Red light lamp and its effect on the face

Radiant, healthy skin with red light?

Our skin is our largest organ. It is immediately visible and allows us to draw conclusions about our state of health and mood, among other things. And yes, most people want clear and flawless skin. Especially on the face. You certainly do too, don't you?

So it's not surprising that the beauty industry is booming when it comes to facial care. In the year 2022, the sales of facial and skin care products in Germany alone amounted to around 3.2 billion euros. Sales of personal care products as a whole amounted to 14.3 billion euros.

In short: facial care plays a major role in skincare. People are prepared to invest a lot of money in skin care. And yet there are alternatives to creams, serums and beauty treatments with hyaluronic acid and Botox.

One of them: The use of red light. In fact, the red light lamp is not infrequently used to achieve a promote a youthful and rosy complexion. But does it really work?

How does infrared light work? And what happens in your body when you use it?

Infrared light has been a frequently used remedy for pain and inflammation not just since the 2000s. Even grandma swore by the effects of red light lamps. BUT: The lamps that grandma or perhaps your parents used have nothing - or at least little - to do with the red light lamps of today.

The classic red light lamp from grandma's time is primarily known for emitting heat in the form of infrared radiation. This lamp is therefore well suited for the treatment of illnesses that respond to heat applications. The hallmark of the red light lamp of yesteryear: it usually contains a large light bulb.

What is the situation with modern red light lamps?

Modern red light lamps make near-infrared red light therapy possible. They work either with lasers or - like our Uno red light lamp - with LEDs. The highlight here: The red light and near-infrared light from such lamps generates hardly any heat and develops its effect in the cells.

What happens there?

Both red light and near-infrared light penetrate a few millimeters deep into the tissue. Here, the light can have an effect on the cells - above all on the mitochondria. These cell organelles can react to the red light. But what do the mitochondria actually do?

Mitochondria have many tasks. One of them is the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a cellular energy carrier. As a universal energy carrier in the body, ATP is the basic requirement for a functioning organism. All of the body's processes are powered by ATP. When our mitochondria produce a lot of ATP, we are generally more efficient and feel full of energy. In contrast, low ATP leads to the opposite feeling. We feel tired and exhausted.

As mitochondria are responsible for the production of ATP, they are also known as the power plants of the cells.

But what does the red light have to do with this?

The enzyme cytochrome c oxidase is located in the membrane of the mitochondria. This enzyme is activated by light particles. When this happens, further processes are set in motion that affect cell metabolism.

Light of the specific wavelengths of red light and near-infrared light can increase the production of ATP in the cell - and thus its energy supply. And this can have a number of benefits.

To summarize: While the desired effect of classic red light therapy is to be achieved through heat, it hardly plays a role in near-infrared red light therapy. Its effect is primarily based on radiation at a frequency that allows the radiation to penetrate up to 6 mm into the skin. Studies have also shown that red light boosts the function of the mitochondria.

How do red light lamps help against skin ageing?

Sad but true: the skin starts to age from the age of 25. Initially, fine lines appear on the face, which become visible wrinkles over time. The facial skin becomes less elastic. And it often loses the glow that is the envy of youth.

Modern red light therapy can be an option to slow down the ageing process of facial skin. But how?

In fact, the regular use of red light lamps is said to formation of collagen stimulate the formation of collagen. This in turn can lead to firmer and more elastic skin. Near-infrared light can also help to repair tissue and regenerate skin cells. This also means that skin blemishes and inflammation, as well as redness, can be reduced by using a red light lamp. Particularly positive effects on the skin have been demonstrated at wavelengths between 605 and 670 nm. Our red light uses light with wavelengths of 630, 660 and 850 nm.

Red light lamp - effect on the face

Exposure to a red light lamp can also promote better blood circulation. Ideally, this gives the skin more vitality. Among other things, this means that important nutrients and oxygen can be better transported to all layers of the skin.

Better than the sun? Under certain circumstances...

Just lie in the sun and let the warming light work its magic on your facial skin? From what you've learned so far, this could be a real alternative.

But it's not quite that simple.

High-quality red light lamps are very safe to use. And not as dangerous as sunlight. This is because infrared light does not use the entire radiation spectrum of the sun. For example, you do not come into contact with the dangerous UV rays when using a red light lamp. Instead, wavelengths of the visible and invisible light spectrum of the sun are used, which can have a positive effect on your skin.

The effect of infrared light on the skin therefore does not - like too much sunlight - cause the skin to age. On the contrary. The red light lamp can even contribute to a long-term improvement in the appearance of the skin. You have already found out how this works earlier in this article. First keyword: activation of the mitochondria. Second keyword: improvement of the skin's blood circulation.

Red light lamp for prevention and acute treatment

As the saying goes? There is no glory in prevention. But honestly: prevention is always better than cure. Especially when it comes to your skin. And yes, the effect of a red light lamp can also be used preventively.

If the infrared rays penetrate your skin and dilate the blood vessels there, this can prevent the formation of blemishes. In particular, new spots and blackheads may appear less frequently. This is because the red light can dilate your pores. This makes them less likely to clog.

A red light lamp can not only help with prevention, but also with acute complaints. The emitted red light can stimulate blood circulation. And this in turn can help inflammations and spots to heal more quickly.

Tip: If you suffer from oily, greasy skin, red light can solve the problem. Used regularly, red light can cause your skin to produce less oil and sebum.

Different types of radiation. Different applications.

Depending on the wavelength, we distinguish between different types of radiation.

IR-A radiation is in a wavelength range from 780 to 1400 nanometers. Rays of this wavelength penetrate up to 6 mm into the skin and thus reach the center of the subcutis.
IR-B radiation has a wavelength of 1400 to 3000 nanometers. It penetrates up to 2.5 mm into the skin and reaches the dermis.
IR-C radiation has a wavelength of 3000 nanometers to 1 millimeter. It only reaches just below the surface of the skin and remains within the epidermis.

Graphic IR-A, IR-B and IR-C radiation

IR-A radiation is primarily used for the treatment of skin blemishes and for prevention.

How to use the red light lamp correctly on the face:

Expose your facial skin to red light for a maximum of 15 minutes. When using our Lichtblock Uno in power mode, we recommend an application of 10 minutes. With a large distance to the body, 20 minutes of radiation is also possible.
Ideally, you should use the red light lamp regularly. But no more than once a day.
The distance between your skin and the infrared lamp should be at least 15 centimetres. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
To protect your eyes, you should wear protective goggles during irradiation.
If you have pustules, do not use red light lamps. This can make the inflammation worse.
Painful skin conditions such as psoriasis, herpes and acne can be treated with red light lamps.