Does Red Light Therapy Help you Sleep Better ?

IN THIS ARTICLE:

01 What is red LED light therapy?
02 What are the benefits of red LED light therapy?
03 What are the side effects of red LED light therapy? Does it affect sleep?
04 Tips on how to use light to help you sleep

With all this buzz about blue light messing with your Zzz's, you might be wondering if using LED light therapy before bedtime will throw off your sleep. Do you really have to skip LED light therapy at night?

Here’s the good news! While certain wavelengths of light can actually mess with your sleep-wake cycle, there are others that can help you doze off. In fact, red LED light therapy, known for its anti-aging benefits, has been studied for its potential to improve sleep quality.

Learn more about how wavelengths can affect sleep and some tips on how to use the light to complement your bedtime habits.

1. What is red LED light therapy?

Does Red Light Therapy Help you Sleep Better ?

Red LED light therapy is not just a gimmick using ordinary red-tinted bulbs. It involves the use of specialized LED bulbs that emit light energy in the red light spectrum. The healing properties of this therapy were initially explored by scientists at NASA while aboard the space shuttle.

What is LED light therapy?

DEFINITION

LED light therapy is the use of UV-free, non-heating LED bulbs to treat a variety of skin conditions. The light energy that penetrates the skin activates photoreceptors which then triggers biological processes such as collagen production, healing, and regeneration.

How does red LED light therapy work? Light energy that penetrates the skin stimulates the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP, a chemical present in all living cells, serves as a catalyst for cellular metabolic processes such as tissue repair, nutrient transport, and cell renewal.

2. What are the benefits of red LED light therapy?

Did you know that red LED light therapy has more to offer than just boosting collagen production? This anti-aging hero can also lend a helping hand in wound healing and provide soothing relief from pain. Here are more of the benefits that red LED light can offer.

✔ Fights skin aging - a boost in collagen works wonders in reducing fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a more youthful appearance.

✔ Reverses sun damage - red light helps to tackle the effects of UV damage, such as uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation.

✔ Reduces swelling and inflammation - stimulates collagen production and other natural processes that aid in reducing inflammation, providing relief from swelling and soothing irritated skin.

✔ Improves wound healing - enhances the skin's healing abilities by stimulating the growth factor responsible for promoting skin cell regeneration. Also effective in improving both old and new scars.

✔ Calms symptoms of skin conditions - offers relief for skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea by soothing irritation and promoting a calmer complexion.

✔ Alleviates pain - originally used to reduce pain during cancer treatment, red light therapy directly affects pain-transmitting neurons, offering relief from various types of discomfort.

3. What are the side effects of red LED light therapy? Does it affect sleep?

If you value your sleep, the good news is that unlike blue light, you can safely use red light therapy before bedtime without disrupting your body’s sleep-wake cycle. In fact, getting a dose of anti-aging red light aligns with the body’s natural repair process that occurs during sleep.

While red light therapy has been reported to stimulate the production of the sleep hormone melatonin, blue light has the opposite effect – it can suppress melatonin production. Experts advise steering clear of blue light or any bright light in the hours leading up to bedtime. If you must use it at night, shield your eyes by wearing protective or blackout goggles while receiving treatment.

4. Tips on how to use light to help you sleep

You can definitely take control of the light around you and use it to your body’s advantage. Aside from limiting LED light therapy to red light and infrared therapy at night, here are some ways to optimize your body’s internal 24-hour clock or circadian rhythm.

Daytime	Nighttime
Open your windows to let the sun in as soon as you wake up. Expose yourself to natural sunlight in the daytime to keep you alert and in the right mood For LED light therapy, use blue light and other brighter wavelengths in the morning. Use low-wattage lights if you need to get up before sunrise.	Avoid using gadgets at least 30 minutes before bedtime. Also avoid caffeine, exercise, and alcohol. Signal your body to wind down by relaxing, reading a book, or listening to soothing sounds. Turn off all the lights, use blackout curtains, or wear a sleep mask. For LED light therapy, only use red light for your nighttime skincare routine.

Boost anti-aging at night using the Project E Beauty LED Light Therapy Mask that features two pre-set treatments: infrared + red light therapy and blue + red light therapy.

written by Olivia Khader

Reference:

https://www.healthline.com/health/why-not-to-have-red-lights-on-at-night