These days, light therapy treatments have become quite popular as these treatments tend to promise many health conditions and issues.
And among these many light-based treatments phototherapy and especially red light therapy are the two of the most well-known ways to use “these light” to heal and cure. Even though both therapy types use light, the uses, how they work, and the end results vary a lot.
For instance, phototherapy includes treatments with UV (Ultra Violet) and blue light that are mostly used to treat skin problems and conditions. Red light therapy, on the other hand, uses specific near-infrared and red wavelengths that reach deeper into the tissues and treat a wider range of health-related problems.
So, want to know more about the differences between these two light therapies? If yes, then binge on till the end of this blog.
Phototherapy and Red Light Therapy: An Overview
Both phototherapy and red light therapy work on different pathways, like changing how cells work and even having different effects on your body. Here in this section, we’ll let you know the insights of both these light therapy types.
Phototherapy
The blue and UV light used in this form of treatment mostly affects the top layers of your skin. For instance, UV light can gradually weaken the immune system and reduce inflammation issues. This slows the rapid growth of skin cells that can be caused by diseases like psoriasis.
And when used to treat acne, blue light can effectively kill the bacteria that cause pimples and reduce skin redness at the same time. However, to get the most out of these therapies, you need to be consistent and make sure that the wavelengths are of the correct frequencies.
Red Light Therapy
Red and near-infrared light can go deeper into tissues in red light treatment. This ability to penetrate changes the activity of your cells at the mitochondrial level.
And this increases energy production (ATP synthesis) and changes other processes in cells. According to experts, it is thought that this stimulation aids tissue healing by reducing inflammation and speeding up the overall mending process.
Starting up cellular energy production aids the body’s natural mending processes, which is actually good news for problems with the musculoskeletal system and the overall body tissues.
Uses of Both Phototherapy and Red Light Therapy
Understanding the different ways both these treatments can be used shows how flexible they actually are in helping with different health problems.
Applications and Uses
Phototherapy
Psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, and even acne are just a few of the skin conditions that phototherapy is used to treat.
A lot of research has been done on how well it treats these skin-related challenges, and it has been used in professional clinics and more. However, the fact that it uses UV light tends to make patients worry about certain and possible side effects.
For instance, skin damage and a higher risk of skin cancer. Therefore, it’s always recommended that you consult a professional healthcare provider before taking on any of these therapies.
Red Light Therapy
Now, when it comes to red light therapy treatment, it can be used for more than just skincare.
And the best part of this form of therapy session is that It has shown promise in many areas, like wound healing, tissue repair, and pain control, and even can be used as sports medicine. This therapy is often used by athletes to help them heal from injuries faster, ease muscle pain, and even improve their performance.
Also, the fact that it can aid with chronic pain and improve general health has made patients want to know more about its other medical uses. And this is why to date, more and more thorough research is being conducted to get the most out of these therapies.
The section below explains more in detail!
Safety Progress and Overall Research Till Date
When thinking about any treatment, safety is quite essential. Phototherapy, especially UV-based treatments, can damage your skin and even result in skin cancer if you are exposed to it for a long time.
On the other hand, red light therapy works in quite a safer range and usually has fewer risks and side effects. However, it’s pretty essential to follow the suggested steps and get skilled help to avoid any adverse effects.
Both phototherapy and red light therapy are still being thoroughly studied to find out how well they work and if they are safe. This includes looking into the best wavelengths, doses, and ways to aid people. More advanced devices are also being manufactured with the recent advances in technology.
These devices allow for exact and targeted light delivery, which could make therapies more effective and safe.
What Lies Ahead Between These Two Forms of Treatment
The future of light-based treatments looks bright, thanks to progress in technology and a better understanding of how light affects the body.
As LED technology gets better, light-based therapy devices are getting easier to get and are quite affordable. This makes treatments possible to be done at home, making it easy for people to try these methods.
But it’s important to understand how to use it correctly and follow the instructions given for safe and effective use.Moreover, light therapy applications may become more varied.
New studies may lead to new therapeutic uses, which could mean that these treatments can be used for a wider range of health problems than they are now known to be useful for.
Bottom Line
Overall, choosing between phototherapy and red light therapy relies on several things, like the overall condition being treated, the results that are wanted, and even the patient’s own health needs.
As these light therapies continue to improve and become more prominent in the medical world, they still hold a lot of promise for providing safe, effective, and a wide range of health problems.
However, ongoing research, improvements in technology, and a better knowledge of how they work are some of the main things that will make them useful in the future for coming up with new ways to treat illnesses.
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