The major contraindications for the use of light therapy are diseases that involve the retina of the eye, such as diabetes, and the use of photosensitizing medications like lithium, melatonin, phenothiazine antipsychotics, and certain antibiotics.
Incorrect Distance From Your Red Light Therapy Device
Being too close to the device might lead to overheating and potential damage to your skin, while placing yourself too far away could result in insufficient light absorption, thereby reducing the treatment's benefits.
People who take medications that increase their skin or eye sensitivity should not use red light therapy. People who have a history of skin cancer or eye disease should speak with their doctor before using red light therapy.
Cardiovascular Conditions. People who already have heart conditions, or similar underlying symptoms, shouldn't use light therapy devices. Pregnant women are also advised against infrared therapy.
The major contraindications for the use of light therapy are diseases that involve the retina of the eye, such as diabetes, and the use of photosensitizing medications like lithium, melatonin, phenothiazine antipsychotics, and certain antibiotics.
Results: Detrimental effects such as thermal burns, photocarcinogenesis, and photoaging have been reported, though evidence suggests that these may be due to the thermal effects produced secondary to IR exposure rather than the isolated effect of IR.
However, if products are misused — perhaps used too often or not according to directions — there's a chance your skin or eyes (if not protected) could be damaged. The long-term safety of devices that use red light therapy isn't yet known.
You can put the items below on your skin before red light therapy: Start with a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt, oil, or makeup. Apply a light, hydrating moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. Use a serum with antioxidants like Vitamin C to enhance the therapy's benefits.
Potential benefits of red light therapy
"There is no doubt that red light can be very, very beneficial to skin," Nazarian said. She said there are "a lot of studies on red light" but that additional, more standardized studies are still needed. "What it's actually doing is stimulating the cells to create new energy.
With lower power LED devices (e.g. 10mW/cm2) 30 minute sessions twice a day may be needed and may still not be enough for a good result. In any case, even 10 minutes of even low intensity LED treatment are better than nothing. However, for optimum and/or fast results, relatively higher light intensities will be needed.
As we've just discussed, while red light therapy is generally considered safe for your eyes, it's still a good idea to take some precautions to ensure maximum safety and comfort… One such precaution is using eye protection during your red light therapy sessions.
Red Light's Potential Benefits for Heart Health:
A 2022 study published in the journal Photomedicine and Laser Therapy found that RLT using red light (630 nm) improved cardiac function, reduced heart size, and mitigated other negative effects in mice with heart failure.
Please refrain from using cell phones or other electronic devices during the treatment. For most people, light therapy is best used in the morning, after first waking up.
According to our research, if your goal is the best red light therapy for body or mental performance, morning sessions might be your best bet. One study found that red light therapy in the morning boosts ATP production, which fuels your cells with energy. This makes it an excellent pre-workout routine.
Madfes doesn't recommend red light therapy for anyone with photosensitizing medical conditions, such as lupus, or anyone taking a photo-sensitizing drug (including tetracycline, doxycycline, hydrochlorothiazide, naproxen). You should also avoid it if you have any open wounds or lesions on your skin.
Most people feel nothing at all, but rarely some may experience mild transient jaw aching, headache and/or nausea. Theoretically “die-off” reactions (temporary flu-like symptoms) are also possible. However to date, there have been no known serious side effects of photobiomodulation.
Conclusions. The present study failed to demonstrate a harmful effect of whole-body red LLLT on tumor growth in an experimental model of UV-induced SCC. There was a transient and small reduction in relative tumor area in the treatment group compared with controls.
Exposure to IR radiation may cause the corneal opacity, burns on the retina, miosis, breakdown of blood–aqueous barrier and delayed cataract.
Thermal or heat injuries can happen, depending on the wavelength of the infrared light. Thermal injury can occur even without pain. Also, pregnant women, people with heart diseases, and those who are sick should never undergo infrared therapy.