Red Light Therapy (RLT) is an emerging medical treatment that is being used to address a variety of health disorders, including chronic pain, tissue repair, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Photobiomodulation or phototherapy works by cellular modulation and doesn’t have any noticeable side effects. Due to its non-pharmacological, non-invasive nature, and highly effective application, RLT holds huge potential in medicine.
How were the Benefits of Red Light Discovered?
NASA experimented with the use of Red Light LED in 1993.[1] The experiments were conducted to promote plant development but led to the initial discovery of red light’s beneficial effects on human health. Red Light Therapy has also been shown to induce the production of Nitric Oxide: an important “signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system”.[2] The discovery of the significance of Nitric Oxide in the cardiovascular system led to three scientists winning a Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1998.[3]
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
The mechanism of RLT centers around enhancing mitochondrial function.[4] Mitochondrial photostimulation enhances ATP synthesis and causes brief increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS). This process seems to be involved in redox (reduction/oxidation) signaling in some cells, which play a key role in cellular homeostasis and proliferative regulation. Evidence also suggests that specific wavelengths of red or infrared light enhance cellular activity through cytochrome C oxidase, which is a primary photoreceptor.[5]
Effects of Red Light Therapy
Red and near-infrared (NIR) light have been proven to photosensitize the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Mitochondrial stimulation increases the production of ATP.[6] Research shows that lower intensity red light has stimulatory effects, whereas greater fluences may be inhibitory or cytotoxic.[7] RLT does this by controlling ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels and by maintaining homeostasis. Here are some cellular protective effects of Red Light Therapy:
DNA Repair
Research was conducted to study the cellular protective effects of visible red light on normal human skin. An artificial 3D human skin model was exposed to visible red light. The results concluded that not only does red light enhance DNA repair activity but also induces cellular proliferation of human fibroblasts.[8] Since DNA damage is considered the main cause of aging, this study shows that red light can effectively protect human skin skills.
Inhibition of Toxic Fibroblast Proliferation
When healthy tissue is replaced by collagen deposition and fibroblast proliferation as a result of compromised wound healing, immune system malfunctions, and fibrosis develops. The anti-fibrotic effects of RLT are significant as, unlike UVA phototherapy, it doesn’t pose risks like skin cancer or aging. LED phototherapy is an emerging treatment modality for fibrosis.[9]
Other Positive Bodily Effects of RLT
Accelerated Cellular Growth
As mentioned earlier, RLT increases ATP production, which has several benefits for human health.[10] Improved energy causes rapid cellular regeneration, helping the tissues repair themselves rapidly, resulting in reduced pain.[11] RLT has also been shown to improve sleep, which may be due to increased energy levels within the cells.[12] Higher levels of cellular energy is probably a contributing factor in red light therapy’s use in enhancing muscle endurance and performance, but it may also be related to improved circulation.[13]
Improved Collagen Production: Antiaging Effects of RLT
Collagen is found in connective tissues and serves to provide structural support to tissues. Collagen production diminishes as we age, resulting in wrinkles and joint problems. Exposure to light has been proven to enhance collagen production, resulting in healthier joints and younger-looking skin.[14] Due to this property, Red Light finds application in several cosmetic areas, including reversal of aging and skin rejuvenation.[15] [16]
Increased NO (Nitric Oxide) Production: Analgesic Effects of RLT
Exposure to red light increases NO production, which is a natural vasodilator.[17] This not only helps with improved blood circulation but also assists in pain management and relief. Due to this property, along with accelerated cellular growth, RLT devices are used to address various conditions related to musculoskeletal pain. These devices are also used by sportspersons to enhance their athletic performance or to recover from an injury quickly.[18] People also use RLT to bring about a speedy recovery after surgery.
The clinical utility of Red Light Therapy is increasingly being recognized by the medical community. It can be used to reduce pain, accelerate recovery, improve sleep, treat fibrosis and aging and as an advantage in sports performance. Bodily effects of Red Light are already endless, and research in the area is expanding.
At Energia Medical, we provide high-quality, FDA-cleared light therapy pads. These pads are available in different sizes and shapes to suit different areas of the body. Check out our collection here, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Citations
[1] Cotler HB. A NASA discovery has current applications in orthopaedics. Curr Orthop Pract. 2015 Jan;26(1):72-74. doi: 10.1097/BCO.0000000000000196. PMID: 25541589; PMCID: PMC4272231.
[2] Keszler A, Lindemer B, Weihrauch D, Jones D, Hogg N, Lohr NL. Red/near infrared light stimulates release of an endothelium dependent vasodilator and rescues vascular dysfunction in a diabetes model. Free Radic Biol Med. 2017 Dec;113:157-164. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.09.012. Epub 2017 Sep 19. Erratum in: Free Radic Biol Med. 2019 Feb 1;131:443. PMID: 28935419; PMCID: PMC5699925.
