How Long Does a Red Light Therapy Session Last?

Red light therapy is one of the great non-invasive therapies and is beneficial for various health conditions. Here we will discuss several details of red light therapy.

A twenty-minute full-body session is recommended for full-body therapy. This time can vary depending on the device users are using. Regular use of light therapy comes with a plethora of benefits. Let’s discuss them in detail. 

How Long Red Light Therapy Session Last

Ideally, red light therapy experts recommend having twenty-minute red light therapy four-five times a week. However, several factors can influence how long your therapy session should last. These factors are:

• Size of light therapy box
• Irradiance
• Wavelengths lightboxes emit
• Skin conditions of the users
• Recommendation of the doctor

Size of Light Therapy Box

There are various sizes of light therapy boxes available in the market to fit the necessities of the users. Some users may want to have full-body light therapy, while some may want to have full-body light therapy, while some may want to have therapy in specific places of the body.

Depending on the users’ preferences, there are several types of light therapy devices:

• Light panels: Light panels are great light therapy devices for better body coverage. There are several sizes of light panels to choose from. Some are stationary, and some are portable. Stationary light panels are often bigger in size and cover more body area.

• Face masks: Light therapy face masks are specially designed to solve problems with your face skin. Several LED lights are assembled in the mask to give therapeutic benefits to your skin.

• Therapy wands: Therapy wands are small portable devices to allow the users to use these devices in specific areas of the skin. People with acne, rosacea, eczema, etc. skin conditions can utilize these wands for targeted healing.

• Lip masks: As the name suggests, this light therapy device is used on lips to keep the lip skin rejuvenated and fresh. Also, light therapy can help the user to get rid of cold sores from their lips easily.

Smaller therapy devices cover less skin. So, you will need to spend more time on your therapy if you are using a smaller device in multiple body areas. Also, when you are using wands, you only need to press the wand for 3 – 5 seconds on the infected area. 

Irradiance

Irradiance is another important factor in your light therapy. The best therapy you can get when your light therapy box can mimic the irradiance of natural light.

When a light therapy box gives 10000 lux, users get the device’s best benefits. Some devices allow the user to adjust the power for better comfort. In such cases, users will need to spend more time under the therapy light.

Wavelengths Light Therapy Boxes

For having the best light therapy, the therapy boxes need to emit specific wavelengths of light. Ideally, 630nm – 650nm red light wavelengths and 750nm – 850nm near-infrared wavelengths are best for getting therapeutic benefits.

Bigger light wavelengths can travel deeper into the skin and energize the cells to repair cellular damages. So, if your device emits bigger light wavelengths, you will get better results within a short therapy session. 

Skin Conditions of the User

Different red light therapy users have different skin conditions. Although light therapy has no severe side effects, different skins can react differently from this therapy.

Some users may have overly light-sensitive skin or develop light sensitivity due to a side effect of prescription medication. They will have to reduce the light irradiance and receive the therapy for less time. 

Additionally, some users may develop sunburn, redness, and itchiness when exposed to these therapy lights. In such cases, a professional can advise the right treatment and therapy session length according to the user’s condition.

Recommendation from the Doctor

Some chronic diseases can react badly when the patients are exposed to therapy light. Also, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, new moms can experience several discomforts.

Bipolar depression patients can experience manic episodes when exposed to bright light. In such cases, doctors may recommend a suitable therapy length for those patients. Also, the users may need to customize the brightness of the therapy light as well.

Bottom Line

Red light therapy is very convenient and can give the users several health benefits within very short sessions. However, various factors can influence the length of the therapy session.

To get the best red light therapy, it is crucial that the user consult a professional beforehand. The professional can then suggest the best therapy option available for them. 

Also, make sure to purchase good quality light therapy devices. Some devices may not give the correct wavelength or irradiance that is suitable for therapy. So, make sure to choose your device carefully.