Red Light Therapy at Home



I don’t know Katy Perry personally, but I saw her show in Las Vegas and her skin looked amazing. It was so luminous, I almost didn’t notice her iconic whipped-cream-canister bra because I couldn’t stop staring at her face.

I know celebrities are not just like us, and it takes a lot of talented people to get a show-stopping glow like Perry’s. But when she recently gave props to red light therapy for her great skin — it was the ultimate celebrity secret I’d been waiting for.

Could it be true that all of us are just a red light away from Perry-perfect skin?

Well, not exactly. But research has found that red light therapy can help reveal smoother skin and reduce small lines and wrinkles. “It’s not going to be the effect of a facelift or give you the same kind of volume that you would get with filler — but your skin may feel more rejuvenated,” said Elizabeth Liotta, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and member of HealthyWomen’s Women’s Health Advisory Council.

What is red light therapy?

You’ve probably seen red light therapy advertised as a glowing wand, panel or mask on social media. Or if you followed NASA in the 1990s, you may remember when it made headlines as a way to help heal astronauts’ wounds.

Either way, red light therapy involves a device that shines LED (light-emitting diode) light onto skin. The low levels of red or near-infrared light help promote cell turnover for healing and can improve skin texture and tone overall.

Red light therapy benefits

Data show that red light therapy increases collagen and blood circulation and decreases inflammation,” Liotta said.

In addition to the collagen boost for fine lines and wrinkles, red light therapy can be used on the face and body to help treat many skin conditions, including:

Red light therapy can also help with pain and promote healing for various health conditions. These can include:

  • Arthritis
  • Mouth sores
  • Tendinitis

Treatment for certain conditions such as skin cancer must be done in-office by your healthcare provider (HCP). But a big part of why red light therapy is so hot right now is because you can DIY at home.

Red light therapy at home

Choosing a red light therapy device is the tough part. There are a lot of options out there. When looking at devices for your face, Lauren Fine, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, recommended a mask over something smaller like a wand or razor-type device. “It makes more sense to get the mask unless you’re just focusing on one small part of your face,” she said. “The smaller handheld wands are harder to use and there’s more room for error.”

Whatever device you decide to go with, Fine said it’s important to look at the wavelength and nanometers. “For anti-aging purposes, if it’s not in the 600 to 630 [nanometers] range it’s going to be a waste of money — it won’t have that collagen stimulating effect.”

If you’re looking for something stronger or to help with recovery or pain in the body, wavelengths measuring 800 nanometers and above penetrate deeper into the tissue and can reduce inflammation.

If the device doesn’t list the nanometers at all, Fine said to find one that does.

When considering a specific brand, a little research can go a long way. The Food and Drug Administration has approved several red light therapy devices. You can also check with your HCP for a recommendation and read the online reviews before you buy a device. Liotta noted that you don’t have to get the most popular or the most expensive one to get results. “Some companies have great marketing but red light is really tried and true,” she said.

Possible red light therapy dangers

Many people can benefit from a little red light therapy, but there are a few things to keep in mind before you get your shine on. “In general, these treatments are overwhelmingly safe and gentle and effective, but some people are sensitive to the effects of heat on the skin. So, if someone is prone to dark spots or hyperpigmentation, I would be careful with using a full face mask,” Fine said.

Check with your HCP before trying red light therapy if you’re on medications that make you sensitive to sunlight or if you’re pregnant or going through radiation or chemotherapy.

Before using any red light device, Liotta said to read the directions carefully because they vary regarding timing and how many days a week you can use it. Keep in mind that your skin shouldn’t feel hot or burning when using a red light device. If that happens, don’t use it again.

Overall, if your skin needs a boost, RLT can be an easy way to give it some TLC. “It’s a little tweak and you can look a little tighter and a little brighter,” Liotta said.

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5 Women’s Health and Beauty Products Made by Women



May 12-18 is National Women’s Health Week.

