We see red light therapy for loose skin being searched more and more, and it’s easy to understand why. This could be your new secret at-home skincare weapon.
But does red light therapy work for loose skin, or is it yet another remedy that’s going to leave you frustrated and underwhelmed? The short answer is yes. You can use one of our red light therapy devices to help encourage collagen production, which starts to fall off in the 20s. This decrease is why skin gets thinner, less elastic, and harder to tighten with topical skincare. Red light therapy has been shown to stimulate collagen at the cellular level.
Learn more about the skin-tightening potential of red light therapy below, and find out how you can incorporate it into your regimen today!
Key Takeaways
- Red and near-infrared light (660nm and 850nm) stimulate collagen and elastin production at the cellular level.
- Studies have shown consistent treatment can achieve a 36% reduction in wrinkles.
- 3-5 sessions per week is the typical protocol.
- You may see visible changes in your skin’s firmness around week 4 - but more likely between 8-12 weeks.
- Red light therapy works best for mild to moderate laxity caused by collagen loss. You may need additional interventions for severe sagging.
- 82% of customers who used our devices reported firmer, smoother skin.
What is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy delivers specific wavelengths of light, typically 660nm (red) and 850nm (near-infrared). The light penetrates the skin and reaches the cells underneath. Cells absorb the light and produce ATP, or energy, which wakes up the fibroblasts. These are the cells in charge of making collagen and elastin.
According to Dr. Kseniya Kobets, director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care, “Red light therapy works at the cellular level. It delivers specific wavelengths that penetrate the skin and stimulate mitochondrial activity, the power factory of the cell.”1
Does Red Light Therapy Work For Loose Skin?
You might already be seeing what makes red light therapy so powerful for loose skin. But to really appreciate the benefits of red light therapy for sagging skin, we need to take a step back and really drive home what causes skin to sag in the first place.
Common Causes of Sagging Skin
Loose skin is all but inevitable, as collagen and elastin drop off a cliff the older you get. These are the structural proteins that keep your skin firm in youth. And as we already talked about, red light therapy can encourage the skin to make more of both.
But sagging skin isn’t just caused by getting older. Other factors include:
- Rapid weight loss
- Pregnancy
- Sun damage
- Genetics
The stomach, arms, and neck tend to start sagging before anywhere else. Those areas have thinner skin than the rest of the body.
The Benefits of Red Light Therapy For Loose Skin on Stomach
So, does red light therapy work for loose skin? Yes. Especially on the stomach, which we just mentioned is one of the most prominent places to have loose skin.
The research behind red light therapy for loose skin is very encouraging. One study more than a decade ago found that red light therapy yielded measurable increases in intradermal collagen density, confirmed by ultrasound imaging.2 Another showed a 36% reduction in wrinkles and a 19% increase in skin elasticity after just 4 weeks.3
Our red light therapy mat covers your whole torso so you can start firming your belly skin one session at a time. It delivers the right range of wavelengths - both 660nm and 850nm across 1,290 LEDs.
We also have a red light therapy panel if you need something more targeted. It delivers 100-175 mW/cm2 with a built-in 5, 10, or 15-minute timer. Or, try our red light therapy bag.
So does red light therapy work for loose skin? Yes, and you don’t just have to take our word for it. 82% of users reported firmer, smoother skin with consistent use. You can start working toward your own transformation story today.
How to Get Started With Red Light Therapy For Loose Skin
After choosing your device at Elaris, it’s as simple as incorporating it into your daily routine. 10-20 minute sessions, once a day. Some people go 3-5 times a week at first, but there’s little risk of “overdoing it.” Really, what matters most is consistency.
Positioning is key as well. You want the device 6-12 inches from the treatment area so the wavelengths can actually penetrate the skin and stimulate collagen and elastin production.
Setting Expectations With Red Light Therapy For Loose Belly Skin
It’s clear that red light therapy for loose belly skin can improve texture and firmness over time. But don’t expect an overnight transformation. This isn’t going to replicate the results of a tummy tuck, either.
Loose skin driven by collagen loss and stretching can definitely be addressed through red light therapy. But you should give it a good 4 weeks before expecting to see any changes. The real transformation will come sometime between weeks 8 and 12. Stick with it. It’s worth the wait.
You need to be realistic about your starting point as well. Stretched skin from major weight loss (more than 50 pounds in a short period of time) is going to call for other approaches. Red light therapy can still help in this case, but it’ll be just one of many remedies in your arsenal.
More Ways to Tighten Up Your Skin
Red light therapy for loose skin needs to be accompanied by:
- Hydration: Drinking enough water keeps skin cells plump.
- Strength training: This builds muscle volume underneath the loose skin to diminish the appearance of “sagging.”
- Skincare: Topical retinoids and vitamin C serums can work wonders to stimulate collagen production at the surface of the skin.
Be sure to protect your skin from UV damage, too - this is the biggest cause of collagen breakdown. Failing to wear SPF on a daily basis means you’re undoing some of the progress from red light therapy for sagging skin.
Final Words on Red Light Therapy For Loose Skin
Before you look toward Botox, tummy tucks, or other invasive procedures, we encourage you to try red light therapy for loose skin. It’s a clinically studied, non-invasive way to rebuild collagen and improve skin firmness over time. Get started today with proven equipment from Elaris!
Frequently Asked Questions
Will red light therapy help tighten loose skin?
Yes. It can help stimulate collagen and elastin production, two key proteins for skin firmness.
How long does it take for red light to tighten skin?
4 weeks at the earliest. 8-12 weeks is more common.
Are there any side effects of red light therapy for loose skin?
Occasional warmth or a little redness. There’s no downtime, though, and the treatment is generally regarded as safe.
References
- SheFinds, "Derm Explains How Red Light Therapy Stimulates Collagen And Reduces Inflammation." SheFinds
- Wunsch A, Matuschka K. "A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase." Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. 2014. PubMed
- Lee SY et al. "A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, and split-face clinical study on LED phototherapy for skin rejuvenation." Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B. 2007. PubMed