In this article we discuss the veritable explosion of red light therapy at home services, products and what you need to look for when buying a device.
The Red Light Therapy Popularity Explosion
Red light therapy at home is blowing up in popularity for several reasons. One is the growing body of scientifically validated and proven benefits. There are now thousands of peer reviewed, published scientific studies showing the wide range of health benefits including clearing up skin conditions, removing and repairing wrinkles, muscle repair, hair regrowth, weight loss and much more.
Many healthcare centres, wellness spas and beauty salons have added red light therapy to their services and, as people are wont to do, the demand for quality do it yourself products has increased at a similar rate. Light therapy products are coming in all shapes and sizes to meet the different types of needs people have.
Everything from industrial grade red lights to handheld devices is available today. Not all are created the same so that’s partly why this website exists. We are passionate about helping people make informed decisions so they can enjoy all the great benefits that come with this type of therapy while getting the best bang for their buck.
For people like myself, having a home device is a necessity because let’s face it, spa session prices add up!
Whether you’re curious about what type of equipment is out there, or ready to make an investment in your wellness, we’d like to see more people be able to enjoy this therapeutic practice in the comfort of their own homes.
Below, we’ll walk you through a concise overview of what to look for in a home device, as well as some pointers for how to do your own research.
What to Look For in a Home Device
Irradiance
A Harvard Associate Professor and red light therapy expert, Dr. Michael Hamblin is quoted as saying “total energy is the most important thing” when asked what makes a treatment using red light effective.
Based on this we look for the highest possible total energy output, or what’s known as irradiance. The light that comes from the device must have enough power to penetrate the skin, otherwise it’s all for naught. Many devices we’ve come across can handle this requirement, with the exception of littler lights and the hand-held variety. These other lights have their advantages (they’re easy to carry around) and still provide a therapeutic effect, although it may take longer.
Wavelengths
Wavelengths between 630nm (right on the edge between orange and red) to 850nm are the most studied wavelengths regarding our health. Devices in the 630nm range are most commonly used for skin related therapy and healing. The 660nm range starts working with the tissues and includes muscle repair, reducing inflammation and reducing scarring on the skin.
Wavelengths 700nm and above penetrate deeper in the body and are used for deeper types of healing. The 810nm wavelength can penetrate the skull, so it has proved successful in treating various neurological disorders such as traumatic brain injuries.
It is also used for reducing anxiety and depression, as well as muscle repair and pain management. The 830nm and 850nm have an even more powerful effect and are used for deep bone repair, accelerating wound healing and more intense pain treatment.
Low Flicker
Flicker, sometimes called flicker rate, is a problem for the lighting industry at large. Apparently a high rate of flicker can wreak havoc on our brains so finding a light with low flicker is important to us.
Reliable Manufacturer
You can spot a reliable manufacturer by the types of warranties they provide, as well as money back guarantees and excellent customer service. The great majority of the products we review on our site have this component. We would only highlight one that doesn’t to help protect consumers.
Closing Thoughts
Other than that, you’ll need to consider a few other things such as:
- Will you be standing or sitting while using your device
- Do you want to take it with you when you travel
- What types of treatment you want to do
- How far away you want to be from it
Thanks for reading! Our aim here is to help you make an informed decision so please feel free to view our top picks for red/near infrared combos. Be well and good red lighting!
You may also like:
