Red Light Therapy

Longer ago than I care to remember I was trying to extract a tiny splinter from my hand, intensely focusing to see what I was doing. When suddenly I felt the strangest sensation in my eye – you know when something doesn’t feel right.

The next day straight lines weren’t straight anymore – it was like an illustration of Stephen Hawking's Black Hole distorting time.

Turned out if you are long sighted and you overstrain your eyes eg trying to focus on a small object you can damage the retina.
Fortunately the damage was not in the centre of my macular – the region where most of our vision takes place – but slightly off centre.
So what I hear you ask?

Well, every few years when my eyes are examined using a ‘slit lamp’ (an intensely bright slither of light) I notice afterwards a definite improvement in my vision. Which can only be down to the stimulation of the light beam.

Then my wife – who knows about all things skin – started talking about ‘Red Light Therapy’ as a skin treatment and a possible Christmas Present my ears pricked up.

What is Red Light Therapy?
Red Light Therapy (RLT) is a non-invasive skincare treatment that uses low-level wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to improve skin health and appearance. It’s also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), photobiomodulation, or LED light therapy.

How it works
Red and near-infrared light penetrate the skin and are absorbed by the mitochondria in cells. This boosts cellular energy (ATP production), which can improve how skin cells function and repair themselves. The treatment does not involve UV rays and does not heat or damage the skin.

Common skincare benefits
Research suggests red light therapy may help with:
>Anti-aging: improved collagen production, reduced fine lines and wrinkles
Skin texture: smoother skin, improved elasticity
>Inflammation reduction: useful for irritated or sensitive skin
>Wound healing: faster recovery from cuts, acne lesions, or procedures
>Acne management: reduces inflammation; blue light is often added to target bacteria
>Redness and rosacea: calming effect on inflamed skin

What treatments are like
Usually done with LED panels, handheld devices, or masks
Painless; you simply sit or lie in front of the light
Sessions typically last 10–20 minutes
Often repeated several times per week for best results

One of the photos my wife showed me was of a ‘Red Light Head Mask’ to stimulate hair growth – now that sounds like an interesting Christmas present for an ageing male…