There are a multitude of reasons that people love red light therapy. From the benefits it can deliver to your skin by reducing redness and signs of ageing to anti-inflammatory pain relief, red light therapy is a gentle, non-invasive option that can be used by almost everyone.
If you’ve dabbled in red light therapy in a clinical setting already but would love to set up your own red light therapy device at home, it’s easier than you might expect. We’ll explain the best way to incorporate red light therapy into your at-home self-care rituals, how to set it up and how to use it in the most effective way.
Setting Up Red Light Therapy at Home
There are two main considerations when you’re using at-home red light therapy. The first is choosing the right device, both in terms of the size and the functionality it has. The second is that you’ll want to know how to use red light therapy for maximum efficacy.
Choosing the Right Device
While the size of the red light device you’ll want will depend on what you’re treating, you’ll also want to consider a few specific features when choosing one. While there are plenty of options available to you, not all red lights are made the same. Here are the key features we recommend to look for:
- You’ll want to choose an option that has no-flicker lights, along with a light panel that comes with eye protection included. While red light therapy is non-invasive, one of the main things to be wary of is that it can be exceptionally bright. Protecting your eyes from irritating flicking and the intensity of the light is important.
- Make sure the red light therapy panel you choose has low or no levels of EMF and UV which can be harmful in high levels. Both of these factors can be damaging to the skin. EMF is the kind of radiation used in things like X-rays, while UV light is the damaging element from the sun and tanning beds.
- Another feature that’s beneficial to have is a red light panel with a variety of wavelengths. Ideally, you want something that spans 630-660nm, which is the visible spectrum and 810-850nm, near-infrared which isn’t visible to the eye. They both target the skin and tissues slightly differently, giving you a more versatile treatment option when your red light panel has both.
- The final feature we recommend looking for is a panel that comes with a timer. This allows you to control the duration of your red light session more easily and it’ll automatically switch off for you.
Outside of the features to look for, the size you’ll want will depend on what you’re looking to use red light therapy for. If you’re largely looking to use it on your face for its ability to help smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, an LED face mask is perfect. For troublesome joints like ankles or shoulders, a smaller model is adequate. For the full benefits, easier application and broader treatment across the whole body, a large model like the Solace 6000 Red Light Therapy Panel is ideal.
Proper Usage
Depending on the size and nature of the red light panel you want to get, you’ll need to adjust the set-up you have slightly. For smaller options like LED facial masks or lightweight options like our 300 light panel, you can set them up almost anywhere. For larger options that are designed for fuller application across the half or full body, you’ll need to do a little bit of additional set-up.
If you’re choosing a red light panel that covers the full body, it’ll be much easier for you to use if you can either hang it up or stand it somewhere. For options like the Solace 3000 Red Light Therapy Panel, the motorised stand offers a perfectly portable solution. You can easily push it into the area you’d like to sit in during your red light treatment before pushing it back into a wardrobe or corner between sessions.
When it comes to using your red light panels, there are a few general tips to follow to get the most out of them. To start with, you don’t need to have your skin right against the light to enjoy the benefits. Keeping your body around 20cm away from the light is optimal, making it easy to use when you’re sitting down with a book or relaxing in the evening.
Each light will come with specific instructions, so we recommend checking them first and angling your light panel in a way that’s comfortable for you.
When it comes to treatment length and frequency, there’s no singular answer but consistency is key in order to make the most from your at-home red light therapy. We recommend doing two to five treatments per week, lasting a minimum of 10 to 15 minutes per session. You won’t experience any downtime after your red light therapy session, meaning you can do them any time during the day that makes sense for you.
While you don’t need to be completely undressed to gain the benefits of this therapy, the red light can only operate fully when it reaches your skin. Either keeping the joint or limb you’re treating free from fabric or opting for light and transparent clothing is best.
Safety Tips
Red light therapy is generally considered safe and is a very gentle option for the management of pain, improving scars and wounds and improving the appearance of the skin. However, if you have a history of skin sensitivity, are on medications that make you photosensitive or are currently undergoing serious treatments like chemotherapy, you should speak to your GP first.
More isn’t more when it comes to red light, as your skin can only absorb and utilise so much energy from the LEDs. Being consistent is more important than duration, meaning that 15-minute sessions four times a week are better than hour-long sessions twice a week.
One simple safety tip is to make sure you’re using the timer function during each treatment. While there’s very little to no heat generated by red light therapy panels, your red light will automatically shut off once your session is done.
If you’d like a personal recommendation or have any questions when you’re choosing a red light panel, you can contact the team at Kiva Wellness any time. Or, if you’re in Queensland, visit our showroom to see the full range yourself.