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Let’s Talk Red Light Therapy

What Is Red Light Therapy?

BabyQuasar.com

Just like all light therapies, red light therapy is an all natural therapy with unlimited benefits. During this process, you shine a red light on yourself for a certain amount of time on a regular schedule in order to alter cosmetic details, decrease pain, quicken a healing process, etc.

What Does It Do?

The red light process is more commonly used for cosmetic assistance. Such as reducing fine lines and wrinkles, putting a stop to acne, healing after sun damage, and other skin problems. But beside being an anti-aging miracle worker, red light therapy has shown some pretty serious results when it comes to chronic and acute pain. NASA discovered the benefits of red light therapy in the early 2000s during a clinic for wound healing and pain management. Not coincidentally, this is when conventional medicine caught on and light therapy said goodbye to it’s taboo image. NASA is pretty good at stuff like that.

Since the discovery, red light therapy has been proven to provide relief from muscle and joint pains, high blood pressure, arthritis, as well as nerve and tissue damage. It can also decrease injury healing time, which is why pro athletes undergo the therapy after injuries.

How Does It Work?

Red light therapy uses infrared light, which is different from most other forms of light therapy. This particular light is of a stronger wavelength than others thus being able to reach deeper into your skin and provide benefits to your body, not just your mind. In 2013, Tammy Thompson took to her blog about health and wellness for Women’s Journal and explained just how red light gets it’s results. She wrote, “Red Light, in wavelengths between 630-660 nm (nanometers), has the ability to penetrate deep into the layers of the skin, energizing fibroblast cells that make collagen and elastin production. This is how the skin repairs damage and rejuvenates the skin’s overall appearance.”

Thompson continued to explain that the results from the process may just seem it like a cosmetic enhancement, but the results are actually showing the body healing itself. The same goes for red light treatment post accidents. Red light provides a relief from injuries that medicines and surgeries can’t do. This is because the body is actually healing, the pain is not just being masked.

What Are The Benefits?

You get it. Red light therapy is basically magical. It helps trigger our body into healing itself, it can make us look younger, it can decrease our pain, the list goes on and on. But besides those points, there are some pretty basic things that cannot be overlooked here. Light Therapy Options, a wonderful website dedicated to the all mighty power of light therapy, made a pretty impeccable list about these benefits. Take a look.

• 100% natural
• Drug free
• Chemical free
• Non-invasive (no needles or knives)
• Non-ablative (does not damage the skin)
• Painless (does not itch, burn, or sting)
• Requires zero downtime
• Safe for all skin types
• Safe for all ages
• Easily self administer in your own home
• FDA approved

(Benefit list borrowed from LightTherapyOptions.com)

Are There Any Side Effects?

Just like any medical treatment, there are some side effects to be considered if you are planning on using red light therapy or are already undergoing the treatment. People with a history of skin cancer should speak to their doctor first. There is a chance that light therapy is not the best thing for you. Any sort of treatment that involves being exposed to harsh amount of UV light and radiation cannot be deemed as risk free, but the side effects have been shown as extremely mild. Side effects may include headaches, trouble with sleeping, nausea, irritability, and trouble seeing clearly. Intense side effects are quite rare and light therapy is generally considered safe.

Some Of The Best Products…

So, are you sold? If you’re interested in trying red light therapy for yourself or you know someone who might be interested, take a look at some of our favorite products below.

For Your Face:

BabyQuasar.com

Quasar MD Plus
$795

When it comes to your face, you don’t want to mess around. You only get one of those and guess what? You can’t hide from your face. There are a lot of hand held light treatments available, but this dermatologist recommended device is by far one of the best. the Quasar MD Plus is easy to use and you’ll see results fast. The device uses wavelengths of red and infrared light just as powerful as the ones used by professionals. The energy simulates and increases blood flow for a beautiful glow. It also aids in smoothing wrinkles. Who doesn’t want that? The device can be used for less than fifteen minutes per treatment as little as twice a week.

For Your Body:

ReviveLightTherapy.com

Clinical XL Lighthead
$199

This deep penetrating light head is ideal for pain relief. Revive Light Therapy sells many light therapy products, but the Clinical XL Lighthead is ideal for body pains. The device is made up of 72 powerful, medical grade LED lights that make it possible to cover a large area for easy treatment. The lights penetrate into your tissue to help relieve stiffness and aches. The lightweight design is handheld and easy to use, making it simple to target those sore spots that nag you all day. It’s safe for all skin types, has great reviews, and the price isn’t too bad either.

