Red light therapy is a noninvasive therapeutic technique that utilizes low-wavelength red light to stimulate the skin cells and promote healing. It’s been used by professionals to treat skin problems, such as scars, wounds that have been slow to heal, and wrinkles.
If you haven’t heard of the phrase ‘red light therapy’ before, you may have heard of other terms used to refer to it. These include biostimulation, cold laser therapy, photobiomodulation, photonic stimulation, or low-level laser light therapy.
What Makes Red Light Therapy Unique?
There are many types of light therapies. Red light therapy is a unique science-backed treatment because of its noninvasive nature. This means it doesn’t require any surgical incisions or injections, and there’s no contact between the light source and the skin.
Since it has immense benefits, it’s also used outside of hospitals. For instance, it can be used in a beauty salon to help minimize the potential side effects of cosmetics. It’s known to stimulate collagen production, which helps improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This makes red light therapy a popular treatment for individuals who are looking to maintain a youthful appearance without the use of more invasive treatments like fillers.
Additionally, red light therapy has been shown to improve the effectiveness of some skincare products, allowing individuals to get the most out of their beauty routine.
While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind it, red light therapy has also been suggested to aid in weight loss. You can read more about that in this full article. Additionally, the therapy may help improve muscle recovery after exercise, which could indirectly support muscle growth.
How Red Light Therapy Works
For a cell to be more effective in its processes and activities, it must have more energy. This energy comes from the mitochondria, the ‘powerhouse’ of the cell. As cellular activities increase, more energy is needed to meet their needs.
Red light therapy aims to strengthen the mitochondria, which generate the energy that cells need to function. To achieve this, the therapy produces a biochemical effect in cells, which enables them to create more energy-carrying molecules called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This then translates to cells having increased energy and efficiency. They’re able to repair damage and rejuvenate themselves more effectively.
Why Bodybuilders Choose Red Light Therapy
Many reasons may prompt bodybuilders to consider getting red light therapy but depends heavily on the individual and what they’re personal goals are. Some of these benefits/goals include the following:
To Treat Any Skin-Related Problems
Some bodybuilders take an interest in red light therapy, especially if they’re experiencing any skin-related issues. Unlike other treatments that damage the outer skin layer, red light therapy is known not to cause skin damage or discomfort as long as it’s administered properly.
Additionally, red light therapy may help bodybuilders gain the following:
- Enhanced skin clarity
- Reduced wrinkles and lines
- Better skin tone and texture
- Reduced stretch marks, acne, and scars
- Enhanced wound healing
In case you’re wondering how the above benefits are possible, here’s an explanation. As mentioned, red light therapy stimulates the production of elastin and collagen.
Collagen is a protein that forms a significant portion of the skin’s structure. It also plays a vital role in keeping the skin firm and youthful-looking. With this, you’re able to maintain younger and healthier skin for longer despite strenuous bodybuilding exercises and aging.
To Relieve Stress And Anxiety
The other reason bodybuilders might consider getting red light therapy is to relieve stress. Everyone is susceptible to feeling stressed and pressured, especially if different aspects of their life aren’t going as they’ve anticipated.
As a bodybuilder, stress can make you lose morale and motivation to engage in regular and/or intense exercise. When you’re in such a situation, know there’s a workable solution.
Red light therapy has been shown to help calm the mind and body, making it easier to focus on training sessions and potentially improving performance. You can go for this treatment before starting your workout sessions if you feel anxious and stressed. This can help you stay on track.
To Enhance Nutrient Delivery In The Body
Red light therapy has also been shown to increase circulation and blood flow, improving nutrient delivery to the muscles and enhancing their growth potential. For this reason, the therapy is considered a potentially helpful tool for athletes and bodybuilders looking to improve their muscle growth and recovery.
What To Consider Before You Undergo Red Light Therapy
It’s essential to ensure that you’re working with professionals from whichever clinic you decide to get this type of therapy. Confirm that the experts providing the treatment are certified and experienced so you don’t suffer any adverse effects.
Once you’ve identified where you’ll undergo red light therapy, you can sign up for your treatment and consultation plan. If you have expertise in this therapy, on the other hand, you may want to purchase an in-home light panel. This way, you can perform the therapy in the comfort of your home and enjoy immense benefits after your day-to-day workout.
How This Therapy Promotes Muscle Growth In Bodybuilders
Here’s how red light therapy may help to promote muscle growth in bodybuilders, which is what we all care about right?
It May Help In Muscle Recovery After A Workout
After an intense workout, you may get inflammation that might affect you to a point where you’ve lost the strength to work out in the following days. This might take days and even weeks, and if you start working out while in this condition, your situation might worsen or even cause an injury.
Red light therapy may be one effective way to help increase the speed at which your muscles heal after exercise. This promotes enhanced muscle growth and strength over time. And if by any chance, you sustain an injury, red light therapy boosts bone and connective tissue healing.
It May Increase Testosterone Levels
You’ll likely feel like you’re running out of energy on your journey of building muscles. So, you may try to incorporate strategies to regain your strength, like spending some time under the sun. The reason you feel better and rejuvenated after doing so is that light exposure can have positive effects on energy levels and overall health.
Red light therapy may also have a similar effect by increasing cellular activity and testosterone production. Testosterone is an anabolic hormone that’s involved in protein synthesis and the development of muscle mass. When testosterone levels are increased, this can promote muscle growth. Moreover, it helps increase muscle strength to help bodybuilders undergo resistance training.
It May Enhance Oxygen Flow And Blood Circulation
Besides helping you build muscles, red light therapy may help increase blood circulation around them, ensuring they receive sufficient oxygen. When you have increased blood flow, aka a “mad pump“, it’s easy for your muscles to obtain essential nutrients at high speed. This then enhances your muscle growth, endurance, and recovery.
Red light therapy may also enhance the adequate flow of oxygenated blood; hence, the heart can pump blood to the muscles more effectively, increasing their performance and growth. If you have healthy blood circulation as a bodybuilder, it’s easier to push yourself harder when working out. When you do, you experience an effective breakdown of muscles, which grow bigger and stronger after recovery.
It May Help Reduce Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
DOMS is a problem that almost all bodybuilders deal with. It’s among the leading causes of discomfort, pain, and soreness after you’ve engaged in workouts and training. It can also occur if you’ve started a new exercise and training routine or have increased the intensity of your regular training.
DOMS affects all bodybuilders regardless of whether they’re amateurs or experts after engaging in a strenuous workout session. It causes eccentric muscle contraction to help the body bear the weight you’re carrying against gravity.
DOMS doesn’t occur immediately after exercising or training. It happens after a day or two, and then it’ll start easing up slowly. The longest DOMS can last several days; otherwise, you may need medical attention if it lasts way longer and you experience severe muscle pain.
Red light therapy may be an effective way to deal with the pain and discomfort caused by DOMS. It either eliminates or minimizes the soreness after you’ve engaged your body in strenuous activities, such as:
- Deadlifts
- Squats
- Bench press
After completing therapy, your muscles are triggered to initiate the repair process. This helps promote muscle growth because the muscles get larger and more robust to help prevent soreness from occurring in the future.
Skinny Yoked Summary
Red light therapy is a noninvasive procedure that professionals use to help treat skin-related issues. The therapy has also been suggested to help boost energy levels and promote muscle growth in individuals.
Some ways in which red light therapy may promote muscle growth in bodybuilders are by enhancing oxygen flow, increasing testosterone levels, and helping in muscle recovery. As a bodybuilder, you may want to consider red light therapy for its potential benefits, especially in muscle recovery. And as with any therapy or new treatment, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if it’s suitable for you.
