Scientific Benefits of Light Therapy

Benefits of Kala Red Light Therapy

Light therapy is not a wellness fad or myth. Researchers have conducted over a thousand peer-reviewed trials and studies on various kinds of light therapy (also referred to as photobiomodulation or low-level laser therapy). It’s a legitimate and widely-used health intervention to improve how you feel, look and preform. In fact, NASA studied light therapy in the late 1980s and 1990s for use in space, and over the last two decades. The clinical consensus is that red and NIR light treatments are generally safe and effective, with a wide range of potential uses. 

Light is essential for our health and cellular function, just like water, sleep, and the nutrients from food. The human body is designed to function with an abundance of natural sunlight. The truth is, most people do not get nearly enough sunlight spending over 90% of their lives indoors.

Kala provides a simple to use, non-invasive device that allows you to get the therapeutic benefits of light therapy from the convenience of your own home. 

Light therapy is quick: Kala recommends 10 minutes per treatment area. It’s also super easy: all you have to do is sit or stand in front of the device and your body & cells take in the light. Kala treatments are also completely non-invasive and don’t include any ultra violet (UV) rays.

For questions on how to use your Kala Device or treatment guidelines, please refer to our treatment guidelines page which can be found by clicking here.

Some notable Kala Red Light Therapy health benefits include:

  1. Promotes Healthy Skin

Red light therapy is useful in healing the skin and treating several skin issues. To give you healthier and clearer skin. You can find a clinical study proving it's effects here. Refer to our Kala Glow Blog on skin-health here. Red Light Therapy does the following:

  • Protects and boosts new collagen production
  • Stimulates healing of slow-healing wounds
  • Helps to repair sun damage
  • Promotes anti-aging
  • Reduces scars, stretch marks, and wrinkles
  • Cures acne
  • Treats rosacea, eczema, psoriasis

Red Light Therapy is a 100% natural solution to your skin problems. Unlike other chemical solutions, the natural red light used in this therapy penetrates deeper into the skin and activates cellular activity. It also has several other health benefits besides treating the skin and improving its overall look.

As the skin is the largest and one of the major organs of the body, people go through several kinds of medicinal and non-medicinal treatment to achieve glowing, healthier, and younger-looking skin. Red light therapy is used to solve several skin issues like wrinkles, scars, persistent wounds, and other health conditions. Nowadays this low-level laser therapy is getting more popular as people are using modern technology to get the edge in various health and wellness categories.

  1. Optimizes Sleep

Red Light Therapy allows for the bodies circadian rhythm to adjust. The overstimulation we face from blue light (cellphones, tv, computers) hinder our ability to get deep, restful sleep. With Its low colour temperature and soothing effects on the body, Red Light Therapy promotes quality sleep. You can find a clinical study here. Refer to our Kala Glow Blog on sleep optimization here. Additional benefits include:

  • Promote your biological clock with balanced circadian rhythm
  • Encourages deep sleep
  • Alleviates over-stimulation from blue light
  • Promotes melatonin production
  1. Improves Cognitive Performance

NIR Wavelengths from your Kala device can penetrate deep into the skin to provide therapeutic benefits at the cellular level. The red and near-infrared light photons penetrate through the skull and into brain cells and spur the mitochondria to produce more ATP. You can find a clinical study proving its benefits here. That can mean clearer, sharper thinking.

  • Stimulate brain cell function & mitochondria
  • Improve mental acuity
  • Clearer and sharper thinking
  • Short-term memory
  • Executive function
  • Faster learning
  • Reasoning skills
  • More positive mood
  • Slow down and reverse certain brain disorders
  1. Enhances Athletic Performance & Muscle Recovery

Whether you are an athlete or a fitness enthusiast, Red Light therapy can work wonders in speeding up muscle recovery from intense training and physical exercise. You can find a clinical study proving its benefits here. It also offers pain relief, as well as accelerates bone and connective tissue healing from fitness-related injuries.

