Red light therapy has been gaining traction in recent years as a safe and effective way to improve skin health, reduce inflammation, and promote wound healing. Studies have shown that red light therapy is most beneficial when using red light at ~660 nm and NIR light at ~ 850 nm. Until recently, red light therapy was only available in spas and clinics, but now personal devices make it more affordable and convenient for consumers. Unlike many other health treatments, red light therapy is safe to use every day, is non-invasive, and has virtually no risks or side effects. When it comes to buying a red light therapy device, you need to be aware of the different wavelengths available.
Red light ranges from 630 nm to 660 nm and NIR ranges from 810 nm to 850 nm. It's perfectly fine to work with these two, either separately or in combination. However, manufacturers may use cheaper LEDs that emit a lower light or “junk” that doesn't have research supporting their effectiveness or that can cause harm to the body (such as high-powered blue lights). Be sure to check the power density number and the distance at which it was measured. The healing effects of phototherapy are nothing new: it was first used in the late 19th century to treat cutaneous tuberculosis (TB), and NASA used it in the 1980s to grow plants in outer space.
Since then, hundreds of clinical studies and thousands of laboratory studies have been conducted to determine whether RLT has medical benefits. As red light in the 600nm to 700nm range does not penetrate deep into the body, this wavelength may be more suitable for someone who wants to improve skin health or help with superficial wound healing. All in all, red light therapy can be used on all skin types, including the most sensitive ones, and the science behind it is promising. It's important to remember that not only does the color of the light (wavelength) matter, but also the amount of light (power density). If light can penetrate the palm of the hand to a certain extent, it will be suitable to penetrate the cheeks.
This means that red light therapy can help good dental practice work as a holistic method to improve overall dental care.
