Unlock the Power of Red Light Therapy for Weight Loss: Benefits, Breakthrough Research & How It Works!

With the increasing popularity of weight loss solutions, red light therapy has emerged as a potential method for fat reduction and body contouring. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of red light therapy, its potential benefits for weight loss, its applications in dermatology and other medical fields, and important considerations for its safe and effective use.

What is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy (RLT), also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation, involves exposing the skin to low levels of red or near-infrared light. This non-invasive treatment uses specific wavelengths of light, typically ranging from 600 to 1100 nanometers, to penetrate the skin and interact with cells.

During a red light therapy procedure, a practitioner will use a laser or LED device to direct light into your skin. The light typically can penetrate an inch to two inches below the skin’s surface, targeting the fat that sits just below your skin, called subcutaneous fat. The goal is to essentially blast those fat cells, so they can be removed by the body. The procedure can be done by a dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or weight loss specialist, although some med spas offer it. Typically, you’ll undergo several treatments for weight loss.

Mechanism of Action

The primary mechanism of action of red light therapy revolves around the mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles within cells. Red light stimulates the mitochondria to produce more adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of our cells. Increased ATP production can positively impact metabolism by providing cells with the energy they need to perform their functions efficiently. With improved energy production, the body’s metabolic processes, including fat metabolism, can be optimized. By increasing mitochondrial function, red light therapy may improve cell repair, boost new cell growth, and enhance skin rejuvenation.

Types of Red Light Therapy Devices

Various red light therapy devices are available, each designed for specific applications:

Red Light Therapy Masks: These masks fit over the face and emit red LED lights, targeting skin concerns like acne, wrinkles, and other facial imperfections.
Red Light Therapy Beds: Resembling tanning beds, these devices expose the entire body to red light, promoting systemic effects.
Red Light Therapy Panels: These panels consist of red LED lights that can be mounted on walls or placed on tables, allowing for targeted treatment of specific body areas.
Red Light Therapy Wands: Handheld devices with red LED lights are used to treat small areas, such as the back of the hands, knees, or specific spots on the face.

Red Light Therapy and Weight Loss

While red light therapy is not considered a primary weight loss treatment, some studies suggest it may offer potential benefits for fat reduction and body contouring.

Does it work well for weight loss?

There is some data to support using red light therapy for weight loss, but it’s not consistent or robust. At baseline, red light therapy is designed to break up fat cells, Dr. Ali says. “When you break down a fat cell, the body absorbs its contents and the fat cells typically don’t grow back,” he says. But Dr. Ali says red light therapy is “more for body contouring than weight loss.” Meaning, it tries to reshape an area of your body vs. helping you to lose significant amounts of weight.

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. But 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.

Potential Mechanisms for Weight Loss

Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain how red light therapy may contribute to weight loss:

Read also: At-Home Red Light Therapy Devices

Enhanced Fat Burning: Red Light Therapy has also been found to promote fat burning and assist in weight loss. Research suggests that Red Light exposure can stimulate the breakdown of stored fat (lipolysis) by increasing the activity of enzymes involved in the process. Moreover, Red Light Therapy has been shown to activate the lymphatic system, which is crucial in removing waste products and excess fat from the body. By enhancing fat metabolism and supporting the elimination of waste, Red Light Therapy can contribute to weight loss efforts.
Reduced Inflammation and Improved Insulin Sensitivity: Fortunately, Red Light Therapy has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and improve insulin sensitivity. Studies have demonstrated that Red Light Therapy can reduce inflammatory markers in the body, such as C-reactive protein (CRP). Additionally, Red Light Therapy has been found to enhance insulin signaling and glucose uptake in cells, leading to improved blood sugar control. Red Light Therapy may support weight loss and metabolic health by reducing inflammation and improving insulin sensitivity.
Appetite Regulation: Research suggests that Red Light exposure can influence the production of hormones involved in appetite control, such as leptin and ghrelin. Red Light Therapy has been found to modulate the levels of these hormones, potentially leading to better appetite regulation and reduced food cravings. These effects can be beneficial for individuals aiming to achieve weight loss goals.
Increased Blood Circulation: Increasing blood flow helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to the cells more efficiently while removing toxins, enhancing metabolic processes, and supporting weight loss.
Reduction of Cellulite: Cellulite is a common concern for many individuals seeking weight loss. Red Light Therapy has been found to improve the appearance of cellulite by stimulating collagen production and promoting the breakdown of fat cells, leading to smoother and firmer skin.
Muscle Recovery and Performance: Red Light Therapy has been shown to help improve athletic performance, accelerate muscle recovery, and reduce muscle fatigue and soreness. It can support exercise regimens and contribute to overall weight loss by aiding post-workout muscle repair and detoxification. RLT can help treat metabolic abnormalities within the skeletal muscle and can help to remove toxins that damage muscle cells.
Stress Reduction: Red Light Therapy has been reported to relieve anxiety and have stress-reducing effects. It promotes relaxation and improves your mood. By managing stress levels, Red Light Therapy may indirectly support weight loss by reducing emotional eating and improving overall well-being.
Thyroid Function: Red Light Therapy may positively affect thyroid function, including increased thyroid hormone production. Optimizing thyroid function can help maintain a healthy metabolism and support weight loss.
Combating Stubborn Fat Deposits: Red Light Therapy has been shown to target these localized fat deposits, aiding in their breakdown and eventual elimination.

