Red Light Therapy

In recent years, red light therapy is become increasingly popular.  In fact, there are several red light therapy centers springing up across the Phoenix area. 

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​Do We Do Red Light Therapy?

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The short answer is YES, we do.  The long answer is that our Red Light Therapy is provided not by cheaper LED arrays, but by high power Lasers at both RED and near Infra-Red wavelengths.  Our lasers in the Red wavelength have been proven to improve collagen synthesis on the skin to decreased wrinkles and speed surface wound repair.  Our near Infra-Red lasers are proven induce a huge number of other healing effects as listed in our home page.

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What is Red Light Therapy?

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Red light therapy is a variation on the term "Low-Level Laser" or "Cold Laser" therapy.  When you hear "Red Light" therapy, it implies that the device uses LED's ( light emitting diodes) rather than actual lasers.  LED's, while they may be a specific color or wavelength, lack the unique properties exclusive to laser light.   LED's lack the focused power output that lasers have, but are much cheaper in costs.  Due to their lower cost, LED's can be arranged in large panel arrays to cover large parts of the body.  Due to their much lower power and cheaper costs, no technical or medical training is needed to run or operate Red Light Therapy devices. 

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What does Red Light Therapy Do?

 

Red-light therapy is claimed to have all the same benefits as cold laser therapy including decreased inflammation and improved healing.

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Does Red Light Therapy Work?

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The answer is a bit more complex.  Current research suggests that when cells are directly exposed to certain colors of light, unique biological reactions occur.  It doesn't really matter if the source is a laser or LED.  But this scenario only exists in a pitri dish (in-vitro).  In the body, (in vivo) however, you have skin, fat, hair, blood, etc.  All of these can affect how much energy can get to the damaged areas.  Most modern research suggests that red light therapy using LED panels can help produce collagen for surface wrinkles and skin complexion (assuming they have enough output power), but has not been shown to heal other tissue such as bone fracture, cartilage damage, ligament tears, and nerve damage.  So when we are trying to use light to heal injuries, higher energy laser systems seem like the best solution.

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The Final Conclusion of Red Light Therapy

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In summary, red light or near infra-red therapy devices using LED's can in fact induce changes in collagen synthesis for face and complexion improvements, but lack any real evidence to accelerate repair of injuries.  The current marketing by many of these LED light therapy centers promises that "RED LIGHT THERAPY" can do all of these amazing things towards improved injury recovery and improved health.  What they don't tell you is that the majority of these biological effects were induced using laser therapy.... and not LED's and not THEIR system. 

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The noticeable exception being light therapy on the head to deal with cognitive decline and emotional problems resulting from traumatic brain injuries, stroke, depression, alzheimers, etc.  New research is showing the LED panels (and lasers) have BOTH shown marked improvement in brain function after regular treatments on the head. 

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Whether you choose to use laser therapy or (high power) LED light therapy devices, DO your homework.  Find out the output power of the devices before you spend your hard earned money on the devices or services.