Is zapping your face with red light the secret to bright, youthful skin?
Is zapping your face with red light the key to bright, youthful skin?
Many TikTokers agree, with videos tagged #red light therapy receiving over 96 million views on the platform. Users in the films expose their skin to red light to treat a variety of cosmetic concerns, such as acne, age indications, and hair loss.
It turns out that the TikTokers were onto something, and the red light has been on dermatologists' radars for quite some time.
"Red light is something dermatologists have been using for quite some time now," says Dr. Anthony Rossi, a dermatologist in New York. "I'm a big fan of red light therapy because I use it in the clinic."
What exactly is red light therapy?
Skincare lovers may cringe reflexively at the prospect of purposely exposing their skin to radiation. After all, ultraviolet radiation from the sun causes a slew of issues, including premature aging and, in the worst-case scenario, skin cancer.
However, red light, a spectrum of visible light with a wavelength of around 600 nanometers, shows promise as a safe way of healing the skin of many issues, according to Dr. Danilo Del Campo, a Chicago-based dermatologist, who adds that scientists began researching the effects of red light on the body in the 1960s and discovered it helpful in healing wounds.
This is because red light, he claims, encourages the formation of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, an energy complex he refers to as "the mother of all energy compounds."
Red light treatment, he claims, can heal wounds and stimulate hair growth by increasing ATP levels. Though the most extensive and robust studies have shown red light therapy's effectiveness in these two areas, Dr. Del Campo adds that smaller studies have shown red light therapy's potential in regulating the skin's oil production, thereby reducing acne, and boosting the skin's collagen production, thereby reducing signs of aging.
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"It's still an exciting field that hasn't been explored in large trials yet," he says.
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What do medical professionals think about red light therapy?
Nonetheless, dermatologists believe current clinical evidence suggests that red light therapy is safe to attempt and available at many dermatology offices. If you're interested, here's what you should know:
- First, consult your dermatologist: It is critical to initially consult with a board-certified dermatologist and express your interest in red light therapy. Dr. Rossi favors this treatment over at-home devices since most dermatologists can deliver it in their offices. "Seeing a board-certified dermatologist who does red light therapy... is probably your best bet because the tools they're using are medical grade, standardized, they know how to use them, and they know how to place them properly," he says.
- Not all home-use red light treatment devices are equal: Dr. Del Campo recommends acquiring an at-home red light therapy device, such as a mask, from a reputable business or one your dermatologist approves.
- Remember that what is good for your skin may not suit your eyes. "I always tell my patients that if they're going to use a red light panel at home, they should wear proper eye protection," Dr. Rossi continues. "You don't want them to have eye problems, so they shouldn't look directly at the light."
- Keep the rest of your skincare routine: Dr. Del Campo says that red light treatment is a supplement, not a replacement, for your skincare routine, medicine, or frequent sunscreen application.