Red Light Therapy During Pregnancy

For everything from skincare to reducing joint pain, red light therapy is all the rage these days. Are you curious about how this treatment can help you through your pregnancy? 

If you’ve been asking questions like “Is red light therapy safe for pregnancy” or “Can you use red light therapy while pregnant?” keep reading. This guide will teach you everything you need to know so you can make safe decisions for yourself and your baby.

What Is Red Light Therapy?

Before we dive into the safety of red light therapy during pregnancy, let’s address what it is.

 

Red light therapy uses low wavelength red light to address a wide range of conditions, from wrinkles and acne to chronic pain. These wavelengths penetrate the skin and affect the health of the cells in the targeted part of the body.

 

Red light therapy goes by a variety of names, including the following:

 

• RLT
• Low-level laser light therapy
• Low-power laser therapy
• Non-thermal LED light
• Soft laser therapy
• Cold laser therapy
• Biostimulation
• Photonic stimulation
• Photobiomodulation
• Phototherapy

Is Red Light Therapy Safe During Pregnancy?

No matter what it’s called, women need to know that red light therapy is a low-risk, effective tool that can help them through their pregnancies. In fact, it’s considered to be one of the safest treatment options for pregnant women, according to this article published by Naturopathic Doctor News and Review.

 

Red light therapy is considered to be safe, in part, because it’s painless and non-invasive, but it also penetrates the skin deeply and gets to the root of various issues.

Benefits of Red Light Therapy During Pregnancy

Red light therapy is not a one-size-fits-all treatment protocol for pregnancy-related problems. However, it can address many of them, including the following:

Acne

Acne is a common complaint among pregnant women. During pregnancy, the body goes through a variety of hormonal changes, including increased production of androgens. Androgens are hormones that cause the skin to produce greater levels of sebum (oil), which leads to clogged pores and more frequent breakouts.

 

Red light therapy is a safe and effective way to treat pregnancy-related acne. Red light therapy works because it reduces inflammation. It also repairs damage to the skin and soothes irritated tissues.

 

In addition to treating active breakouts, red light therapy can also help to minimize scarring from former breakouts. As a bonus, pregnant women might notice other skin conditions improve, too, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots.

Joint and Muscle Pain

Many pregnant women also complain frequently about joint and muscle pain.

 

Between rapid weight gain and rapid changes in body composition (i.e., your stomach is expanding to accommodate a growing baby), it’s understandable that the muscles and joints are undergoing excessive strain. This, in turn, leads to inflammation, cramping, and soreness.

 

Along with weight gain, hormonal changes, increased pressure on the sciatic nerve (a nerve that runs from the low back down the back of the thigh), and postural changes can also contribute to muscle and joint pain.

 

Red light therapy’s anti-inflammatory effects can have a positive impact on the aches and pains women struggle with during pregnancy. For those who are worried about overdoing it on painkillers (even over-the-counter painkillers) while pregnant, red light therapy can be a safe, natural alternative.

Depression

Most people are familiar with postpartum depression. What they might not realize, though, is that it’s also possible to experience depression during pregnancy. In fact, one in 10 women reports experiencing symptoms of depression (sadness, difficulty focusing, fatigue, mood swings, etc.) while pregnant.

 

Red light therapy has an antidepressant effect on many people. This may have to do, in part, with the fact that it has anti-inflammatory properties.

 

Depression has been linked to increased levels of inflammation in the brain, so it makes sense that red light therapy would help to minimize depression symptoms and improve quality of life for pregnant women. It doesn’t require them to take medications that they might be wary of, too, so it’s a good choice for those who need relief but want to take a natural approach.

Stress

Pregnancy is a beautiful time in a woman’s life, but it can also be one of the most stressful.

 

Taking time to sit in front of a red light therapy device each day (or at least a couple of times per week) gives pregnant women a chance to relax, unwind, and be mindful. This, in turn, can help them to feel less stressed and better able to handle other tasks on their to-do list.

 

Red light therapy can be a great part of a pregnant woman’s nighttime routine. It can help them relax and feel more at ease before they go to bed, which can help with the insomnia that many pregnant women struggle with.

Tips for Using Red Light Therapy While Pregnant

Red light therapy is safe during pregnancy. However, to see the best results and stay safe during your treatments, you need to make sure you’re using it correctly.

 

If you’re interested in giving red light therapy a try but aren’t sure where to start, here are some tips that can help after you’ve set up your red light therapy device in your home:

 

• Sit about 15 centimeters away from your red light therapy device.
• For best results, expose your skin and position your body so the light is shining on the body part/parts you want to target.
• Sit for about 10 minutes at a time per area.
• Start low and slow. Aim for a couple of sessions per week, with each session lasting about 10 minutes. Over time, you can work your way up to daily treatments.
• Be consistent. The results of red light therapy are cumulative, and you’ll see more noticeable improvements the more frequently you use your red light devices.

Try Red Light Therapy Today

Now that you’re better informed about red light therapy and pregnancy, are you interested in giving it a try?

If so, check out Sun Home Saunas and shop for our red light therapy products today. We have a wide range of options, from full-sized sauna panels to portable devices, to help you improve your health and achieve your wellness goals.