Not Just for Beauty Queens

The Medical Marvels of Red Light Therapy

What is Red Light Therapy?

I’ve written about red light therapy before, but let’s be real: that version was all about the glow-up. Collagen production? Check. Smoother skin? Double-check. But this time, we’re swerving hard into the not-so-glamorous-but-totally-essential medical benefits. Because while looking good is fun, feeling good is even better—like not creaking like a haunted house every time you stand up kind of better.

So, here’s the deal: red light therapy (RLT) involves bathing yourself in low-level red and near-infrared light that seeps into your skin and supercharges your cells. Fancy LED panels or lasers emit wavelengths between 600-1000 nanometers—yes, that sounds science-y, but all you need to know is that it revs up your mitochondria. And mitochondria? They’re basically the Duracell bunnies of your body. More energy means less pain, faster healing, and fewer days spent contemplating why your back hurts when all you did was sleep.

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Why I’m Hooked

Sure, I originally jumped on the RLT train for the beauty perks (because who doesn’t want that “I drink enough water” glow without actually drinking enough water?), but now? It’s all about the pain relief and inflammation control. Stiff joints? See ya. Mystery aches? Not today. It’s like a little red light superhero for my body.

And my husband? Ohhh, he was a skeptic. He mocked my “woo-woo light rituals” like I was about to start levitating and summoning ancient spirits. “What’s next? Crystals and chanting?” he snarked. To which I replied, “Don’t tempt me.” Spoiler alert: He now sneaks in sessions for his sore knees. But do we talk about it? Absolutely not. Classified information.