Red Light Therapy to heal your body

Do you want to recover faster from workouts?

Have a healthier skin?

Do you want to have more energy during the day?

Do you have a tool to help you synchronize your circadian rhythms and sleep better?

In this article we talk about the benefits of red light for our health, the natural and free option, and the technological option to help us with the frenetic rhythms of our daily lives.

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What is red light therapy?

Red light therapy (known by the acronym RLT) is a treatment that consists of exposing the body to red light to obtain a variety of benefits such as helping to heal the skin, muscle tissue recovery, inflammatory processes... 

Red and infrared light lie between visible light and microwaves in the electromagnetic spectrum.

The red light emits in the wavelength corresponding to 625-740 nm in the visible spectrum of light.

beneficios luz roja

The infrared corresponds to the 850 nm spectrum, and our eyes only capture the waves between 400-700 nanometers, so we do not see the infrared. They are invisible to the naked eye, but can be seen by the human eye and feel how they radiate heat and reach deeper tissues than red light..

Red light benefits

Red light therapy sends energy to the cells through both visible and invisible waves picked up by the natural receptors in our tissues. In this process:

  • cells create more energy to function and repair themselves better.
  • decreases inflammation 
  • promotes the elimination of toxins
  • this list of benefits of the red light is constantly growing.

As a whole, it helps to improve overall health, especially in the skin and muscle tissue.

Do I need a RLT device?

If you live like the majority of people in the 21st century and spend more time inside a building than outside, the red light will be of great help to provide that extra light your cells are waiting for.

We live in an environment with a lot of blue light and little exposure to red and infrared light and this means that we are "poorly illuminated" although most people are not yet aware of this problem.. 

As always, it is enough to look back at the behavior of our ancestors.

We have gone from living outdoors virtually all the time to the point where it is normal to leave the house only to get in the car, go to work, go shopping, and return home. And this radical change in behavior can only have negative consequences.

In addition to the fact that we spend little time outdoors, many people are accustomed to doing so with sunglasses that block light from entering the eyes. Do not confuse these glasses with blue light blocking glasses that are recommended to rest your eyes from electronic screens and sleep better.

Lack of exposure to natural light causes all kinds of pathologies such as malfunction of: organs, immune system, energy production, hormonal... 

terapia con luz roja

We could say that red light therapy works as a supplement.

It is a step in the right direction as it helps to raise awareness and increase exposure, but is not a substitute for natural light. 

Free natural red light

The best way to take advantage of red light is in its natural state, and it's free.

Lack of red light should not be a problem with sufficient outdoor exposure (wearing little clothing).

Since sunbathing naked or semi-naked is not the most common thing to do on a daily basis, red light equipment can help us make up for these shortcomings.

Uses of red light therapy

There are many cases in which the red light can help:

  • Mitigate pain
  • Reduce inflammatoryprocesses: arthritis, surgeries, acne, fibromyalgia...
  • Improve the brain health
  • Regenerate the eye health
  • Optimizing our hormones
  • Improve the state of mindWhen the weather is gray, it is easy to feel down and it is because of the lack of red light. RLT improves mood even in cases of depression.
  • Recovery muscle and improvement of physical performance
  • Rejuvenation and beauty of the skin: This technique has been used in beauty salons for a long time because it gives very good results. It can reduce acne by reducing the inflammatory process, stimulating collagen production and improving cellular hydration of the skin, helping to improve its appearance.
  • Promotes the hair growth painless, without the cumbersome procedure of transplantation, nor the rebound of other hormonal treatments.
  • Improved sleep.
  • Healing of wounds: reduces inflammation and promotes the formation of new tissue.
  • Loss of weightStudies have shown positive effects of TLR use in burning fat and reducing cellulite.

It is important to emphasize that red light is not a miracle cure, but just one more ingredient in the complex formula for good health: lack of nutrients and sedentary lifestyle, exposure to toxins, alteration of the circadian rhythm... The application of red light therapy in a negative health environment will not produce optimal results.. 

Red light for recovery in CrossFit

In CrossFit we do very difficult things and many times the recovery protocols are also uncomfortable (cold water, myofascial massage...) but the red light is an exception.

By simply exposing our naked skin to light, our body's cells receive an extra boost of energy that supports and optimizes the body's natural healing process.

Which light to use?

Red + infrared to reach deeper tissues.

How to use it?

Position yourself at a distance of 5 - 10 cm from the light focusing on the area to be treated. You can even touch the light directly, but it is recommended to shorten the exposure time.

When?

To maximize therapy, we recommend the pre-workout and post-workout session, with about 5 to 10 minutes per area. It can be used twice a day (morning and afternoon) independently of training if it is not possible to coincide with training.

If you are recovering from an injury, dawn and dusk are ideal times for treatment, as well as before and after rehabilitation work.

