Light therapy is an emerging treatment that is quickly gaining popularity around the world, which is called Photomedicine, using light to treat skin and health conditions. Light therapy began 50 years ago when a Hungarian doctor by the name of Endre Mestre discovered that using red light on rats promoted hair growth, as well as accelerated wound healing.
How does red light therapy work?
Red light therapy works because the light photons are near the skin, they activate chromophores and that triggers change in the cells. It also stimulates mitochondria and this results in new cell generation and that process accelerates healing. In order for photomedicine to work, the correct dosage and the right protocols must be followed, which is why a certified practitioner is important.
Blue light protection
Many office workers wear blue light glasses in Australia to protect their eyes from the blue light emitted from digital screens. These are available from the online supplier and they can use your script for the glasses. This is especially important when working at night with the absence of natural light, as the blue light is stronger and can damage your eyes.
Multiple treatments
When you make an appointment with a certified red light therapy practitioner, you will probably need multiple sessions to obtain the full benefits. Your first visit allows the healthcare professional to assess your condition and based on that, he or she would recommend a treatment program. You might have to wear eye protection, depending on the location of the target area; treatment can be administered via a light bed or a hand-held device. The frequency of the sessions is determined by the light therapist; it might be 10-15 minutes, 3 times a week, or it could be 30 minutes, twice a week, there are no hard and fast rules as every case is different.
To summarise, light therapy is gaining in popularity, especially here in Australia and should you have a minor injury or a skin issue, light therapy might be the best treatment. Although red light therapy (RLT) is not yet regarded as mainstream medicine, the results speak for themselves and the treatment is not harmful in any way.