Infrared Light Therapy Advantages
A type of electromagnetic radiation produced by certain devices sold in stores is called infrared light. Many claims were made by the devices’ makers and supporters, ranging from that infrared light lessens pain and inflammation to that it elevates mood. Which of these alleged advantages is supported by science? Continue reading to learn more. https://georgetownsuncryo.com
Infrared Light: What Is It?
To what extent do we know?
With the widespread availability of infrared light devices, infrared radiation (IR), also known as infrared light, has gained popularity as a type of electromagnetic radiation. These gadgets could be lamps, lasers, or machines that resemble tanning beds. Still, there is debate about this method’s efficacy as a therapeutic strategy.
These devices, according to some manufacturers, can help people feel better emotionally, reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and lose weight. Does the hype have any merit? Very little, and not enough to make any judgments about health.
Safety Research & FDA Status
The FDA has not approved red light therapy or infrared light therapy for any medical use or health claim. Before using an infrared sauna or other device, consult your physician.
The US started doing infrared research in the late 1970s. The FDA examined the effects of infrared laser therapy on rheumatoid arthritis in the middle of the 1980s and concluded that there wasn’t enough safety evidence to support the device’s approval [1].
In particular, the laser failed the FDA’s premarket approval (PMA) process, which assesses the safety and efficacy of devices through scientific and regulatory review [2].
Roughly 22 devices have FDA approval at the moment, but experts point out that this is because of laxer regulations that have been in place since 2001. In line with the updated 510K procedure,
The FDA has approved some infrared light devices, but it has not approved any health claims for infrared therapy per se.
Range of Wavelengths
There is light that is infrared that is not visible. Its location just beyond the red light wavelength gives it its name. Far-infrared (FIR), infrared (IR), and near-infrared (NIR) radiation are common classifications for it [3].
The ranges of wavelengths for NIR, IR, and FIR are 700–810 nm, 810–3000 nm, and 3000–100,000 nm, respectively [3].
The many effects of infrared radiation are attributed to these wavelength differences, according to proponents of infrared saunas and other IR delivery systems. But their claims are still unsubstantiated.
Limited research indicates that infrared radiation can pass through human tissue. Between 690 and 900 nanometers is probably the wavelength that can enter tissue the best [3].
Device Types
Lamps that are sold commercially are made to release radiation that is longer than 700 nm. Certain lamps can emit particular infrared wavelength ranges, but these are less common because of their high cost [4].
These lamps and infrared lasers are used by infrared saunas and smaller infrared devices to provide infrared light to certain parts of the body or the body’s whole surface.
The Canadian Standards Association and the FDA have approved far-infrared saunas (FIRSs), which are marketed to the general public as recreational saunas.
It is possible to incorporate materials that emit infrared radiation into textiles or gadgets for continuous delivery [5, 4].
For instance, some businesses sell infrared body wraps, which are made of big silicone pads or bandages that surround the arms, stomach, and legs and emit infrared light. Wraps with infrared
There are several ways to administer infrared therapy, including body wraps, saunas, and lamps.
Action Mechanisms
Infrared light is a non-ionizing type of radiation, in contrast to ionizing radiation such as x-rays and far-ultraviolet radiation. Although there are no long-term safety studies available, the scant research suggests that infrared radiation does not harm DNA [6].
Researchers are looking into whether infrared light can lessen the harm that ionizing radiation causes to cells [6].
According to the theories of other researchers, infrared radiation interacts with biological tissue through particular mechanisms. The target tissue’s temperature rises as the first noticeable effect. The majority of infrared radiation sources also emit a lot of heat, which has the potential to impact a particular area. This works similarly to applying a straightforward hot compress [7, 7].
Non-heating is the second main type of interaction that infrared radiation can have, which typically
The goal of infrared therapy is to penetrate inflamed tissues with non-ionizing radiation. Some researchers hypothesize that the benefits that have been noted are caused by higher temperatures.
Possible Health Advantages
Limited clinical studies with small sample sizes, moderate-to-high risk of bias, low quality, and short duration are the only ones that support the following purported benefits. Everyone agrees that more carefully planned, tightly regulated, and powerful studies are required.
Consequently, the majority of the uses listed below for infrared light are not supported by enough evidence.
Furthermore, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved any infrared saunas or devices for any medical use.
Before utilizing infrared light as a supplemental health management technique, consult your physician. Using infrared light instead of licensed medical treatments is never appropriate.
Potentially Beneficial for:
The psoriasis
The use of infrared light therapy for psoriatic skin changes is supported by some clinical evidence.
Due to their strong skin penetration, low-energy visible red and near-infrared light (NIR) and LT therapy show promise, even though clinical trials are still in their early stages [10].
Intense pulsed light photodynamic therapy differs from infrared light therapy. It treats psoriasis of the nails.