How long does it take to see fat loss from red light therapy?

Results vary from person to person, making it hard to definitively say how long it will take to lose weight from red light therapy, if you lose it at all. However, research has found that people have lost weight from these treatments in as little as two weeks when they do several sessions a week.

Red Light Therapy in Dermatology and Other Medical Applications

Beyond weight loss, red light therapy has found applications in dermatology and other medical fields, including:

Hair Growth and Skin Care

Studies have shown that red light penetrates the skin at shallow depths and stimulates follicle growth. There's evidence that the light causes vasodilation, a widening of blood vessels. "We know some hair products, such as topical minoxidil, harness that to stimulate hair growth," Rahman said. "The dilation of blood vessels enables more blood and nutrients to reach the hair follicles. Used over multiple months consistently, red light has been shown to regrow thinning hair. That vasodilation, Rahman suspects, is likely the mechanism for other dermatological effects of red light, such as wrinkle reduction.

Wound Healing and Scarring

Some preliminary studies pointed toward potential for accelerated skin and tissue healing, depending on the wavelength of light, duration and frequency of treatment. But the studies didn't show strong and consistent success, leaving a question mark in the minds of dermatologists.

Red light therapy for pain

Research shows that red light therapy may be useful for relieving some types of pain, particularly pain due to inflammation (irritation and swelling of body tissues). A review of 11 studies looking at the effect of red light therapy on pain found mostly positive results, though the authors said that more studies are needed. In another small study, people with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) had less pain, clicking, and jaw tenderness after red light therapy.

Red light therapy for 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.

Red light therapy for tendinopathy

Tendinopathy is a condition that causes pain and loss of function in your tendons. 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.

Red light therapy for 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. Another review of 11 studies found similar promising results. In some studies, hair thickness improved as well as hair growth.

Red light therapy for skin

Research shows red light therapy may smooth your skin and help with wrinkles. Researchers think it does this by stimulating collagen production, which helps improve skin elasticity. Research shows it also helps improve signs of sun damage.

Red light therapy for acne

Research has found that red light therapy can be effective for acne treatment. This may have to do with its ability to help reduce inflammation. In addition to helping with active acne lesions, red light lasers may also help treat old acne scars.

Red light therapy for dementia

A 2021 research review found that in all 10 studies included in the review, red light therapy had benefits for people with dementia. In one of the studies, five people with dementia who had regular light therapy on their heads and through their noses for 12 weeks had better memories, slept better, and were angry less often.

The review noted that many of these studies were small and lacked controls and that larger trials need to be done before any benefits can be confirmed.

Safety and Considerations

While red light therapy is generally considered safe, it's essential to be aware of potential risks and take necessary precautions.

Red light therapy 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. “The amount of weight loss is modest at best,” Dr. Ali says. “If you do lose weight, it does tend to come back because the fat can deposit in other areas of the body.”

Can you overdo red light therapy?

Yes, it’s possible to overdo red light therapy. “Because it’s light exposure on your skin, it can cause irritation and even burning,” Dr. Rodney says.

Precautions

Eye Protection: Always wear protective goggles when using a red light therapy device to prevent potential eye damage.
Skin Sensitivity: Individuals taking medications that increase skin or eye sensitivity should avoid red light therapy.
Medical History: People with a history of skin cancer or eye disease should consult their doctor before using red light therapy.
Professional Guidance: For optimal results and safety, consider seeking treatment from a dermatologist, trained aesthetician, or qualified healthcare professional.

Cost

The cost of red light therapy varies depending on whether you are using a device at home or you are getting treatment in a clinic. But in general, red light therapy isn’t cheap - treatments can cost $80 a session or more.

At-Home Devices

If you decide to use a red light therapy device at home, note that it may not be as powerful or effective as devices used by doctors or other professionals. When choosing an at-home device to purchase, you can check whether it has been cleared by the US FDA, which means that it is safe and equivalent to other devices already on the market. When using a red light therapy device at home, make sure to use proper eye protection and follow all directions on the device.

Is red light therapy effective?

Most experts say that they don’t know yet if RLT is effective for all its claimed uses. Most say that the studies published so far show some potential for certain conditions, but that more studies need to be conducted. Red light therapy is still an emerging treatment that’s generating growing interest. But at this point in time, there’s not enough evidence to support most uses.

How does red light therapy tighten belly skin?

Red light therapy is used a lot in dermatology to stimulate collagen production and create tighter skin, Dr. Rodney says. “It can make skin look tighter-less saggy and more firm,” she says. “That could be helpful for the appearance of skin.”

The process of tightening belly skin with red light therapy is similar to what you’d do for weight loss-a provider targets the laser at your skin for extended periods of time during a session.

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