Can Red Light Therapy Help You Lose Weight and Shape Your Body?

In our first light therapy article Shedding "Light" on Non-invasive LED Skin Care Treatments, we provided an overview of Light therapy and how low-level wavelengths of light can potentially treat a variety of skin conditions, improve skin tone, reduce pain, scarring, and even wrinkles.

Red light therapy or low-level light therapy (LLLT) is a non-invasive treatment that also claims to help target and eliminate fat. (2) Today, we will take a closer look at these claims.

Using LLLT is safe, painless, and easy for the average user to apply, but how does it work? Red and infrared light penetrates the skin surface and temporarily alters the permeability of your fat cells; this exposure stimulates cells causing the adipocytes to release triglycerides which can be processed naturally through the lymphatic system, thus resulting in reduced volume and a measurable loss of fat.

The results of this 2016 study confirm the results of previous studies demonstrating the effectiveness of LLLT. Researchers concluded that “1 weekly LLLT treatment for 6 weeks is clinically effective for reducing waist, hip, thigh, and upper abdomen circumference, (1) by 13 cm (about 5 inches) after 6 weeks.” The device in the study used 635nm red laser diodes.

Efficacy for body contouring and spot fat reduction was explored in a 2011 study (2) that found it “safe and showed significant girth loss sustained over repeated treatments and cumulative over 4 weeks of eight treatments”.

Much of the research to date highlights limited fat loss after six or more treatments of red light therapy; this warrants more extensive, longer-term studies.

Red light therapy can help curb your appetite

Red light therapy offers another benefit to those trying to stick with better nutritional choices or a specific diet to help them lose weight. In 2012 researchers looked at the effects of light on leptin and ghrelin.(3). Leptin is a hormone responsible for controlling our appetite and maintaining body weight. It can help to regulate how much energy we burn. Ghrelin is the opposite, it can increase appetite, and the levels can often increase with lack of sleep. This study focused on participants with poor sleep habits. It showed that exposure to red light significantly increased leptin levels while decreasing ghrelin.

How to Maximize Results

Treatments at home

With the availability of home light therapy products applying the science behind them is not only more accessible but affordable compared to treatment at a clinic. If you can treat yourself on a regular basis, you are more likely to achieve and maintain your results.

Get Moving after your treatment

We explained how exposure to LLLT stimulates cells to release triglycerides, which it is processed naturally through the lymphatic system. Post-exercise or even some basic movement can boost circulation and lymph, helping the effectiveness of this process. If muscle tone or definition is a goal, LLLT might be the perfect complement before your regular workout.

Common Sense Compliments

Reminder that good hydration, proper nourishment, and rest are essential to a healthy lifestyle and can contribute to the effectiveness of these or other treatments you may be considering.

With light therapy tools now available for home use, there is now a surmounting number of anecdotal claims and positive reviews from a growing number of users. Inches lost, skin tone improvements even less muscle tension and stress.

The positive feedback from our own members using the new AllevaRed light therapy belt has been overwhelming, and we are thrilled with the results they are sharing. If you are considering light therapy, this is just one of the four amazing light therapy tools Lifepro has brought to the market.

See more info on all our health and wellness products here. Join our members and be a part of our fun and supportive community!

Sources:

1. Thornfeldt CR, Thaxton PM, Hornfeldt CS. A Six-week Low-level Laser Therapy Protocol is Effective for Reducing Waist, Hip, Thigh, and Upper Abdomen Circumference. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2016;9(6):31-35.
2. Caruso-Davis MK, Guillot TS, Podichetty VK, Mashtalir N, Dhurandhar NV, Dubuisson O, Yu Y, Greenway FL. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy for body contouring and spot fat reduction. Obes Surg. 2011 Jun;21(6):722-9. doi: 10.1007/s11695-010-0126-y. PMID: 20393809; PMCID: PMC5225499.
3. Figueiro MG, Plitnick B, Rea MS. Light modulates leptin and ghrelin in sleep-restricted adults. Int J Endocrinol. 2012;2012:530726. doi:10.1155/2012/530726

Author

Joel Gottehrer

Joel Gottehrer is the Co-Founder of Lifepro Fitness and has dedicated his life to helping people transform theirs. With over 12 years of experience in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and owner of two personal training studios, Joel has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to helping transform lives. After suffering from physical injuries, Joel and his business partner, Abraham Brach, came together with a common goal to alleviate the pain caused by their injuries.

They continued to find themselves disappointed with the results stemming from various products promising to relieve their pain, and with that – Lifepro Fitness was born. Joel's mission is to have a positive impact on millions of lives with the Lifepro brand. Whether it's finding new and innovative ways to help people recover from injuries or developing products to improve overall wellness, Joel is always looking for ways to push the boundaries. Thanks to his commitment to help people live their lives free of pain, Lifepro has been able to do this for thousands of people since its founding in 2017.