How does red light therapy work?
Red light can penetrate the skin to a depth of 8 mm to 10 mm. The energy from that light is used by the mitochondria in the cells to turn it into a form of energy that the other parts of the cells can use for activities such as:
- Improving circulation to the area and encouraging new capillary formation. 1
- Increasing collagen and fibroblast production. 2, 3
- Boosting ATP (raw energy that cells can use) release. 4
- Stimulation of tissue granulation. 5
- Reduction of skin inflammation. 6, 7
- Enhanced “clean up” of the cells (phagocytosis).
- Raised activity from the lymphatic system.
Learn more about red light therapy for rosacea here.
What are the benefits of light therapy for rosacea sufferers?
The processes that red light therapy promotes in the skin can help to generate the following benefits for people with rosacea:
- More even overall skin tone
- Reduction in redness, flushing, and broken capillaries
- Improved natural moisture levels in the skin
- Faster healing of “acne rosacea” bumps and pimples
- Sun damage repair
- Lowered inflammation
- Decrease in rosacea-related skin discomforts such as burning, itching and tightness.
Does infrared light also treat rosacea?
You will find that many red light therapy products include near infrared wavelengths (700 nm – 1200 nm). Will that be helpful or not? Well, it would not be harmful. But it won’t be as helpful as it would be to have the full power of the light devoted to red. Why? Near infrared is used to target deeper areas of the body, such as muscles, joints, bones, and organs. Rosacea affects the surface of the skin. Red penetrates plenty deep enough. Near infrared would be overkill.
Is it safe? Are there side effects?
Right light therapy for rosacea is a natural, safe, alternative therapy. Due to the many advantages that it has been shown to provide, from anti-aging to anti-acne benefits, studies are being continually conducted on the use of these treatments. That said, there have yet to be any adverse side effects that have been discovered in medical studies. There also have not been any side effects reported by any of the users of our products.
If it’s safe, why are goggles provided along with the LED red light therapy products?
The goggles are provided as a precaution against the high glare of LED light therapy.
Do I have to use the light therapy device in the dark?
No. Ambient lighting will not interfere with your treatment.
Can I use red light therapy for rosacea while I’m using other medications?
The majority of medications can be used perfectly safely with red light therapy. However, because there is a vast spectrum of different types of drugs and medications out there and some do cause light sensitivity, it is best to consult with your doctor, dermatologist or pharmacist, just to be sure.
Can I use it with topical rosacea medications?
Some topical rosacea medications can cause light sensitivity. This is why sunscreen is often recommended by the prescribing doctor or the pharmacist who fills prescriptions for this medication.
If you are using a topical medication, you may still be able to use it, provided that you use the light therapy on a clean face and then apply the medication afterward. Check with your doctor, dermatologist or pharmacist about the best way to proceed if you are using a topical medication for your rosacea, to be sure.
Is red light therapy all I will need to make rosacea symptoms go away?
While some people find that regular red light therapy is all they need to keep their rosacea symptoms under control, we recommend a skin care routine that involves several healthy, practical, and realistic practices including:
- Proper hydration – simply by drinking enough water each day.
- Avoidance of triggers – such as certain foods, hot temperatures, excess physical exertion, etc.
- Gentle skin care – using products with mild, anti-inflammatory ingredients.
- Sun protection – limiting direct sunlight (without sunscreen or shade) to 10 minutes or less per day.
- Sleep – regular restful sleep can make all the difference in healing rosacea symptoms.
- Stress management – anxiety is hard on even the best complexion but it is a leading cause of rosacea flare-ups.
How long until I see results?
Results vary from one person to the next and from one case of rosacea to the next. It can depend on your own unique response to red wavelengths as well as the severity of your rosacea symptoms.
The results that you experience will also depend on your skin care routine, your diet, attention to hydration, sleep quality, stress level, exposure to natural sunlight, weather extremes where you live, the amount of physical exertions that you experience in a day, and other factors that can worsen or improve rosacea symptoms.
All that taken into account, some people can start to see some very preliminary benefits after the first 24 hours of use while others will take notably longer. The typical case of rosacea will experience improvements within the first 2 weeks of treatment that has been consistent and according to the LED red light therapy directions. After 4 weeks, there should be a considerable improvement in the visible rosacea symptoms. It has been our experience among our customers that by 12 weeks, many of the symptoms have greatly cleared while many have entirely healed.
It is important to continue maintenance treatments once or twice per week in order to prevent the rosacea symptoms from returning.
Will I have to use red light therapy for rosacea forever? Is this a cure?
Light therapy is not a cure for rosacea. However, red light therapy for rosacea has been shown to be able to control many of the symptoms – both visible (such as redness and bumps) and the overall discomforts (such as dryness, burning, and itching). Light therapy may help prevent permanent damage to your skin while you work with your naturopath or functional medical practitioner to find and address the cause of your rosacea.
