Does Red Light Therapy Cause Cancer?

ByPavlos Giorkas Posted on Updated on
Does Red Light Therapy Cause Cancer?

Are you curious about the potential risks associated with red light therapy? You may have heard that it could cause cancer, but is this true?

In this article, we will investigate the evidence surrounding red light therapy to see if there is any truth to these claims. We’ll explore what exactly red light therapy does and how it might affect your health.

By the end of this article, you’ll know whether or not you should be concerned about using red light therapy.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment option for various skin conditions that involves exposing the skin to certain wavelengths of visible red and NIR light.
  • Some studies have suggested that frequent exposure to NIR light may increase the risk of certain types of cancer such as melanoma or nonmelanoma skin cancers, but this is likely only applicable to those who receive frequent treatments.
  • Current scientific evidence does not support a direct link between red light therapy and increased risk of cancer in humans when used appropriately by skilled professionals following standard protocols for safe usage.
  • Further research is needed on the potential risks associated with red light therapy before definitive conclusions can be made regarding its safety.

So, does Red Light Therapy Cause Cancer?

A woman is laying next to a red light emitting device
A woman is laying next to a red light emitting device / Source: Joovv

Investigating the Evidence

You’re probably wondering if there’s any evidence that red light therapy can cause cancer – let’s take a look.

Red light therapy is an increasingly popular treatment option for a variety of skin conditions, from wrinkles to acne. But some people worry that it could be linked to cancer.

To answer this question, we need to look at what researchers have discovered about the safety of red light therapy.

First, let’s start with the science behind red light therapy.

The process involves exposing your skin to certain wavelengths of visible red and near-infrared (NIR) light. Among other scientifically proven benefits, this helps stimulate your body’s natural healing processes and can improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation in the affected area. [1]

While there are no known long-term side effects associated with this type of treatment, some studies have suggested that exposure to NIR may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer such as melanoma or nonmelanoma skin cancers. [2]

However, these findings have been largely based on animal models or lab studies rather than clinical trials involving humans and should be viewed cautiously until further research is conducted.

Also, even if exposure to NIR did increase the risk of cancer in humans, it would likely only apply to those who receive frequent treatments since most people get their treatments once every week or two at most.

Furthermore, many dermatologists believe that red light therapy has more benefits than risks when used correctly and recommend its use for treating a variety of skin conditions safely and effectively.

Ultimately, it is important to remember that while there is still much research needed on this subject before definitive conclusions can be made regarding its safety, current scientific evidence does not support a direct link between red light therapy and increased risk of cancer in humans when used appropriately by skilled professionals following standard protocols for safe usage.

Update: A 4-minute video from France 24 English was posted recently on their YouTube channel stating that Red Light therapy can now mitigate the effects of cancer treatment. I am posting it here to get a more complete picture on the effects of RLT on cancer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Red light therapy appears to be safe and is not associated with any side effects, at least if used short-term and as directed. However, some studies suggest that red light therapy could increase cancer cell aggression and tumor recurrences. There have also been reports of burns, lesions, and blistering from using red light therapy units.

Red light therapy is being investigated for treating a wide array of health conditions. It may help with skin conditions such as acne and wrinkles, and pain conditions like osteoarthritis. However, it’s not recommended for anyone with photosensitizing medical conditions, such as lupus, or anyone taking a photo-sensitizing drug.

There are several alternatives to red light therapy. These include hyperbaric oxygen therapy, skincare products like anti-aging creams, and treatments such as Botox or dermal fillers.

The ideal dose for red light therapy varies depending on whether you’re treating superficial areas like the skin or deeper tissues like muscles. For skin issues and anti-aging benefits, a dose of somewhere between 3-15 J/cm² is recommended. For deeper tissue issues, a dose of between 15-50 J/cm² is suggested. [3]

No, red light therapy does not cause skin cancer. Although it stimulates cell growth, there’s no evidence to suggest that it causes cancerous skin cells to grow1.

During a red light therapy session, low-intensity red and near-infrared light is sent deep into the body’s cells to promote healing.

Red light therapy can provide benefits like reducing fine lines and wrinkles, treating acne, managing pain, promoting wound healing, and even restoring hair.

The number of sessions needed can vary depending on the specific condition being treated.

Red Light Therapy can typically be used along with other treatments or therapies. It’s often considered safe to complement other methods.

In addition to LED panels, bulbs, and lamps, other common devices for Red Light Therapy include handheld devices, full-body light beds, and even light therapy masks. These devices emit red and near-infrared light to target specific areas or provide whole-body exposure to the therapeutic light. The choice of device depends on the specific treatment goals and the area of the body you want to address.

You can use Red Light Therapy at home by purchasing the specialized devices designed for personal use like beds, masks or special straps. Many people find it convenient to have a Red Light Therapy device at home for regular sessions.

Bottom Line

You may have heard that red light therapy can cause cancer, but the evidence does not back up this claim. After reviewing the available scientific research on this topic, it’s clear that there is no risk of developing cancer from red light therapy.

In fact, studies have found that red light therapy can actually help to reduce inflammation and improve overall skin health.

So, if you’re considering using this type of therapeutic treatment for your skin concerns, rest assured: there’s no need to worry about any potential cancer-causing effects!

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Pavlos Giorkas

Pavlos Giorkas is an experienced author with over 9 years of experience in writing content for various online publications. He loves researching about food, nutrition, alternative health and longevity. He believes that mainstream health is broken and fails to deliver what it promises. Among other things, he likes writing about internet marketing, software reviews, crypto and consumer technology.

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