Furthermore, various practitioners and influencers in the health and wellness space are actively promoting the benefits of red light. Some professional sports teams now have red light therapy rooms, to capitalize on its benefits. All of this creates a lot of buzz. Thus, more people are starting to look at red light products as options for their wellness needs.

Many of these options are viable, and many benefits are documented and well-supported by clinical and exploratory research. However, if you are a novice to this rapidly growing field called red light therapy, you may find yourself disoriented. There are so many products and so many options to choose from, and the terminology can be confusing.

Red light vs near infrared light

The term “red light therapy” is often used liberally and may be extended to include near infrared light therapy. Although similar in principle, these forms of light therapy have some distinct differences and should be differentiated. There are similar effects in which both induce biochemical mechanisms that stimulate cellular processes.

One important difference between red and near infrared forms of light is the wavelength of the light. Red light falls into the 620-700 nm wavelength spectrum and is visible to the human eye. Near infrared light falls into the 800-2500 nm wavelength spectrum. This form of light is not visible to the naked eye. However, Near infrared light can penetrate deeper into the body, and even can pass through the skull. Therefore, emerges the term transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), which refers to the near infrared light therapy intended to stimulate the brain.

The focus of this article is to provide introductory information about red light therapy for the newcomers interested in this space.

Brief history of light therapy

There can be disagreements on where actual roots of the red light therapy begin. Some can argue that the father of light therapy was Dr. Niels Ryberg Finsen (1860-1904), a Danish physician and scientist. Dr. Finsen studied effects of the concentrated electric light on patients with lupus vulgaris, a form of tuberculosis. In 1903 he received a Nobel Prize in psychology for his innovative treatment method using light.

Dr. Finsen’s work is scientifically important and has major historic significance. However, it is more common to start the clock of modern red-light therapy history with Dr. Endre Master (1903–1984). A Hungarian physician, Dr. Master developed the first low-level laser (LLL) device in 1967. In his studies of LLL’s effects on cancer, he accidentally noticed its effects of accelerated wound healing in laboratory mice.

Today, more than half-a-century later, scientists, engineers and medical professionals are still studying the effects of red light on the human body. The modern trailblazers of light therapy have access to new technologies which were not available to its original pioneers. Furthermore, it also expanded the understanding of the science behind the effects of red-light therapy on human physiology.

Light therapy research and advancement

Numerous studies have been conducted and published, advancing the depth of understanding of light therapy, and expanding the scope of its applications. Thus, to date, there are over six thousand published research papers on the subject of light therapy.

New research has provided important data supporting therapeutic effects of red light. Still, despite years of research, many consider red light to be therapeutically controversial and ambiguous modality. This happens due to its status as an alternative therapy which stands outside of the traditional medical protocols.

However, research, new technologies, and modern design and manufacturing capabilities are helping to shift the state of red-light therapy. Thus, some new protocols include red light therapy as a modality for a number of indications in dentistry. Furthermore, there are recent studies that highlight the benefits of red light in other medical applications for humans. Some of these new applications go beyond the scope of general wellness and cross into the medical domain. The use of red light for animal care is even more extensive.

With regards to the general wellness applications, red light therapy acceptance is growing even faster. As the costs of new products decrease, the adoption increases. For example, red-light LEDs show the same effect as low level lasers. As LEDs are safer, and cheaper to manufacture, there is growth in new LED red light therapy devices for numerous applications. With quantity comes quality. The interest in the products increases, as more users recognize the benefits, acceptance and demand grow.

What are the types of red-light therapy devices and applications?

There are red light panels, red light masks, red light intranasal devices, red light beds, red light helmets and simple red-light lamps. The diversity of available light therapy products is growing every year. With multitude and diversity come new designs.

The terminology is also evolving. For example, photobiomodulation is a commonly used term for light therapy, particularly red and near infrared light therapies. Yet, there are  (PBM), and red light therapy is one of them.

For example, there is a range of red-light therapy devices focused on topical applications. Thus, this group includes devices intended to improve hair growth, skin aging, clarity and wrinkles. Other devices come with a promise to shrink your waistline. Importantly, most of them can cite support of at least one published research study.

The majority of devices used for topical applications are red light panels. They come in different sizes and with different power options. Some panels include both red light and near infrared light sources. Other therapy devices in the topical category include red.

Red light therapy devices for muscle relaxation and recovery

Yet another group of red-light therapy products offers help with muscle relaxation and recovery, and promises physical performance enhancement. Red light therapy panels and beds are the most common design options in this. However, this is the domain where red light devices are competing with near infrared light devices. There are also devices that combine both red and near infrared light, like Vielight X-Plus, for example, a wearable PBM device designed for personal, at-home use.

The list of use cases for red light therapy devices goes on, and there will be much more to come

The post Red Light Therapy Information for Beginners first appeared on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The post Red Light Therapy Information for Beginners appeared first on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

Light therapy terminology could be bewildering. The only way around this is to understand this terminology, the meaning behind the terms and the types of light therapy. If you are new to the light therapy space, you may find this cascade of names overwhelming and confusing. Hopefully, this article will help you to bring some order and clarity on the subject of light therapy related terminology.

