The sales pitch for Red Light Therapy (RLT) devices is pretty much the same today as it has always been. The consumer is led to believe that the best product is one that delivers the highest output at the lowest cost. That would make sense if it were true, but it’s not. Studies have proven that low doses over a longer period of time are much more effective than high doses and short exposure times, even though the same energy is delivered. The best product is one that most effectively treats a problem and promotes good health.
RLT devices deliver light in only one or two narrow bands. They don’t deliver UV light, which is needed for the production of Vitamin D, and they don’t deliver IR light, which can help reduce pain in joints, muscles, and nerves. Natural sunlight delivers full-spectrum light, including UV and IR components. Full-spectrum light is needed to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and certain other conditions where red light is of little or no value.
The healing power of natural sunlight is well known, but most of us don’t get enough. We live and work indoors, and winter months tend to be cold, cloudy, and dark. For those reasons, a device that closely mimics natural sunlight can be beneficial. To be of value, the device must deliver full-spectrum light, powerful enough to trigger biological processes in the human body. A high dose of red light for a few minutes each day cannot make up for a profound lack of sunlight. It simply doesn’t work that way.
Spending more time in the sun, wearing as little clothing as possible, is a good idea, but not always practical. The next best thing is a device that delivers light closely resembling natural sunlight. You may already have full-spectrum lights in your home and at work, but their output is low and you’re probably fully dressed while exposed to them. If you have the full-spectrum light on hand, To get the most from it, use it while undressed, perhaps in your bedroom while reading or watching TV. Be sure to protect your eyes, just as you would when exposed to natural sunlight.
Understanding that RLT devices deliver light in only one or two narrow bands, you should know that the absence of certain frequencies of light can be harmful. Blue light, for example, is bad for your eyes. That’s why TV’s, computers, and phones allow the user to filter it out. You may be wondering why sunlight isn’t bad for your eyes, since sunlight contains blue light. It’s simple; sunlight includes IR light, which counteracts the negative effect of blue light. This is just one example of the negative effects of the absence of certain light frequencies.
When exposed to natural sunlight or a healthy dose of full-spectrum light, the skin absorbs Vitamin D, a critical nutrient that prevents bone loss and reduces the risk of heart disease, weight gain, and various cancers. Most importantly, don’t use a device that can do more harm than good. It is much easier to overdose when using a high-power device at close range, than it is to overdose using a full-spectrum device at a distance.