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Light therapy encompasses a variety of treatments that use different wavelengths of light to promote wellness. Among many types of light therapy, red light and infrared light are gaining attention in the beauty, health and wellness industries for their ability to deliver targeted benefits for the skin, muscles and tissues. Today, we’ll explore the unique benefits of both therapies, how they differ, and how they can work together to enhance your wellness routine.
While red light therapy was accidentally discovered in the 1960s when Hungarian scientist Endre Mester noticed that it was promoting hair growth in rats, it sparked further interest in the 90s when NASA experimented with using it to promote plant growth in space, and based on the success, explored how it could impact wound healing for astronauts. Since then, many applications for red light therapy have been explored, and the benefits have gained widespread acceptance in medical, beauty and wellness communities.
Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths of light (typically between 600-650 nm) to penetrate the skin and promote cellular regeneration. Red light is absorbed by the mitochondria – the “powerhouse” of our cells – where it stimulates processes such as collagen production and blood flow.
Key benefits of red light therapy may include:
One of the most well-known benefits of red light therapy is its ability to support glowing skin. Red light supports beauty by stimulating collagen production, which is essential for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. By promoting collagen synthesis, red light therapy can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving the skin a more youthful appearance. Research also shows that red light therapy may be effective in reducing acne scars due to its inflammation reducing properties.
From Solawave’s viral red light wand that helps fade fine lines and blemishes, to red light “starter kits” from Higherdose, there are many ways to harness red light wavelengths to support skin health.
Red light therapy has been shown to optimize cellular function by improving mitochondrial energy production, which supports skin health as well as overall physiological processes. These benefits, derived from red light therapy’s ability to reduce inflammation and promote cellular regeneration, go beyond beauty applications to treat certain skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
In addition to its physical benefits, red light therapy has shown promise in improving mental health. Research suggests that red light exposure may help regulate serotonin levels, which can positively impact mood and mental clarity. While much of the focus is on its effects on the body, red light therapy may also play a role in promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
Joovv develops red light panels in a wide variety of sizes, designed to provide multifaceted wellness solutions that fit your lifestyle and goals.
Sir William Herschel is commonly credited with the discovery of infrared in 1800, when he identified non-visible rays that were reflected, refracted and absorbed in the same manner as visible light. This marked the first time that someone recognized that types of light that are not visible to the human eye exist.
Infrared (IR) light falls next to red light on the electromagnetic spectrum, just beyond what is visible to the human eye, and has longer wavelengths than red light (typically between 700 nm and 1,000,000 nm) that penetrate deeper into the body’s tissues. IR light is known for its ability to reach beyond the surface layer of skin, allowing it to deliver physiological benefits to the body’s deeper tissues and muscles such as increased blood flow and cellular oxygenation.
The benefits of infrared light can be analyzed further based on the three categories of IR which are determined by their respective wavelengths. Near infrared has the shortest wavelength, allowing it to penetrate the skin’s dermis. Mid infrared has a longer wavelength, enabling it to reach deeper soft tissues, such as muscles and connective tissue, while far infrared has the longest wavelength, penetrating the body most deeply and affecting cellular activity within tissues. Full-spectrum infrared light includes all three wavelengths, and can deliver the benefits of each of them simultaneously.
Full-spectrum infrared light therapy, such as that of products powered by CELLIANT® infrared technology, increases local circulation and cellular oxygenation to set off a cascade of physiological wellness benefits for performance, recovery and sleep.
Infrared light boosts blood flow and cellular oxygenation, delivering a range of benefits for performance, including increased energy, improved speed, and enhanced stamina to help you reach new personal bests. Infrared light also supports faster recovery, helping to reduce down time so you can stay focused on your goals. Athletes of all levels, as well as hardworking professionals, understand that recovery is a critical yet often overlooked component of peak performance. Infrared light not only supports strength and endurance but also accelerates recovery, reducing fatigue following exertion.
Infrared-powered textile products offer efficient, low-barrier ways to get the performance benefits of infrared light therapy into your routine. KT Tape’s Pro Oxygen kinesiology tape, for example, is infused with CELLIANT infrared technology to offer support and faster recovery for athletes and weekend warriors alike. The same IR tech powers Under Armour’s infrared athletic gear, from base layers to leggings, sports bras and more.
The wide range of benefits derived from infrared light therapy that can improve overall well-being make it an ideal wellness tool that can be incorporated into a variety of self-care solutions that support goals such as increased energy, more comfort, better thermoregulation to help you stay at the optimal body temperature, longevity and a sense of enhanced vitality.
Wellness applications for infrared light therapy include infrared saunas, which feature an infrared power source that can penetrate into the muscles and tissues while you relax. Sunlighten, a leader in infrared saunas, takes this one step further by infusing CELLIANT infrared tech into their sauna accessories, ensuring you get the maximum possible infrared light exposure during your sauna session. Heat Healer incorporates our infrared fibers into their wearable wellness collection, too, featuring sauna suits, lymphatic drainage apparel and compression gear infused with CELLIANT infrared fibers.
Infrared light offers several advantages that can promote restful sleep. Most importantly, perhaps, is that by increasing blood flow, IR can support your body’s ability to regulate temperature. Temperature-related discomfort is one of the most common sleep disruptors, whether you run too hot or too cold, so infrared light therapy that thermoregulates can help improve comfort so you can rest soundly. Because infrared light therapy supports faster recovery from fatigue, you’ll wake up feeling energized and ready to take on the day.
While both red and infrared light therapies offer unique benefits, combining them can amplify their positive effects. Photobiomodulation, for example, combines red light and NIR wavelengths to deliver health and wellness benefits. By using both types of light therapy, you can target a broader range of wellness goals, including skin health, relaxation, improved energy and performance, and overall vitality.
Red light and infrared light therapies each offer unique and powerful benefits. If you are interested in exploring infrared-powered product applications for your brand, get in touch with our team via the form below.
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