Red light therapy is a great way to treat skin issues, balance skin tone, and reduce chronic pain. It can even improve hair growth, according to the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy.
Also known as low-level laser therapy, red LED light therapy uses non-UV LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology, which is completely safe. So, there’s no risk of skin cancer or any other side effect.
The amount of time it takes for red LED light therapy to work depends on several factors. Generally, it can take three to six months to generate the desired results.
What Factors Affect the Time Red Light Therapy Takes to Work
The following are the factors that affect the time that red light therapy takes to work.
Conditions You Want to Treat
General skin treatments such as balancing skin tone, improving skin’s healing, reducing inflammation, and relieving pain will take less them than treating chronic skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis
Type of Red-Light Therapy Device
Different red light therapy devices come with different light options and power. For example, if you have a device that can combine red and blue light therapy with near-infrared light treatment, you’ll experience results in a shorter time as compared to a device that uses only red light therapy.
The wavelength of the light coming out of a red-light therapy bed or device affects how effectively and deeply the light will penetrate your skin. The shorter the wavelength the deeper it’ll penetrate, and the higher the energy levels of your skin cells will be.
Important Note: To achieve the best results you should use a machine that produces light with a wavelength from 600 to 900 nanometers.
Number of Therapy Sessions Per Week
Generally, you should undergo three to five sessions per week and the duration of each session should be 10 to 20 minutes. If you reduce the number of treatments per week and/or the duration of each session, you’ll need to wait for a longer time to see results.
Your Body
Keep in mind that everyone is different. You have a unique body and it’ll respond to red light therapy differently from everyone else, which simply means that results can vary.
The good news is that you can start experiencing positive changes from the very first red-light therapy treatment. But if you don’t notice any results quickly, make sure that you follow your therapy schedule consistently as it’s your biggest ally to see better results.
Final Words
While some people start seeing red light therapy results quickly, it can take three to six months as well. If you don’t see any improvements after the first few sessions, then fret not.
Make sure that you’re using the right device for the right conditions that you want to treat, and follow your schedule strictly. Sooner or later, your skin cells will adapt to their new energy levels and you’ll start experiencing positive changes.