Red light therapy (RLT) is a popular treatment for a variety of skin and health conditions. It is a non-invasive, painless procedure that uses low-level light to stimulate the body's natural healing processes. But how often should you do red light therapy to get the best results?The frequency of treatments depends on the condition being treated and the type of device used. Generally, for best results, you should do phototherapy treatments every day or at least 5 times a week.
Consistency is key for effective phototherapy, so regular use is essential to see longer lasting effects. For anti-aging, most professionals recommend 2-3 treatments a week. You can now use personal phototherapy devices at home, but it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for optimal results. For example, some home devices may require a significant time commitment. If you are using phototherapy for physical performance and muscle recovery benefits, make sure you're doing it consistently and alongside your workouts. When using red light therapy for hair loss problems, it is important to position yourself so that the light points directly to the scalp.
The distance should be optimal at about 14 inches away. For sleep benefits, people should incorporate phototherapy into their daily routine and try to limit exposure to bright blue light. If you are using red light therapy for skin conditions, skin color, tone, and thickness affect how quickly you absorb red light photons, so you may need to adjust your treatment time for optimal results. One-hour sessions will not be more effective than 20-minute sessions and will actually reduce the effectiveness of treatment if that means you skip sessions. In general, RLT is most effective if you keep up with treatments on a regular basis. You may need treatment every week for about a month and then maintenance treatments every month or every few months.
Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and expert in red light therapy Michael Hamblin states that the treatment has no drawbacks and has no side effects. Constant exposure to red light therapy can reduce symptoms of chronic skin diseases and promote skin health. Remember that regular use of phototherapy is essential to see longer lasting effects. Because regular use is so important, it is more effective to use a personal phototherapy device than to go to a spa or a dermatologist for less frequent treatments.
