Medical light therapy has become increasingly talked about in recent years. But how does it actually work? And why should one consider using it? Scientifically documented light therapy, known as red light therapy, strengthens the immune system and optimizes the function of cells. Here we go through how and why this treatment works.

Light therapy can give your health a significant boost in several areas. The combination of red light and near infrared light affects the body in a powerful way. The red light penetrates superficially into the skin, while the near-infrared light reaches deeper into the body's tissues. The light activates photoacceptors in the body's cells, which leads to many health-promoting effects.

Treatment with red and near-infrared light strengthens the immune system and gives a cell boost. It also has rejuvenating effects and helps the body recover after exercise or injuries. Red light therapy, also called RLT, provides positive effects similar to those experienced from natural sunlight, but without the harmful UV rays.

Health effects of red light therapy:

• Skin rejuvenation and increased collagen production
• Pain relief and faster healing of injuries
• Increased physical and mental performance
• Improved immune system and increased blood circulation
• Reduced fat mass in combination with exercise
• Improved recovery after exercise
• Positive effect on wound healing and general injuries
• Support for neuropsychiatric conditions
• Increase of stem cells with regular treatment
• Anti-inflammatory effect with systemic action
• Pain-relieving effect, for example for back and neck pain

Does red light therapy work for me?

If you have a specific problem, such as pain or skin problems, the effects of red light therapy are usually obvious. In order to really measure results, you can take pictures of the skin every week during the treatment and compare over time. You can measure pain by rating it on a scale from 1-10. Take notes before and after each session to get a clear picture of the effect. If you use the therapy to increase performance, it can be interesting to keep a record of the results, although it can be difficult to isolate the effect of the light from other factors such as diet, rest and exercise.

Red light vs. Near infrared light

The difference between red and near infrared light lies in the wavelengths: 620-750nm for red light and 750-850nm for near infrared light (NIR). We can see red light with the naked eye, while NIR is not visible. The red light does not penetrate as deeply into the tissues, while the NIR reaches deeper and can affect central parts of the brain and internal organs.

Sleep and red light therapy

Unlike blue light, which has invigorating effects, red light therapy can improve sleep. One theory is that the red light helps the body follow natural circadian rhythms, similar to how the sun's rays work with more red light at dawn and dusk.

Areas of use for red light therapy

Red light therapy is used for:

• Stimulation of collagen production
• Increased blood circulation in the skin
• Improved wound healing
• Reduction of stretch marks and wrinkles
• Treatment of skin conditions such as psoriasis, rosacea and eczema
• Reduce scar tissue and combat acne
• Improved cognitive ability and physical performance
• Reduction of body fat and pain relief
• Treatment of depression and low thyroid function

Red light therapy vs. Infrared sauna

There is a significant difference between red light therapy and infrared sauna. Red light therapy works with specific wavelengths that affect the mitochondria and thus provide health benefits such as increased ATP production and stimulation of antioxidant enzymes. Infrared light, on the other hand, has longer wavelengths that are absorbed by the body's water, which mainly produces heat - perfect for saunas but not to achieve the same effects as red light therapy.

Recommended treatment time

A red light therapy session should last between 10-20 minutes.

Northern Recovery - Swedish quality and safety

At Northern Recovery, we have chosen to offer Nutrilight's red light therapy lamps. Nutrilight is a Swedish, high-tech company with safe products, where nutritionist Fredrik Paulún is co-owner and business developer. Nutrilight's LED lights are optimized to provide maximum health effect without risk of injury.

Nutrilight's panels emit red and near-infrared light at wavelengths that science strongly supports as the most effective. These wavelengths are 660nm and 850nm, evenly spaced. All Nutrilight products are CE-marked and comply with European standards, which guarantees safety and effectiveness.