate deeper into the skin, promoting healing and reducing inflammation.

How Light Therapy Promotes Collagen Production

Collagen is a protein that provides structure and elasticity to the skin. As we age or experience skin damage, collagen production decreases, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. Light therapy can enhance collagen synthesis through several mechanisms:

1. Increased Fibroblast Activity: Red light therapy stimulates fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen. A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that exposure to red light significantly increases fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition in the skin.

2. Enhanced Blood Circulation: Light therapy improves blood flow, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the skin. This enhanced circulation aids in the healing process and boosts collagen synthesis.

3. Reduction of Inflammation: By reducing inflammation, light therapy creates a more favorable environment for collagen production. Chronic inflammation can hinder collagen synthesis, so minimizing it can facilitate better skin health.

Light Therapy and Acne Treatment

The benefits of light therapy for acne extend beyond just reducing breakouts; it also improves the overall texture and appearance of the skin. Here’s how it helps:

1. Reducing Active Acne: Blue light therapy effectively kills acne-causing bacteria, leading to fewer breakouts. A clinical study in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology showed marked improvement in acne severity after consistent blue light treatment.

2. Improving Skin Texture: As collagen production increases, the skin becomes firmer and smoother. This helps diminish the appearance of acne scars and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, common issues for those who have experienced acne.

3. Non-Invasive and Safe: Light therapy is a non-invasive treatment option, making it suitable for various skin types. Unlike some traditional acne treatments, it has little to no side effects when used responsibly.

Conclusion

Light therapy has emerged as a promising treatment for wound healing, acne and other skin issues, offering a dual benefit of reducing breakouts and promoting collagen production. By harnessing the power of therapeutic light, individuals can decrease wound healing time and achieve clearer, healthier skin while minimizing the appearance of scars and improving overall texture. If you're considering light therapy, check out our 5 Wavelength Handheld Torch, featuring all of the premium features (includes blue light as well as pulsing technology) and 5 wavelengths at an affordable price, along with our introduction to light therapy course and loads of additional resources in our customer portal to ensure you have the tools you need to be successful!

Or try our Red and Infrared Tabletop panel. A simple, results driven panel that can be used from a nightstand or even from just about any position using the included door hanger and pulley system! Plus you can always reach out to our team of Certified Light Therapists anytime for further assistance. We are proudly a woman owned, California based business! Thank you for your support!