Are you tired of looking tired? If you are experiencing dark circles and puffy eyes and are looking for natural ways to reduce this common phenomenon, you may be happy to hear that red light therapy may be the solution to your tired eyes.
Even when we're feeling great, swollen eyes and dark circles beneath the eyes can make us appear exhausted and run down. Mostly composed of fat cells, the skin around the eyes also has some muscle and connective tissue. As we age, the muscles that support the face weaken, which can lead to fluid-filled glands on the skin's surface that form "baggage" under the eyes. Poor blood flow to the face, which reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the skin there, may result in dark circles under the eyes. With that said, there are a variety of causes when it comes to dark circles and swelling around the eyes that include genetics, allergies, and a lack of sleep.
Many people find that using a concealer or color-correcting makeup can help to reduce the appearance of dark circles, but for some people, these circles are a chronic issue that requires a more long-term solution. Swollen eyes, on the other hand, can be remedied with over-the-counter items, prescription medications, or at-home methods
What Exactly Are Those Dark Circles Under the eyes?
Dark circles under the eyes, also known as "periorbital dark circles," are a common cosmetic concern that appears as a dark or discolored area around the eyes. The skin under the eyes is thin and delicate, and it can appear darker due to the underlying blood vessels and pigmentation. Dark circles can affect both men and women, and of any age.
Swelling Around The Eyes
Normal aging is the most frequent cause of under-eye bags or puffiness. In the opinion of a facial plastic surgeon at John Hopkins Center for Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shaun Desai, M.D., states, “Older skin becomes too lax and tends to fall or wrinkle. The muscles and tissues around the eye can also weaken and contribute to the baggy look. This weakening allows the fat surrounding the eye to bulge out, creating that bubble-like appearance.” Lifestyle modifications and supportive modalities like red light therapy can reduce this appearance according to recent studies. And it is not just aging that causes this, other causes such as a diet high in sodium, allergies, and genetics may be contributing factors.
From a Rouge customer: I use it every second day and after just two weeks I began to see the difference, my skin is tighter with more radiance! The only thing I regret is not getting it earlier! Absolutely love it!!
Why Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy is an effective, non-invasive therapy to enhance skin appearance, lower inflammation, and accelerate healing. Red light therapy works by penetrating the skin between 8 and 10 millimeters, where it is absorbed by chromophores, which are specialized skin cells. The light energy is then transformed by these cells into chemical energy, which sets off a chain reaction of cellular reactions that boosts collagen synthesis, enhances blood circulation, and lowers inflammation. The potential of red light therapy to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is one of its most noteworthy advantages. Additionally, it can aid in lessening the visibility of hyperpigmentation and inflammation.
How can Red Light Therapy Support Tired Eyes?
Red light therapy uses low-level wavelength red and NIR light energy to treat skin conditions. Aging signs and complex skin ailments, such as puffy eyes, are just a few of the problems it can support.
According to a study published in the Journal Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, the mitochondria in skin cells have the ability to absorb these light particles. Adenosine triphosphate, the energy supply for all cells, can be produced by the cells more readily as a result. Many experts attribute the potential positive benefits of red light therapy to this function. With this extra energy, the cells may be able to respond better to damage and rejuvenate themselves.
There is some research that suggests red light therapy may be effective in reducing the appearance of dark circles under the eyes, using red and near-infrared wavelengths. The skin around the eyes was observed to become markedly smoother as a result of the red 660 nm monochromatic light. This happens from a beam stimulating the area to produce new skin cells and collagen and aids in an improvement of blood flow, reducing inflammation in the under-eye area.
The best part is that red light therapy works exceptionally well on skin that is thinner. The wavelengths easily enter cells, causing an increase in elasticity and collagen levels as well as energy generation. Greater circulation, better hydration, tighter skin, and a reduction in wrinkles are all benefits of increased elasticity and in turn, can help to control skin tone. In further studies, healthier, more even-pigmented skin took the place of dark under-eye circles.
The preponderance of the world of medicine has supported red light therapy since it has many positive health benefits.
Below are a few benefits to support skin health:
- Red light therapy encourages the proliferation of new dermal cells that aid in repairing skin damage and enhancing skin flexibility.
- Collagen contributes to the prevention and treatment of wrinkles as well as skin discoloration.
- Red light therapy promotes the creation of collagen, which tightens the skin and increases its suppleness.
- Elastin and hyaluronic acid, two body-produced proteins, are used to make collagen.
- Increase fibroblast production, which aids in the production of collagen and other tissue fibers
- Improve facial texture
- Increase circulation between blood and tissue cells
- Protecting cells from damage
- Increasing mRNA in the cells, which helps stimulate the cell
- Reducing fine lines and wrinkle severity
More research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of red light therapy as a treatment for dark circles, and it is important to note that it may not work equally for everyone.
