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How Often Should You Do Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy can be a valuable addition to your wellness routine. Here’s how often you should use red light therapy for best results.
You already know that you should take your vitamins, moisturize your skin every day, and exercise three to five times a week… but how often should you incorporate something like red light therapy into your wellness routine?
Like with anything you do to support your wellness, consistency is key. Let’s break down how often you should use red light therapy and how to make it a meaningful part of your routine.
What is red light therapy?
Red light therapy is a gentle but powerful way to support your body’s natural energy production and recovery process.
Unlike the sun’s UV rays, which can be dangerous with prolonged exposure, red light therapy delivers a safe targeted wavelength of light that reaches deep into the body’s cells. This process encourages the body’s natural ability to rejuvenate, repair, and optimize energy levels.
People choose to incorporate red light therapy into their routines for various reasons, including supporting skin health, muscle recovery, relaxation, and overall well-being. So, how often should you use it to experience the best results? The answer depends on your goals, lifestyle, and how your body responds to RLT.
How often to do red light therapy by benefit
Red light therapy is gentle enough to use frequently, and many people incorporate it into their daily routine. However, the ideal frequency depends on your goals and how your body reacts.
General wellness and energy support
If you’re using red light therapy to support your overall energy levels and promote relaxation, a short daily session is generally ideal.
Most people find that using red light therapy for 10 to 20 minutes per day, three to five times per week provides a noticeable boost in well-being without becoming too time-consuming.
Skin support
If you're looking to support healthy skin, red light therapy can be a part of your daily routine. Many skincare enthusiasts use red light therapy as part of their daily regimen, much like applying moisturizer or sunscreen.
The antimicrobial properties of red light, combined with its ability to stimulate blood flow, can yield promising results for people who experience skin breakouts, blemishes, or minor skin irritation. Like with any skincare routine, it's most helpful to stay consistent.
A session lasting 10 to 15 minutes is typically enough to promote a healthy, vibrant complexion over time. It's easy to make the most of a quick daily red light session by listening to your favorite podcast or voice dictating your daily task list while the light does its job.
Muscle recovery and comfort
Athletes and active individuals often turn to red light therapy for muscle recovery and relaxation. Red light can stimulate blood flow, and your muscles need an influx of freshly oxygenated blood to recover and become stronger.
If this is your focus, four to five sessions per week can be a great way to support your body’s natural recovery process. Each session should last around 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the area being treated and the intensity of your workouts. You can combine red light therapy with CBD for muscle recovery to maximize the soothing effects.
If your typical workout is short and gentle, a quick 10 to 15-minute session a couple of times per week will get the job done. Just consider your body's needs and how they're impacted by your current exercise regimen.
Targeting specific areas
If you’re focusing on a specific part of your body, such as an ankle, back, or shoulders, you may benefit from daily sessions for the first few weeks. Massage typically works well in conjunction with red light therapy.
You can massage the affected area with topical cream to maximize muscle support. As your discomfort reduces, you can adjust your routine to three to four times per week based on how you feel.
What happens if you use red light too often?
Red light therapy is generally safe and well tolerated, but using it too often may not always yield better results. The body needs time to respond, recover, and integrate the benefits.
Patience and consistency are very important with any self-care practice. If you get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, use your red light, eat well-balanced meals, exercise for 30 minutes, and use your full spectrum tincture for one day, you're off to a great start.
Your life won't be radically different when you wake up the next morning because you’ve only just started a lifelong wellness journey. Every day is a new rung on the ladder, and it's going to take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to see the top.
Overdoing it won’t necessarily speed up the process. In some cases, it could lead to temporary skin sensitivity. It’s best to stick with a balanced approach and wait to see how the supportive effects of your wellness efforts become apparent with time.
If you’re new to red light therapy, start slow. Begin with three to four sessions per week and see how your body responds. If you feel good and want to increase frequency, gradually work your way up to daily sessions if you feel that you need to.
When’s the best time for red light therapy?
The best time for red light therapy depends on your lifestyle and what you’re looking to achieve.
Morning
Many people find that using red light therapy in the morning provides an energy boost and sets a positive tone for the day. If you wake up feeling sluggish, a short session can help you feel more alert and ready to tackle the day ahead.
Some people find that completing their daily routines as early as possible helps to keep them consistent.
As the day unfolds, it's likely that your attention will be divided, and your priorities will shift. When you've completed all of your self-care tasks before the thick of your day begins, they're less likely to be bumped from your to-do list.
Evening
If relaxation and recovery are your priorities, an evening session can be a great way to unwind. It pairs well with a bedtime routine, helping you ease into a restful night’s sleep. If you set aside time to unwind at night, you can pair your red light therapy with an audiobook or mindfulness meditation routine.
Consistency is key for experiencing the benefits of any wellness habit. Treat red light therapy like any other self-care practice — schedule it just like you would a workout or meditation session. You can use red light therapy while reading, listening to music, or practicing deep breathing to integrate red light therapy into your daily routine without significantly extending your routine.
The bottom line on red light therapy
Red light therapy is a valuable tool to support wellness, but the key to success is finding a routine that works for you.
Whether you use it a few times a week or daily, the most important thing is consistency. Start slow, listen to your body, and adjust as needed. Over time, red light therapy can become a natural and beneficial part of your wellness journey.
You can pair red light therapy with holistic wellness support practices or supplements like Sunmed’s premium CBD products to ease tension, support energy, and support better sleep.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources:
Ultraviolet Radiation | Radiation and Your Health | CDC
Using Wake-Up Tasks for Morning Behavior Change: Development and Usability Study | JMIR Publications