Red light therapy

EXPERIENCE THE WARMING EFFECTS OF LOW-LEVEL RED AND NEAR-INFRARED LIGHT WAVELENGTHS. RELAX AND BENEFIT FROM THIS GENTLE, NON-INVASIVE RECOVERY THERAPY.

what is Red Light Therapy?

Red Light Therapy (RLT) is an innovative, non-invasive treatment that rejuvenates the body using low-level wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. Light hits the skin directly, stimulating cellular repair without heat or discomfort. Red Light Therapy devices use LEDs to emit this light, usually at a wavelength of 630 - 660 nanometers (nm), representing a more red-hued light, or a wavelength of 810 - 850nm, representing a near-infrared-hued light.

This makes it an excellent option for a recovery modality that is gentle yet effective. RLT is used for its various health benefits, such as aiding skin health, improving muscle recovery, reducing inflammation and pain and more. Red Light Therapy, therefore, is perfect for athletes and life athletes looking for a unique way to improve their overall wellness and training.

What are the benefits of red light therapy?

Red Light Therapy has a range of benefits, from physiological to psychological. When exposed to a combination of red and near-infrared light, you can experience a cascade of positive effects that can last outside your RLT session.

reduced inflammation

RLT reduces inflammation by stimulating cellular processes that reduce oxidative stress and improve the body's natural anti-inflammatory response. This has been seen in various tissues, including muscle, skin and nerve tissue. Red Light Therapy can also increase the production of ATP. One effect of this is activating P2X7, which increases the production of anti-inflammatory molecules.

Pain Relief

Through Red Light Therapy's ability to increase blood flow to injured tissues and capabilities to reduce inflammation, users can experience pain relief in specific trouble areas. These effects can last after the session and improve efficacy with consistent sessions.

Mood, sleep and mental health

Red Light Therapy has been shown to stimulate the release of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in regulating mood. Similarly, it has been shown to have positive impacts on mental disorders like depression. RLT can also positively impact sleep quality and help regulate sleep, which can help combat poor mood and disorders due to their sometimes derivation from inadequate sleep.

Enhanced performance

RLT's cellular process stimulation improves muscle function, reduces fatigue, and enhances muscle recovery. It helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to muscle cells through increased blood flow, helping to improve performance when used before exercise. Conversely, RLT can reduce muscle fatigue and repair, helping minimise the recovery downtime.

Improved Skin Health

Through Red Light Therapy, the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin texture can be improved via the increased production of collagen. The same stimulation in cellular processes that aid with the reduction of inflammation and pain also enhances this collagen production.

How is Red Light therapy different at the body lab?

Before your session, our knowledgeable staff will introduce you to the RLT process, answer any questions, and further guide you on its use. Depending on your use of RLT - pre or post-training - you may have a different experience. Our members can access a standing bike within the Red Light Therapy facility, helping them warm up while experiencing RLT's benefits.

You'll be positioned near our state-of-the-art Red Light Therapy panels. Sessions last between 10 and 20 minutes, which you can spend relaxing, meditating, or simply enjoying a moment of calm and clarity. This process is non-invasive, with no discomfort or danger.

how does red light therapy enhances training

Incorporating Red Light Therapy into your training can offer a unique way to capitalise on the performance and well-being benefits. RLT can be used before training, priming the muscles for exercise, potentially aiding performance levels and reducing injury risk. Alternatively, you can use it post-exercise to assist in the recovery process, helping muscles repair more efficiently and reduce soreness.

Higher frequency use can provide additional support for recovery and performance, while integrating RLT on active recovery days can enhance your body's natural healing processes without additional physical strain. Combining Red Light Therapy as part of your holistic wellness approach alongside nutrition, hydration, and sleep ensures a comprehensive approach to supporting your overall well-being.

What to expect from a Red light therapy session

Red Light Therapy offers a calm and quiet environment that facilitates relaxation. During your session, you'll be exposed to low-level wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. This light does not significantly heat the room but does provide a gentle warming sensation on the skin. As RLT light is absorbed through the skin, it is recommended to wear clothing that allows more skin to be shown.

Red Light therapy is non-invasive, with no downtime necessary after a session. Because of this, sessions can provide a relaxing pause from a stressful day or give some time to meditate and relax. Once finished, you can continue with your day as usual.

Red Light therapy offers numerous benefits that align perfectly with our members' goals at The Body Lab. Upregulating ATP production within mitochondria boosts energy levels, aids muscle contractions, and enhances nerve impulses, priming the body for optimal performance. Additionally, it promotes muscle protein synthesis, leading to muscle growth and repair, while improving blood circulation and oxygen delivery by forming new blood vessels and releasing nitric oxide. These effects support our members' fitness journeys by facilitating muscle growth, high-quality performance, efficient recovery, and longevity. Furthermore, Red Light therapy stimulates collagen production, enhancing skin health and radiance. Importantly, it's safe for the eyes, protecting against potential sunlight damage and aiding in synthesising Vitamin D through skin and eye absorption.

- Harun Okine | Elite Personal Trainer

FAQ

Learn more about Red Light Therapy and see answers to some of the more common questions we get asked.

  • Red Light Therapy helps to stimulate collagen production. This can help reduce the appearance of various scars and stretch marks. Repeat use can make the sin look smoother.

  • While natural sunlight and tanning beds can negatively impact the appearance of your tattoos, the same is unlikely with Red Light Therapy. The UV rays are not stronger than these other sources and are less likely to have the same impact on tattoos

  • By stimulating collagen and elastin production, RLT can contribute to increased skin firmness and elasticity. However, it can take a few months of consistent use to see results.

  • It is not recommended to have more than 20-minute sessions at a time when using RLT. Three to five sessions a week is typically enough to gain the benefits and see a tangible difference. However, it can be used daily, but you should adhere to a healthcare professional's recommendation depending on what you're using it for.

  • While exposure to red light therapy won't damage your eyes, misuse of equipment can be dangerous. When in use, don't stare directly at the machine's lights to prevent discomfort. RLT can have the opposite effect: It can be a natural way to protect and benefit your vision if used correctly.

  • Red Light Therapy has been shown to increase hair density, hair count, and thickness in both men and women without adverse side effects.

Read more about Red Light Therapy

Read more about Red Light Therapy, including research on its benefits, by checking out The Body Lab blog. You can also find information on other recovery therapies to aid your fitness and well-being journey.

Other services at the body lab

Learn more about the other recovery therapies at The Body Lab, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Floatation Therapy and Red Light Therapy. You can also benefit from a range of specialist training, including elite personal training.

floatation

Embrace the feeling of weightlessness and benefit from mental & physical calmness.

Osteopathy

Strengthen your musculoskeletal framework via a non-invasive form of manual medicine.

hyperbaric oxygen

Improve your oxygen absorption effortlessly and reduce free radicals from oxidative stress.

CRYOTHERAPY

Experience extreme cold temperatures to reduce pain and inflammation and improve circulation.

Massage Therapy

Rejuvenate the body, mind and soul with relaxing and deep tissue massages.

personal training

Gain access to a personal training concierge that guides you on the best path for your fitness journey.