The internet is rife with weight loss systems; some of them work but many don’t. 

It’s easy to become disillusioned as we trawl through online information that may or may not be true. Or spend money on promises that aren’t fulfilled.

For the more skeptical reader, this article is for you. You’re determined to get the facts and make an informed decision by digging a little deeper. Are you asking questions about the benefits of red light therapy at 635 nanometers? 

If so, then let’s explore this together and understand why and how RLT works.

Shining a Light on RLT

We’ve talked about the benefits of Red Light Therapy (RLT) in previous articles and how it impacts the body. Aside from weight loss, we’ve seen positive results on wound healing, hair growth, and improvements in the appearance of skin. Essentially, it gives the body what it needs to rejuvenate and repair itself.

When exposed to low wavelength red light, the body responds at a cellular level. The production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) increases within the mitochondria, leading to a higher energy source for all cells throughout the body.

However, the effects of RLT vary depending on the specific wavelength used during treatment and how far into the body the wavelengths penetrate. For example, 850 to 880-nanometer waves have been shown to assist with chronic pain and lymph issues. Shorter 660-nanometer waves are used for surface healing such as scar tissue and acne.

Red Light Therapy at 635 Nanometers

Low-level light therapy has enjoyed extensive research with promising results. Red light therapy at 635 nanometers, in particular, has proven effective in emulsifying deep fat beneath the skin. A laser positioned 6 to 8 inches from the target site impacts fat cells up to 6 cm below the surface of the skin.

How does this work, exactly? Science tells us that red light therapy triggers fat cells to release lipids (fatty acids) through small pores. Despite skepticism about the efficacy of red light therapy for weight loss, recent studies are highlighting varied outcomes with promising results. Participants in one study lost approximately 1 inch at their waist area after a month of bi-weekly 30-minute RLT sessions.

Nature’s Remedy

When it comes to maximizing the incredible functions of the human body, the best teacher is our natural environment. It’s no accident that we feel energized and refreshed when we spend time in the sun, and science tells us why. 

Full, glorious sunlight contains the full light spectrum, including these essential red light wavelengths. Studies have shown that increased exposure to early morning sunlight serves to reduce appetite, regulate hormones, and – you guessed it – reduce body weight. 

Therefore, harnessing red light therapy at 635 nanometers is simply a concentrated burst of sunlight for your cells offering all the benefits and none of the dangers.

Red Used By the Pros

In 2020, Titan’s running back Derrick Henry broke records when he ran over three hundred rushing yards in two games. That level of performance can be punishing for a body. It’s no surprise then that he would use cutting-edge recovery tools.

One such ace in his sleeve is red light therapy or RLT. If you’ve never heard of red light therapy before, your mind might conjure up something out of a science fiction novel.

However, rest assured, it’s all science. 

High-intensity athletes the world over rely on RLT’s rejuvenating properties. So, if you often find your performance suffering because of recovery, red light therapy may be the solution. Keep reading to learn more about red light therapy benefits for athletes.

What is RLT Therapy?

Red light therapy falls under the umbrella of photobiomodulation or PDM. You may be able to guess what this word means by looking at its components. The definition of “photo” is light, “bio” means life, and “modulation” is to regulate.

So photobiomodulation means to “regulate life” with “light.” In fact, that’s a great representation for what RLT does. 

How Does it Work?

Studies suggest that mitochondria activity is energized when infrared or red light photons are directed to muscle tissues. The mitochondria then produce more of the vital adenosine triphosphate, better known as ATP. ATP provides the fuel we need on a cellular level to do everything from transport to using muscles. 

While some light on the spectrum is harmful, such as ultraviolet (UV) rays, red light encourages cell repair and has no side effects. 

How Red Light Therapy Benefits Athletes

Sports injuries can be accumulative with improper healing and recovery. So athletes know inflammation like nobody else. Luckily, red light therapy inhibits inflammation because it stimulates tissue repair.

As a result, red light therapy recovery is shorter than for someone who follows the traditional advice of ice and rest.

Where’s the Science?

A 2016 study showed that athletes using red light therapy enjoyed being recovered in half as long as their peers. The study featured the usual suspects of sports injuries such as sprains, ligament damage, and contusions. By the end of the experiment, the RLT recipients had an average recovery time of 9.6 days, compared to the control groups with 19.23 days. 

Since then, studies suggest that red light therapy, when applied both pre and post athletics, leads to more muscle mass and less inflammation, injury, and recovery time. 

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Red Light Therapy and Weight Loss

Are you looking for an easy way to lose weight without dieting or using supplements? If so, you may be wondering, “Does red light therapy work for weight loss?” The answer to this is a resounding YES. In fact, red light therapy offers a fast, effective, and safe way to lose weight. How does this therapy work? You simply are exposed to a special form of red light, which is designed to have therapeutic effects on the body. While the therapy is a new method, there is no doubt about the fact that it works. Not only that, but it works pretty well! Doctors agree on the effectiveness of red light therapy. Here’s what you need to know about red light therapy to lose weight:

1. Red Light Therapy for Weight Loss Uses Certain Specific Frequencies of Light – 635 nm research

It isn’t just any red light that can help you lose weight. It’s only certain forms of it. All types of light have a certain frequency, which is the specific wavelength of the energy. Red light is a form of visible light, but the red light used for weight loss is often a specific type of red called near-infrared. This means that the wavelength is shorter than invisible infrared light, but it’s longer than most other forms of the color red. 

