Obesity and being overweight have become a global health crisis that requires novel treatment methods. One such method being explored is red light therapy (RLT), also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation. RLT is a non-invasive procedure that has shown promise in various health and beauty applications. This article delves into the research surrounding red light therapy and its potential role in weight loss, its mechanisms of action, and its benefits beyond weight management.
What is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy involves exposing the skin to low levels of red and near-infrared light using a lamp, device, or laser. It is also known as low-level laser therapy, low-power laser therapy, low-power laser, photobiomodulation, non-thermal LED light, soft laser therapy, or cold laser therapy. It uses an LED (light-emitting diode) that emits the correct spectrum of light. Unlike the light used in tanning booths, it doesn’t expose your skin to damaging UV rays.
Red LED light travels deeper into the skin than blue LED light, which is sometimes used to treat skin surface conditions such as acne. When the light enters your skin, your mitochondria soak it up and make more energy, which helps cells repair themselves. Red light therapy uses very low levels of heat and doesn’t hurt or burn the skin.
It is thought to work by increasing the production of mitochondria, your cells' energy sources. This may improve cell function and repair.
Types of Red Light Therapy Devices
There are many different types of red light therapy devices, some of which can be used at home. But home devices are usually less powerful than those used in clinics and may be less effective or take longer to work. Red light therapy devices include:
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- Red light therapy mask: This fits over your entire face and has red LED lights on the inside, pointed toward your skin. It is designed to be worn for a short length of time several times a week and is used as a treatment for acne, wrinkles, or other facial skin concerns.
- Red light therapy bed: This looks like a tanning bed but has red LED lights instead of UV lights. It is big enough for you to lie down inside, and your whole body is exposed to red light.
- Red light therapy panel: This is a panel of red LED lights that you can mount on a wall or place on a table, either at a clinic or home. Panels range in size from small to large. Small panels are used for targeted areas such as your face, and large panels can target larger areas of your body.
- Red light therapy wand: These are handheld devices that have red LED lights at one end. You use them by moving the wand over your skin in the areas that you want to treat. They are used to treat very small areas, such as the back of the hands, one knee, or a particular spot on the face.
Research on Red Light Therapy and Weight Loss
Some providers use red light therapy as a weight loss treatment, also called body contouring or body sculpting. While research is ongoing, the evidence suggests red light therapy may help reduce the circumference of your body in the area that was treated, but the effect will likely be temporary and not due to any real weight loss.
Clinical Studies and Findings
- One study followed 60 people who underwent red light therapy treatments three times a week for four weeks, twice a week for six weeks, or once a week for 12 weeks. These researchers found that people who had the treatments twice a week lost about two centimeters from their waist circumference. However, it’s important to point out that the study didn’t have a control group, which usually acts as a baseline for comparison.
- An older randomized controlled trial of 67 people found that those who received six red light therapy treatments for two weeks lost about 3.5 inches from their stomach, hips, and thighs, while the control group lost about half an inch. Worth noting: The laser light group participants gained 0.3 inches back across all three sites two weeks after having the procedures.
- A pilot study compared the effect of three of the most common LLLT frequencies on weight, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and quality of life. Sixty overweight adult participants were randomized to 12 LLLT treatments: (1) three times weekly for 4 weeks, (2) twice weekly for 6 weeks, or (3) once weekly for 12 weeks. When comparing across treatment groups, the greatest reductions from baseline were observed in those assigned to twice weekly for 6 weeks in weight (1 ± 1.7 (±SD) kg by week 6), waist circumference (- 2.0 ± 3.2 in. by week 6 and - 1.5 ± 3.2 in. by week 26), body mass index (- 0.4 ± 0.6 kg/m2), and body fat mass (- 1.1 ± 1.6 kg). This group also had the most significant improvement from baseline in quality of life (+ 0.5 ± 0.8 by week 6), body satisfaction (+ 0.2 ± 0.4 by week 6 and week 26), and body appreciation (+ 0.2 ± 0.3 by week 6 and + 0.3 ± 0.3 by week 26).
These findings suggest that LLLT twice weekly for 6 weeks could be proposed as the optimal frequency and duration for the management of body weight.
Red Light Therapy with Exercise
Some studies suggest that there are benefits to red light therapy for weight loss when LLLT is paired with other weight loss methods, such as exercise training or treadmill walking.
- One study from 2018, involved 49 females with obesity aged 20-40 years, divided into intervention and sham groups. The participants underwent three sessions per week of exercise training with phototherapy after exercise for 4 months. All participants experienced improvements. However, only those who received LLLT showed reduced interleukin-6, which is a marker of immune health, and increased WNT5 signaling, which is needed for the development of healthy cells. This group also experienced bigger changes than the sham group in relation to: fat mass, insulin, HOMA-IR, which is a measure of insulin resistance, and FGF21, which regulates carbohydrate and fat metabolism.
- Another study from 2017 also found that receiving LLLT in addition to treadmill walking resulted in a greater reduction in abdominal fat and body weight.
Proposed Mechanisms of Action
Researchers are still working out the definitive mechanism of action behind LLLT. However, it might relate to the absorption of laser light into the adipocytes, which leads to increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate production, a type of cell signal or messenger. This then stimulates an enzyme called cytoplasmic lipase, which converts triglycerides to fatty acids and glycerol. These substances can pass through pores, causing the adipocytes to shrink.
