Does Red Light Therapy really work for scars? 30-day test w/ infrared sauna

[@oscarherrera569]

I am an engineer who works with red and near-infrared sources. While not commenting on the merits of these sources for therapy, I need to warn you that strong sources in the infrared can cause harm to your vision. Please look into protective goggles appropriate for the wavelengths of interest.

[@TheScienceofSelfCare]

Yes! Thank you for sharing this. It’s a great point and great reminder! These masks are marketed as being okay to use with your eyes closed, but I use these devices so often that it’s better to be safe then sorry. 🙏🤍✨

[@msss7451]

I bought the special goggles that you're supposed to use in UV tanning beds for this concern 👍

[@oscarherrera569]

​​@@msss7451UV is at the other end of the visible spectrum. I doubt they will protect your eyes from power in the near infrared wavelengths

[@SeosamhMacUaid]

Oscar can you please provide so backup to what you are saying as I have heard red-light can improve ones eyesight

[@oscarherrera569]

Visible light is considered safe because our brains are trained to close our eyes or move our head upon detection of excessive visible radiation. But excessive light power outside the visible range can be problematic without protective gear because it goes undetected by the brain. This article is a good place to learn about the topic ehs.lbl.gov/resource/documents/radiation-protection/non-ionizing-radiation/light-and-infrared-radiation/#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20eye%20disease,the%20damage%20to%20the%20retina.

[@Snowsea-gs4wu]

I like red light therapy and believe in the research. What I don’t like is that so much marketing is involved and companies inflate prices so I try to be really cautious on the subject. Thanks for the video!

[@PerfectionismRewired]

Robin- you can make your own RedLight at home for under $50 USD! Get a bulb that has the infared emitting qualities you want and get a lamp clamp that can handle 250w light bulb. If you are going to use this on your face (which you probably won't bc you already have a mask) wear protective eye wear. I used to pay $$$$ to go to a RedLight Therapy place and compared my results. This works just as well! Plus it helped with my scalp psoriasis bc i'm able to manuver the light precisely on hard to reach places, like middle back of my scalp.

[@msss7451]

I did something like this. I also bought special goggles that they use for tanning beds because of the issues the light can have on your eyes

[@JessicaPradoHanson]

If you are doing this you need to get an EMF meter and test to see if you are getting exposure. These lights are tested to output less EMF than other appliances instead of more which can give you things like cancer. Please be careful because the light can help you or harm you depending on the level of radiation. Skin cancer kills soooo many people!

[@kaella463]

@PerfectionismRewired How did you treat your scalp psoriasis? I'm looking into red light therapy for that specific reason, and I haven't found much information.

[@stevesteel6066]

After 11 years experience in the cosmetic surgery industry, I would investigate Fraxel as a treatment for your scar. I’m not a medical professional, so merely an opinion. What a beautiful girl. Much love ❤️

[@beckyanderson1297]

Hi. Is Laser CO2 and Fraxel the same or different? I went to a hospital and they told me at the moment Laser CO2 is the best way to treat my atrophic acne scars however after 5 times doing laser CO2 my cars only improved about 15% so I'm not sure if I should continue doing it or not and whether there is a more effective way. Thank you

[@sheriu7167]

@@beckyanderson1297 Fraxel is not the same as the Co2 you recover a lot faster with Fraxel but may need more treatments- the other option is to have deep scars with fat injections under the skin

[@ricktomlinson5481]

It's not a significance difference because you can see clearly that the skin color gets lighter with each progression of the photos which I would consider to be the control. Also to prevent or minimize scar tissue use Vitamin E on the wound as it heals and after for a few weeks. I do think infrared light can be very helpful and an anti-inflammatory diet during the healing process! One should protect eyes from exposure to infrared light during treatments. I am dubious about simple red light produced by LED bulbs having any effect.

[@TheScienceofSelfCare]

Great points!! I do agree that the lighting makes it difficult to compare. I tried to get it photographed in similar light conditions but clearly didn’t work that well. And I didn’t want to doctor or alter the photos in any way so this is what I ended up with. I just now spent some time inspecting my scar through a video and I do really see the pigment is less, but likely less significant that the photos make it seem. Also I’ve noticed that sauna heat does wonders for my skin more globally, so I can only assume it has helped this as well. Great reminder with Vitamin E oil!! I already eat very anti-inflammatory. :) thanks for your contribution!

[@kimberlyreaves5321]

I use the sauna/red light therapy after performing 5 hours of massage therapy. My chronic pain is elevated by the end of the shift. The sauna and Red light therapy renews and energizes me, reduces pain and inflammation. I LOVE IT! I have incorporated it into my post surgical clients to reduce scarring, inflammation, pain and more. They love it too!

[@jameswallace756]

I have a red light panel that I use and it's been great especially with aches and pains.

[@victorybeginsinthegarden]

Try rubbing aloe on it with the red light therapy

[@11rs11]

This is really good information! I have a small red light therapy panel and I'm currently 7 months pregnant. I got lucky to not getting any stretchmarks my last pregnancy but I fear this pregnancy will not have the same grace. My starting weight of this pregnancy was higher than the last and this baby bump at 7 months is as big as my 9 months belly from the last pregnancy. I have been consistent with slathering Palmers Stretchmark Belly Butter but I'm not sure if its working. So if I do end up with stretchmarks, I'll be sure to use red light therapy.

[@TheScienceofSelfCare]

Congratulations!! I hope to have a stretched baby belly someday 🥰

[@bluelightwhitelight-b6t]

you can use the LED mask on your scar too.

