Red Light Therapy / Photobiomodulation Scientific Studies
Red Light Therapy or Low level laser therapy (LLLT) has been extensively studied in scientific research and has established confirmed benefits from daily use.
This is an evidence based wellness treatment with science backed benefits on the following:
Body Contouring with autophagy via mitochondrial mediated apoptosis & increased blood flow (See all of the studies listed below)
Body Fat & Cellulite
Mitochondrial Function
Oxidative Stress
Skin Health & Appearance
Collagen Production
Sleep & Circadian Rhythm
Thyroid Health
Wound Healing
Blood Circulation
Cellular Energy
Mental Acuity
Inflammation
Fertility
Hair Growth
Muscle Recovery
Joint & Arthritis Pain
Psoriasis & Eczema
Body Contouring
Low level laser therapy (LLLT) has become established as an effective method for reducing waist, hip, thigh, and upper arm circumference of individuals. The mechanism suggested by in vitro studies suggest that the treatment increases fat loss from adipocytes by release of triglycerides, without inducing lipolysis or cell lysis. Increased blood flow t areas with fat deposits is also associated with fat being released from fat cells.
“Red light therapy — also known as low-level laser therapy or infrared light — is an emerging non-invasive fat removal treatment.” -Healthline
A randomized double-blind study in 67 people revealed that those who received 6 LLLT treatments for 2 weeks lost significantly more collective inches from their abdomen, hips, and thighs — 3.5 inches or 8.9 cm) — than the control group: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20014253/
“These data suggest that low-level laser therapy can reduce overall circumference measurements of specifically treated regions.”
Additionally, a 2-week study in 86 people at a U.S. clinic observed a significant decrease in waist (1.1 inches or 2.8 cm), hip (0.8 inches or 2 cm), and thigh circumference (1.2 inches or 3 cm): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23355338/
Yet another study in 40 people compared the efficacy of LLLT treatment on the circumference of the upper arms with a placebo treatment.
After 2 weeks, the LLLT group experienced a significant decrease in upper arm circumference of 1.5 inches (3.7 cm), while the control group didn’t experience any changes: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22468172/
“After six treatments, the low-level laser therapy group showed a combined reduction in arm circumference of 3.7cm versus 0.2cm in the sham treatment group (p<0.0001).
Noninvasive low-level laser therapy is safe, painless, and effective in reducing upper arm circumference and is associated with a high degree of subject satisfaction.“
The studies and several others appear to show some benefits of using LLLT for fat loss
“A blinded evaluation of standardized pictures showed statistically significant cosmetic improvement after 4 weeks of laser treatment. In vitro studies suggested that laser treatment increases fat loss from adipocytes by release of triglycerides, without inducing lipolysis or cell lysis.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20393809
A Six-week Low-level Laser Therapy Protocol is Effective for Reducing Waist, Hip, Thigh, and Upper Abdomen Circumference
“Results: The mean decrease in combined circumference reduction at six weeks was 5.4 inches (p<0.001), and most subjects (72.2%) achieved a ≥4.5-inch decrease. Most subjects (81.0%) were Satisfied (27%) or Very Satisfied (54%) with the aesthetic results they achieved. There were no adverse events.
Conclusion: One weekly low-level laser therapy treatment for six weeks is clinically effective for reducing waist, hip, thigh, and upper abdomen circumference and may be more effective than the previous two-week treatment protocol.“
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4928454/
“Data from 689 participants were obtained to evaluate the circumferential reduction demonstrated across the treatment site of the waist, hips, and thighs as well as non treated systemic regions.
Results: The mean circumferential reduction reported for the waist, hips, and thighs 1 week after the treatment regimen was 3.27 in. (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, participants demonstrated an overall mean reduction of 5.17 in. across all measurement points 5.17 in. (P < 0.0001). Each anatomical region measured exhibited a significant circumferential reduction.
Conclusion: These data reveal that the circumferential reduction exhibited following LLLT is not attributable to fluid or fat relocation as all measurement points, including nontreated regions, reported an inch loss.
“Conclusion:
LLLT is a safe, non-invasive and pain free technique, which is effective in reducing local adiposity. Based on this case series pilot investigation, combination of 3 different wavelengths of LLL was effective for abdominal girth reduction in 100% of our subjects (P < 0.001), without any side effects.”
Reduction in cholesterol and leptin levels are other significant clinical benefits of LLLT which were reported in several studies.11,12
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5642174/
My favorite study of all… showing apoptosis and autophagy of fat cells from the red light therapy!
Effects of LED photobiomodulation therapy on the subcutaneous fatty tissue of obese individuals – histological and immunohistochemical analysis
“The participants showed positivity in the expression of Caspase 3 and Cleaved Caspase (p < .0001), CD68+ macrophages (p < .0001), HSL (p < .0001) and adipophilin (p < .0013) in the intervention sample when compared to the control. PBMT and LED associating red and infrared wavelengths were able to promote autophagic lipolysis induced by adipocyte cell apoptosis in the subcutaneous tissue of obese individuals.”