5 Common Mistakes to Avoid While Using Red Light Therapy
The popularity of red light therapy (RLT) continues to grow exponentially as people become more aware of its benefits. With various RLT devices available, anyone can now perform the treatment at home.
Whether you plan to get light therapy at a clinic or in the comfort of your home, you must avoid the following mistakes while receiving red light therapy treatment.
Mistake #1: Not Being Consistent With the Therapy
To see the desired results from RLT, you need to be consistent with the therapy. Consistency is particularly important for cases of chronic pain management or skin care. The cells in your body need time to adapt and show some positive results.
One of the best things about red light therapy is that you do not need to visit the clinic or spa daily. You can buy handheld RLT devices or red light therapy panels for home usage. This makes it easier for you to be consistent with the therapy and get the desired results. Try to follow the treatment at least 3-5 days a week for optimum results.
Mistake #2: Wearing Clothes, Creams, Makeup, or Sunscreen
You must have as much bare skin as possible during a red light therapy session for maximum red and near-infrared exposure. If you are starting the therapy fully clothed, the light may not be able to penetrate your skin.
Apart from clothes, you should also avoid wearing creams, especially sunscreen. They may help protect your skin from harmful UV light but also protect it from red and near-infrared light exposure. You should also avoid wearing makeup while going for RLT treatment. The foundation often contains SPF, which blocks the light from reaching your skin.
Mistake #3: Keeping the Device at an Incorrect Distance
The ideal distance between you and the RLT device depends on which area of your body you want to treat. If you plan to treat an area deeper in the body (such as organs, muscles, or tendons), you should put the RLT device closer to your body.
For more superficial areas in the body (such as hair, skin, or eyes), you can put the device a little further away from the body. It will be better to consult your physician or healthcare provider and understand how to use light to treat any specific part of your body.
Mistake #4: Choosing Incorrect Session Time
If you get red light therapy at a clinic or spa, your healthcare provider or expert will set the right duration for light exposure. However, if you are performing RLT on yourself at home, you may have an incorrect session time.
Ideally, your red light therapy session should not exceed 20 minutes. The session may be more extended if you only use a small source of light and target different areas of the body (around 5 minutes for each part).
If you use a strong light source for the therapy, 3-5 minutes per area is more than enough. It is important to remember that overexposing your cells to red or near-infrared light can delay the benefits.
Mistake #5: Not Staying Hydrated
Healthcare professionals usually recommend drinking water throughout the day to keep your body hydrated and healthy. If you do not hydrate well throughout the day, you already commit a huge mistake. In the case of a red light therapy session, staying hydrated supports the effectiveness of the treatment.
Some studies suggest that red light therapy works better on hydrated cells, as they generally have more energy. By not drinking enough water, you fail to maximize the benefits of RLT.
Conclusion
To get the most out of red light therapy, you must use it consistently, ensure nothing is blocking the light from entering your skin, use the device correctly, and stay hydrated. You also need to determine your treatment goals and choose the right device for red light therapy.
While you can get the treatment at home using an RLT device, you should always consult a doctor or healthcare professional to know how to use it properly.
