Red Light Therapy for Pain, Recovery, and Eye Health
Pain & Inflammation Relief
Red light penetrates deep into tissues, helping reduce pain and inflammation:
Osteoarthritis & Tendinopathy: Studies show modest but meaningful improvements in mobility and pain levels
Muscle Recovery: Early research suggests faster recovery for athletes, though larger trials are needed
Myopia Control in Children
Exciting research shows that repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy at 650 nm can slow or even reverse childhood myopia progression over 3–12 months (BMC Ophthalmology).
Brain & Mood Benefits
Preliminary studies suggest red light may help with:
Better sleep quality
Improved mood
Cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients
Things to Keep in Mind
Works best for chronic conditions when used consistently.
Still considered adjunct therapy, not a replacement for standard medical care.
Takeaway: From aching joints to children’s eye health, red light therapy shows promise across multiple areas of health—though more studies are needed.
References
American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). Red light therapy: Is it safe and effective? Retrieved August 25, 2025, from https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/safety/red-light-therapy
Health.com. (2023, June 26). 7 benefits of red light therapy. Retrieved August 25, 2025, from https://www.health.com/red-light-therapy-benefits-7693320
Health.com. (2024, May 23). Light therapy may help ease symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease like sleep, mood. Retrieved August 25, 2025, from https://www.health.com/light-therapy-alzheimers-disease-symptoms-8413154
Khan, M., Na, J., Yoon, J., & Cho, E. (2022). The efficacy of light therapy for acne vulgaris: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 38(6), 469–478. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36310510/
Li, S. M., Wang, N., Li, H., et al. (2024). The safety and efficacy of repeated low-level red-light therapy for myopia control in children: A systematic review. BMC Ophthalmology, 24, Article 337. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-024-03337-5
Mester, E., Szende, B., & Tota, J. G. (1967). Effect of laser on hair growth of mice. Kozlzetlen Kozlony, 2(5), 17–19.