Red Light Therapy: The Inside-Out Benefits of My Favorite Wellness Practice
A Glow from the Inside Out—The Power of Red Light Therapy If there’s one wellness practice that I’ve fully embraced and made a core part of my routine, it’s Red Light Therapy. Whether it’s rejuvenating my skin, improving my mood, or enhancing my overall well-being, red light therapy has become one of my most treasured daily rituals. This practice combines my love for skincare and whole-body wellness, delivering benefits that work both inside and out. Let me take you through why I love it so much, how I integrate it into my day, and the products I personally use and recommend.
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What is Red Light Therapy?
Red Light Therapy (RLT), sometimes referred to as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to penetrate the skin and tissues. Unlike UV light, which can be damaging, red and infrared light provide therapeutic benefits to skin cells and other tissues by stimulating energy production within cells.
The most common forms of RLT are red light masks, panels, and saunas, all of which have their unique benefits. Here, I’ll share how I incorporate each into my wellness routine and the brands that I trust.
The Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Skin
For me, RLT is a non-negotiable when it comes to skin health. Red light helps improve skin tone, boost collagen production, and reduce inflammation—all crucial for maintaining youthful, glowing skin.
• Stimulates Collagen Production: One of the primary benefits of red light therapy is its ability to boost collagen synthesis. Collagen keeps skin firm and resilient, and as we age, collagen production naturally declines. By regularly using red light therapy, I help my skin stay plump and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Improves Skin Tone and Texture: The gentle energy from red light helps to increase circulation in the skin, providing a healthy glow while also helping to even out pigmentation and enhance overall texture.
• Calms Inflammation and Helps Melasma: Red light can be beneficial for melasma, a skin condition characterized by dark, hyperpigmented patches that commonly appear due to hormonal changes or sun exposure. Studies have suggested that RLT, when used in combination with other brightening agents, can
help reduce the appearance of melasma by calming inflammation and supporting cell regeneration. However, consistency is key, and it’s important to use it alongside proper sun protection and other targeted treatments.
I love using the CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask and the Nooance Paris Mask for my red light treatments. These masks are specifically designed for home use and allow me to treat my skin easily while I’m doing other tasks, whether it’s answering emails or meditating at night. I find that using them for 10-20 minutes, three to four times a week makes a significant difference in my skin’s health and radiance.
Pairing Red Light Therapy with Peptide Serums for Enhanced Benefits
One of my favorite ways to supercharge the effects of red light therapy is by applying a peptide serum or a copper peptide serum just before using the mask. Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks for proteins like collagen and elastin, both of which are critical for maintaining firm, healthy skin.
• Peptide Serums: Peptides work synergistically with red light to stimulate collagen production. When used together, the red light enhances the penetration and activation of the peptides, leading to more effective skin rejuvenation. Peptide serums help strengthen the skin barrier, improve elasticity, and promote a smoother texture, making them the perfect prep step before red light therapy.
• Copper Peptide Serums: Copper peptides are particularly interesting because they combine the wound-healing properties of copper with the skin repairing abilities of peptides. Copper peptides also promote angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels) and improve overall skin healing, making them ideal for use with RLT, which also supports circulation and tissue repair. This combination is highly effective for reducing the signs of aging and improving hyperpigmentation issues, like melasma.
By applying a peptide or copper peptide serum right before putting on my red light mask, I help maximize the overall benefit for my skin—boosting both hydration and collagen support while allowing the light to penetrate more deeply and activate the peptides for even better results.
Benefits for Whole-Body Wellness
Red light therapy isn’t just about what it does for your skin—it’s also about how it makes you feel. Using red light panels allows the wavelengths to penetrate deeper into muscle and tissue, delivering benefits that go beyond skin deep.
• Boosts Energy: Red light works at a cellular level, stimulating mitochondria, the energy powerhouses of our cells. More energy at a cellular level means improved overall vitality, and I find it helps me feel more awake and focused.
• Muscle Recovery: For anyone who exercises regularly, muscle soreness is part of the deal. Using a red light panel, like the one I have from BonCharge, helps to speed up muscle recovery by enhancing blood flow and reducing inflammation. I love using it after a tough workout, as it provides much-needed relief to sore muscles.
• Mental Well-Being: Red light therapy also helps improve my mood. The warm light, similar to natural sunlight, helps stimulate serotonin production, which has been shown to boost mood and reduce symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD)—a condition I sometimes feel during the darker winter months in the UK.
How I Use Red Light Therapy Daily
I try to incorporate red light therapy into my routines as seamlessly as possible, pairing it with other wellness practices for enhanced results:
1. Morning Sauna and Red Light Combo: One of my favorite combinations is starting my day with a sauna session followed by a quick red light treatment. I use my BonCharge Red Light Panel immediately after my morning sauna to help boost circulation and energize me for the day ahead. The sauna helps me sweat out toxins, and the red light ensures that my body gets a deeper level of healing and rejuvenation right afterward.
2. Evening Skin Ritual with Masks: In the evenings, I use my CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask or the Nooance Paris Mask. Before using the mask, I apply a copper peptide serum to optimize the benefits. This pairing not only helps boost collagen production but also works to even out my skin tone and improve overall resilience. These sessions are about winding down while giving my skin that boost of collagen support and helping to fade pigmentation such as melasma.
3. During Meditation: On some days, I use the BonCharge Red Light Panel while meditating. The warmth of the red light makes my meditation even more calming, providing an additional layer of relaxation and allowing me to fully engage with the experience.
Why Red Light Therapy is a Game-Changer for Wellness
Red light therapy is truly one of my favorite wellness practices. It’s non-invasive, gentle, and incredibly effective—not just for my skin but for my overall well-being. The combination of cellular-level healing, increased energy, collagen support,
and mood enhancement makes it a comprehensive treatment that’s well worth incorporating into a self-care routine.
If you’re considering adding red light therapy to your wellness toolkit, I recommend starting with red light masks if your primary focus is skin health. The CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask and the Nooance Paris Mask are both incredible options that I trust. If you’re looking to dive into whole-body benefits, then consider investing in a red light panel like the BonCharge panel that I use—it’s an investment in your energy, recovery, and mood.
The Takeaway: Light Your Way to Wellness
Red light therapy is about finding that balance between skin health and inner well-being. It’s a ritual that allows me to support my skin from the outside while also caring for my body and mind from within. Whether you’re dealing with skin
issues, low energy, muscle soreness, or just want a boost in your day-to-day wellness, red light therapy can be a gentle, effective tool to add to your routine.
Embrace the glow, feel the warmth, and take care from the inside out
Donna Bartoli
True wellness is all about finding balance in every aspect of your life. Whether it’s through movement, mindfulness, or self-care, small changes can make the biggest difference. For more wellness insights, check out my other posts on the Wellness page or join me on Instagram for daily wellness routines and motivation. Let’s create lasting well-being, together.
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