Red Light Therapy: What Is It and How It Affects Your Body
Red light therapy has become one of the most talked-about tools in the recovery and wellness space. It uses low-wavelength red and near-infrared light to penetrate the skin and stimulate activity inside your cells. Unlike UV light, red light therapy does not damage the skin, instead, it is thought to support the body's natural repair processes.
How Red Light Therapy Works
When red and near-infrared light reach your cells, they are absorbed by mitochondria, the part of the cell responsible for producing energy. This process is believed to boost the production of ATP, the molecule your cells use for energy. With more available energy, cells may be able to repair themselves more efficiently and function better overall.
Potential Effects on the Body
Skin health: Many people use red light therapy to support collagen production, which can help with the appearance of fine lines, skin tone, and overall texture over time.
Muscle recovery: Athletes and those who are active often use red light therapy after workouts, as it may help reduce muscle soreness and support faster recovery between training sessions.
Joint and inflammation support: Some research suggests red light exposure may help ease minor joint discomfort and reduce localized inflammation.
Sleep and mood: Because red light encourages melatonin release to support circadian rhythm and sleep, with some evidence of cortisol reduction that supports relaxation and stress reduction, using it as part of your bedtime routine can help deliver a deeper, more restorative sleep.
Getting Started
Red light therapy is generally considered low-risk when used as directed, with short sessions starting at just a few minutes as your body develops tolerance. They key is consistency to establish real results.
Here at Baseline Wellness, we don't just promote random tools or methods, we advocate for what has genuinely worked for us in our own recovery journeys. Whether it's a panel for full-body healing, a mask for facial collagen support, or red light integrated into our sauna routine, we use these tools daily to help us recover from whatever life throws our way.