For Your Busy Schedule:

Mountainside-medical.com

Qfiber Infrared Heat Therapy Body Wrap
$74

This body wrap is definitely a game changer for anyone with a lot on their plate. The Qfiber Infrared Heat Therapy Body Wrap provides relief by using deep penetration exactly where you need it. The body wrap is easily portable, safe and effective, comfortable to use, and fits all body types. The versatility of the body wrap is perfect for treating condition such as arthritis, carpel tunnel, shingles, fibromyalgia, abdominal cramps, etc.

For Your Bank Account:

Amazon.com

NOVA RED Light Therapy Machine
$69

This handheld anti-aging wand is perfect if you’re just looking to improve your skin and get rid of some wrinkles. It’s not quite as crazy as the Quasar MD Plus, but it’s just as easy to use and 10% of the price. The NOVA RED Light Therapy Machine combines 660 nanometer light bulbs and continuous pulsing to tighten your skin, reduce fine lines, and leave you with a healthy glow. The wand is handheld, cordless, and rechargeable. It also includes a light emission control sensor to protect your eyes, avoiding the need for goggles. If you’re new to red light therapy and more interested in the cosmetic side of the treatment, this more affordable option is most likely right up your alley.

Posted on February 11, 2016 In Red Light Therapy

10 Best Light Therapy Products Under $100

There are a crazy amount of Light Therapy Products out there. Go to Amazon, type in “Light Therapy” and just wait to feel overwhelmed. It’ll happen fast. So how do you weed out the good ones? Which products can be trusted? And most importantly, which products won’t empty out your wallet?!

No need to worry. We’ve got you covered. We are going to share the 10 best light therapy products for under $100! Our results are based off of the products review scores and the actual details of the reviews, leaving you with the best possible results. Our list is not in chronological order, so please keep that in mind while reading.

We’re just going to say you’re welcome now. Because we know your skin is going to want to thank us later…

1. Northern Light Lumie Alarm Clock

$84.45
Wiggle.com

This sunrise and sunset simulator mimics the outdoor light and it’s timing with the day. You can set an alarm for the simulator to turn itself on and off in tune with your brain’s internal clock. For example, set the alarm to occur every day at 8 o’clock in the morning. The simulator will begin to mimic the sunrise inside your bedroom. This allows you to feel rested and ready for the day, waking up with the sun. Same goes for sunset. The “sun” can slowly begin to set as your day begins to wind down. This product is highly rated and reviewed, having proved over and over to help keep your internal clock in check.

2. Verilux Happy Light 6,000

$89.99
BedBathAndBeyond.com

Most commonly used for Seasonal Affective Disorder, or Seasonal Depression, this light therapy box is top of the line and a good price point. The device is simple, easy to use, and small. A small light therapy box can have its pros and cons, but the most common pro would have to be the portability. You can use this box on your desk at work, on your counter while you’re cooking, next to your bed while you read, and so much more. Keep your mood up and your space free!

3. Norlanya Micro Vibration Photon Therapy Device

$58.97
Amazon.com

This light therapy wand is essential to your beauty and skin regiment. The Norlanya Micro Vibration Photon Therapy Device gives you all of the options you need to perfect your skin. Red light, blue light, green light, basic LED lighting, or combinations of any of these and you’re on your way to glowing skin. The wand helps tighten the skin on your face, reduce wrinkles, and clear acne. It is compact, easy to use, and extremely effective. It has built in alarms to let you know when your treatments are finished, which is essential if you care about your skin. For less than $60, this hand held device is a total snag.

4. ReVive Clinic 4 Acne Light Therapy System

$90.00
Boscovs.com

Somewhat similar to the product discussed above, the ReVive Clinic 4 Light Therapy System is hand held and specifically targets acne. This product is at a slightly higher price point even though it uses only blue light. The higher price point is due to the higher quality of the product. No, you cannot combine different lights for different uses and so on, but you can really get down and dirty with that pesty acne that just won’t go away. The ReVive Clinic 4 uses blue light to kill the bacteria living in your skin which helps diminish acne and other blemishes. Using this simple, hand held device on a regular schedule can help keep your acne under control.

