Red light Gua Sha therapy is becoming increasingly popular due to its combined benefits of traditional Chinese medicine and modern red light therapy. The primary effects of beauty red light therapy include promoting blood circulation, reducing wrinkles, offering anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits, relieving pain, and improving sleep. Beyond these core benefits, red light therapy also accelerates wound healing by stimulating cellular activity, improves skin pigmentation for a more even complexion, and promotes skin tissue regeneration, reducing scars and acne marks for an overall better skin texture.
What is Red Light Therapy?
Dr. Fricke explains: Red light therapy has gained significant momentum in recent years. Unlike ultraviolet light, which can damage cellular DNA and degrade the structural proteins that support the skin, red light operates on a different wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum. While ultraviolet light is harmful, red light and near-infrared light (which lies adjacent to red light on the spectrum) are regenerative and have positive effects on the skin.
Initially, red light was recognized for its ability to accelerate wound healing. Over time, experts discovered that it also reduces redness and inflammation, and helps with overall skin rejuvenation by minimizing fine lines and wrinkles and improving elasticity. This beneficial process, known as photobiomodulation (PBMT), is most effective at wavelengths of 633 nm for red light and 830 nm for near-infrared light.
Key Benefits of Red Light Gua Sha Therapy:
- Promoting Blood Circulation: Red light penetrates the skin, is absorbed by cells, and enhances blood circulation, boosting cellular metabolism and making the skin healthier and more radiant. Improved circulation delivers more oxygen and nutrients to skin cells, enhancing the skin’s natural repair processes.
- Reducing Wrinkles: Red light stimulates collagen and elastin production, which increases skin elasticity and reduces wrinkles, resulting in firmer, more elastic skin. It also thickens the dermis, reducing sagging and fine lines associated with aging.
- Anti-Inflammatory and Antibacterial Actions: Red light inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi, reducing the risk of skin infections and alleviating inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help reduce redness from acne and other skin issues.
- Pain Relief: By promoting blood circulation and releasing endorphins, red light can relieve muscle and joint pain, nerve pain, and even conditions like migraines. It’s often used in adjunct treatment for chronic pain, such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.
- Improving Sleep: Red light helps regulate the body’s biological clock, improving sleep quality by facilitating easier sleep onset and deeper rest. It increases melatonin production, leading to better sleep quality.
- Accelerating Wound Healing: Red light promotes skin tissue regeneration, speeds up wound healing, and reduces scar formation. It also enhances the skin’s antioxidant capacity, helping repair damage from UV rays and environmental pollutants.
Is Red Light Gua Sha Safe to Use?
Red light gua sha, which combines the benefits of red light therapy with traditional gua sha techniques, is generally considered safe for most users. The use of red and near-infrared light in gua sha treatments generates less heat compared to other light therapies, reducing the risk of adverse effects like hyperpigmentation.
In cosmetic applications, NASN medical studies have shown that red light with a wavelength of around 600-700nm can increase cellular mitochondrial metabolism and promote collagen formation.
