ABOUT RED LIGHT THERAPY
HOW RED LIGHT THERAY WORKS
Red Light Therapy, which is also known as photobiomodulation and low-level light therapy, utilizes red low-level wavelengths of light to help you achieve a range of health benefits and wellness improvements. Red light is considered “low level” because it works at an energy density that is low when compared to other kinds of laser therapies.
Did you know that Red Light Therapy was used by scientists to help grow plants in space in the early 1990s? The intense light from the red LEDs helped to promote both growth and photosynthesis of plant cells. After this success, red light was heavily studied for its ability to increase the energy inside human cells. Once the mitochondria in your cells has been exposed to red and near infrared wavelengths, the light is transformed into usable energy for your body through the process of cellular respiration.
RED LIGHT & NEAR INFRARED LED LIGHT THERAPY
Did you know that the power of light can be used to improve your health? When combined, powerful red light (660nm) and near infrared (850nm) wavelengths can offer you an effective, therapeutic experience. Wavelengths are sent throughout the entire body to reduce oxidative stress while simultaneously stimulating the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). This process is known as Photobionmodulation and can add measurable energy to the mitochondria of your cells, which can result in improvements such as reduced pain, rejuvenated skin and tissue regeneration.
NEAR INFRARED LED LIGHT THERAPY
At ZEN Natural Wellness, the Red Light Therapy tower utilizes medical-grade LEDs to deliver the optimal wavelengths to the body, without adding additional heat. Each array is equipped with 70 red light LEDs in the 660 nm range and 70 near infrared LEDs in the 850 nm range. This near infrared is absorbed deep below the surface of your skin, helping to penetrate deeper than both mid and far infrared. This light has been shown to help bring energy to cells, reduce pain, increase the production of collagen and elastin in skin cells, improve wound healing process, reduce inflammation, and even provide numerous anti-aging benefits.
FIRST TIME RED LIGHT THERAPY SESSION - What to Expect
If it is your first time experiencing a Red Light Therapy session, you may not know what to expect. Red Light Therapy in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley is becoming popular as an emerging treatment that’s showing promise in treating wrinkles, redness, acne, scars and other signs of aging.
At ZEN Natural Wellness Centre in Abbotsford, our goal is to ensure you have a relaxing first-time Red Light Therapy experience.
Here is our ZEN guide to ensure you have a more comfortable treatment experience:
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your session. Our knowledgeable staff will introduce you to our facility and give you a brief orientation to prepare you for your session.
SESSION DURATION: At this time, each session is 10 - 25 minutes. The Red Light Therapy tower is designed to treat one person.
- Treatment for Beginners: We recommend starting out with a 5-10 minute treatment, slowly working up to a 10-minute session(s) over the course of 2-3 weeks as your body acclimates to the therapy.
- 10-15 Minute Treatment Times: 10-minute treatments per area at 6 inches from your device are optimal. 15-20 minutes for symptomatic areas may be beneficial, but beyond that, the evidence points to diminishing returns (your cells can only absorb so much light at once). For this reason, we recommend you allow at least 6 hours between treatments of the same area.
HYDRATION – Ensure you are hydrated before your infrared sauna session. It is best to drink water or coconut water. Wait a few hours after eating, we recommend about 1-2 hours, before your session.
WHAT TO WEAR – Our Red Light Therapy Panel is in a private room with a locked door. We provide towels to sit on and recommend wearing a bathing suit or undergarments. Whatever you are comfortable with. For effective use, the area of your body that you’re treating needs to be exposed directly to the light. Clothing prevents the red and near infrared light from reaching your cells, so be sure to remove any garments from the part of your body you’re treating.
DURING YOUR SESSION – The red/near-infrared rays need to get through to your skin/tissues/bone. We have a comfortable and private room for you to undress and expose the area you want treated. Light must shine directly on clean, bare skin. You can sit or stand at least 6 inches away from the unit during your treatment.
- Eyes / Glasses: You may safely remove your eyeglasses and contacts for treatments. Red light therapy has been shown in numerous clinical trials to support eye health and vision. However, the LED lights can be quite bright, so we don’t recommend looking at them directly. If it’s too bright, we recommend closing your eyes until it’s comfortable to open them. You may also wear sunglasses. See FAQs below for LASIK questions.
- These are high efficient, medical grade LED lights and low-heat emitting.
AFTER YOUR SESSION – After your treatment, you change and you are on your way! We provide towels to wipe off the sweat.
PRECAUTIONS:
If the following applies to you, we recommend speaking to your doctor prior to your session and/ or rescheduling your session for another day.
Out of caution, we recommend you consult with your healthcare provider if you have any pre-existing conditions or if you take photosensitizing drugs like Tetracycline, Digoxin, Retin A, and others.
Steroids work to suppress the immune system while Photobiomodulation works to stimulate it. The two therapies work against each other which is why we do not recommend they be used together.
As a general rule, we are not able to offer definitive clinical guidance. We recommend consulting with your trusted health care provider.
RED LIGHT THERAPY - HEALTH AND WELLNESS BENEFITS
Current uses and benefits of Red Light Therapy treatments
Red light therapy is a natural, non-invasive, science-backed treatment for a variety of skin and deep tissue conditions. But it has numerous other benefits to health and wellbeing.
The Red Light Therapy Panel at ZEN uses 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.
Red light therapy treats mitochondrial dysfunction, increases collagen production, boosts circulation, reduces inflammation, relieves joint and back pain, helps with exercise recovery, and a host of other things, including reducing the signs of aging.
Benefits of Red Light Therapy treatments include:
- Improved skin tone and complexion
- Enhanced circulation
- Enhanced muscle recovery
- Quicker healing of wounds and injuries
- Reduced acne, rosacea, and eczema
- Reduced pain and inflammation
- Improved appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, scars, and stretch marks
- Increased collagen production
- Relief from Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis Joint Pain
- Brain Health: Neurodegenerative Disorders, Stroke, TBI, and Mental Health
- Weight Loss
The use of Red Light Therapy is not intended to substitute for medical care or treatment. Do not stop your medication without first consulting with your doctor. Red Light Therapy use is NOT a substitute for any conventional medical care.
While there are many clinical and scientific studies conducted on Red Light Therapy throughout the world, it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
