Blue Light Vs. Red Light Therapy
At Avanti Body in Vacaville, CA, and Scottsdale, AZ, we are passionate about light! All light is made up of different wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum. Visible light ranges from red, which has longer wavelengths, to violet, which has shorter wavelengths. Each wavelength corresponds with a different color of the rainbow. Some of these specific wavelengths can be beneficial to our health in the form of light therapy. Red and blue light are the two most studied light therapies, but what are the differences between the two? Here at Avanti Body, we specialize in red light therapy, but to help you understand how they differ, here is our guide to blue light vs. red light.
What is Blue Light?
Blue light has a shorter wavelength than red light on the electromagnetic spectrum. Blue light therapy is delivered in the 400-nanometer range. There is an inverse relationship between wavelength and energy, so this means it contains more energy than red light. Sunlight is a natural source of blue light and this used to be our only exposure to it. However, we are now constantly exposed to artificial sources of blue light through fluorescent and LED lighting, as well as through our screens.
Natural blue light is beneficial to the body because our circadian rhythms (sleep-wake cycles) rely on it. Blue light signals the brain to turn off melatonin production. It’s great for mental and physical health, but only when we are exposed to it during the day. Being exposed to artificial blue light through our lighting and technology after the sun goes down, is problematic. Because blue light suppresses melatonin, watching TV and playing on our phones is throwing off our entire hormonal system. Melatonin is needed not only to get a proper night’s sleep, but also to produce other hormones.
Blue Light Therapy
This form of light therapy transfers blue light to the skin using specialized LED lamps. These are the main conditions that blue light therapy is used to treat:
- Acne
- Sun damage (prevents skin cancer from forming)
- Depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
What are Red and Near-Infrared Light?
Red and near-infrared light are towards the other end of the electromagnetic spectrum so they have longer wavelengths than blue light, but contain less energy. Red light is delivered in the mid-600 nanometer range, and near-infrared light in the mid-800s. Near-infrared wavelengths are longer than those on the visible spectrum, and so they are invisible to the human eye. We use a combination of both red and near-infrared light here at Avanti Body to achieve maximum results.
Red light actually promotes melatonin production, rather than suppressing it. Specific wavelengths of red light create a biochemical effect in our cells that serves to increase mitochondrial function. This stimulates ATP production in the body, which provides energy for every cell in the body. Without ATP production, our bodies can’t function at all. Without enough of it, they can’t function optimally.
Red light can be extremely healing, but many of us are not exposed to enough red light, as blue light from our computers, phones, and TVs now dominates our evenings. This is why we need red light therapy!
What is Red Light Therapy?
Check out our blog post on red light therapy for detailed information about how it works. Red light has been shown to be a therapeutic treatment for:
- Weight loss
- Inflammation
- Wrinkle reduction
- Stretch mark reduction
- Hormone balancing
- Cellular rejuvenation
- Muscle recovery
Come See Us!
As you can see, when looking at blue light vs. red light, there are many differences. So determining which therapy is right for you will depend on what health issues you are experiencing. Here at Avanti Body in Vacaville, CA, and Scottsdale, AZ, we believe strongly in the healing benefits of red light therapy. If you are looking to improve your health and your life through red light therapy, give us a call today. We can’t wait to see you!
Image by Peter Holec from Pixabay
Frequently Asked Questions
What is better? Red or blue light therapy?
Different LED colors have various effects. For instance, according to experts, red LED light therapy may lessen swelling and encourage the production of collagen, a protein that is responsible for maintaining youthful-looking skin but declines with age. Acne-causing bacteria may be destroyed by blue LED light therapy.
What does red light therapy do to your face?
Red light therapy can help with redness, acne, and hair growth by reducing inflammation. This makes topical or oral treatments for these conditions work even better.
