Understanding Red Light Therapy Restrictions and Sunlight Frequencies: What You Need to Know

Red light therapy is a treatment that many people use to help with skin problems, joint pain, and even to boost energy. However, it is not for everyone. Let’s dive into these topics in simple language so that anyone, even a sixth grader, can understand!

Who Should Avoid Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy works by using low levels of red or near-infrared light. It can help some people by reducing pain or inflammation and healing wounds. But not everyone should use this therapy. Here are some essential points to remember:

Medical Conditions that Increase Sensitivity

Some people have medical conditions that make their skin extra sensitive to light. For example, individuals with lupus or other photosensitive conditions might react badly when exposed to red light therapy. Photosensitivity means that the skin can get easily burned or irritated by light. If you have any condition that makes your skin sensitive, it is best to talk with your doctor before trying red light therapy.

Medications that Cause Photosensitivity

Certain medicines can make your skin more sensitive to light. These are known as photosensitizing drugs. Some examples include:

Tetracycline
Doxycycline
Hydrochlorothiazide
Naproxen

If you are taking any of these drugs, red light therapy might not be a good idea because it can cause your skin to react strongly. Always check with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment if you are on these medications.

Open Wounds and Skin Lesions

Another critical point is to avoid red light therapy if you have open wounds or skin lesions. An open wound is a break in your skin that can easily get infected, and using light therapy on it might not help. It is better to let your skin heal naturally or follow the advice of a doctor when dealing with wounds.

Medical Conditions and Photosensitivity

What is Photosensitivity?

Photosensitivity happens when the skin becomes too sensitive to light. This condition means that even a tiny amount of light can cause redness, pain, or a rash. People with conditions like lupus are more likely to experience photosensitivity. Lupus is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells, and light can worsen this condition.

Why is It Important to Avoid Light Therapy?

Extra light— from the sun or a therapy device—can cause harm when someone has a photosensitive condition. That is why many experts, like those from Madfes, advise against using red light therapy if you have a known photosensitive condition. The goal of the treatment is to help, not hurt, so being careful with light exposure is very important.

Medications and Red Light Therapy

How Some Drugs Affect Light Sensitivity

Certain medications can make your skin more likely to react to light. This reaction happens because the drugs can change how your skin absorbs light. For example, medications like tetracycline and doxycycline increase the chance of sunburn or skin irritation. If you take these medicines, red light therapy might add to that risk.

What Should You Do?

If you are on any photosensitizing medications, it is best to:

Talk to Your Doctor: They can tell if red light therapy is safe.
Avoid Extra Light Exposure: Avoid spending long hours in the sun or under bright lights if you know you are sensitive.
Follow Medical Advice: Always follow your doctor’s advice on how to protect your skin from light.

Open Wounds and Lesions

Why Red Light Therapy Might Not Work on Open Wounds

Red light therapy is sometimes used to help wounds heal by boosting circulation and reducing inflammation. However, light therapy might not be the best idea if an open wound or lesion already breaks the skin. The skin needs healing time; extra light exposure might slow the natural healing.

Taking Care of Your Skin

If you have an open wound:

Keep it Clean: Follow proper wound care to avoid infection.
Avoid Irritants: Do not expose the wound to unnecessary light or heat.
Consult a Professional: Always check with a doctor or nurse about the best way to care for your wound.

Understanding Sunlight Frequencies

Sunlight is made up of many different types of light. These types of light have different wavelengths and frequencies. Let’s break them down in a way that is easy to understand.

Visible Light: The Light We See

What is Visible Light?

Visible light is the type of light that our eyes can see. It is the light that makes the world colorful. Visible light is found in a range from 380 to 700 nanometers (nm). This range includes all the colors you see in a rainbow—from red to violet.

How Does It Work?

Red Light: Has a longer wavelength and a lower frequency. It is at one end of the visible spectrum.
Violet Light: Has a shorter wavelength and a higher frequency. It is at the other end of the spectrum.

