Well, it depends on who you ask. Here is a little Red Light Trivia for you.
Did you know NASA has done research on Red-Light Therapy. It’s true. In the 1980’s NASA had an interest in growing plants in space, so they started with growing potatoes on the space shuttles. The research had a noticeable side effect. The scientists were running experiments using using red and blue LED’s (light emitting diodes). The NASA scientists who were working on the project noticed that abrasions on their hands appeared to heal faster than usual and an Ah Ha moment spun into reality. And so began NASA’s venture into continued research on medical light therapy. The scientists were quick to realize that light therapy might be a solution to the multiple problems associate with space travel. Without gravity, the astronauts experience bone and muscle atrophy and wounds heal slowly while traveling in space. Obviously, all these physical ailments complicate space missions. Welcome R2D2!
Near-infrared laser light had recently been shown to speed healing of wounds – particularly those that were starved for oxygen – by boosting the production of growth-factor proteins, collagen, and blood vessels. The researchers discovered that one must use lasers with caution because lasers can damage surrounding tissues, use a ton of energy and are pricy. Just a few draw backs, right?
Light Treatments Prove Themselves
Through continued experimentation, the researchers showed that high-intensity red and near-infrared LEDs significantly accelerated the healing process of oxygen-deprived wounds in rats. The light therapy also potentiated the growth and proliferation of skin, bone, and muscle cell cultures from mice and rats. The research team gave LED devices to U.S. Navy crews to help treat injuries incurred during training. Red light therapy produced 40 percent improvement in musculoskeletal injuries and lacerations healing rate was increased by 50 percent when compared to control groups. Impressive data! Just ask those sailors!
“A Controlled Trial to Determine the Efficacy of Red and Near-Infrared Light Treatment in Patient Satisfaction, Reduction of Fine Lines, Wrinkles, Skin Roughness, and Intradermal Collagen Density Increase.” Now that’s a great title for a randomized control study! Hyperlink to “Controlled Trial” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3926176/
The outcome of this study showed out of the 136 participants, the those treated, experienced significant improvements in their complexion and overall appearance of the area treated.
Photographs of the blinded clinical evaluation confirmed there was significant improvement in those receiving light therapy when compared to the control group. All of this without any negative outcomes or unpleasant side effects. Try putting that in a bottle and selling it!
Once again, Red-Light Therapy appears to be a safe, non-evasive healing modality for a variety of physical ailments, especially those affecting the skin.
Thanks for taking time to read! Remember, not all Red-Light therapies are the same so do your homework and if you are interested in using Red-Light Therapy for whatever reason, have a chat with your health care provider. Get them to weigh in on what you are thinking. Who knows, maybe ‘they’ are already using it themselves!
To learn more about the red-light therapy I use, click on the link below:
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