Red Light Therapy vs. Infrared: Understanding Your Treatment Options

Some of you have noticed that I added a red light therapy back pad in the waiting area outside the office. I thought I'd share some information about it to help you decide if it could be helpful for you! The device offers both a red light and an infrared setting. While these therapies share similarities and are often discussed together, they work differently in the body and offer distinct benefits. Understanding these differences can help you maximize their therapeutic potential.

Understanding the Spectrum

Red light therapy typically uses wavelengths that fall within the visible light spectrum. Infrared therapy, specifically near-infrared (NIR), operates at longer wavelengths which are invisible to the human eye. This seemingly small difference in wavelength creates significant variations in how deeply the light penetrates tissue and what biological effects it triggers.

Red light penetrates approximately 8-10 millimeters into the skin, making it particularly effective for surface-level concerns. Near-infrared light, however, can reach several centimeters deep, reaching muscles, joints, and even bone tissue. This unique quality of the infrared wavelengths, makes it especially valuable for treating conditions affecting structures beneath the skin's surface.

The Science Behind the Benefits

Both red and near-infrared light work primarily through a process called photobiomodulation. At the cellular level, light photons are absorbed by mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells. This absorption stimulates the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is essentially cellular energy. Increased ATP production enhances cellular function, promotes healing, and reduces inflammation throughout the body.

Research has demonstrated that both wavelengths also increase blood circulation, reduce oxidative stress, and modulate inflammatory responses. However, the depth of penetration determines which tissues benefit most from each type of therapy.

When to Use Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy excels at treating skin-related conditions and superficial tissue concerns. Studies have shown significant benefits for wound healing, with red light accelerating the closure of chronic wounds and surgical incisions by promoting collagen synthesis and improving circulation to the affected area.

For skin rejuvenation, red light has demonstrated impressive results. Research indicates it can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin texture, and increase collagen density. The therapy has also shown promise for treating acne, as certain wavelengths can reduce bacterial populations while simultaneously decreasing inflammation.

Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Effects

One of red light therapy's most significant benefits is its powerful anti-inflammatory action. Research shows that red and near-infrared light modulate cytokine expression, downregulating pro-inflammatory markers like IL-1β and IL-18 while upregulating anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. This creates both local and systemic anti-inflammatory effects, meaning treatment applied to one area can benefit distant tissues and organs throughout the body.

The immune-modulating effects extend to various immune cells including macrophages, T cells, and dendritic cells. Studies have demonstrated potential benefits for autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, as well as inflammatory conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and asthma.

Red light therapy reduces edema, decreases oxidative stress markers, and lowers pro-inflammatory cytokines, making it valuable for anyone dealing with chronic inflammation.

Effects on Lymphatic Drainage

Red light therapy may also support lymphatic function, though the research is more robust for near-infrared wavelengths due to their deeper penetration. The therapy can induce relaxation of lymphatic vessels through vasodilation, which increases lymph flow. This effect appears to be mediated by increased nitric oxide production, which affects the smooth muscle cells controlling lymphatic drainage.

Studies in lymphedema patients have shown that infrared treatment can significantly decrease limb circumference and improve quality of life, with laboratory evidence demonstrating reduced fluid accumulation, fat deposition, and protein buildup. While most lymphatic drainage research has focused on breast cancer-related lymphedema, the findings suggest broader applications for improving lymphatic circulation and reducing swelling.

Emerging research on the glymphatic system—the brain's waste clearance mechanism—shows that photobiomodulation can improve the removal of metabolic waste products like amyloid-beta through meningeal lymphatic vessels, suggesting potential neuroprotective benefits.

Fascia and Connective Tissue Health

Red light therapy stimulates collagen and elastin production in connective tissue, which can positively affect fascia health. Studies on myofascial pain and conditions like plantar fasciitis have shown that low-level laser therapy, particularly when combined with stretching, can improve symptoms with effects lasting up to 12 months. While "fascia detox" is a popular wellness term, the scientifically validated benefits relate more to improved collagen synthesis, reduced inflammation in fascial tissue, and enhanced tissue repair processes.

Red Light Therapy Recap

Red light may be particularly beneficial for surface-level pain conditions, minor injuries, cosmetic applications, inflammatory conditions, and supporting healthy immune function. If you're dealing with superficial scarring, skin inflammation, want to support healthy skin aging, or are managing chronic inflammatory conditions, the red light setting would be your primary choice.

When to Use Infrared Therapy

Near-infrared therapy is ideal when you need to address deeper tissue concerns. Its superior penetration makes it particularly effective for joint pain, muscle soreness, and conditions affecting deeper structures. Studies have demonstrated that NIR therapy can significantly reduce pain and stiffness in arthritis patients, likely due to its anti-inflammatory effects and ability to reach joint capsules and surrounding tissues.

For muscle recovery and athletic performance, infrared therapy has shown remarkable benefits. Research indicates it can reduce delayed onset muscle soreness, accelerate recovery after intense exercise, and even improve muscle performance when used before training. The deep-penetrating wavelengths help reduce inflammation in muscle tissue and enhance cellular repair processes.

Infrared therapy may also be preferable for treating chronic pain conditions, tendon injuries, deep tissue inflammation, and deeper lymphatic concerns. If you're recovering from a sports injury, experiencing arthritis symptoms, dealing with chronic muscle tension, or have lymphedema, the infrared setting would likely provide more targeted relief.

Combining Both Therapies

Many conditions may benefit from using both wavelengths either simultaneously or in sequence. Since red and near-infrared light work through similar mechanisms but at different tissue depths, combining them can provide comprehensive treatment from the skin's surface down to deeper structures. This approach may be particularly effective for complex injuries, conditions affecting multiple tissue layers, or when you want to address both surface inflammation and deeper tissue concerns simultaneously.

For example, someone with both skin inflammation and underlying joint pain, or an athlete wanting both muscle recovery and skin healing, might benefit from using both settings.

Important Contraindications and Safety Considerations

While red light and infrared therapies are generally considered safe, certain contraindications exist.

1. Individuals with active cancers should avoid these therapies without physician approval, as the increased cellular activity could theoretically affect cancer cells. 2.

2. Pregnant women should consult their healthcare provider before use, particularly when treating the abdominal area.

3. Those with photosensitivity disorders or taking photosensitizing medications should exercise caution, as these therapies could trigger adverse reactions.

4. People with thyroid conditions should avoid direct treatment over the thyroid gland.

5. Additionally, never use these therapies directly over the eyes, as concentrated light exposure can potentially damage retinal tissue.

6. If you have any implanted medical devices, active infections, or bleeding disorders, consult your healthcare provider before beginning treatment.

While serious side effects are rare, starting with shorter treatment times can help you assess your individual tolerance.

Conclusion

Both red light and infrared therapies offer evidence-based benefits for numerous conditions. By understanding the unique properties of each wavelength, you can make informed decisions about which setting to use based on your specific therapeutic goals.

Whether you're targeting surface-level skin concerns and inflammation with red light, reaching deeper tissues with infrared, or supporting lymphatic drainage and immune function with either modality, you're harnessing scientifically validated approaches to support your body's natural healing processes.

You are welcome to use the red light therapy pad at the office, or you can get your own here: Red Light Therapy Infrared Light Therapy Pad

If you have any questions for your specific situations, please let me know at your next appointment.

References

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