It is best to avoid red light exposure after sunset, as it can interfere with falling asleep.

Which one to buy?

You can choose the most suitable one depending on the main use you are going to give it. We have tried 2 types:

Kineon Move +

A small and handy red light fixture that will , can be taken anywhere.

The device has 3 modules and each module has 8 deep red LED lights (650nm) and 10 infrared diode lasers (808nm).

Kineon Move + works

It has adjustable straps so that you can wrap it around the area to be treated, for example: knee, elbow, shoulder, ankle... The box also includes a charger with cable and a portable case.

kineon Move + buy

Pros

  • VersatilityThe fact that you can do the red light session while sitting at the computer, watching TV or in the car increases the frequency of use.
  • PortabilityNo need to skip your red light session if you travel, the device comes in a hard case to keep it protected. It does not have a large volume, you can carry it in one hand.
  • Price:The cost of this small device is more economical than other red light devices on the market.

Cons

  • The area you treat in each session is reduced. If you have to use it in several areas, you will need more time than with a large panel.
  • Since it runs on batteries, you will sometimes want to use it, but you will have to charge it first.

Full Stack by The Red Light Therapy

It is a panel large enough to illuminate your entire body at the same time.. It can be hung on the wall or on a door.

When you buy it, it comes with the door hanging accessoryIt is recommended that it does not stay there permanently, as it is a very heavy device. We bought an anchor so that it could always be on the wall, so we don't have to think about hanging it up and taking it down after each session.

You can get this model or any other model of the brand at a discount by using the code ANABELPUMP.

red light panel
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Pros

  • Size: it is very large and that makes it ideal for muscle recovery as well as for treating any injury since it is very easy to use. application area is so wide that it makes it very efficient.
  • Always available because it is plugged to de power point and does not depend on batteries.
  • If you have decided to hang it on the wall or have it on a stand, all you have to do is undress and turn on the button. No assembly required every time you want to use it.

Cons

  • The initial investment. Except for the business and professional line, it is the most expensive device in the store.

Bon Charge

boncharge red light panel

Pros

  • Size: intermediate. The application area is sufficiently large to make it efficient.
  • Always available because it is plugged to de power point and does not depend on batteries.
  • Includes supportYou only have to look for a place where you are comfortable near the current.

Cons

  • The initial investment. The device has an average price compared to the previously reviewed models.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Red light therapy is a natural, safe, non-contact remedy that has no side effects compared to prescription drugs.

Does the red light burn?

It is best to follow the protocols specified for each target, but in any case, the TLR uses very low heat levels, so it does not damage or burn the skin.

The light may bother your eyes, and it is bright, but it is not harmful, in fact it is good to look at. It is recommended to keep your eyes open and to change the focus so that it does not dazzle, but in no case is it harmful.

Red light only or infrared?

According to purpose you want to buy a TLR for, you will have to consider the wavelength.

If you want to treat deep tissue, your red light therapy device should have infrared LEDs. If you want to treat skin or improve your eye health, a red light only device is sufficient.

Differences with red bulbs

Red ambient lights only emit red colored light to avoid blue and green waves. They are usually used when the sun has already set so that artificial light does not interfere with the work of the mitochondria and sleep rest.

In this post we developed the theme of lights using blocking glasses and red lights to protect your sleep.

Are they all the same?

It is easy to "get cheated". If you look for something cheap on Amazon it can end up being expensive.

Make sure the equipment you buy has the right wavelengths for your condition and enough power to be effective, if they are weak you will not notice their effects.

At The Red Light Terapy your devices are warranted for 3-5 years depending on the model.

In addition, on their website you can consult their guides in Spanish to use light in the best way according to the objective, determining the best device, times, distances, type of wave... along with the studies that support these recommendations.

In Bon Charge you have 1 year warranty, and 30 days to return or exchange it if after testing the product is not to your liking.

With Kineon, a brand that is sponsoring many elite CrossFit athletes, you have a one-year guarantee.

How long does it take to see results?

Most treatments require a period of weeks or even months. 

It is important that the treatment is constant. Red light therapy works at the cellular level and cells can only absorb a certain amount of energy at a time.

For this reason sessions of more than 20 minutes are never recommended because they are no longer effective.

Exposure should be routine if you want to fully enjoy the benefits.

What is the red light mask used for?

It is a red and infrared light device in the shape of a mask so that you can use it specifically for the face. If you are interested in this type of product more focused on aesthetics and improvement of facial skin read our review.

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Anabel Avila

With a degree in Business Administration and Management, I changed the course of my life by starting this blog that has become one of the references in terms of information about CrossFit. I fell in love with this sport in 2014. I have covered CrossFit news in Diario AS and I have visited the CrossFit Games 3 times.