For several years, red light therapy has been used to treat and manage a host of health issues. Following a flurry of studies and growing interest, red light therapy has been found to be effective in assisting with weight loss and reduction of the appearance of cellulite.
If you are struggling with weight and some of its side effects such as cellulite, red light therapy offers a non-invasive and natural alternative to looking your best.
How Red Light Therapy Works to Minimize Fat
When your body is exposed to red or near infrared light at a certain wavelength, it absorbs this light, which in turn helps the cells to perform at optimal levels.
Red light, absorbed into the body, has been found to improve skin health and to minimize pain. More importantly, this light can also help the body to break down fat much faster and more effectively.
Specifically, at certain wavelengths, red and near-infrared light promotes ATP and mitochondrial production. This process leads to cells converting stored energy and releasing waste.
In one study, researchers concluded that the absorption of red and infrared light by mitochondria chromophores eventually aids in weight reduction, decreases cellulite, and improves blood lipids.
Scientists have argued that red and infrared light has an impact on fat-storing cells known as adipocytes. This impact causes these fat cells to break down and to wash away.
In another study, researchers found that light therapy could possibly have implications for hunger. In particular, light regulates ghrelin and leptins, hunger-related hormones.
Body contouring is one area of weight loss that is especially benefitting from red light therapy.
One randomized study found that after participants were exposed to red therapy at wavelengths of 635-680nm for four weeks without changing their diet or exercise habits, these participants demonstrated a significant reduction in their waistline.
In another study in which researchers exposed participants to red light at the wavelength of 635nm for 20 minutes on alternate days for two weeks, results showed that overall, participants had lost up to 2.99 inches around the treated areas, which included waist, hips, and thighs.
How Red Light Therapy Helps With Cellulite
If you have ever tried to get rid of cellulite using conventional methods such as exercising or using gels, you know how difficult the whole ordeal can be.
When used alongside other cellulite treatments, red light therapy can minimize the circumference of your waist, thighs, hips, and upper arms.
As seen above, there is solid scientific evidence that red light therapy can help with weight loss and in turn with cellulite, a side-effect of excessive weight.
Infrared light prevents swelling by minimizing lymphatic draining; this is key to treating cellulite.
Red light and near-infrared light promotes the production of elastin and collagen. This helps to treat damaged skin and to slow down the breakdown of collagen, which is a major cause of cellulite.
Anti-Cellulite Gel and Red Light Therapy
Anti-cellulite gels are so popular yet so many of them do not deliver on their promise.
How about amplifying your anti-cellulite gel with red light therapy?
In one study, researchers found that when participants combined an anti-cellulite gel two times a day with 15 minutes of red light therapy at least twice a week, they reported significantly lower cellulite levels.
The quality of anti-cellulite gel matters so do pick a good one. Apply the gel twice a day and then twice each week, use your light therapy device over the affected area for optimal results.
Massage and Light Therapy
Many women battling cellulite are often advised to massage the affected area to get rid of the lumpiness. To their dismay, even rigorous, deep-tissue massage alone may not be effective at bringing significant results with regard to eliminating cellulite.
However, some studies have shown that when paired with infrared therapy, massage administered using a handheld vibrator can significantly reduce body fat and therefore eliminate cellulite.
Infrared Red Sauna and Cellulite
You've probably heard the numerous benefits of infrared saunas from weight loss to pain relief and detoxification of the body.
While there is little empirical evidence on how infrared saunas work to minimize cellulite, many users of infrared saunas are reporting a significant reduction in their cellulite.
You can buy and install your own sauna, purchase a portable own, or if you are up for the task, build a DIY infrared sauna.
For best results, treat your body with a warm infrared sauna before and after exercise sessions.
Exercise and Infrared
The benefits of exercise with regard to reduction of body fat are well-known.
Problems with lymphatic drainage often predispose one to increased appearance of cellulite. Exercise has been proven to be effective at improving lymphatic drainage by eliminating toxins from the body.
Researchers have found that exposure to infrared light therapy combined with regular exercise can drastically reduce the amount of body fat, thereby eliminating the appearance of cellulite.
Summary
Red and near-infrared light rays have been proven to have amazing health benefits so you can be assured that this isn't just another fad.
Cellulite treatments such as gels, exercise and diets, and massage can be made more effective by combining them with red and infrared therapy.
As we have seen, red light therapy helps, in many ways, to wash away fat cells and to improve lymphatic draining, which in turn causes significant reduction of cellulite in the body.
The best thing about red light therapy for cellulite or weight loss is that you can treat yourself using handheld devices right from the comfort of your home. What’s more, these devices are affordable, convenient, safe and non-invasive so you never have to worry about side-effects.