  • Strength (leads to more reps, greater torque, and stronger grip)
  • Muscle (light therapy stimulates natural muscle growth for more bulk and size)
  • Speed (run faster times with more velocity)
  • Endurance (longer shifts with less of an oxygen deficit)
  • Soreness & muscle fatigue after demanding workouts
  • Muscle recovery – improved blood flow & oxygen
  • Efficient cellular energy synthesis
  1. Reduces Inflammation

Red Light Therapy works effectively in reducing inflammation by boosting cellular energy and cutting down on oxidative stress. You can find a clinical study proving its benefits here. To reduce inflammation, Red Light Therapy does the following:

  • Speed up tissue healing
  • Limits inflammatory response and reduce oxidative damage
  • Increase blood vessel formation
  • Help fight disease
  • Increasing blood circulation between blood vessels and tissues
  • Alleviates chronic inflammation
  1. Boosts Energy Levels

One of the primary functions of Red Light Therapy is to efficiently increase energy production by strengthening the mitochondria. Some other benefits include:

  • Increase Energy Levels
  • More efficient cell ATP production
  • Fights nitric oxide & oxidative stress that slows us down
  • Increased absorption of mitochondria cells AKA “Power Generators”
  1. Increases Libido

Red Light Therapy increases blood flow and has been proven to enhance fertility. According to recent studies, Red Light Therapy has the potential to improve sexual function and libido. A study proving its benefits can be found here.

With advanced technology, this therapy also helps with:

  • Boosting testosterone
  • Less severe menopause and andropause
  • Gives a boost in reviving sex life
  • Enhance sexual performance and enjoyment
  • Increased blood-flow
  • Improve fertility and sexual performance
  1. Stimulates Hair Growth

Red Light Therapy is one of the most effective, painless, non-invasive solutions to hair loss problems. This process not only reduces hair loss but thickens and extends your hair's lifespan. Refer to our Kala Glow Blog on hair growth here. A study proving its benefits can be found here.

Some of the major benefits are:

  • Helps with thyroid problems
  • Stimulate hair growth
  • Helps with resurrecting dead hair follicles
  • Increases hair strength
  • Gradually reduces hair loss
  1. Combats Depression & Anxiety

Along with plenty of physical benefits, Red Light Therapy has rapid effects on mental health as well. In a recent study, researchers found that red light therapy offers a promising treatment for major depressive disorder, suicidal ideation, anxiety, and traumatic brain injury. Red light therapy is also effective for dealing with day to day stress and anxiety. Studies proving its benefits can be found here. Other significant benefits include:

  • Helps fight depression
  • Reduces chronic stress and anxiety
  • Remission of despair
  • Improves mental health

Red Light Therapy benefits cannot be overstated. After 1000's of scientific, non-biased, double blinded studies have proved just how therapeutic and beneficial Red Light Therapy truly is. 

Please find more of our favourite clinical, non-biased studies below.

Frieman, father of Red Light Therapy
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4390214/

History, Mechanism, Dose, Mitochondrial, Anti-inflammatory
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5215870/

Visible Light therapy vs. Near Infrared Light therapy
https://www.mamanatural.com/near-infrared-sauna/

History, Mechanism, Dose, Mitochondrial, Anti-inflammatory
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5215870/

Sunlight Incidence, Vitamin D Deficiency, and Alzheimer's Disease
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5454613/

Artificial Light and Cancer - Mal Illumination
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5454613/

https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/180/3/245/2739112

Wound Healing, dairy cattle, cat tongue
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9068161

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/7762/57f1debd12c652310bd11d8d53cfc5052c61.pdf

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312142584_The_photobiomodulation_effect_of_higher-fluence_808- nm_laser_therapy_with_a_flattop_handpiece_on_the_wound_healing_of_the_earthworm_Dendrobaena_veneta_a_brief_report

Wound healing LED shows significant speed of recovery with 633nm.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16581685

Scarring
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26741110

Dermal Abrasions
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3766381/

Stroke
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27345389

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3538543/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17463313/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17678491/