As the saying goes, behind every great company is a great woman. Or we should say, a lot of great women.

Nearly 4 out of 10 businesses in the U.S. are owned by women. These women-owned businesses employ more than 12 million people and generate $2.7 trillion a year in revenue. And the number of women-owned businesses is going up.

In fact, that number increased by nearly double the rate of businesses owned by men between 2019 and 2023,.. And Black and Latinx women-owned businesses increased at an even higher rate compared to all women-owned businesses.

Read: Meet the Badass Women Supporting Other Women in Their Health Journeys >>

Women continue to be a driving force behind some of the most essential and innovative products to date (cheers to birth control pills and antifungal drugs!). And the same goes for products designed for women’s health and wellness. From non-toxic tampons to organic tinted moisturizer, here are a few badass brands founded by women you should know about.

LOLA for healthier period products

Period products with no dyes or toxins? Yes, please. Alex Friedman and Jordana Kier founded LOLA to bring a healthier version of tampons to the masses. The company didn’t stop at tampons, though. They sell pads, washable period underwear and sexual wellness products, including an adorable mini vibrator. All LOLA products are made without chemicals, dyes, fragrance, chlorine bleach or synthetic fibers and are approved by gynecologists. Also cool: you can purchase period products and condoms on the website to donate to people who need them through ISupport the Girls.

Asutra for muscle pain relief approved by Venus Williams

You know you’re doing something right when tennis legend Venus Williams likes your products so much she becomes part owner and global brand manager of your company. Asutra owner and CEO Stephanie Morimoto also started out as a customer before purchasing the self-care product company in 2018. From aromatherapy to skincare and sleep, all products are made from organic plants, essential oils and minerals like magnesium and are vetted by an advisory board. Asutra’s popular line (and “Venus fave”) includes body lotions and sprays with magnesium and capsaicin, an FDA-approved pain reliever that comes from chili peppers, for minor aches.

Read: Much Ado About Magnesium >>

Schmidt’s deodorant for better body odor

If you’re a fan of natural deodorant, you’ve heard of Schmidt’s … or at least popped the top off of a stick in the grocery store to see if you liked the smell. If that’s the case, you probably bought it because even though the label says “bergamot and lime” — and you don’t even know what bergamot is — you want it on your armpits. This was probably what founder Jaime Schmidt had in mind when she started making natural products in her kitchen in 2010. She was pregnant at the time and wanted to create a deodorant without chemicals that smelled really good and actually worked. The rest is underarm history. You can pick up the certified natural, vegan and cruelty-free deodorant in big box stores across the U.S. The sweet smell of success includes blends like cactus flower and pear, and grapefruit and apricot.

Moxie Fitness Apparel for bladder leakage

Finding time and energy to workout is tough enough. But wondering if you’re going to pee a little — or a lot — every time you jog or jump is a good reason to skip the gym. It was squats that led Holly Mosack, a Crossfit trainer and veteran, to start a line of leggings, capris and shorts that help keep urinary incontinence leaks from ruining your routine. Moxie Fitness Apparel’s design wicks fluid into the middle absorbent barrier, trapping urine and keeping skin dry. The bottoms are available in different colors and patterns (camo, of course) and maternity sizes. Each pair can hold 8 teaspoons of pee. Bring on the squats.

Read: What You Need to Know About Urinary Incontinence >>

The Honest Company for organic makeup by Jessica Alba

Truth: Actor Jessica Alba has incredible skin. Sure, it could be genetics, but she attributes her Instagram-filter face to products from The Honest Company she founded in 2012. Either way, at the core, the company makes organic, non-toxic products, including skincare and makeup for all skin types. The cosmetics are made from naturally derived ingredients, which means no sulfates and other irritating additives that can trigger allergies or breakouts. Some products read more like a list for the farmers market: carrots, kale, apple extract and lemons. More power to the produce if it helps your skin.

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