With advancements in technology now allowing people to administer non-invasive healthcare at home, light therapy has piqued the interest of many.
The science and technology behind light therapy have evolved significantly over recent years. Instead of visiting your local doctors office, this form of therapy is now much more accessible, with a range of treatment options available at our fingertips.
There’s now the option to harness the power of specific wavelengths of light to treat pain, accelerate wound healing, and improve overall well-being and athletic performance through a single handheld device.
Let’s look at the fascinating world of light therapy, exploring the red light therapy comparison to cold laser, low-level laser, and near-infrared.
What is Light Therapy?
Light therapy is a non-invasive and safe approach to treating inflammation and easing pain, done so by utilizing specific wavelengths of light.
These wavelengths are able to penetrate deep beneath the skin to stimulate various biological processes within the cells.
There are a few different forms of light therapy, all of which have their own purposes, benefits, and varying wavelengths. These include red light therapy, near-infrared, cold laser, and low-level laser therapy.
How Does Light Therapy Work?
Light therapy helps your body's natural self-healing process to kick into action by first triggering the release of nitric oxide. This dilates blood vessels, increasing the circulation of blood and decreasing inflammation in the joint. The targeted wavelengths of light stimulate our cells’ powerhouse: the mighty mitochondria.
As a result, energy production is ramped up while reducing oxidative stress. Due to the ability of light therapy to target the cells, the areas of the body that need healing the most can be specifically targeted.
With light therapy enhancing our body’s natural self-healing responses, it stimulates:
- Pain relief and reduction in inflammation by increasing blood flow, triggering anti-inflammatory molecules, and reducing oxidative stress.
- Near-complete repair of damaged tissues by stimulating cellular function and energy production in the cells.
Health Benefits of Light Therapy
Pain Relief
One of the most well-documented and widely recognized benefits of light therapy is its pain-relieving capabilities.
For athletes who train multiple days a week, light therapy can be particularly beneficial as it can ward off delayed onset muscle soreness, manage pain, and accelerate the healing of tissue for any soft tissue injuries. This means faster recovery and a shorter downtime (especially for sprains, strains, or ligament-related incidents), allowing for athletes to return to their training and competition sooner.
You don’t have to be an athlete to feel the pain relief benefits though. People living with one-off or chronic pain can use the powers of light therapy too, with light therapy offering a drug-free alternative. Red light therapy, for instance, can reduce pain by promoting the body’s natural pain-killing endorphins, helping people to find relief without the risk of complicated surgeries or medication.
Skin Rejuvenation
There’s a reason why the likes of Kim Kardashian and other TV personalities have become enamored with light therapy: it stimulates the production of collagen, allowing for maintenance of skin elasticity and suppleness - creating more youthful-looking skin. Not only is this great for the cameras, but for skincare lovers too.
The enhanced blood circulation further revitalizes the skin as it allows for further delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells. This brings a healthier and more radiant appearance.
Inflammation
When a joint is inflamed and swollen, mobility drastically decreases. However, light therapy has anti-inflammatory effects due to the modulation of cellular processes and immune responses.
This is useful for people with arthritis, with light therapy reducing joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness. This can drastically improve the quality of life for those suffering from this chronic inflammatory condition.
Types of Light Therapy
There are different types of light therapy, so determining the right one for you is important. Here are all the light therapy comparisons you need to learn more about the powers of light.
Red Light Therapy
Red light is a part of the visible light spectrum and can be found in the range of 620 nm to 750 nm. This area of the spectrum boasts longer wavelengths and lower energy compared to its blue or green light counterparts.
The cool thing about these longer wavelengths is that they can go deeper into our skin, offering all sorts of helpful effects!
Benefits: Red light wavelengths are known for their therapeutic effects on the human body, including skin rejuvenation, wound healing, muscle recovery, and pain reduction.
Common Uses: Acne treatment, skin rejuvenation, pain management, wound healing, hair growth, anti-inflammatory needs, mood and mental health, joint health, muscle recovery, circulation, dental health, and immune system support.
Near-Infrared Therapy
Near-infrared light therapy uses a light-emitting diode (LED) to beam a concentrated wavelength onto specific areas of the body.
The wavelengths are located within the invisible spectrum (barely visible to the naked eye) and deliver energy to the cells. Once delivered, this stimulates healing, relieves pain, and activates all the benefits that near-infrared light is known for.
One of the main standouts of near-infrared light is how deep it can penetrate to provide that much-needed energy, with wavelengths ranging from 700 to 2500nm.
Benefits: Near-infrared light therapy is impactful for tissue repair, wound healing, and pain management.
Common Uses: Pain management, muscle recovery, joint health, inflammation reduction, nerve regeneration, hair growth, stress reduction, and anti-aging and skin health.
Low-Level Laser Therapy
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) uses low-level lasers or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to stimulate cellular processes and promote healing and pain relief in the body.