[@JenniferKristin888]

Awesome! Wonder what the scar improvement would be in 90 days!

[@romannavratilid]

1:00 "...Making more cells more quickly..." doesnt it mean that it basically speeds up your aging...? (honest question, i just might be dumb)...? (thanks)

[@TheScienceofSelfCare]

Our skin cells are continuously cycling, unlike some other types of cells in our body. It’s estimated that you have an entirely new skin layer every 5 ish weeks. The deepest layer of epidermal cells will slowly make their way outwards and ultimately flake off. We are constantly shedding. 😅 so with regards to skin, quick cell turnover can actually be beneficial for healing and overall texture. No such thing as dumb questions! Thanks for asking :)

[@codeyorgill]

Wow Robin incredible results! Still gotta try this :)

[@TheScienceofSelfCare]

thanks Codey! It's by no means a silver bullet, but my body and (obscenely pale) skin seems to really love it

[@hadamishami7491]

Thanks for your effort I wonder if it works for strech marks

[@RundownwithRachel]

I so appreciate your video! It’s so encouraging for those of us with matured scars. I have one that’s a year old and you have me looking to dedicate more time for red light. Also love your LED mask video and wonder if using that on your back - just placing it against the scar - would help!

[@TheScienceofSelfCare]

I think the LED mask could totally work! Just would be a little less user-friendly since I’m sort of blind to my own scar. :) do you have a red light mask yourself?

[@RundownwithRachel]

@@TheScienceofSelfCare I do!!! I’ve been considering how I can get more use out of it! In addition to a mask, I have the Celluma panel which makes it easier to use in different places. It even has a pain setting for cramps!

[@TheScienceofSelfCare]

@@RundownwithRachel amazing-are you happy with your celluma panel?? I’m on the hunt for a versatile red light / near infrared panel myself!

[@RundownwithRachel]

@@TheScienceofSelfCare the more I use it the more I love it, but it can be difficult to stay with it. Each session is 30 min long. Unlike a mask, it’s not as convenient as you have to wrap it around your face. But they have a clinical team you can ask questions and an aesthetician I used to see told me it was the best available for home use. Another downside is how EXPENSIVE it is! I think there is a lot of overhead (including their clinical team) that goes into the price ~$1800

[@TheScienceofSelfCare]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing these details, Rachel. I’ve been eyeing a red-light + infrared sauna lamp lamp for a similar price by sauna space. So many toys and tools to explore!

[@amberlaird]

Yeah that’s a pretty big difference! Happy for you!

[@TheScienceofSelfCare]

Thank you! The comparison photos aren’t perfect but I can tell it’s definitely lightened in real life! Independent from wound healing, I just love the way I feel after a red light sauna session 🥰

[@BethReid-m1d]

But why is the skin so much lighter in the last photo it makes me skeptical there's probably not that much difference really in the results because your skin looks so dark in the first photo and so light in the last photo making it seem like it's photoshopped I'm not saying you Photoshopped it but I'm just saying I'm a little skeptical

[@sarahwhyld5596]

Why didn’t you just lay your face mask on your scar?

[@angementorr]

How do you use both treatments? Did you use your face LED light the same day you did full body?

[@NE_11111]

I love red light therapy! Thank you for your experiments too. I used a red light therapy bed for several sessions and would love to own one, they are very expensive. Quick question, I notice you almost always film with Your head turned to the left? I thought you were going to say you had a scar on the right side of your face! 😂. Is that just the way your camera is set up on a desk or something? Love your videos! 😊

[@daochloedao]

Great video

[@TheScienceofSelfCare]

Thanks, Chloe! 💕

[@zainabmosul7707]

Wow

[@Spencer-tx7yd]

That’s what they use after plastic surgery to promote faster wound healing

[@TheScienceofSelfCare]

If it’s good enough for surgery clinics, it’s good enough for me! ✨

[@stevevuoso8411]

Can you do an experiment on intermittent fasting?

[@TheScienceofSelfCare]

Hey Steve! Thanks for sharing this suggestion. I have been experimenting with IF for the past decade and actually talked about it quite a bit in this video here: What I eat in a day ( runway model vs. entrepreneur ) kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpKueol6qZ15qdU At this specific moment in my life is seems like a 14 hour fast and 10 hour eating window works best for me. I can definitely make a video on IF and discuss the nuances. What’s your personal relationship to intermittent fasting? Do you practice it? :)

[@stevevuoso8411]

@@TheScienceofSelfCare I watched that video, but I forgot you covered that. As for me, I'm just getting interested in both intermittent fasting and water only fasting (2 days, 3 days, etc.). I'm still researching so I haven't implemented anything yet, but it looks very interesting!

[@TheScienceofSelfCare]

@@stevevuoso8411so cool! I would love to hear how things develop. I think IF is a great tool, especially in the busier seasons of life.

[@mtownz6215]

who gave you that scar?

[@TheScienceofSelfCare]

I had a precancerous mole removed and they were very aggressive with how much they took out! Better safe than sorry. :) I have quite fair skin that’s sensitive to the sun, so I’ve become very diligent about taking care of it and protecting it.

[@napsam71]

Subbed.

[@aaronfan2457]

nice hair 👍

[@TheScienceofSelfCare]

Thanks!

[@Blackfeet]

You could just go to see a dermatologist or a tattoo removal artist and they will use a laser to effectively bleach your skin tone back to "normal" blended in with the rest of your skin tone (no Diddy).