Red light therapy

What is red light?

The term “red light” itself refers to light with a wavelength between 620 and 750 nanometers. Red light therapy refers to the application of these frequencies to the human body to support skin benefits and positive health outcomes.

What is a wavelength in light?

Light is energy, and energy travels in waves. The electromagnetic spectrum classifies types of light based on the distance between the peaks and valleys of these waves. While red light is visible to the naked human eye, near-infrared light is between visible light and microwaves on the electromagnetic spectrum (about 700 to 1000 nanometers.) The Spalux™ Glow offers all three classifications: red light, near infrared, and infrared, for better penetration into the skin.

Diagram of the visible light spectrum, from violet through red to near-infrared, with wavelengths in nanometres

What are the benefits of red light therapy?

Red light therapy has been shown to help aid muscle recovery, support wound healing, and potentially promote improvement of photoaging and sun damage, support hair growth and regrowth, reduce acne, and fade scars. This is due to the way red light interacts with our bodies at a cellular level.

The Spalux Glow red light therapy panel in use, lighting the user in red

Mitochondria are the organelles inside every cell in your body that make energy to carry out the cells’ functions. When your cells are exposed to red light, the mitochondria are stimulated to better metabolize energy. With this additional energy, your cells can better perform their core functions, whether producing collagen or carrying oxygen to your muscles.

This energy increasing effect is what makes red light effective. It’s also why you may have heard red light therapy referred to as photobiomodulation, the use of light to affect our biological processes. It’s an outside influence that can actually improve the chemical reactions your cells use to perform every function in your body.

How do I use this device?

There are two keys to using red light in a way that will be beneficial: dose and consistency.

The benefits of red light are highly dose dependent. Too little won’t show effects, and too much can have the opposite effect and slow down the energy production of your cells. More is not necessarily better when it comes to red light therapy.

The ideal dose for many people is between 28 and 34 milliwatts per square centimetre, though this varies significantly based on your body, your use case, the distance at which you use the device, and many other factors. It’s best to start slow, with shorter sessions, and gradually increase your usage if desired depending on how you feel.

The second key is consistency over time. The majority of studies that show benefits had participants use their red light panels for at least 10 minutes at a time, once to twice a day. Nothing will show results if you don’t stay consistent over time. A slow and steady practice that builds a habit is the sure way to see the benefits you want.

A red-lit scene during a red light therapy session

The skincare benefits of red light happen because red light therapy inhibits matrix metalloproteinases, or MMPs, the main enzymes that break down collagen and elastin in our skin as we age. Collagen breakdown is a lifelong biological process, and supporting collagen renewal with red light is a lifelong process too.

Are any precautions necessary when using red light?

As long as it’s used at the recommended dose and power level, red light is generally safe for both the skin and eyes. That being said, overexposure can have the opposite of the desired effect. Please make sure to position your Spalux™ Glow device at least the recommended distance from the body area you want to treat, according to your User Guide. It is also highly recommended to use the provided safety eyewear when using your device.

In addition, while there isn’t abundant research to show this, some studies have shown exposure to red light in children can lead to reduced vision and fewer light-receiving cones in their eyes as they develop. Spalux™ products are not recommended for use by children.

Where can I learn more about this?

If you have any questions about Spalux™, our mission, or our products; please refer to our FAQ page or feel free to reach out to us at info@spalux.ca.

Sources

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Percussion therapy

What is percussion therapy?

Percussion therapy is the application of controlled, rhythmic pulses to the muscles and adjacent structures, usually administered by a fitness device called a percussion gun. The Spalux™ Pulse is one such device.

What are the purported benefits?

It’s theorized that the rapid pulses of percussion therapy devices create oscillations, or waves of movement, in your muscle tissue. This motion could assist with both relaxing your muscle tissue, and releasing restrictions in your fascia, the webs of connective tissue that surround your muscle fibres. Think of it like a cooldown after a tough workout, but for an individual muscle group.

You may have heard claims about percussion therapy increasing blood flow to your muscles to aid in recovery, but the truth is – as more and more research is done on the effects of percussion therapy, one thing we can say definitively; percussion therapy has never been shown to increase blood flow, to the muscles or in general.

A person in a red shirt using the Spalux Pulse percussion massage gun on their shoulder

However, what does increase blood flow to your muscles is exercise, and that’s where the Spalux™ Pulse comes in. Muscle recovery after exercise is the main supported application of percussion therapy. Users report decreased muscle pain and soreness when they apply percussion therapy after a workout, not to mention less pain and stiffness before the next workout.

What other possible benefits are there?

It’s been theorized that percussion therapy could help relieve stiffness and joint pain when used consistently over time, as well as breaking up scar tissue and reducing inflammation. This could contribute to more effective workouts over time and help you avoid chronic pain and fatigue as you age when used consistently.

An athlete holding the Spalux Pulse percussion massage gun

While we don’t have enough data yet to say with certainty what the long-term benefits are, users report faster recovery, less pain and stiffness, and feeling ready to get back in the gym sooner after a tough workout when using percussion therapy to recover. Having a device that helps relieve soreness and tension after exercise removes one more obstacle to you getting in your daily workout.

What precautions should I take?

The main potential safety concern is where on your body you’re using your percussion therapy device. Your User Guide will provide some guidance on where and how to best use your device to support your desired result. Most importantly, don’t use your Spalux™ Pulse or any percussion therapy device on your neck or windpipe.

While the device is safe to use on your shoulder or back muscles, applying percussion to your neck can interrupt blood flow to the brain.

Percussion therapy is typically tested and works best on major muscle groups like your calves, arms, shoulders, thighs, and back. If you’re looking for further guidance, a physical therapist can advise you on your personal best use case based on your workout routine.

Sources

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