Due to its many health benefits, including pain relief, improved skin, and now weight loss, red light therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy, is growing in popularity. To lose stubborn fat and get to a healthy weight, a lot of people are experimenting with gadgets like red light therapy belts.
Red and near-infrared light are shone on the body as part of this therapy. The light penetrates the skin and may promote fat burning, increase metabolism, and increase cell activity.
Does it, however, function in practice? Let’s look into the underlying science and how people feel about it.
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Low doses of red or near-infrared light are used in red light therapy (RLT). It is often used to treat skin issues like redness, acne, wrinkles, and scars. Additionally, some people think it can help with other medical conditions.
- Red light therapy may be referred to by a variety of names, including cold laser therapy.
- gentle laser treatment.
- photobiomodulation.
- low-power laser treatment.
- An LED light that doesn’t heat up.
- Either photonic stimulation or biostimulation.
While small studies have shown some positive results, more research is still needed to fully understand how well it works. There’s a lot of interest online and in the medical world, but the complete picture is still developing.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
Red light therapy works by helping the mitochondria, which are the “powerhouse” of the cells, so we can say that cells make more energy then. Inside the mitochondria, there are special molecules called chromophores.
These molecules can catch light. When red light hits the skin, these chromophores absorb the light, and this may trigger different helpful processes in the body.
Also, when cells have more energy, they can do their jobs better, like repairing skin, growing new cells, and making your skin look healthier.
Does It Benefit Your Skin As Well?
One study also shows that red light therapy can help your skin. Here is how:
- It can increase the amount of collagen in your skin, keeping it smooth and firm.
- It can increase the number of fibroblasts, the cells that make collagen, in your body.
- It can help the skin heal and remain healthy by increasing blood flow to it.
- It can lessen cell inflammation, which can enhance the general state of your skin.
Red light helps some cells to absorb energy and work better, which could lead to healthier, younger-looking skin.
Does Red Light Therapy Help with Weight Loss?
There is some evidence that red light therapy might help with weight loss, but the results are not strong or consistent.
Red light therapy works by breaking down fat cells. When fat cells are broken, the body absorbs their contents, and those cells usually do not grow back. This therapy is better for shaping the body, like reducing inches in certain areas, rather than helping someone lose a lot of weight.
Some of the results of small studies are:
- In one study, people got red light therapy either 1, 2, or 3 times a week for a few weeks. Those who got it twice a week lost about 2 centimeters from their waist. But this study did not include a control group for comparison, so the results are not strong.
- Another study with 67 people showed that after six sessions over two weeks, people lost about 3.5 inches from their stomach, hips, and thighs. But two weeks later, they gained back about 0.3 inches.
So, while red light therapy might help slim certain areas for a short time, it is not a guaranteed or long-term solution for major weight loss. It’s more about body contouring than changing your weight on the scale.
Are There Any Risks Of Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy is usually considered safe, but there are a few risks to keep in mind:
- Skin damage: In some rare cases, people have experienced skin burns or irritation when the laser touches the skin directly.
- High cost: Treatments can be expensive. Some packages cost thousands of dollars, especially when done in clinics or spas.
- Not guaranteed to work: Red light therapy does not work the same for everyone. The fat can also return in other areas of the body later.
But that is not all, there are a lot of things that scientists are still not sure about. Just like they do not fully understand how red light therapy actually works inside the body. There are many questions, like:
- What’s the best light wavelength to use?
- How strong should the light be?
- Should the light stay on steadily or blink (pulse)?
- How long should the treatment last?
- How often should it be done?
- Does skin type or preparation matter?
Because there are so many different ways to use red light therapy, and we don’t fully understand how it works yet, results can be very different from person to person.
Some studies show good results, but others show no benefit at all. These negative outcomes might happen because of using the wrong type of light, the wrong amount, not cleaning the skin properly before treatment, or not considering the person’s skin tone.
Conclusion
Red light therapy is a treatment that may help reduce stubborn fat in areas like your waist or arms. That means it can be used for body shaping or slimming.
It can only help to remove a small amount of fat, but the results are usually minor. If your goal is to lose weight, the best and proven way is to eat healthy and stay active through regular exercise.
Still, if you’re thinking about trying red light therapy, it is important to talk to a doctor or health expert first. They can help you decide if it’s safe and suitable for you.
FAQs
Q1: Do red light belts work for weight loss?
There’s no scientific evidence to support red light therapy use in weight loss, cancer, cellulite removal, or mental health conditions like depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Q2:How long should you wear a red light therapy belt?
Ans: You can use a red light therapy belt for 15-30 minutes every day, but it is still advised to consult a doctor first.
