Fowler Fitness
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A red light therapy buyers guide
🕑 Added 2024-05-11 21:28:47 +0000 UTCIf you've followed me or my work for any considerable length of time, you've probably heard me talk about the numerous benefits of red light therapy. Aka 'photobiomodulation'. I won't spend too much timing diving into the details or benefits or RLT. Instead, I want to provide you with a practical guide for choosing a device that fits your budget and needs
Red light therapy can be used for
1. healing musculoskeletal injuries
2. improving eye health
3. Circadian health
4. Reducing inflammation and improving various parameters related to over health
The device you choose will depend on the primary goal you're after and the amount of money you're willing to spend on a panel.
First, lets cover some basic
Red light therapy panels typically include two primary wavelengths of visible light. Red (in the 630-660 visible light spectrum) and invisible, near infared red (800-900nm). You'll notice that some of the lights on the panel don't look like they are on. They are. They're just admitting light in the near Infared wavelength.
1. The visible, red light:
The visible, red light spectrum is where 'red light' therapy get its name. The red wavelength is most superficial, and only penetrates about an inch into the tissue. Visible red light is great for improving the health of the eyes, skin (by boosting collagen production in the skin), and improving micro-circulation. While this wavelength isn't know to penetrate as deep into the body as near or far Infared wavelengths, it can have some systemic health benefits as it is taken up and distributed through the body via the circulatory system
2. Invisible, near Infared
The near Infared spectrum of light makes up the wavelengths most commonly associated with things the 'deep' healing benefits of ' red light therapy'. Near Infared light can penetrate up to 2-3 inches in tissue. In the bone marrow, NIR is able to increase the prefoliation and circulation of stem cells. NIR wavelengths have also been shown to increase subcellular levels of melatonin (a powerful antioxidant); boost ATP production and mitochondrial health; and increase the production of structured, deuterium depleted, exclusion, (EZ) intra-cellular water.
3. Intensity
Intensity is another variable to consider. Even if we have the right wavelengths of light, it's unlikely that they will have much of an impact (depending on our goal) if we choose a device that's underpowered or over powdered. For example, an underpowered device with NIR Infared wavelengths will not penetrate 2-3 inches into the tissue, and an overpowered device will generator too much heat on skin contact, which also reduces the penetration of light in the body. Over powered devices can also cause additional issues where the body produces additional ROS (reactive oxygen species) in response to the over powered stimulus.
Many red light therapy device lie about their intensity, as well as EMF levels. I want to say up to 80-90% or more of most brands, even popular companies like Joov, use either over powdered or under powdered devices. For this reason, I only recommend purchasing from the brand GembaRed. (PS: If Gembared does not ship to your country, you can use a package forwarding service to order from them). I have not vetted other red light companies because truthfully,I don't trust them
lets get into some devices based on your goals
1. Everything/All purpose
If you want a red light therapy device that's going to cover all of the areas of common indication for RLT, you want to go with a high-powered device like the GembaRed Reboot Body-Light LED Panel or the GembaRed Beacon Red & NIR LED Panel. I personally prefer small panels over larger, full body panels. They're easy to move around, and you don't risk overdoing it either (at the end of this post, I will give some recommendations on how often to dose RLT as this is important to consider with higher-intensity devices). Both of these panels include both of the wavelengths (red and NIR) at a strong intensity. Good for skin health, great for healing injuries but not so intense that you can't stare directly at it either (eye health and circadian benefits)
My favorite application: Lay face down on the panel on stomach and chest. Great for gut and heart health as well as systemic health benefits. You can also use it for bright light therapy as well as skin health. This panel does it all.
2. Just healing and recovery
If you're not in the market for a more expensive panel but are still looking for something to help heal injuries and those nagging aches and pains quicker, then you may want to go with the GembaRed Vector 810nm Mini Near-Infrared LED Light Panel. This panel only includes light in the invisible, near Infared wavelength.'810nm wavelength is well-known in the science as the deepest penetration for red light therapy, as well as it acts on multiple mechanisms of actions' --Gembared. it's perfect for things like inflamed or achy body parts. It's also small enough to place on most areas of the body comfortably and is easy to travel with. The GembaRed Vector Mini 810/670nm NIR/RED LED Light Panel is another fantastic option that also includes the visible red light spectrum as well. This panel isn't quite as intense but is still a fantastic option for red light therapy.
My favorite application: Placed directly on the forehead for 10-15 for energy and mental clarity.
3. Skin/eyes/circulatory health
If you're looking for a panel primarily for skin, eye, and circadian benefits, you may want to go with the Gembared Groove. The Groove has red, infared, as well as yellow visible light. The device isn't super high powered, so it's great to shine directly on the face when working or sitting at your computer. You can use this panel on the stomach or chest as well. While it's not super high powdered, you can get some systemic anti-inflammatory benefits this way since some of the light will iridate the blood.
My favorite application: use the grrove while working or when exposed to blue light sources for prolonged periods of time. Can be used as a SAD lamp (bright light therapy) during winter months and overcast days.
How to use your panel
1. Skin health: 10-20min, 6-12 inches away from the skin, For skin health, you actually don't want skin contact.
2. Injuries: 2 times a day for 20min for 2 weeks. Then reduce dosage down to 10-20min once every other day. Panel needs to be directly touching the skin. Otherwise it won't work. You can increase the penetration depth into the tissue by laying on or pressing the panel into the skin.
3. General purpose/health: 20 min total every other day. Choose an area of the body (like the chest) and do 10min, then choose another area (like the stomach or head) and do another 10min. The daily recommended dose for red light therapy (unless using acutely for injuries) is 20min daily, especially with higher intensity panels. I like to use red light therapy only 3-4x a week for 15-20min total. The body can adapt to it and more is NOT always better. It's best to use RLT is a 'pulsing' like fashion. Like above, panel should be touching your skin
4. eye health: have your panel on and shining in your direction while working, relaxing etc.
You can get 10% of your purchase when you use the code GRANTFOWLER10
Comments
Fowler Fitness
They need to be specific. Some bulbs have tons of flicker which causes neurological strains and headaches in some. Use bin charges red bulbs
Ben McCausland
If you are looking for ambient red light bulbs, do they have to be specific or would any red bulb work? are there any brands you recommend
Chase gilmore
I would grab the Beacon, but it's currently sold out. Might just wait for it to come back into stock.
Chase gilmore
Hi Grant, how about the Gembared Improve panel? Looks like a nice mixture of NIR and Red LED? Looking for general purpose for deeper healing of MSK injuries, general health and skin.