Overall, psoriatic skin changes have been reduced by a variety of phototherapies, either alone or in combination. A number of them are now standard treatments for mild-to-moderate psoriasis. Nevertheless, more clinical research is required to validate the efficacy of IR treatment.
Not Enough Proof for:
The following claimed benefits are only corroborated by several subpar clinical studies. For any of the purposes listed below, red light therapy is not supported by enough evidence. Red light therapy should never be used in place of a prescription or recommendation from your doctor.
Complications of Diabetes
The use of infrared light for diabetic complications, such as diabetic foot ulcers, is supported by some clinical evidence.
Infrared therapy for one week was able to heal diabetic foot ulcers in fifty diabetic patients. The ulcers in the patients decreased in size and secreted less after a month. An infection was aided by the infrared lamp [11].
Nevertheless, there is not enough data to support the use of infrared light to manage blood sugar levels and other symptoms in type 2 diabetics.
Ten patients with type II diabetes were studied, and infrared light therapy was shown to help lower blood glucose levels. According to the authors’ hypothesis, infrared radiation may lessen insulin resistance and stress hormone cortisol levels. This is still up for debate [12].
15 middle-aged people with type II diabetes participated in another study.
Although there is no proof that infrared light can lower blood sugar, infrared therapy may help treat diabetic ulcers and enhance quality of life.
Heart Conditions
There is some evidence to support the effectiveness of far-infrared saunas in treating congestive heart failure and high blood pressure. However, there is strong evidence to contradict the claims made regarding the potential for far-infrared saunas to lower cholesterol [14].
Patients with a higher risk of heart disease saw a reduction in blood pressure with daily use of infrared sauna therapy in a clinical study [14].
Patients with a higher risk of heart disease found that regular use of infrared sauna therapy improved heart function. The patients’ blood flow was further improved after two weeks of daily sauna treatment [15].
A mechanism that may enhance heart cell function in patients with heart disease is being studied to see if far-infrared radiation increases miRNA-31 and miRNA-720 [16].
Although there is little clinical evidence, infrared therapy has shown some encouraging results for congestive heart failure and blood pressure.
A flare-up
Some low-quality evidence supports the application of infrared light to relieve rheumatoid arthritis pain and inflammation.
Infrared pulsed laser devices (low-level laser therapy at 810 nm) decreased inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-1, and IL-2) in a small study (DB-RCT) of 37 arthritis patients. After a few months, the patient’s pain and function both improved [17].
When added to clinical treatment, infrared radiation therapy may, according to limited research, temporarily lessen inflammation in arthritic joints [18].
By reducing inflammatory cytokines and vessel permeability, infrared light significantly decreased immobility in rats given artificial arthritis [18].
People with arthritis experienced less inflammation when exposed to infrared light; however, larger and more thorough clinical trials will be needed.
Movement
Long-term exposure to infrared radiation may boost blood vessel function and circulation, according to research. The current findings are not conclusive [22].
In a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comprising sixty-six kidney dialysis patients, far-infrared radiation raised blood flow and oxygen saturation. This lessened weariness [23].
Rats’ circulation was enhanced by infrared radiation through both nonthermal and thermal mechanisms. When skin temperature was maintained at a constant, far-infrared therapy increased blood flow for as long as 60 minutes [22].
Scientists believe that the interaction between infrared light and the L-arginine/Nitric oxide pathway is what caused the results, rather than just a temperature rise [22].
The effects of infrared light on cells are being investigated by other researchers. It appears that IR raises HO-1 gene expression.
Some people think that by increasing the temperature of tissues, infrared therapy can enhance circulation. Although some preliminary findings are encouraging, more extensive and reliable human trials are required.
Exercise Recuperation
According to some researchers, infrared radiation may help shorten recovery times by reducing inflammation and soreness related to post-exercise recovery. Theoretically, this would enable more frequent and intense training with better outcomes. However, adequate clinical data are absent [19, 20].
Infrared-emitting textiles enhanced soccer players’ performance during regular training in a small human study. After exercising for ten hours at night, the players noticed a moderate reduction in muscle soreness 24 and 72 hours later [19].
Rat muscle tissue was stimulated by 904 nm laser irradiation in one animal study. In tests that followed, it decreased the synthesis of COX-1 and COX-2, two inflammatory enzymes, allowing the muscle tissue to function at full capacity [21].
Additional human trials
Although the evidence is deemed insufficient, infrared therapy has been shown to improve exercise recovery in certain clinical studies.
Sentiment
The use of infrared light to treat mood disorders is not well-supported by research.
Far-infrared light treatment at acupuncture points raised serotonin levels in 70 participants. Elevating serotonin levels may contribute to improved mood [25].
Long-term exposure to infrared light decreased anxiety and depressive-like behaviors in rats. On the other hand, their behavior was unaffected by brief exposure to infrared radiation [26].
In a tiny clinical trial, serotonin was elevated by infrared light. It will take more human research to ascertain how infrared radiation affects mood in people.
Fever with Hay
There is not enough proof to recommend infrared light therapy for hay fever. Infrared therapy was found to alleviate hay fever symptoms in 31 patients with allergic rhinitis. Sneezing, eye and nose itching, and stuffiness were all reduced in the patients. These results haven’t been verified by others, though. Much more investigation is required [27].
Research on Animals and Cells (No Evidence)
The use of infrared light therapy for any of the conditions mentioned in this section is not supported by any clinical evidence. An overview of current animal and cell-based research is provided below, which should direct future research endeavors. The research mentioned below, however, should not be taken to imply any particular health advantage.
Healing of Wounds
There is strong clinical evidence that infrared light therapy (IR light) promotes wound healing that takes longer than expected, including burns, amputation injuries, skin grafts, infected wounds, and trapping injuries [28].
Furthermore, the rats’ skin wound healing rate was accelerated by infrared radiation therapy [29].
The levels of important healing-related factors (e.g., TGF-β1) and the activity of reparative cell types and connective tissue fibroblasts were increased by far-infrared rays [29].
Key inflammatory factors are produced less frequently when TGF-β1 is increased. Reducing the length and intensity of these factors secretion shortens the duration of the inflammatory response and speeds up the proliferative phase of wound healing [29].
Apart from elevating TGF-β1, infrared light therapy augmented the production of collagen and connective tissue in both
Up until now, only animal and cell studies have been conducted on the relationship between infrared light and wound healing. Trials on humans are required.
Research on Cancer
There is no proof that infrared light can cure or prevent cancer.
Regarding the potential impact of photodynamic therapy on cancer cells, some scientists have made conjectures. When exposed to near-infrared light in dishes, nanoparticles can kill neighboring cancer cells. Some anti-tumor properties of infrared radiation were observed in mice [31, 32].
Another test strategy is photoimmunotherapy. Scientists believe it binds the materials that manipulate light and heat (photothermal) to an antibody targeted specifically to the cancer cells. Upon binding to receptors on the surface of the cancer cells, infrared light is again used to cause the particles to heat up, which may have anti-cancer effects [33].
However, many modalities have anti-cancer effects on cells, including techniques that kill all cells like extreme heat. This doesn’t mean that they have any medical value. Most techniques
Although research is ongoing, it is thought that infrared light has very little chance of killing cancer in humans.
Effects of Infrared Radiation on the Side
Since infrared radiation can only reach a depth of about 4 cm into the human body, exposure to infrared radiation primarily endangers the skin and eyes [5].
Large-scale safety trials should also ascertain the long-term effects of light “dosages,” various wavelengths, and infrared radiation.
As a result, this is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible negative effects of infrared radiation.
Skin Impairment
The dermis is where about 65% of infrared radiation that reaches the human body first penetrates before being absorbed. An increasing rate of photoaging, or aging brought on by light, is currently a possible worry [34].
Although UV radiation is the primary cause of photoaging, a study discovered that increased exposure to infrared radiation also increased the production of MMP-1. MMP-1 may play a role in photoaging, which reduces the skin’s production of collagen and elastin [34].
Skin temperature increases may not always be beneficial. Reactive oxygen species can be produced as a result of induced heat shock, which can raise body temperature and eventually cause harm [35].
Tattooed skin may also be harmed by infrared radiation. Pseudolymphoma, or skin inflammation, was caused by far-infrared light in one man [36].
Eye Injury
The eye’s lens is incredibly vulnerable to infrared radiation. Chronic exposure to high-power sources may be a factor in the development of cataracts [37].
Important proteins that enable ions and enzymes to pass through the lens normally can be harmed by infrared radiation. This might make the lens less clear [37].
The most likely side effects of infrared light therapy are skin and eye damage. Other than that, this method is thought to be extremely safe.
Warnings
Infrared radiation is not widely used in human clinical trials at this time. In addition, the majority of the human studies that are currently available lack high quality (they do not have large sample sizes or are double-blind).
See a physician prior to using an infrared sauna.
Due to the risks associated with overheating and a lack of safety data, infrared light should be avoided by children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
Conclusion
Using infrared light wavelengths to treat diseased or inflammatory tissues is known as infrared therapy. Proponents of this theory contend that infrared light enhances circulation and reduces inflammation by heating the tissues, which enhances wound healing and other processes.
As of right now, psoriasis, diabetic ulcers, and general inflammation provide the strongest evidence in favor of infrared light. There isn’t enough data to support the use of infrared therapy in many common applications.