It utilizes specific wavelengths of light, typically in the red or near-infrared spectrum, which are then absorbed by the cells and tissues to trigger a range of biological responses.
The lasers or LEDs used in LLLT are usually in the range of 1-500 milliwatts, so they’re not strong enough to heat or damage tissue, making this therapy safe.
Benefits: Offers pain relief, stimulates collagen production, reduces inflammation, accelerates wound healing, and repairs tissue.
Common Uses: Pain management, wound healing, orthopedic and sports medicine, dental applications, skin rejuvenation, hair growth, inflammation reduction, and neurological and cognitive health.
Cold Laser Therapy
Cold laser therapy is a treatment where low-level lasers or light-emitting diodes are applied to the surface of the body to achieve desired results.
To be more specific, the wavelengths used by cold laser therapy sit around 600 to 1000nm. These wavelengths are able to penetrate deep beneath the skin to deliver nutrients to our cells.
It’s a completely non-invasive therapy that usually causes no pain in the process or after application. However, some people may report a slight tingling sensation. This is merely caused by the increased circulation triggered by the laser.
Benefits: Pain relief, tissue repair, inflammation reduction, accelerated wound healing, and improved blood circulation.
Common Uses: Dental applications, pain management, wound healing, orthopedic and sports medicine, inflammation reduction, and neurological and cognitive health.
What are the differences between light therapy?
Red light therapy, near-infrared therapy, cold laser therapy, and LLLT are all forms of photobiomodulation that use light at certain wavelengths to stimulate cellular processes and promote healing.
But, they all differ in terms of the wavelengths used, the depth of tissue penetration, and specific applications. Here are some key red light therapy comparisons.
Wavelengths
Red light primarily uses red light wavelengths, usually in the range of 620 to 700 nanometers.
Near-infrared uses wavelengths that are slightly longer than red light, typically between 700 to 1100 nm.
Then, cold laser therapy and LLLT use laser or LED light sources that can emit both red and near-infrared light wavelengths.
Depth
Red light therapy can penetrate the body 8-10 millimeters into the skin, reaching deep into tissues, muscles, and bones.
The wavelengths used in near-infrared light therapy can also penetrate deep into tissues, making it suitable for addressing muscle and joint issues. It can reach further under the skin than red light wavelengths. And these wavelengths can even treat the brain!
Cold laser therapy and LLLT use a combination of red and near-infrared wavelengths and are often adjustable for different depths of tissue penetration, allowing for a wide range of applications.
Safety and Intensity
Red light uses lower-intensity light and is considered safe for numerous applications, even for self-administration at home.
Near-infrared light is the same and is also suited for home use.
Cold laser therapy and LLLT devices can vary in intensity and application. The higher-intensity devices may require professional administration, while lower-intensity therapy may be suitable for home use.
Light Therapy at Home with Kineon
The days of struggling to find effective pain relief and management can now be behind you with Kineon’s Move+ Pro device.
Our remarkable device allows you to harness the power of targeted red light therapy to take your muscle recovery to new heights.
The device is completely wireless and portable, so you can apply light therapy to the required area in the comfort of your own home.
In just 15 minutes a day, the MOVE+ Pro allows you to target your specific problem areas precisely, optimizing the impact of this incredible therapy. Simply strap on the device and let the targeted LED and medical-grade lasers work their magic.
It's a convenient and effortless way to unlock the full potential of red light therapy and supercharge your muscle recovery journey. Say goodbye to limitations and hello to the endless possibilities offered by the MOVE+ Pro device.
Benefits of Home Treatment
Treatment at home is highly convenient. You can integrate treatment sessions into your daily routine without the need to travel to and from a clinic or spa.
Due to this, at-home light therapy can be much more cost-effective than making those regular visits out of the house. While there is an initial investment in the device, you save on ongoing appointments and transportation costs.
When you have the device at home, you can be more consistent in your treatment approach. Regularity is key to the effectiveness of light therapy and a device can help you to maintain a treatment schedule. This leads to better results for conditions that require ongoing therapy.
How to Choose Your Kineon Device
Choosing the right device for you is important, especially with so many treatment options entering the market.
As this will be used on your body, trusting the device and company is paramount.
Read through reviews and testimonials to see how people in the industry perceive the brand and device. This can be seen through third-party review sites, testimonials, or word of mouth.
Here at Kineon, we pride ourselves on being trusted by top health experts and professionals worldwide. Our site has numerous testimonials from incredible athletes, competitors, nutritionists, and doctors.
Designed with your recovery in mind, our medical-grade laser device called the MOVE+ Pro delivers the healing power of red light directly to the surface of your skin, precisely targeting the areas that need it most, whether it's your ligaments, tendons, or any other spot in need of some tender loving care.
By utilizing the power of the MOVE+ Pro, you'll tap into your body's natural superpowers. Witness your cells spring into action, repairing and rejuvenating themselves.
Don't delay – it's time to unleash the healing power of the MOVE+ Pro and elevate your well-being to new heights!
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