Osteoporosis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28846932

Transcranial effect of LED
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273781132_Red_and_NIR_light_dosimetry_in_the_human_deep_brain

Brain Injury 
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229161498_Transcranial_low_level_laser_light_therapy_for_traumatic_brain_injury

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17439348

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3397203/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11059663

Sleep
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12811613

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12811613

Testosterone replacement
http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/96971683/effects-low-level-laser-therapy-red%20and%20near-infrared%20light-testis-elevating-serum-testosterone-level-rats

Serotonin levels 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26202374

Dermal Abrasions
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3766381/

Tendonitis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/226734405

Fibromyalgia
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24801056

Temporomandibular Myofascial Pain

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29697718

Acne
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16468292

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28232927

 Acne Vulgaris
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22615511

Sunlight Incidence, Vitamin D Deficiency, and Alzheimer's Disease.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5454613/

Depression
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4556873/

Depression and anxiety
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19995444

Attention Bias Modification in Adults with Elevated Depression Symptoms
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27267860

Dementia
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28186867 

Transcranial infrared laser stimulation produces beneficial cognitive and emotional effects in humans
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23200785

Brain disorders
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5066074/

Major depressive disorder: targeting brain metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurogenesis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4777909/

Improving executive function using transcranial infrared laser stimulation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26017772

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26535475

Cognitive enhancement by transcranial laser stimulation and acute aerobic exercise.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27220529

Neurological and psychological applications of transcranial lasers and LEDs.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23806754

Alzheimers Disease
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263742704_Low- Level_Laser_Therapy_Ameliorates_Disease_Progression_in_a_Mouse_Model_of_Alzheimer's_Disease

Photobiomodulation with near infrared light mitigates Alzheimer's disease
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24387311

Low-level laser therapy rescues dendrite atrophy via up-regulating BDNF expression: implications for Alzheimer's disease
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23946409

Bipolar Disorder
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23196997

Arthritis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28772237

Effect of low-level laser therapy on the expression of inflammatory mediators and on neutrophils and macrophages in acute joint inflammation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24028507

Bell's Palsy 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4322014/

Testosterone
http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/96971683/effects-low-level-lasertherapy-red%20and%20near-infrared%20light-testis-elevating-serum-testosterone-level-rats

Aging Skin (stimulating, healing, restoring)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15341749

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4126803/

Oral Health
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4639680/

Nuts and bolts of RLT - Survey of Basically Everything treated by LLLT
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3288797/

Mechanism of action - dose, etc. Biphasic Dose Response in Low Level Light
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2790317/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237089612_The_role_of_nitric_oxide_in_low_level_light_therapy 


Skin-health stimulating, healing, restoring.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24049929

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4126803/

Fat-Loss
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3769994/

Obesity
https://www.cdc.gov/onsidty/data/ad/ult.html

Body Fat Reduction
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26220050

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2703221/

Body Countouring
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23355338

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5225499/

Low-Level Laser Therapy for Fat Layer Reduction
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3769994/


Health After Cancer
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306325596_Revised_Estimates_for_the_Number_of_Human_and_Bacteria_Cells_in_the_Body

Inflammation
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28748217

Eye Health
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26427443

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4768515/

Herpes
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16780494?dopt=Citation

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4751092/

Dermatitis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4751092/

Psoriasis
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320600622_A_clinical_review_of_phototherapy_for_psoriasis

Improved Sleep & PTSD
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24568233

 
The History of Red Light Therapy

Sir Isaac Newton discovered the spectrum in the 1600s but it took until 1800 to discover infrared light and 1801 to discover ultraviolet.  We found that ordinary sunlight exposure prevented rickets (soft bones that led to bow-legs in children) and osteoporosis or “weak bones”, and even “hunchback syndrome” in the elder population.  We did not know until 1920 that it was because our skin was making Vitamin D3, known as cholecalciferol.

