Red Light Therapy: Your Next Anti-Aging Secret Weapon?

From creams to facelifts, there is no shortage of unique anti-aging remedies on the market. And there’s definitely no shortage of interested consumers. Often starting as early as in their 20s, women (and men!) are taking precautionary steps to prevent the aging process (well—slow down, really; we haven’t discovered the hiding spot of the Fountain of Youth just yet).

The red light therapy device may be lesser known than the creams and fillers of the world, but it’s becoming more and more popular. I turned to Dr. Harry Glassman, Founder of SkinClinical and world-renowned cosmetic surgeon, to shine a light on this technology.

What Is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy is a type of LED light therapy. It’s a seemingly futuristic technology that uses light to help your cells perform better and more effectively. Different wavelengths/colors of light can be used for various functions. For example, blue light therapy can be effective at treating acne and preventing new breakouts.

Red light therapy—often combined with infrared light—is a “non-invasive method of decreasing fine lines and wrinkles as well as increasing skin firmness, elasticity and texture,” Dr. Glassman explains.The light therapy works by helping your body produce more of the proteins that give your skin its bounce and firmness. Red light stimulates "cells in the dermis called fibroblasts," Dr. Glassman says, which triggers an "increase in the production of the major skin proteins of the dermis." Which proteins are those? "Collagen and elastin," he says, which both decrease as we age but are needed to "support thinning and aging skin."This technology was once only available in the offices of dermatologists, plastic surgeons and medspas. Now, you can give yourself a red light therapy treatment from the comfort of your own home.

Read on for ways to use this technology as part of your anti-aging regimen. And if you’re ready to dive into more options, Dr. Glassman shared with us his top 10 tips for slowing down the aging process.

Top 5 Benefits of Red Light Therapy

1. Reduces inflammation
2. Promotes healthy circulation
3. Decreases fine lines and wrinkles
4. Increases skin's firmness and elasticity
5. Improves skin's texture and tone

At-Home vs. In-Office Red Light Therapy

You could still go to an office for the light therapy, or you can get the same benefits at home for much less with an at-home device. In a doctor’s office you might be “sitting in front of an LED panel for 30–40 minutes weekly," Dr. Glassman estimates. "The treatments are usually recommended as a series of six to eight sessions at a cost of $1400–$1800.” This is the total cost of all treatments, not the cost per session, yet it's still a pretty penny for those looking for something more affordable.

According to Dr. Glassman, at-home LED light therapy devices can be just as effective—but much less time consuming and more affordable. SkinClinical's cordless Reverse Anti-Aging Light Therapy device, for example, “puts out the same clinical level of energy and as such can achieve a comparable result at a significantly lower cost and saving considerable time,” says Dr. Glassman.

Some people choose to visit an office or clinic for all of their treatments, some choose to keep their anti-aging routine at home and others prefer a combination of the two. The choice is completely up to you.

Ready to Give Red Light Therapy a Shot?

If you're interested in adding something new to your anti-aging regimen, check out some of the at-home gadgets available at Dermstore below.