Red light therapy and low-level laser therapy (LLL) are terms that describe the use of light in therapeutic applications. These terms are better known, because they have been around longer than other terms denoting light therapy. For example, near infrared light therapy (NIR) and infrared light therapy (ILT) are also two forms of light therapy. Their names are defined by the spectrum of the wavelength used. Each of them, as well as the red light therapy, can be a form of LLL. Another term for light therapy, that is more recent, is photobiomodulation therapy, PBM or PBMT.

Understanding the differences among various forms of light therapy is not as complicated as it might seem at first. The easiest way to start is to understand the related terminology. To do that, you should start from the top of the hierarchy and move down the chain. Along the way you will be able to learn and understand the relevant terms.

The Hierarchy of the Light Therapy Terminology

The term light therapy is the original name. Therefore, it stands at the top of the hierarchy. More modern equivalent of light therapy is photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT). Thus, these two terms are equal in meaning and occupy the top position in the hierarchy. The next level deeper brings about terms that are critical in understanding of the variety of forms of light therapy.

Already mentioned earlier, low-level laser therapy, is one of the earliest modern forms of light therapy. Originally developed in the 60s, this name became equivalent to the name light therapy. They are often used interchangeably. However, this is not a completely correct way to use these terms. While LLL is a form of light therapy, it is not its only form. Furthermore, LLL usually refers to light therapy in the red light thorough to infrared wavelength spectrum. Yet, today, there are numerous other light therapy options from yellow to blue to ultraviolet light spectra.

This article will focus only on the subjects relevant to the light therapy in the red to infrared spectra. This should help to avoid any confusion regarding beneficial effects of light. Thus, unlike the light in red to infrared spectra, light of other spectra could be harmful in some cases. For example, ultraviolet light can cause harm, if it is used improperly. However, that is the subject matter which outside of the scope of this article.

LLL and LED Light Therapy Options

Since the invention of LLL, technological advancements allowed the use of modern light emitting diodes (LED) for light therapy. Thus, LEDs dethroned low level lasers (LLL) as the only option for light therapy. Nonetheless, many are still using the term LLL synonymously with light therapy. Just like the brand name “Hoover” displaced the common name “vacuum cleaner” for many, “LLL” displaced “light therapy” for some. However, regardless of individual preferences for terminology, the reality is that today LLLs and LEDs share the light therapy space. Each one is prominent in its own rights and for numerous applications in general wellness, medicine and beauty related fields.

The Top Levels of Light Therapy Terminology

To sum up, the two top levels of the light therapy hierarchy are:
Level 1: Light Therapy or Photobiomodulation (PBM)
Level 2: Low level laser (LLL) therapy and LED-based light therapy.

The next level down brings about terms that differentiate forms of photobiomodulation by the wavelength of light. Thus, you may encounter terms like red light therapy, near infrared light therapy and infrared light therapy. While these three types of photobiomodulation closely related, they also differ.

Prior to discussing these three wavelength options, it is important to note again that there are others. For example, ultraviolet light, blue light, green light, they all have their uses. They differ in wavelength and the quality of light. However, most importantly, they differ in the effects of these types of light on the body.

As you may recall, the focus of this article is on the light in the red to infrared spectra. Therefore, there will be no discussion of any light in the other spectra. You will be ahead of the game, if you remember that the applications of those forms of light are different.

Photobiomodulation using Light in the Red to Infrared Spectra

The red light waves fall in the range of 600 nm to 700 nm. The near infrared light waves fall into the 700 nm to 1400 nm range. The term “near infrared” alludes to the fact that this is the type of invisible infrared light that is closest to the visible red light range. Last, but not least, is the infrared light, which falls into the 780 nm to 1 mm wavelength spectrum. These three types of light have different depths of penetration and absorption by the life tissue. Therefore, their applications are in accordance with those factors.

Thus, to sum up, the next level in the terminology hierarchy belongs to the wavelengths of the light. The focus of this article is primarily on red to infrared light spectra. Other wavelengths of light, from yellow to blue, are also suitable for various forms of light therapy applications.

Level 3: Photobiomodulation based on the light wavelength, or spectrum:

1. Red light therapy.
2. Near infrared light therapy.
3. Infrared light therapy.

Types of Photobiomodulation by Application

Now you can differentiate three levels in defining light therapy or PBM. Moving forward, the next level in the hierarchy of terminology defines PBM by application type. Thus, red light therapy is suitable for topical and systemic applications. It can be used for wound healing, for various forms of skin therapy, for muscle relaxation and more. Numerous studies provide evidence to support benefits for these applications.

The term systemic photobiomodulation defines applications of red light therapy via the blood. Relatively recent research has shown that blood contains free-floating mitochondria, which absorbs the energy of red light. The term systemic implies that this type of light therapy can produce systemic effects in the body.

Using Light Therapy for Brain Stimulation

Perhaps the most complex and sophisticated application of light therapy is its use for brain stimulation. This form of light therapy is called transcranial photobiomodulation or tPBM. The light is used to penetrate through the skin, muscles and the cranium to reach the brain. Current research shows that the best form of light for tPBM is near infrared light (NIR). NIR has presented best penetration and absorption rates, and these facts have been documented using EEG and MRI scans of the brain.

The post Light Therapy Terminology first appeared on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The post Light Therapy Terminology appeared first on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.