Envy Anti Aging Red Light Therapy Device

Red light therapy works by activating your mitochondria, or the powerhouse of the cell, explains Dr. Kelley. With this boost to the energy center of the cell, the cells can do their jobs—such as healing and growth—more efficiently. “Think of it as your morning coffee—red light therapy helps your cells wake up and get the job done!” says Dr. Kelley.

Red light therapy and other low-level light modalities take advantage of a phenomenon called photobiomodulation, which is how different components of our cells are activated or respond to different wavelengths of light, explains Erum Ilyas, M.D. a Pennsylvania-based board-certified dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology.

Improvement for Skin and Hair Conditions

Using light to affect positive skin changes is not a new concept. In fact, dermatologists have employed various light wavelengths in treatments for over 50 years, explains Dr. Kung.

With this in mind, one of the most commonly cited benefits of red light therapy is improvements to the skin. “It has been used to address signs of aging and skin damage, such as fine lines, wrinkles and age spots by stimulating collagen production,” says Dr. Kelley.

Perhaps the most notable benefit of red light therapy is the improved quality and texture of the skin, according to Dr. Ilyas.

Here are some specifics supporting these potential applications of red light.

• Fine lines and wrinkles. A 2020 study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found that light emitting diode (LED) phototherapy may be effective when it comes to treating aging skin, with red light therapy showing promise for positive skin rejuvenation effects by boosting fibroblasts—which make collagen and, in turn, gives skin its structure, strength and elasticity^[1].
• Acne. Light therapy has been used to treat acne for years, especially in conjunction with medications and therapies meant to enhance the light absorption, explains Dr IIyas. Accordingly, red light therapy is being explored as an acne treatment. One recent, small study showed that treating acne with red light therapy reduced mild and moderate breakouts by 36%^[2].
• Scarring. Skin fibrosis (i.e. scarring) annually affects more than 100 million people worldwide^[3]. Though more clinical trials are needed, there is a growing body of evidence that red light therapy may help modulate key cell characteristics that contribute to scarring. In this case, red light therapy is used to reduce collagen production in scar tissue, improving or preventing thickening scars, according to Dr. Ilyas.
• Wound healing. Difficult-to-heal wounds like diabetic ulcers present a major skin treatment issue. However, Red light therapy is showing promise when used for the acceleration of healing. Researchers posit that it is once again likely the increase in cell mitochondria activity, fibroblast proliferation,and collagen production that may contribute to this potentially positive red light therapy effect.
• Hair growth. Red light therapy has been shown to reduce the effects of androgenetic alopecia, the most common form of hair loss caused by a genetic predisposition to an excessive reaction to androgens like testosterone anytime after puberty, explains Dr. Kelley. By decreasing inflammation and increasing blood flow and circulation to the scalp, it has the potential to bring more cell activity (and nutrients) to that area. Recent studies indicate that using red light therapy may promote increased hair thickness and density, but more research is needed.