Nils Finsen[i] [1860-1904] essentially invented phototherapy in 1895 when he cured a man of tuberculosis of the skin in just over four days with a strong UV light. The early lights, however, were too powerful to get close to the skin without burning people, and interest faded in phototherapy.

Modern Times

The invention of LEDs reawakened modern interest.  It became safe and simple to create frequencies of 415 nm (blue), 633 nm (red), and 830 nm (infrared) with cool LEDs, without hurting the patient.  While blue light has its uses, red and near infrared light are useful for treating persistent wounds, wrinkles, and scarring; it can even be useful in the treatment of acne.  It is also helpful to reduce the damage of burns, UV damage, and muscle pain, such as tendonitis.

One study revealed that it decreases the appearance of aging by stimulating fibroblasts, the cells that build the structure of your skin, along with collagen and elastin, the elements that make your skin resilient, firm, and youthful.  Another study, in the same year showed that in deliberate exercise excess intended to cause pain, those treated with phototherapy had reduced pain and damage up to 96 hours after the event, compared to the placebo group.

Introducing… Mitochondria!

Two molecules Adenosine Diphosphate and Adenosine Triphosphate are responsible for transferring most of the energy inside our cells.  This happens inside a small cellular component called the mitochondria (sometimes called the cell’s “battery”).  They work together with the triphosphate releasing a phosphate molecule to create energy, and the diphosphate reattaching a new one to “charge” the battery again.  Red light therapy was seen to enhance the activity of the mitochondria, the ADP, and the ATP, making more energy available for all these repairs to proceed.

The Takeaway

Red light has an established history of enhancing metabolic processes, improving repairs and healing.  It is also now GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) by authorities, being identified as benign and safe.

For best effect, treatment should be undertaken three times per week, but the cost of clinical sessions can be significant.  Many people are now turning to home units, where a one-time investment can pay dividends for years.  Talk to one of our customer care specialists and find out how Red Light Therapy can change your life for the better!

 

Why is sunlight important for humans?

All energy on Earth is derived from the stars. We do not create energy—that’s impossible—we merely change it from one form to another so it is useful to us. More than 99% of our energy originates within the Sun, arriving here as photons of light. Even the “stored energy” we use here (fossil fuels, etc.) was made with sunlight billions of years ago—so this is solar power, too.

Humans need all the light energy that we receive from the Sun, not only to power our weather and the water cycle, but to allow us to make Vitamin D with our skin, and to moderate the production of serotonin and melatonin to control many bodily functions, such as sleep and wakefulness.

 

Benefits of Kala Therapy Lamp:

The Kala Light Therapy Lamp produces a very bright light. The intensity of the light is measured in lux - the higher the lux, the brighter the light. The light produced from the Kala Lamp stimulates the sunlight that's missing during the dark, gloomy months with our cutting edge 10,000 lux LED's. The Kala Lamp is about 20 times brighter than a regular indoor light.

The light improves SAD by encouraging your brain to reduce the production of melatonin (a hormone that makes you sleepy) and increase the production of serotonin (a hormone that affects your mood). Serotonin also helps reduce anxiety and improve energy levels. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression.

A sun lamp with an intensity of 10,000 lux is recommended for SAD. That’s 9,900 lux more than the average standard household light. The Kala lamp's 10,000 lux LED lights mimic the natural rays of sunlight to 98%. A recent study found that results may be seen as quickly as 20 minutes into the first session in improving seasonal depression. The quick results and minimal side effects often provide the first line of treatment against SAD. Not to mention, the Kala Lamp helps to restore circadian rhythms for improved sleep.
 

 

Sources:

  1. Red Light Therapy: The Complete Guide Including Use, Benefits, & Treatment,https://trophyskin.com/pages/red-light-therapy-the-complete-guide-including-use-benefits-treatment
  2. Pinar Avci, Asheesh Gupta, Magesh Sadasivam, Daniela Vecchio, Zeev Pam, Nadav Pam, and Michael R Hamblin, Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in the skin: stimulating, healing, restoring. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2013 March