Exposure to the sun’s UV light for extended periods can lead to sunburn, which is a form of damaged, inflamed, and painful skin. According to studies, exposure to the sun accounts for 80 percent of signs of aging.
Red light therapy is an effective and safe way to reduce the signs of sunburn. However, it can be counterproductive if you’re not careful and use it incorrectly.
In this article, we’ll discuss how red-light therapy works for sunburns, along with some useful tips to use red-light therapy correctly for this purpose.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work for Sunburns?
In simple words, red light therapy increases your skin’s collagen production, regulates immune response, and improves elastin, to repair sun-damaged skin.
The better the immune system of your skin the faster it will heal. In addition, the improved levels of collagen make your skin firm and smooth and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and sun spots.
It’s important to note that red light therapy can also reduce the intensity of future sun damage. However, it will not work if you don’t avoid UV exposure for extended periods. That’s because it doesn’t treat skin damage directly.
Instead, it improves the overall health of your skin to boost its natural ability to fight sunburns and other skin problems. So, you’ll need to be extra careful and wear broad-spectrum sunscreen before going out in the sunlight.
Science Behind Red Light Therapy for Sunburns
According to a study published in ScienceDirect, the early morning red and near-infrared light therapy treatment can prepare your skin for midday sun exposure.
A Lasers in Surgery and Medicine study shows that LED light therapy treatment with 660 nanometers wavelength can reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It means that you can expect reduced redness due to sun on areas treated with red light therapy.
According to a study, low-level laser therapy, which is just another name for red light therapy, protects the existing collagen in your skin, which improves skin tone, preserves the skin’s elasticity, and improves wound healing.
Tips to Use Red Light Therapy for Sunburns
Here’s a list of tips that you can use to safely and effectively use red light therapy for sunburns.
- Use a red-light therapy device that emits light with a wavelength of around 660 nanometers.
- Don’t use a near-infrared light therapy device if you have sunburns because it generates heat and can be counterproductive.
- Near-infrared light can be used to prepare your skin to minimize the risk of sunburn.
- Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to sit at a safe distance from your device.
- Start with three to five red light therapy sessions to see how your body responds to this treatment and then change your therapy frequency accordingly.
- If you’re suffering from sunburns, visit your doctor immediately. Red light therapy can’t replace traditional treatment methods. It just helps you by accelerating the healing process.
- If you’re already taking medicine for sunburns, don’t forget to consult your doctor before starting red light therapy.
Final Words
While red light therapy is not meant to replace the traditional methods available for sunburn treatment, it can help you recover faster. It can improve your body’s natural ability to fight against this skin condition by improving the immune response, elastin, and collagen of your skin.
Make sure that you consult your doctor before starting red light therapy and use the device correctly to achieve optimal results.