Sturdy Woman

Red light therapy has been part of my lipedema and lymphedema treatment protocol for several years. Many of you asked about red light In the recent subscriber survey. Today I’ll address questions like, how can red light therapy help lipedema and lymphedema? What are some of the best red light devices? Is red light safe? And, how to use red light therapy for lipedema and lymphedema?

Watch the video below or read on for more details. Please remember that I am not a doctor and this is based on my experience as a patient. You should consult with your care team before starting anything new.

Can red light therapy relieve symptoms of lipedema and lymphedema?

Yes! Evidence suggests that red light therapy can help relieve common symptoms related to lipedema and lymphedema. Many devices include both visible red light (660 nm) and invisible near-infrared light (850 nm). The visible light will primarily treat the surface layers of the skin while the invisible one will penetrate more deeply to muscles and other tissues.

One study administered red light therapy to stage 2 and stage 3 lymphedema patients and found it reduced the density of their fibrotic tissue, increased skin elasticity, significantly improved clinical symptoms (ie limb circumference), and improved the patients’ reported quality of life (Li et al 2017).  Research on animals also shows anti-inflammatory effects on abdominal fat, wound healing, muscle recovery, and pain from knee arthritis (Hamblin 2017).

Wow, right?! We’re talking about increased circulation, improved lymph flow, reduced inflammation, pain relief, faster healing, and more.

There is also evidence that red light can encourage nerve growth (Ishiguro et al, 2010). About nine months ago I got nerve damage on the front of my leg during my vein ablation and a large part of my shin has been completely numb. The doctor just said “sorry” and told me it could take up to a year to heal… if it healed at all. Three months ago I started using red light therapy on it nightly and started to notice feeling gradually returning. But, yes, I still have some numbness.

I have also used my red light therapy belt to treat injuries. Last year I fell down some stairs while exercising, but I came home and started treating it immediately with my red light belt. To my surprise, there was almost no bruising! And we all know how easily lipedema patients bruise. I attribute the quick healing to the increased circulation and lymph flow.

Can red light tighten skin?

Remember, lipedema is a fat and loose connective tissue disorder. Our fat and skin are part of our connective tissue so maybe, like me, you have a lot of stretch marks and saggy skin. Yes, some of mine is from weight loss but much of it has always been there! A research study in humans found that red light therapy increased collagen density, measured ultrasonographically, and suggested that its use may lead to improvements in skin complexion, feeling, and roughness (Wunsch and Matuschka 2014).

I haven’t deliberately tried to use my red light to tighten my skin, so I can’t speak to this directly, but there are certainly many spas and skin treatment clinics offering red light treatments for everything from wrinkles to acne. This seems to suggest there could be some truth to the claim.

Can red light help me lose weight?

The evidence on this is mixed, but since lipedema is a fat disorder I didn’t want to gloss over this claim entirely. Certainly, some companies and clinics say this is true, but I haven’t experienced it myself.

Which red light therapy device is best?

The best red light therapy device is the one you will use! I like the versatility of the red light belt, but if you are looking to treat large portions of your body at one time, a red light panel that you can hang on a door or sit on a table might be better. For frequent travelers, a portable handheld red light device might be best. Watch here to see the different ways I use my red light belt.

One of the things I really love about the brand I’ve linked above is that they offer a lifetime warranty. Once you choose your device, make sure you register it then you can get a free replacement if anything ever goes wrong.

How often should I use red light therapy?

Red light therapy is cleared by the U.S. FDA and is considered safe for daily use. The red light belt you see me using in the video recommends that each session be no longer than 30 minutes and that you take a break for a few hours between sessions. Always follow the recommendations for your specific device because it is something you can overdo and more time won’t necessarily equal more benefit.

Should I wear clothes while using red light therapy?

No. Even though the models wear clothes in most of the product photos, red light therapy will work best on bare skin. If you can, refrain from wearing compression or any other clothing while using the device. Also, refrain from putting any creams or lotions on your skin before treatment.

Does red light therapy hurt?

No, red light therapy doesn’t hurt! In fact, you should expect it to be quite relaxing. The device will feel warm, almost like a heating pad. I like to use mine to wind down before bed.

Conclusion

Red light therapy can increase circulation, stimulate lymph flow, decrease inflammation, and provide pain relief, making it a great treatment to add to your self-care routine for lipedema and lymphedema. Red light devices come in belts, panels, and handheld units, but the best will depend on your needs and setup. Personally, I like the belt.

Use the comment section below to let me know what other questions you have about using red light for lipedema and lymphedema. Have you already tried red light therapy? Let us know how you used it and what results you saw!

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