Red light treatment, TikTok’s viral obsession with professional approval | World news

Red light therapy is a popular trend on TikTok, where videos with the hashtag #redlighttherapy have garnered 96 million views.

Videos show users using red light to improve the appearance of their skin, claiming it can help with acne, aging, and hair loss.

But red light therapy isn’t just a TikTok fad, it’s also a certified professional treatment.

“Hematologists have been using red light for some time now,” says Dr. Anthony Rossi, a neuroscientist based in New York City.

“I use it in a clinical setting and I’m a big proponent of red light therapy.”

What is red light therapy?

Some people may be wary of using red light on their skin, thinking it can be as harmful as the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which can cause aging and skin cancer.

But red light, a type of light that appears around 600 nanometers in length has been shown to be a safe and effective way of treating skin problems, says Dr. Danilo Del Campo, a dermatologist based in Chicago. He said scientists began studying the effects of red light on the body in the 1960s and found it useful in healing wounds.

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This is because red light, he says, stimulates the production of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, an energy compound he calls “our body’s gasoline.” By increasing ATP, red light therapy can heal wounds and stimulate hair growth, he said. He also said that smaller studies have suggested that red light can help with other skin issues, such as acne and aging, by regulating skin oil production and boosting skin collagen production.

“It’s still an exciting field that hasn’t been explored in large-scale experiments yet,” he said.

What is the doctor’s perspective on red light therapy?

Dermatologists say that red light therapy is a safe option to try, and it can be found in most dermatologists’ offices.

Here are some tips to consider if you want to try it:

• Tell your doctor first: Before you try red light therapy, you should see a board-certified physical therapist and tell them you’re interested in it.

Most dermatologists can perform this treatment in their offices, which Dr. Rossi says is better than using in-home machines.

“Seeing a board-certified dermatologist who does red light therapy … is probably your best bet, because the tools they’re using are medical grade, they’re balanced, they know how to use them, they know how to move them properly,” he said.

• Be careful with home red light therapy devices: If you decide to use a red light therapy device at home, such as a mask, Dr. Del Campo says you should buy one from a reputable company or one recommended by your dermatologist.

He also said that you should follow all the instructions that come with the device or that your doctor gives you, especially about how often and how often to use it, to avoid burning your skin.

• Protect your eyes: Don’t forget that what is good for your skin may not be good for your eyes. “I like to tell my patients that, if they are going to use a red light panel at home, they should wear good eye protection,” said Dr. Rossi.

“They shouldn’t look directly at the light, because you don’t want to cause any eye problems.”

• Don’t rely on red light therapy alone: Remember, red light therapy is a supplement, not a primary therapy, so don’t use it instead of your skin care regimen, medication or regular sunscreen use, says Dr. Del Campo. Most importantly, remember that red light therapy can improve your skin care, but it’s not a must-have for healthy skin – and it’s certainly not a miracle solution for every problem.

“There are some things that you think can be treated with red light that can be better treated with local prescriptions,” said Dr. Rossi.

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“Red light alone may not cure it, while using red light in combination with powerful drugs is really helpful.”