FREE SHIPPING AUSTRALIA WIDE*
Red light therapy (RLT), also known as photobiomodulation or low-level laser therapy (LLLT), has been gaining popularity in recent years for its ability to safely and effectively accelerate the body’s healing processes.
However great the benefits may be, though, RLT’s are still subject to ongoing research - although a strong base of evidence exists in endorsing its effects, a variety of other topics still need conclusive evidence, in terms of the fundamental safety and efficacy of its healing process for certain demographics. Just like with any approach to physical therapy, caution should be warranted for individuals with medical, physiological or other concerns.
In this article, we’ll cover how red light therapy applies to certain individuals, and explain the reasoning why we generally recommend their avoidance of RLTs without the guidance of their healthcare provider.
We do not recommend using red light therapy for pregnant women, as the body of research surrounding this topic is still sparsely populated, even today.
What we do know is that RLTs can be beneficial to the mother in terms of improving mood and collagen production - but it still hasn't been proven to be undeniably safe for foetal development.
While you may see sites claiming the opposite by linking to peer-reviewed studies, a closer inspection reveals a strong proportion of discourse in the market being centred on ‘bright light therapy’, as a misnomer for the effects of red light therapy. It’s necessary to remember - Bright Light Therapy functions in a spectrum that aims to emulate outdoor lighting, as a means of prompting the body’s hormonal responses to natural light. Red Light Therapy, on the other hand, operates in the visible spectrum that prompts processes of photobiomodulation, and generally generates the least amount of heat in the body.
For example, one study we frequently see is the 2016 clinical trial involving bright light therapy for pregnant women. While red light therapy is mentioned in the study (shown as DRLT, or dim red light therapy), it’s used here as a placebo control to measure the effectiveness of the opposing bright light treatment.
With that in mind, we highly recommend to avoid using red light therapy at home, and instead continue your usage only after you have given birth.
While red light therapy can be beneficial to the eyes - particularly in helping treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - further research is needed to cement the understanding of whether RLT’s may cause any damage to the eyes.
A 2017 review found that there was no ocular damage when using red light therapy (shown as light therapy), but only for physically healthy and unmedicated individuals.
However, out of the 43 articles reviewed, there was no mention of the safety of individuals with pre-existing eye conditions, which may put them at risk.
With this in mind, we highly recommend consulting with your eye doctor before using RLT devices to complement your treatment. We suggest wearing goggles as they can diminish the intense light and minimise any adverse effects.
One study found that the LED lights used in RLT devices can cause a small temperature increase in the skin (up to 2°C),
This is usually fine as it is not noticeable, uncomfortable, nor produces any 'burning' sensation, owing internally to our body's innate thermoregulation, as well as the skin’s general tolerance of heat stress. With this said, tolerance is subjective from individual to individual - and should be taken with a grain of salt, as a measurement to personal risk.
On the above - this process can turn against itself with a fever, as your core temperature skyrockets. This effectively reduces or even cancels out the effectiveness of red light therapy, as higher temperatures induce the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).
ROS, in this case, is characterised by groups of molecules that include free radicals, which are associated with cell damage.
These are just a few of the interactions we’ve noticed in online sources. As a proprietary of RLT products in the industry, we’re always on the lookout to give you factual information for the sake of a safer red light therapy at home.
We also plan to cover more in a later article when emerging studies present themselves, but if you would love to know more about any contraindications we haven’t covered in this article, contact us today.
If you are looking for a safe experience built with your safety in mind, we recommend browsing our collection of Low-EMF/ELF and Flicker-Free RLT devices. If you would love to know how our products hold up against other brands, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a lovely chat!