Exposure to RLT has been shown to cause the release of triglycerides from adipocytes, leading to a reduction in cell volume and measurable fat loss.
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Additionally, one animal study from 2018 found that infrared photobiomodulation therapy, which is another name for LLLT, improved glucose metabolism and insulin regulation in the fat tissue of mice with obesity caused by a high fat diet. Photobiomodulation has also been shown to increase muscle mass gained after training.
One of the main proposed mechanism of actions is based upon production of transient pores in adipocytes, allowing lipids to leak out. In Neira's first article the effects of LLLT on adipocytes were attributed to formation of transitory micropores which were visualized on SEM. These pores were proposed to allow the release of intracellular lipids from adipocytes.
It is also possible that LLLT stimulates the mitochondria in adipocytes that in turn leads to an increase ATP synthesis with subsequent upregulation of cAMP; the increased cAMP could activate protein kinase which could stimulate cytoplasmic lipase, an enzyme that converts triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol, which can both pass through pores formed in the cell membrane may cause a shrinkage in adipocytes.
The Prism Light Pod
The upcoming Prism Light Pod represents the forefront of red light therapy devices, unrivaled in its quality and efficiency. It is designed to target and transform both white and brown fat cells through optimal wavelengths and intensities, which are key in achieving the metabolic rate increase and subsequent weight loss benefits this therapy purports. The type of red light is paramount when it comes to effectively targeting fat cells. A combination of red and near-infrared light, specifically around 730 - 840nm, is considered ideal for penetrating deep layers of fat, such as belly fat. To effectively target subcutaneous fat that is distributed across large body areas, it’s essential to use a light device capable of emitting light evenly over these areas.
The Prism Light Pod stands out in the market for its superior quality and functionality, offering an unrivaled red light therapy experience. Its unique ability to deliver optimal wavelengths and intensities ensures that no other light pod on the market compares, making it an outstanding addition to services for both existing and new clients.
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Benefits Beyond Weight Loss
Red light therapy (RLT) extends its benefits far beyond aiding in weight loss, offering a diverse array of health and skincare advantages that can be transformative for individuals seeking a holistic approach to well-being:
Skin Rejuvenation and Healing
RLT can improve skin appearance by reducing wrinkles, scars, redness, and acne, fostering a more youthful and radiant complexion.
It stimulates collagen production, increases fibroblast production, enhances blood circulation to tissues, and reduces inflammation in cells, contributing to overall skin health and texture.
Pain and Inflammation Reduction
RLT is known to reduce pain and inflammation, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals with musculoskeletal conditions such as tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. It also has the potential to speed up bone repair, stimulate anti-inflammatory and antioxidant responses, and promote neurogenesis, which can aid in muscle repair and recovery.
Mental and Cognitive Health
RLT may improve cellular energy production, circulation, and oxygenation in the brain, which can enhance brain cell function and promote the regeneration of brain tissue. It might also be helpful for individuals dealing with memory or mood conditions, offering support in the management of Alzheimer’s disease and anxiety.
Other Potential Benefits
Research on the benefits of red light therapy is ongoing. While more research needs to be done, there is some evidence that it may be useful for several health concerns, including:
- Dementia: A 2021 research review found that in all 10 studies included in the review, red light therapy had benefits for people with dementia.
- Arthritis: A review of studies found that red light therapy may be a helpful short-term treatment for pain and morning stiffness for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, it doesn’t seem to be very helpful for other forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis.
- Tendinopathy: A review of 17 clinical trials studying the impact of red light on treating tendinopathy found low-to-moderate quality evidence indicating that red light can help relieve pain or improve function.
- Hair Loss: A review of multiple studies found that red light therapy can be an effective treatment for androgenic alopecia, a genetic disorder that causes hair loss.
Safety and Considerations
Red light therapy appears to be mostly safe when used correctly, especially in the short term. Many forms of red light therapy are more effective when done at a doctor’s office rather than at home because doctors can use stronger lights. Even at a doctor’s office, however, there are some risks. One early-stage clinical trial found that at high levels, red LED lights such as those used in red light therapy can cause blistering and redness on the skin. Red light therapy may also cause eye damage in some cases, so it is best to wear protective goggles when using a red light therapy device.
Who Should Avoid Red Light Therapy?
People who take medications that increase their skin or eye sensitivity should not use red light therapy. People who have a history of skin cancer or eye disease should speak with their doctor before using red light therapy.
Potential Risks
There are a few potential risks to consider before going through red light therapy. While most research suggests that the therapy is safe overall, there have been a few reports of people suffering skin damage when the laser actually came into contact with their skin. The procedures also tend to be costly, with packages often costing several thousands of dollars. Finally, there’s a risk that red light therapy may not work for you.
Healthy Weight Management
Each person should decide whether to proceed with red light therapy to lose weight by talking with their doctor and weighing the benefits and drawbacks for them individually. As the CDC explains, healthy weight management is about lifestyle rather than a specific diet or program. It is about establishing healthy eating patterns in combination with regular physical activity and stress management.