5. LED Light Therapy Skin Care System

$99.99
Amazon.com

Similar to the Norlanya Micro Vibration Photon Therapy Device, this light therapy package uses multiple forms of light therapy to target skin conditions. As you’ll see, the LED Light Therapy Skin Care System is at a slightly higher price point. The reason being, you get more for your buck. This skin care package includes three detachable light heads which can be changed according to what your skin requires. The device is hand held, cordless when in use and charges with the included cord. The device is aimed to give you a 30 minute treatment per charge and has a built in timer to let you know when your treatments, which are typically 10 minutes long, are finished. The LED Light Therapy Skin Care System has wonderful reviews when it comes to killing acne causing bacteria, tightening the skin on your face and body, as well as reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

6.Verilux VT10WW1 HappyLight Liberty 5.0 Natural Spectrum Energy Lamp

$39.95
Brookstone.com

The light therapy box is perfect for people who are always on the go or spend most of their day in an office setting. The Verilux VT10WW1 Happy Light Energy Lamp is compact and portable, making it easy to pack into a briefcase or suitcase. Or if you’re often at a desk, this lamp can live on her counter space, without occupying much room. This box emits 5000 LUX, which is definitely remarkable considering it’s size. 5000 LUX is the perfect amount of light to be emitted for short daily treatments to help cure your seasonal depression, jet lag, low mood levels, insomnia, and more. The lamp is also 50% as powerful as other lamps that are up to 10 times it’s size. That price point isn’t too bad either!

7. Lighten Up! Model 308 Sunrise Simulator

$39.95
Amazon.com

This sunrise and sunset simulator is a little different than most. The Lighten Up! Model 308 Sunrise Simulator actually does not include a lamp. Instead, this device plugs into the light source of your choice, turning it into a simulator. With this device you can control your own lamp and have it on a specific timer, staying in tune with the outdoor light, thus keeping your internal body clock in check. This simulator is perfect for helping treat seasonal depression, jet lag, insomnia, and more. For people who live in areas that deal with long periods of darkness, for example Alaska in the winter, this simulator can help your body remember what time it is and where your brain should be at at that time. This simulator is very well priced and the fact that you can control just about eveything about it including the light source isn’t too bad either.

8. Infrared LED Light Therapy Pad

$64.99
Amazon.com

Red Light Therapy has been recognized for awhile now as a great option for pain management and holistic wound healing. The Infrared LED Light Therapy Pad is a compact and simple pad that can wrap onto areas of your body that need healing. This pad can help with joint and muscle pain, chronic pain, wound healing, Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and so much more. If your body is aching, this pad is the way to go. It’s complete with 36 high output 880 nanometer LED bulbs and a power adapter with a detachable plug. This light therapy pad is definitely a bargain according to it’s high four star rating on Amazon.

9. Hammacher Schlemmer Desktop Light Therapy Lamp

$99.95
Hammacher.com

Yes, this is another light therapy box, and yes, this one is more expensive. But didn’t your parents ever tell you “you get what you pay for!” The Hammacher Schlemmer Desktop Light Therapy Lamp is sleak, clean, and effective. The lamp is equipped with 10,000 LUX of daylight spectrum light, which is rare for a product of its size. The high level of light being emitted is perfect for counteracting seasonal depression, seasonal change, jet lag, and more. Spending just 30 minutes a day in front of this light therapy lamp can help stop the release of melatonin in your brain. Melatonin is a sleep hormone and when it is stopped from being released throughout the day, you will find yourself with a much higher energy level from sun up to sun down. The Hammacher Schlemmer Desktop Light Therapy Lamp uses a 36 watt bulb rated for 10,000 hours. It also includes an electronic ballast to stop buzzing while operating and flicker elimination technology. This light therapy lamp definitely needs to be added to your cart.

10. ReVive Light Therapy Pain System

$89.95
CleopatrasChoice.com

Similar to the red light therapy pad discussed above, this device is ideal if you’re struggling with joint and muscle pains, wounds, aching muscles, Arthritis, and much much more. However, differing from the light therapy pad, the ReVive Ligh Therapy Pain System is handheld, letting you reach different places. It’s also slightly more intricate. This device uses 60 LED lights fifty six 880 nanometer infrared and four 669 nanometer red to safely and effectively deliver infrared heat. LED lights of this capacity have been known to penetrate deep into the skin to effectively relieve pains and ailments. This device actually reaches the tissue in your body, treating more than just surface level pain. The ReVive Light Therapy Pain System is highly ranked and very well reviewed.