Less Cellulite:

In a 2011 study on red light therapy and cellulite reduction, women ages 25-55 were divided into two groups: Group A did treadmill exercises while Group B did treadmill exercises along with red light therapy twice a week. The study concluded that Group B, who partook in both the treadmill exercise and red light therapy in conjunction showed significant improvements in body aesthetics.

Cosmetic Body Contouring:

There are various different types of weight loss modalities but few are proven to work. These modalities include, body contouring or body sculpting, some surgical, others noninvasive. Red light therapy is completely natural & noninvasive and has proven to be an effective option for changing the way your body looks.

Smaller Waistline, Less Girth:

A study in 2011 by the Journal of Obesity Surgery studied red light therapy for body contouring. This study was a double-blind, completely randomized study which observed red light therapy at 635-680 nanometers (nm) on participants for four weeks and recorded effects on the size of their waistline. At the end of the study, participants had achieved a statistically significant reduction in waistline girth.

Targeted Fat Loss:

In a similar study published in Lasers in Surgery Medicine, participants who received light therapy showed a significant reduction in overall circumference, including numerous parts of the body. Researchers concluded that light therapy can reduce the circumference of the specific areas of the body that are treated with natural light.

Tighter Hips & Thighs:

A 2013 study in the same journal also found benefits from red light therapy at 635 nm for contouring the hips, thighs, and waist. At the end of the trial, researchers found a mean loss of 2.99 inches in overall body size compared to the starting point.

Less Body Fat:

A 2018 triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed red light therapy’s effects on people doing endurance training. Researchers found pre-exercise treatment can “decrease the body fat in healthy volunteers when compared to placebo.”

Why Are Only Some Frequencies Effective?

It’s likely that this is because near-infrared light is capable of penetrating into the body. In fact, the specialized light actually shines through the body’s deep tissues. This allows it to reach tissues that play a crucial role in the body’s vital functions, which can improve your mental and physical health! 

2. This Therapy Is Safe – Provide Research

Due to the fact that the only thing it uses is a specialized red light frequency, there is little to no risk of serious side effects being caused by it. The only side effect that you may experience is minor irritation of the skin, in some cases. Aside from that, the red light is not known to cause any potentially negative effects on the body. 

3. How Could It Help You Lose Weight? – research

A 2012 study in the International Journal of Endocrinology showed that light can affect hunger levels, which could help prevent the buildup of extra fat before it even begins. This study found that red light helped control levels of the hunger-related hormones leptin and ghrelin in sleep-deprived participants. Therefore, it will be easier to get proper nutrition, and this means that you’re less likely to constantly feel hungry. 

4. How to Use Red Light Therapy for Weight Loss

In order to use red light therapy for weight loss, it’s important to go for sessions on a regular basis. In addition, you’ll need to combine this one of a kind therapy with conventional techniques for improving your physique, including eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise. 

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Red Light Therapy

Our bodies don’t always heal properly on their own. For this reason, many people choose to engage in alternative forms of medical treatment in order to help with recovery. Many people find themselves wondering “what is red light therapy?” or “does red light therapy work?” For those who aren’t quite sure about it, we’ve got all the info you need to keep in mind.

So, What Is Red Light Therapy?

As the name suggests, red light therapy or RLT involves using infrared light in order to facilitate recovery for different areas of the body. More specifically, it primarily focuses on skin and muscle tissue.

Although infrared light is generally dangerous for the human body, the treatment uses low levels of it to prevent complications. For those who aren’t familiar with what infrared light is, it is simply energy that you can’t typically see but can still feel.

Red light is very similar to this type of energy, but it is visible to the human eye.

How Does RLT Work?

The process involves exposing the patient’s skin to red light from a lamp, laser, or similar device.

Within the human body’s cells, there are components known as mitochondria that are responsible for generating energy.

During RLT, mitochondria absorb the light and use it to increase the overall production of energy. This translates into highly reduced recovery time.

Since the energy level of the light is so low, there is no risk of harm during proper treatment.

What Does RLT Do?

“What is red light therapy good for?” is often another question people ask themselves.

There are a large handful of different conditions RLT can treat. For example, regular red light therapy can help those who have dementia experience fewer emotional outbursts, get better sleep, and have an easier time remembering.

Interestingly, this form of treatment can also help with hair loss. In some cases, those who suffer from androgenetic alopecia may find that their hair grows back thicker than normal after consistently receiving red light treatment.

As previously mentioned, red light therapy also helps with conditions related to muscles or skin. This means that it can be used to treat wrinkles, golfer’s elbow, and similar issues.

Are There Any Risks?

In general, RLT is considered very safe. However, it’s always recommended to have this type of treatment administered by a professional.

As you might guess, using an insufficient amount of light during treatment could prevent you from achieving the results that you desire. Similarly, using too much light could damage your skin tissue.

Be sure to consider this when moving forward.

RLT Could Be a Suitable Treatment Option

So, keep the above answer to “what is red light therapy?” in mind so that you understand how it applies to your situation. From here, you might find that it proves to be a valuable treatment option.