Unlock the Secret Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Weight Loss and Total Health Transformation!

Red light therapy (RLT), also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation, is a treatment that uses low levels of red and near-infrared light to target the skin and cells. It is a noninvasive, nonthermal approach to disorders requiring reduction of pain and inflammation and stimulation of healing and tissue regeneration. The therapy is thought to work by increasing the production of mitochondria, the energy sources of cells, which may improve cell function and repair. While research on the benefits of red light therapy is ongoing, there is evidence that it may be useful for several health and beauty concerns, including weight loss.

How Red Light Therapy Works

In red light therapy, the skin is exposed to a lamp, device, or laser with a red light, typically using an LED (light-emitting diode) that emits the correct spectrum of light. Red LED light travels deeper into the skin than blue LED light. When the light enters the skin, the mitochondria absorb it and make more energy, helping cells repair themselves. Red light therapy uses very low levels of heat and doesn’t hurt or burn the skin. Unlike the light used in tanning booths, it doesn’t expose the skin to damaging UV rays.

The mechanism is based on absorption of red and near-infrared photons by chromophores in the mitochondria (particular cytochrome c oxidase) leading to increases of mitochondrial membrane potential, oxygen consumption, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a transient increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), and a release of nitric oxide (NO). Transcription factors such as nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) are activated leading to signaling pathways that promote cell survival, cell proliferation, and cell migration.

Types of Red Light Therapy Devices

There are many different types of red light therapy devices, some of which can be used at home. However, 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:

Red light therapy mask: This fits over the entire face and has red LED lights on the inside, pointed toward the 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 can be mounted on a wall or placed 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 the face, and large panels can target larger areas of the body.
Red light therapy wand: These are handheld devices that have red LED lights at one end. They are used by moving the wand over the skin in the areas that you want to treat and are used to treat very small areas, such as the back of the hands, one knee, or a particular spot on the face.

Red Light Therapy for Weight Loss: Examining the Evidence

Some providers use red light therapy as a weight loss treatment, often called body contouring or body sculpting. Red light therapy may help reduce the circumference of the treated area, but the effect will likely be temporary and not due to any real weight loss.

LLLT started being investigated as an adjuvant to liposuction, for noninvasive body contouring, reduction of cellulite, and improvement of blood lipid profile. LLLT may also aid autologous fat transfer procedures by enhancing the viability of adipocytes. However the underlying mechanism of actions for such effects still seems to be unclear. The studies as of today suggest that LLLT has a potential to be used in fat and cellulite reduction as well as in improvement of blood lipid profile without any significant side effects. One of the main proposed mechanism of actions is based upon production of transient pores in adipocytes, allowing lipids to leak out. Although the present studies have demonstrated safety and efficacy of LLLT in fat layer reduction, studies demonstrating the efficacy of LLLT as a stand-alone procedure are still inadequate.

Several studies have explored the potential of red light therapy for weight loss. While some show promising results, the research is still inconclusive, and more rigorous studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

A pilot study from 2020 involving 60 adults with overweight showed a modest 0.8-inch (2 cm) reduction in waist circumference following twice-weekly LLLT treatments over 6 weeks. However, there was no control group to compare the results with.
Another study from 2017 specifically targeted abdominal girth using a combination of three wavelengths of low-level laser, including red, infrared, and blue. The study involved 18 females who each underwent a total of 12 LLLT sessions during the course of the study. The results showed significant reductions in upper, middle, and lower abdomen size, with all of the study participants experiencing positive results.
In 2018, researchers looked into the potential benefits of LLLT with exercise training to reduce body fat. The study 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 (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. However, one study actually found an increase in fat tissue thickness in 8 out of 17 participants.

LLLT stimulates the cytochrome c found within the respiratory chain in the mitochondria in adipocytes. 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. Based on these data it was proposed that up to 99% of fat could be released from the adipocytes via application of 635 nm, 10 mW intensity LLLT for a period of 6 minutes.

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.

A recent study investigated the efficacy of LLLT -635 nm device that consists of 5 diodes generating an output intensity of ~0.95 J/cm2 each and the group demonstrated an average of 2.99 inches reduction in waist, hips, and thigh at the end of the treatment period.

Read also: At-Home Red Light Therapy Devices

Red Light Therapy's Potential Mechanisms for Weight Loss

Researchers are still working to determine the definitive mechanism of action behind LLLT for weight loss. However, some potential mechanisms include:

Increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production: Absorption of laser light into the adipocytes leads to increased cAMP 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.
Improved glucose metabolism and insulin regulation: Animal studies have shown that infrared photobiomodulation therapy can improve glucose metabolism and insulin regulation in the fat tissue of mice with obesity caused by a high-fat diet.
Stimulation of lipolysis: Red Light exposure can stimulate the breakdown of stored fat (lipolysis) by increasing the activity of enzymes involved in the process.
Activation of the lymphatic system: Red Light Therapy has been shown to activate the lymphatic system, which is crucial in removing waste products and excess fat from the body.

Red Light Therapy for Other Health Concerns

Research shows red light therapy may smooth skin and help with wrinkles by stimulating collagen production, which helps improve skin elasticity. Research shows it also helps improve signs of sun damage. Red light therapy can be effective for acne treatment due to its ability to help reduce inflammation. In addition to helping with active acne lesions, red light lasers may also help treat old acne scars.

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.

Research shows that red light therapy may be useful for relieving some types of pain, particularly pain due to inflammation. 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. 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.

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. 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.

Other potential medical uses being investigated include:

To reduce cancer chemotherapy side effects, including oral mucositis.
To relieve pain and inflammation associated with ankle tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and osteoarthritis of the knee.
To prevent cold sores from herpes simplex virus from recurring.

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. 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.

There is no evidence that red light therapy causes cancer, as it does not use ultraviolet rays, a form of radiation found in tanning booths and sunlight that can lead to skin cancer.

There is not a lot of research on the effects of red light therapy on pregnant people, but limited research suggests that it is safe. One study examined 380 pregnant women who had used laser light treatments during pregnancy and found that it was safe for both the parent and fetus.

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.

While some studies suggest that there are benefits to red light therapy for weight loss, 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.

Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

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.

A review in Nutrients from 2020 reported that healthier alternatives to the Western diet tend to feature more plant-based foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts. These diets include the Mediterranean diet, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, and the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet. They also tend to be lower in animal-based foods, especially fatty and processed meats.

Additionally, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American College of Endocrinology recommend moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for at least 150 minutes per week for the medical care of people with obesity.

There is also evidence that actively managing stress can help a person manage their weight.

Cost of Red Light Therapy

The cost of this therapy can vary greatly depending on whether you are using a device at home or you are getting treatment in a clinic. Treatments can cost $80 a session or more. 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.

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