Posted on February 10, 2016 In Products, Top 10's

No Excuses For Light Therapy…

When most people first hear about light therapy they either think…

I don’t need that! or Who’s got time for that?

light-therapy-2

Maybe You Do Need It…

A great majority of people struggle with conditions that make getting through your days not so smooth and peaceful. Season Affective Disorder, work fatigue, seasonal changes, and jet lag are just a few examples. Most people don’t do anything about these conditions. They sleep a little longer on the weekend, hope it will just go away, drink too many energy drinks, and the cycle continues. Using a form of light therapy such as a light box can help ease some of the tension from these issues. Light boxes block the release of melatonin, which is a sleep hormone. You may have used the all natural pills to help you fall asleep. When less melatonin is being triggered in your brain, your energy levels and alertness can increase.

Sleep disorders are very common among Americans. Maybe it’s because we are so connected to our devices that we can’t rest from them, or maybe because we’re so easily tensed and stressed. Or depending on your location, maybe daylight savings is throwing you for a loop. Using a light box on a regular schedule or just in times of need can easily improve your quality of life. Did you wake up too late and not get enough sunlight throughout your day? Keep a light box by you for your evening. Recharge those internal batteries. Is it basically impossible for you to wake up to the sound of your alarm when the sun isn’t even awake yet? Or does that boisterous alarm sound just make you go mad? Wake up to vibrant LED light shining from your bedside table instead. Is daylight savings confusing the heck out of your mind and body? Is it virtually impossible to know what time it is without a watch? Get yourself back on track with a light box. Wake yourself up with a light box and keep it on until it is a normal time for the sun to retreat.

All of these conditions require LED lighting. LED lighting works by mimicking the natural sunshine that occurs outdoors. In the past, white light LED lighting was the only form used to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder, which was discussed above. But in recent research, we have come to learn that blue light therapy is an effective method as well. SAD.org.uk, a website based in the UK, is dedicated to helping treat Seasonal Affective Disorder. In their section on choosing the right light products, they discussed why blue light is becoming more prevalent in the practice.

“Although the light emitted by the sun appears to be white, it is actually made up of the full spectrum of colours. This becomes apparent when sunlight shines through rain and it is split into the full spectrum of colours creating a rainbow.” (SAD.org.uk)

Thus explaining why experimenting with other forms of light should not be out of the question. Blue light therapy has indeed been proven just as effective as white light while treating SAD.

No, the LED light boxes are not warm. And no, they won’t give you a tan. But they sure will trick your mind. And guess what? Tricking yourself isn’t always a bad thing.

Making Time For It…

The other excuse for not trying light therapy goes a little something like this… “Ain’t nobody got time for that!” Well guess what, you do. Adding light therapy into schedule should not be life changing or stressful.
The process of using a light therapy box depends on what you’re using it for it. If you are suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, work fatigue, seasonal changes, jet lag, decreased mood levels, or anything else that has got your internal happiness radar down, a light box set up on a table in front of you is what you need. The recommended process for the treatment involves sitting in front of a light box, which typically consists of fluorescent bulbs and a diffusing screen. Looking into the lights is far from recommended, but rather finding something to pass the time, something you enjoy to do, will be the most effective. For example, reading a book, eating some meals, knitting, writing, etc. It is important to make sure that your body and face are facing the light, but you are staying focused on your activity, rather than thinking too deeply about the treatment occurring.

The therapy can last as long as you see fit. Some people just need fifteen minutes a day, while others need three hours. Some people need to use the process just once a day, while others use it much more frequently. Discussing your options with a doctor if you’re dealing with severe conditions may be a smart decision.

