It’s no secret that the popularity of light therapy has boomed over the last couple years, and searches for red light therapy specifically have gone up 58% since 2023. Typically touted for its ability to fight wrinkles, red light actually offers so much more in the realm of beauty and wellness. By alleviating inflammation from within, this multitasking modality appeals to practically every client who walks through your doors! Here’s how you can bring holistic inflammation relief to your guests.
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It’s no secret that the popularity of light therapy has boomed over the last couple years, and searches for red light therapy specifically have gone up 58% since 2023. Typically touted for its ability to fight wrinkles, red light actually offers so much more in the realm of beauty and wellness. By alleviating inflammation from within, this multitasking modality appeals to practically every client who walks through your doors! Here’s how you can bring holistic inflammation relief to your guests.
How Does Red Light Therapy Alleviate Inflammation?
In short, red light therapy devices deliver red and near-infrared wavelengths deep into the skin and tissues, ultimately affecting cell function and health. It’s a type of low level laser therapy known to encourage healing and minimize inflammation at the source.
“Red and near-infrared light can penetrate deep into the skin and tissues, impacting the cell’s mitochondria. This absorption increases production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cell’s main energy currency. Enhanced ATP production helps the cells perform more optimally and efficiently, promoting healing, tissue repair and reducing inflammation,” explains Annet King, VP of global sales at Celluma. “Red light therapy also stimulates the release of nitric oxide, a molecule that causes vasodilation (widening of the blood vessels). Improved blood flow can help reduce inflammation by delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the tissue and removing waste.”
Because of this, red light therapy is a great option for a range of acute and chronic conditions related to inflammation and pain. “Studies have shown that RLT can significantly reduce markers of inflammation, helping to improve conditions such as arthritis, muscle strains and chronic pain,” says Terri Simpson, founder and CEO of Avanti Body. “It is particularly effective in relieving muscle, back and joint pain, inflammation and overall stiffness. It is commonly used to treat conditions like arthritis, tendinitis and bursitis, and can also help with sports injuries and muscle strains/soreness after exercise.”
So, it’s safe to say that you can address a wide range of client concerns this way, as well as a vast age range! Perhaps you have an elderly guest with stiffness or arthritis, or a more active clientele suffering from post-workout soreness—even recovering from injury. Or, maybe your client works at a computer and needs tartgeted pain relief in their neck and upper back. Remember, inflamm'aging is an ongoing concern, so facial clients will appreciate red light for age support, too.
Uniquely, it’s a clinical modality that addresses issues holistically. King notes that red light helps “stimulate a natural response in human tissue that can increase circulation, accelerate tissue repair, ease muscle pain, relieve joint stiffness, and enhance overall cell performance on a microscopic level.” By targeting inflammation at the cellular level, you’re able to offer your clients relief at the source.
Inflammation-Fighting Treatments
There are plenty of ways you can bring red light therapy into treatments. While it’s great as a stand-alone pain management offering, it also complements many other spa staples to round out beauty and wellness treatments.
“To address acne or aging skin,” says King, “simply incorporate the LED light therapy after you cleanse, exfoliate, extract and tone the skin, but before applying a mask, serum or moisturizer. LED light therapy can be used following laser, peels, microneedling, microdermabrasion, injections and more.”
Meanwhile, red light sessions work well with massage therapy to further boost circulation and diminish muscle tension—and the gentle heat provides a little extra relaxation. In addition, Simpson notes that “Physical therapy complements the cellular repair from red light therapy with exercises that improve mobility and strength.”
As with most beauty and wellness treatments, red light therapy is best experienced consistently for optimal results. “Generally, clients start to notice improvements after their first session, but for more chronic or severe conditions, it can take 5 to 10 sessions to experience significant relief,” says Simpson. “We recommend regular and consistent use to see the best results.”
As you bring red light therapy into treatments, be sure to educate your clients as to why it’s such a beneficial offering. Yes, it addresses inflammation at the cellular level, but it also provides those cells with support that allows them to function well overall.
“Spas can also offer packages and memberships that combine light therapy with other treatments, offering clients a truly holistic and comprehensive approach to wellness,” says King. “By incorporating red light therapy into their treatments, spas have the opportunity to enhance their service offerings, attract new clients and provide additional health and wellness benefits.”