[3] The Nobel Prize. (2021, August 16). The Nobel prize in physiology or medicine 1998. NobelPrize.org. https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1998/ignarro/lecture/
[4] Tafur J, Mills PJ. Low-intensity light therapy: exploring the role of redox mechanisms. Photomed Laser Surg. 2008 Aug;26(4):323-8. doi: 10.1089/pho.2007.2184. PMID: 18665762; PMCID: PMC2996814.
[5] Karu T, Tiphlova O, Esenaliev R, Letokhov V. Two different mechanisms of low-intensity laser photobiological effects on Escherichia coli. J Photochem Photobiol B. 1994 Aug;24(3):155-61. doi: 10.1016/1011-1344(94)07016-4. PMID: 7965412.
[6] Tafur J, Mills PJ. Low-intensity light therapy: exploring the role of redox mechanisms. Photomed Laser Surg. 2008 Aug;26(4):323-8. doi: 10.1089/pho.2007.2184. PMID: 18665762; PMCID: PMC2996814.
[7] Huang YY, Sharma SK, Carroll J, Hamblin MR. Biphasic dose response in low level light therapy – an update. Dose Response. 2011;9(4):602-18. doi: 10.2203/dose-response.11-009.Hamblin. Epub 2011 Sep 2. PMID: 22461763; PMCID: PMC3315174.
[8] Kim YJ, Kim HJ, Kim HL, Kim HJ, Kim HS, Lee TR, Shin DW, Seo YR. A Protective Mechanism of Visible Red Light in Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts: Enhancement of GADD45A-Mediated DNA Repair Activity. J Invest Dermatol. 2017 Feb;137(2):466-474. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2016.07.041. Epub 2016 Oct 8. PMID: 27729279.
[9] Mamalis A, Siegel D, Jagdeo J. Visible Red Light Emitting Diode Photobiomodulation for Skin Fibrosis: Key Molecular Pathways. Curr Dermatol Rep. 2016;5:121-128. doi: 10.1007/s13671-016-0141-x. Epub 2016 Apr 16. PMID: 27182462; PMCID: PMC4848333.
[10] Bertolini GR, Artifon EL, Silva TS, Cunha DM, Vigo PR. Low-level laser therapy, at 830 nm, for pain reduction in experimental model of rats with sciatica. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2011;69(2B):356-9. doi: 10.1590/s0004-282×2011000300017. PMID: 21625765.
[11] Hsieh YL, Chou LW, Chang PL, Yang CC, Kao MJ, Hong CZ. Low-level laser therapy alleviates neuropathic pain and promotes function recovery in rats with chronic constriction injury: possible involvements in hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α). J Comp Neurol. 2012 Sep 1;520(13):2903-16. doi: 10.1002/cne.23072. PMID: 22351621.
[12] Zhao J, Tian Y, Nie J, Xu J, Liu D. Red light and the sleep quality and endurance performance of Chinese female basketball players. J Athl Train. 2012 Nov-Dec;47(6):673-8. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-47.6.08. PMID: 23182016; PMCID: PMC3499892.
[13] Byrnes KR, Waynant RW, Ilev IK, Wu X, Barna L, Smith K, Heckert R, Gerst H, Anders JJ. Light promotes regeneration and functional recovery and alters the immune response after spinal cord injury. Lasers Surg Med. 2005 Mar;36(3):171-85. doi: 10.1002/lsm.20143. PMID: 15704098.
[14] Wunsch A, Matuschka K. 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. Photomed Laser Surg. 2014 Feb;32(2):93-100. doi: 10.1089/pho.2013.3616. Epub 2013 Nov 28. PMID: 24286286; PMCID: PMC3926176.
[15] Barolet D, Roberge CJ, Auger FA, Boucher A, Germain L. Regulation of skin collagen metabolism in vitro using a pulsed 660 nm LED light source: clinical correlation with a single-blinded study. J Invest Dermatol. 2009 Dec;129(12):2751-9. doi: 10.1038/jid.2009.186. Epub 2009 Jul 9. PMID: 19587693.
[16] Russell BA, Kellett N, Reilly LR. A study to determine the efficacy of combination LED light therapy (633 nm and 830 nm) in facial skin rejuvenation. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2005 Dec;7(3-4):196-200. doi: 10.1080/14764170500370059. PMID: 16414908.
[17] Keszler A, Lindemer B, Weihrauch D, Jones D, Hogg N, Lohr NL. Red/near infrared light stimulates release of an endothelium dependent vasodilator and rescues vascular dysfunction in a diabetes model. Free Radic Biol Med. 2017 Dec;113:157-164. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.09.012. Epub 2017 Sep 19. Erratum in: Free Radic Biol Med. 2019 Feb 1;131:443. PMID: 28935419; PMCID: PMC5699925.
[18] Ferraresi C, Huang YY, Hamblin MR. Photobiomodulation in human muscle tissue: an advantage in sports performance? J Biophotonics. 2016 Dec;9(11-12):1273-1299. doi: 10.1002/jbio.201600176. Epub 2016 Nov 22. PMID: 27874264; PMCID: PMC5167494.