In a research clinic at Columbia University, students attempted to treat winter symptoms with light therapy. In their article written about the clinic they explained,

“The average length of a session for a system delivering 10,000 lux illumination is, for example, much shorter than for 2,500 lux (30 minutes vs. two hours). In clinical trials at our institute, with over 100 SAD patients who used a 10,000 lux system with UV-filtered light diffusion and angular tilt, for 30 minutes each day, about 3/4 showed major improvement of depressive symptoms. In another experiment, we found that 30 minutes was an unnecessarily long exposure for some patients (who responded fully at 15 minutes), while several required 1-hour exposures to show the effect.” (Columbia.edu)

If you have decided to experiment with light therapy and you are struggling with some of the other conditions discussed above, such as having trouble waking up or having trouble getting to sleep, a different method may be what you are looking for. Using a light therapy box that is set to a timer, could be a simple and effective option for you. Simply set the lamp close to where you sleep in your bedroom and set your preferred wake up time. The lamp will slowly increase it’s strength of light, awaking you in a peaceful way and keeping your mind on track with day cycle.

Case in point…you do have time for it. Light therapy is not as crazy as it seems!

Posted on February 10, 2016 In Light Therapy

Celebrities Who Use Light Therapy

Image from trbimg.com

We always look to celebrities for the little details in our lives. Where do they shop? Where do I get pants like that? How are they so skinny? What kind of makeup do they use? Where do they buy their groceries? Do they work out? What kind of hair products do they use? What’s their diet?

The most common questions usually revolve around their cosmetic appearance…

How is their skin so perfect?
How come I have acne but they don’t?
Where are their wrinkles?
Why don’t they age?!

We all ask ourselves these questions. Jennifer Lopez is forty six years old, a mother to two children, probably busier than any of us can even imagine, and has been in the spotlight for at least thirty years.

How is her skin still so perfect? Where are those wrinkles hiding? Her legs seriously have no cellulite? You’ve got to be kidding. She’s forty six and still rocks booty shorts better than any eighteen year old.

The effervescent J-Lo, perhaps the eighth Wonder of the World for most of us, is just one of many celebrities who use light therapy as a part of her every day routine. Celebrities use multiple different forms of light therapy, some more excessive than others, all showing wonderful results. The options range from light boxes, wands, masks, panels, lamps, wraps or one of the many other options to improve their skin. The results can decrease wrinkles, clear acne, open pores, diminish cellulite, and basically slow down the aging process that we all unfortunately have to go through. Light therapy can help make that whole process is bit easier.

Jennifer Lopez is a huge light therapy fan. She has never gone on the record and told the press exactly what products she uses but she is known to use LED Light Treatments to tight her skin and reduce the lines on her face. She may also use a red light therapy bed to help reduce the lines on her entire body.

Image from GQ.com

Katy Perry is often posting to her social media accounts about light therapy. She posted the photo above of her using a red light therapy portable mask. Although Perry is only thirty one and probably does not need to worry too much about her skin, she is known for looking pretty dang close to a Barbie Doll. Her skin is flawless for a thirty one year and it’s probably safe to say she wasn’t born that way. This mask uses red lights to keep her looking young! It tightens the skin on her face, reduces any fine lines, treats acne, and more.

Image from LightTherapyOptions.com

Jessica Alba is another celebrity who has taken to her social media to share her love for light therapy. The thirty four year old mother of two is definitely luck to have been blessed with beautiful Latina skin, but that doesn’t stop her from going the extra mile with light therapy treatments. Alba posted the photo of her Opera light therapy mask above and wasn’t shy about it. Why should she be? Notice the color of the mask. Alba’s facialist chose to use “pink” lights, which are a combination of red and blue lights, to treat her skin. The red light plumps the skin and decreases wrinkles by increasing the collagen in the skin while the blue helps say goodbye to acne by killing the bacteria underneath the skin. This Opera mask lets you choose if you would like to use red, blue, or both lights, maximizing your skin’s potential. Jessica Alba uses this treatment about once a week to help her achieve that flawless skin.

We all seem to have it in our minds that celebrities are different than we are. They’re above us, right? Super humans. But the truth is, they’re humans too. Jennifer Lopez doesn’t just magically have the legs of a twenty something year old, Katy Perry’s skin on her forehead doesn’t magically get tighter over time, and Jessica Alba isn’t Super Woman, although most of us are convinced that she is. There’s no shame in needing a little help to make aging bearable. Why not explore an option that is all natural and isn’t harmful? You wouldn’t be the only one.

Posted on February 10, 2016 In Blue Light Therapy, Celebrities, Light Therapy, Red Light Therapy