FAQ
for Light Therapy Treatments
Is red light therapy safe? Are there side effects from regular use ?
Red light therapy has been rigorously studied and tested for decades, from the labs of NASA to the leading medical research institutions in the world. In 2013, several of the world’s leading dermatologists and clinical researchers from Harvard Medical School, MIT, and a leading Indian research institute published a peer-reviewed meta-analysis noting red light therapy’s “noninvasive nature and almost complete absence of side effects.”
We use only the red and near infrared wavelengths that are clinically-proven to be effective and safe. However, we always recommend consulting with your healthcare provider for specific questions about your health conditions.
Will light therapy treatments cause detox symptoms ?
They can at first if you haven’t been getting very much natural light. If your cells are starved for natural light, a full treatment may cause some detox-related symptoms before your body acclimatizes. If you experience these types of issues, we recommend halting treatments until the symptoms go away. Then start out at 2-3 minutes per treatment area and work your way slowly up to 10 minutes over the course of 2-3 weeks. This will help your body adapt to a higher dosage of light. If you continue to experience detox-related symptoms and have any concerns regarding the use of photobiomodulation,* we recommend stopping treatments and consulting with your healthcare provider.
What if I use Botox?
Botox and other chemical fillers shouldn’t be affected. However, Red Light treatment is designed to increase your skin’s natural collagen production, so you may find you no longer need Botox injections. Consult with your healthcare provider if you have additional questions about how other skin treatments interact with red light therapy.
What if I have breast implants?
Dr. Michael Hamblin,* one of the leading photomedicine researchers in the world, believes silicone breast implants are not affected by clinical, LED-based red light therapy (which gives off very little heat). If you’re concerned about breast or other implants and how they’ll be affected by the treatments, consult with your healthcare provider.
* Dr. Michael Hamblin PhD is a Principal Investigator at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, an Associate Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Affiliated Faculty of Harvard-MIT Division of Health Science and Technology.
What if I recently had LASIK surgery?
Red light therapy is safe for eyes. However, those who have recently undergone LASIK eye surgery may experience more light sensitivity, so using eye protection during treatments is essential while your eyes recover. Consult with your healthcare provider for further questions about LASIK or other eye procedures and how they may be affected by red light therapy.
What if my skin has been burned or damaged prior to treatment?
Red light therapy has been clinically-proven to help damaged skin heal from burns, cuts, scars, and other blemishes.
Any medications I shouldn’t mix with Red Light treatment?
Red light treatment is a natural, non-invasive, chemical & drug-free therapy. We have no knowledge of any issues with users needing specific medications. However, out of caution, we recommend youconsult with your healthcare provider if you take photosensitizing drugs like Tetracycline, Digoxin, Retin A and others.
Can children be subjected to Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy has been found safe, effective, and free of major side-effects in hundreds of clinical studies, including many involving teenagers or younger children, and we have no knowledge of reports of problems with Red Light users and their children. According to the Mayo Clinic**, Light therapy (phototherapy) for new-born babies suffering from infant jaundice may be placed under a special lamp that emits light in the blue-green spectrum. The light changes the shape and structure of bilirubin molecules in such a way that they can be excreted in both the urine and stool. However, out of caution, we recommend you consult with your healthcare provider if you have questions.
Can pregnant or nursing women use Red Light treatment?
Dr. Michael Hamblin,* one of the leading photomedicine researchers in the world, believes red light therapy may be very beneficial during pregnancy due to the prevalence of stem cells. However, there has been no clinical research with red light therapy treatments on pregnant or nursing subjects, so we recommend consulting withyour healthcare provider.
How long does it take to see results?
It varies by person, their health and fitness challenges, how consistent they are with treatments and what size device and coverage they use. Many users report acute energy, mood, performance, and recovery benefits with each use. Many see benefits like reduced inflammation and joint pain in a matter of days, or weeks. More full-body health benefits like skin health, fat loss and other long-term improvements may take 2-3 months of consistent use. If you aren’t seeing results, make sure you’re following the treatment guidelines listed above.
Will red light therapy help with my health condition?
Red light therapy is supported by a robust amount of peer-reviewed clinical data for a broad range of health benefits. On a case-by-case basis, it would be impossible to give definitive guidance when we don’t know a person’s medical history or specific situation. For guidance, consult your healthcare provider.
Blue light Therapy
Blue light therapy is a noninvasive treatment for acne that uses light to kill certain bacteria on the skin. Blue light is a part of visible light. It has a very important role in how our body adapts to light and dark cycles. Our modern lifestyle has increased our exposure to blue light. Not all colors of light have the same effect. Blue wavelengths—which are beneficial during daylight hours because they boost attention, reaction times, and mood—seem to be the most disruptive at night and can disturb sleep. The proliferation of electronics with screens, as well as energy-efficient lighting, is increasing our exposure to blue wavelengths, especially after sundown.* Despite these negative effects, the appropriate use of blue light has several therapeutic benefits.
*Harvard Medical School Health Letter
Does blue light therapy work for acne?
Blue light has a frequency that can kill P. acnes bacteria and treat acne.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, light therapies “show great promise in treating acne,” with many people experiencing a significant improvement in their skin health after a number of sessions.
Blue light therapy can be used to treat acne that is already present on the skin or to control the condition before an outbreak occurs.
WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY?*
Findings that support the effects of blue light therapy for acne include: