In this article, we’ll explore the science behind green light exposure. This includes whether green light therapy can benefit you, as well as an effective alternative.
Is Green Light Therapy Effective?
Near-infrared light therapy has been extensively researched. Meanwhile, however, green light therapy has far fewer peer-reviewed with conclusive results.
It’s also not clear that green light therapy is more advantageous than just spending time in nature.
Let’s proceed with some additional findings on greed LED light therapy that are scientifically validated.
Green Light Therapy for Migraines
Green light may ease chronic migraines and other types of chronic pain.
That said, prospective users need to take precautions when selecting a device. The growth of the light therapy market has brought with it a number of products that essentially provide light filters that do not emit therapeutic wavelengths.
However, nonetheless, when administered in a clinical setting green light therapy treatment has shown some promise.
In one case, University of Arizona researcher Dr Ibrahim was inspired to look into the impact of green light therapy on headaches after observing that his brother, who suffered from severe migraine attacks, would find pain relief simply by sitting in the garden.
Intrigued, Dr. Ibrahim exposed migraine patients to green light treatment. At the beginning of the study, patients reported an 8/10 pain intensity level. After treatment, patients' pain scores dropped significantly.
Green light exposure also reduced the frequency of migraines from 22.3 headache days per month to 9.5. Meanwhile, patients reported that their quality of life increased.
Dr. Ibrahim points to green light’s effect on serotonin through receptors in the eyes. He also noted that green light boosts the production of enkephalins, which are natural pain-relieving molecules produced in the body. This suggests that green light therapy (despite its short wavelengths) may be a viable treatment for stopping a migraine attack and for its pain-relieving effects.
Green Light Therapy Helps Build Bone: True or False?
Both green and blue light stimulate osteoblasts in stem cells derived from fat tissue. Osteoblasts are the cells that build bone. Researchers found that green light increased intracellular calcium, which is one of the building blocks of healthy bone tissue.
This finding may show promise for anyone suffering from osteoporosis. However, an issue remains in that green light wavelengths are extremely short. Therefore, they cannot absorb into human fat tissue or the bones themselves. The study in question was also conducted using invitro methodologies, not on human subjects themselves.
Unless you’re undergoing Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Transplantation, ordinary green light therapy won’t help you build stronger bones.
To get this result, a better approach would be to maintain a healthy diet as well as maintaining a weightlifting routine.
Does Green Light Therapy Reduce Redness in Photoaged Skin?
Exposure to green light may help heal photoaged skin.
In one case, the effects of green light on photoaging skin included a significant reduction in lentigines, which is discoloration of the skin due to sun exposure. This particular study was conducted with patients with naturally high amounts of melanin.
These effects lasted 2-6 months due to the melanin-suppressing effects of green light. Other effects included an improvement in skin redness, more even pigmentation and texture, and a significant decrease in wrinkles.
There are also plenty of manufacturer's claims that green light therapy can reduce dark circles under the eyes, but this is not scientifically validated.
Does Green Light Therapy Support Wound Healing?
There have been some claims that green light therapy supports faster wound healing.
In one study on rats, green, light-emitting diode treatments were found to increase collagen production, which in turn sped up wound healing. It’s worth noting that rats have significantly thinner skin than humans.
Due to the low absorption depth of green light, green LED therapy may be useful for surface wounds but not for treating deeper wounds that involve all of the layers of skin.
Red R+ and NIR+ wavelengths penetrate the skin to deeper depths, which is what allows them to be more effective at stimulating the mitochondria.
Side Effects of Green Light Therapy
Unlike red light therapy, green LED light therapy appears to come with one notable unwanted side effect, which is postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Since green light suppresses melanin production, the over-treatment of a pigmented area could actually result in hypopigmentation. In these cases, pigment could be reduced, which may also make patients more vulnerable to sun exposure.
Green Light Therapy Products
As with other shades of light therapy, green light therapy has a variety of devices.
Included in these are masks, wands, showerhead devices, lightbulbs, and lamps, but it’s very difficult to find a green light therapy panel on the market.
In some earlier content, we’ve looked into the value and efficacy of tertiary devices like wands and lamps and have found that their intensity and exposure are lacking. Even if there are a number of benefits of green light therapy, their current product implementations are inherently flawed. Wands and lamps just don’t work that well.
Furthermore, most of the green light products currently available simply provide colored LED bulbs. These are seldom calibrated to a specific therapeutic treatment wavelength but are rather making their case to consumers with green lightbulbs.
Most green light LED devices are intended for use as ambient light in the treatment of migraine headaches and other types of chronic pain, but won’t have the same beneficial effect on your skincare routine as a red light therapy device.
For the most effective treatment of skin conditions (including treating acne and chronic skin disorders) you need a device with powerful light energy output as well as wavelengths that have the ability to absorb deep into your body’s tissues.
Red Light Therapy Panels: An Alternative
Red light therapy devices use red and near-infrared light for full-body treatment. The BIOMAX Series RLT panels emit specific, scientifically vetted R+ and NIR+ wavelengths.
Here are some of the benefits you can expect from consistent RLT treatment.
Increased Collagen Production
Red and near-infrared light absorb through all layers of the skin, increasing collagen production below the surface of the skin as well.
This helps with anti-aging, wound healing, scar reduction, and even muscle and connective tissue health.
Better Cellular Performance
When you look at the body as a system, you can see that the health of individual cells is important. Red light therapy stimulates cellular energy production.
The main cellular fuel is called adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. More ATP production supports individual cells with more power to function optimally.
Reduced Inflammation
Poor cellular performance as well as other factors can lead to chronic inflammation, which is at the root of major diseases and chronic pain.
Red and near-infrared light photons can absorb deep into the body’s tissues to reduce inflammation and support healthy cell function.
Improved circulation
Getting nutrients and oxygen to any area of the body that is struggling will help speed up healing and reduce pain.
Red light therapy boosts circulation by promoting vasodilation, or the temporary widening of blood vessels, and by stimulating the formation of new blood vessels.
Improved Sleep
For example, red LED light therapy promotes better sleep. This benefit is a major departure from the benefits of green light, which has an energizing effect.
Unlike green LED lights, red lights can promote sleep by boosting the production of melatonin so you can enjoy better sleep.
For more information, check out the BIOMAX Series red light therapy panels for effective, convenient, and optimized RLT treatment.