You have probably heard about infrared light and LED light. Did you know these lights are used in many health and beauty treatment options? From skin rejuvenation to pain relief, infrared and LED light therapy machines are the solutions.
However, it is necessary to know: Is infrared light therapy safe? Is it a healing tool or just another trend?
We will define infrared light treatment, discuss how it differs from LED light treatment and consider its possible advantages for physical and general well-being. However, safety comes first, so we'll also discuss the risks. So, is infrared light safe for eyes? Is infrared light safe for skin? Or, is infrared light safe during pregnancy? We will try to answer all these questions.
What is Infrared Light?
Wondering “What is infrared therapy?” Infrared light is one of the many cutting-edge treatments being tested for treating people with acute or chronic pain. This therapy applies specific light wavelengths to the body's injured areas.
Infrared waves can penetrate the skin's layers about 2 to 7 centimeters deep, reaching the bones, muscles, and nerves. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the optimal wavelength for treating inflammatory diseases is between 700 and 1,000 nanometres.
With infrared therapy technology, people can enjoy the sun's benefits without contact with UV radiation. Furthermore, infrared therapy has no adverse side effects and is generally safe and effective. Infrared light is secure enough for newborns in neonatal intensive care units.
What is LED Light Therapy?
Light-emitting diode (LED) light therapy is a non-invasive procedure that improves skin by penetrating its layers.
NASA started researching LED's potential to accelerate astronauts' ability to repair wounds by fostering the growth of cells and tissues in the 1990s.
LED light therapy is now widely used by physicians and aestheticians to treat various skin conditions. Skin specialists frequently combine LED light therapy with other treatments, including lotions, ointments, and facials, to get the best results.
Additionally, various LED light therapy-using equipment, such as LED masks, are available for purchase.
Health Benefits of Infrared Light Therapy
Heart-Related Conditions
An essential advantage of infrared therapy is that it can improve cardiovascular health. When exposed to infrared light, nitric oxide is produced more significantly. This signaling molecule is essential for maintaining the health of blood vessels.
This compound relaxes the arteries, keeping blood from clotting and clumping in the vessels. It also fights free radicals to control blood pressure and avoid oxidative stress.
Nitric oxide is necessary to increase blood circulation and give wounded tissues more oxygen and nutrients. Thus, infrared light reduces inflammation and pain by speeding up wound healing and encouraging the regeneration of damaged tissues.
Inflammation and Pain
Infrared therapy can effectively and safely treat pain and inflammation. It can penetrate the skin’s layers, reaching the muscles and bones. By increasing circulation in the skin and other body parts, infrared treatment helps mend wounded tissues by supplying them with nutrients and oxygen. It aids in pain management, inflammatory relief, and oxidative stress protection.
Injuries to the muscles
Infrared treatment promotes the development and repair of new muscle and tissue cells by enhancing the function of mitochondria in cells. In other words, infrared light can speed up healing after a muscle injury.
Detoxification
IR Saunas provides infrared therapy. Detoxification is crucial because it has the potential to boost immunity. It also facilitates optimal metabolic processes, enhancing how food is absorbed. Infrared saunas benefit the body’s core temperature, leading to cleansing at the cellular level.
Potential Cancer Cure
Can red light therapy cause cancer? You may often ask this question. However, contrary to popular belief, infrared therapy holds promise as an effective skin cancer treatment. Research has shown that infrared light can activate nanoparticles, making them highly toxic to nearby cancer cells. One such method is photoimmunotherapy, which uses a combined antibody-photo absorber to target cancer cells.
Cosmetic Applications of Infrared Light
The main advantages of near-infrared treatment for people looking for deep cellular skin regeneration without pain, invasive procedures, or downtime are as follows:
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Stimulates the mitochondria, which increases the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and aids in cellular regeneration, healing, and DNA repair.
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Speeds up the healing of wounds and lesions and lowers inflammation in the skin and tissues.
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Encourages the synthesis of collagen and elastin for skin that is firmer, more supple, and looks younger.
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Increases cellular oxygenation and blood flow, which triggers the release of harmful wastes for a glowing, healthy complexion.
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Enhances the skin’s resilience, clarity, tone, and texture overall.
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It can be combined with LED face mask therapy or red light therapy belt for enhanced anti-aging skin rejuvenation or used independently.
Is Infrared Light Therapy Safe?
Since infrared radiation may only reach a depth of about 4 cm into the human body, contact with infrared radiation primarily endangers the skin and eyes. Large-scale safety experiments should also ascertain the long-term consequences of light “dosages,” various wavelengths, and infrared radiation.
Consequently, this is a partial list of all possible negative consequences of infrared radiation.
Skin Impairment
About 65% of laser light that reaches the human body first penetrates the dermis before being absorbed. An increasing rate of photoaging, or aging brought on by light, is currently a possible worry.
Although UV radiation is the primary cause of photoaging, a study suggests that greater exposure to infrared light also boosted the production of MMP-1. MMP-1 may play a role in photoaging, reducing the skin’s elastin and collagen production.
Skin temperature increases may not always be beneficial. Induced heat shock can produce reactive oxygen species, raising body temperature and causing harm. Infrared radiation may also harm tattooed skin.
Injure Eye Health
The eye’s lens is highly vulnerable to infrared radiation. Chronic exposure to high-power sources may be a factor in the development of cataracts. Infrared light can harm essential proteins that enable ions and enzymes to pass through the lens, which usually makes the lens less clear.
Eye protection must be used when considering red light therapy. The most common side effects are skin and eye damage. However, these risks can be minimized with proper precautions, such as avoiding high-power sources and consulting a healthcare professional.
Infrared radiation is not currently widely used in human clinical trials. In addition, the majority of the human studies that are now accessible lack good quality (they do not have large sample sizes or are double-masked).
Before embarking on an infrared therapy regimen, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional. This is especially important if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking medications that could interact with the therapy.
Due to the risks associated with overheating and a lack of safety data, infrared light should be avoided by youngsters, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. It is also not safe during pregnancy.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
People are exposed to infrared radiation from the sun daily in the form of heat. Although the benefits of infrared sauna blankets are widespread, doctors caution against potential health hazards. Thermal or heat damage may occur depending on the infrared light's wavelength. Heat injury can happen even in the absence of discomfort.
In addition, individuals with cardiac conditions, pregnant women, and the sick should never receive infrared therapy. Furthermore, professionals advise against treating chronic illnesses with infrared therapy while ignoring the need for prescribed drugs and other suggested courses of care.
Even though infrared treatment has many health benefits, research on it is still in its early stages. As a result, it should now be viewed as a supplement to medical care, and other recommended regimens should be followed.
Conclusion
Infrared therapy involves using infrared light wavelengths to treat damaged or inflammatory tissues. Proponents contend that infrared light enhances circulation and reduces inflammation by heating the tissues, which enhances wound healing and other processes.
Currently, psoriasis, diabetic ulcers, and general inflammation provide the most substantial evidence in favor of infrared light. However, more data are needed to support infrared therapy in many typical applications.