Because red light has a lower frequency, it is less likely to harm our eyes or skin than higher-frequency lights. This is one reason red light therapy can be safe for many people when used correctly.

Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation: More than Meets the Eye

What is UV Radiation?

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of light that is invisible to us. It has a higher frequency than visible light. While we cannot see UV light, it is essential because too much exposure can hurt living things.

Effects on Living Organisms

Harmful in Large Doses: High levels of UV radiation can cause sunburn and damage the skin.
Increases Risk of Skin Cancer: Overexposure to UV rays is one reason why wearing sunscreen and protective clothing when outside is essential.
Used in Small Amounts: Sometimes, UV light is used for medical treatments, but only under careful control to avoid harm.

Infrared Radiation: The Heat We Feel

What is Infrared Radiation?

Infrared radiation is the type of light that we feel as heat. It has a lower frequency and a longer wavelength compared to visible light. Even though we cannot see infrared radiation, we can feel its warmth on our skin.

Why is It Important?

Warming Effect: Infrared light helps warm the Earth and our bodies.
Used in Therapy: Some therapies use infrared light to help reduce pain and improve circulation.
Different from Visible Light: Unlike visible light, infrared does not produce colors but gives off heat.

Why Does This Matter?

Knowing how frequency and wavelength work together is essential because it explains why certain lights can be dangerous, and others are safe. For example:

High-frequency light (like UV): Can damage skin and eyes if you are not protected.
Low-frequency light (like red): It is usually safer and can even be healing when used correctly.

The Sunlight Spectrum: Distribution and Energy

What is the Sunlight Spectrum?

The sunlight spectrum is the full range of light from the sun. While sunlight contains many frequencies, most of its energy is found in the visible light range. This means the light we see has the most power compared to other types like UV or infrared.

How Does the Atmosphere Help?

The Earth’s atmosphere plays a vital role in filtering sunlight. It stops some of the dangerous high-frequency UV rays from reaching us. This natural shield helps protect living things on Earth from too much harmful light.

Atmospheric Effects on Sunlight

How the Atmosphere Affects Light

The atmosphere is like a big blanket around the Earth. It does a few essential jobs when it comes to light:

Filters Harmful Rays: It stops some powerful UV rays from reaching the ground.
Spreads the Light: It helps spread out the sunlight, so we get a mix of different types of light.

What Does This Mean for Us?

Because of the atmosphere, we usually only see the safe parts of the light spectrum when we are outside. This makes it safer to be in the sun, although we still need to protect our skin with sunscreen if we are out for too long.

Conclusion

Red light therapy is a helpful treatment for many, but it is not for everyone. People with photosensitive conditions like lupus, those taking certain medications, or anyone with open wounds or lesions should be cautious or avoid red light therapy altogether. It is always best to talk to a doctor if you are unsure whether this therapy is right for you.

On the other side, understanding sunlight frequencies helps us see why light affects us differently. We see Visible light daily; UV light can be harmful in large doses, and infrared light gives us warmth. The relationship between frequency and wavelength is simple: as one goes up, the other goes down. And thanks to our atmosphere, we are mostly safe from the dangerous parts of sunlight.

By knowing these facts, you can make smarter choices about your health and exposure to different kinds of light. Whether you are thinking about red light therapy or just enjoying a sunny day, understanding these details can help keep you safe and healthy.

Health Disclaimer: It is recommended the reader of this site consult with a qualified healthcare provider of their choice when using any information obtained from this site, affiliate sites, and other online websites and blogs. Please consult your healthcare provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.

References

“Sunlight.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, n.d., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunlight. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

Madfes. “Red Light Therapy Guidelines: Who Cannot Use Red Light Therapy.” Madfes, n.d., https://www.madfes.com/red-light-therapy-guidelines. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

“Photosensitivity.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/photosensitivity/symptoms-causes/syc-20376143. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

“Red Light Therapy.” National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/red-light-therapy. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.