To this end, some potential risks of phototherapy include premature skin aging and an increased chance of developing skin cancer later in life. Eye fatigue and temporary headaches caused by light are also frequently reported, although these symptoms do not seem to indicate any permanent injury. This is usually a by-product of eye fatigue and can be prevented with glasses as described above. It could also be a sign of dehydration.
Although red light therapy doesn't cause dehydration, it could make the eyes more sensitive to light, which can cause or worsen headaches. We recommend drinking a glass of water before and after each treatment session. Red light therapy used in a doctor's office can be used to treat more serious conditions, such as psoriasis, slow-healing wounds, and even side effects of chemotherapy. Photons of light are absorbed by mitochondria, which are colloquially known as the “energy generators of cells”.
Other RLT applications have promising early tests, but there are not enough reliable human tests to consider them effective in all cases. This means maintaining the correct distance from the device and starting slowly with shorter sessions to determine your sensitivity level. It also increases the thickness and flexibility of the skin, which helps reduce the appearance of cellulite. Red light therapy can be an affordable, non-medical method for improving many conditions that may not respond to conventional treatments alone.
A small study published in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy explored the effect of low-level light on people with alopecia. Red light beds found in salons are said to help reduce cosmetic skin problems, such as stretch marks and wrinkles. A clinical trial published in the journal Photomedicine and Laser Surgery explored light treatment for some basic skin problems in a small group of 136 people. Hungarian doctor and professor Endre Mester first used red light therapy in 1967 while studying how cancer cells reacted to radiation exposure.
The use of led light sources with wavelengths of 590, 633 and 830 nm for photorejuvenation with athermic light alone has grown rapidly in recent years. This red light is natural and can penetrate deep into the skin, where cells can absorb and use it. The problem many people have with exposure to sunlight is that it comes with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) A and UVB rays, which can cause other skin problems over time. Thousands of peer-reviewed studies have been conducted on red light therapy, and none have found any safety issues, whether in short- or long-term use, to qualify red light therapy as dangerous.