If you are interested in using red light therapy to treat tired eyes, it would be best to consult with a dermatologist or other medical professional to determine if it would be a suitable treatment option for you. Keep in mind that there are various factors that can cause dark circles and that a combination of treatments is often more effective than a single one.
In order to manage under-eye circles, it's essential to maintain a consistent sleep cycle. Red light therapy has a lot of potential benefits, but no therapy can completely make up for the negative impacts of poor sleep hygiene. Additionally, red light therapy should be used in conjunction with other measures such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, protecting the skin from sun damage, and using appropriate skincare routines.
If you're looking for a safe, non-invasive way to relieve tired eyes, red light therapy is a fantastic option. Additionally, it has the ability to help with other debilitating symptoms like fatigue and stress. Additionally, this blog post contains some encouraging studies on red light therapy's potential to improve vision.
Red light therapy is increasingly gaining support as a secure and welcoming replacement for operations and injections for skin regeneration. Shortly put, red and near-infrared light therapy is providing a brand-new, entirely risk-free, non-invasive alternative to numerous anti-aging skin procedures.
Whether your under eye condition is affected by your lifestyle, your age or your unique health condition, red light therapy can help deliver the benefits you are seeking. There are red light therapy panels available that are small and portable, allowing its use both on the go or unwinding at home. Shop our collection of red light therapy panels today and discover the benefits of red light therapy!
References
Avci, Pinar et al. “Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring.” Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery 32 1 (2013): 41-52 .Agrawal, Sudha. (2018). Periorbital Hyperpigmentation: Overcoming the Challenges in the Management. Nepal Journal of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology. 16. 2. doi:10.3126/njdvl.v16i1.19411
Huang YL, Chang SL, Ma L, Lee MC, Hu S. Clinical analysis and classification of dark eye circle. Int J Dermatol. 2014 Feb;53(2):164-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05701.x. Epub 2013 Jul 24. PMID: 23879616.
Ivandic BT, Ivandic T. Low-level laser therapy improves vision in patients with age-related macular degeneration. Photomed Laser Surg. 2008 Jun;26(3):241-5. doi: 10.1089/pho.2007.2132. PMID: 18588438.
Kim H, Kim HB, Seo JH, Kim H, Cho KJ. Effect of 808-nm Laser Photobiomodulation Treatment in Blepharitis Rat Model. Cornea. 2021 Mar 1;40(3):358-363. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000002596. PMID: 33165014.
Maria Katerina Pissaridou, Ali Ghanem & Nicholas Lowe (2020) Periorbital Discolouration Diagnosis and Treatment: Evidence-Based Review, Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 22:6-8, 217-225, DOI: 10.1080/14764172.2021.1899238
Nam CH, Park BC, Kim MH, Choi EH, Hong SP. The Efficacy and Safety of 660 nm and 411 to 777 nm Light-Emitting Devices for Treating Wrinkles. Dermatol Surg. 2017 Mar;43(3):371-380. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000000981. PMID: 28195844.
Park Y, Kim H, Kim S, Cho KJ. Effect of low-level light therapy in patients with dry eye: a prospective, randomized, observer-masked trial. Sci Rep. 2022 Mar 4;12(1):3575. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-07427-6. PMID: 35246565; PMCID: PMC8897458.
Roohaninasab M, Sadeghzadeh-Bazargan A, Goodarzi A. Effects of laser therapy on periorbital hyperpigmentation: a systematic review on current studies. Lasers Med Sci. 2021 Dec;36(9):1781-1789. doi: 10.1007/s10103-020-03241-6. Epub 2021 Jan 21. PMID: 33474663.
Sivapathasuntharam C, Sivaprasad S, Hogg C, Jeffery G. Aging retinal function is improved by near infrared light (670 nm) that is associated with corrected mitochondrial decline. Neurobiol Aging. 2017 Apr;52:66-70. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2017.01.001. Epub 2017 Jan 10. PMID: 28129566; PMCID: PMC5364001.
Vrcek I, Ozgur O, Nakra T. Infraorbital Dark Circles: A Review of the Pathogenesis, Evaluation and Treatment. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2016 Apr-Jun;9(2):65-72. doi: 10.4103/0974-2077.184046. PMID: 27398005; PMCID: PMC4924417
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. Photomed Laser Surg. 2014 Feb;32(2):93-100. doi: 10.1089/pho.2013.3616. Epub 2013 Nov 28. PMID: 24286286; PMCID: PMC3926176.
Nowhere in the article did it mention if it’s safe or not??? to expose the eyes directly to the light without protective goggles. Please clarify the issue for us?
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Rouge Canada replied:
Hi there! Thank you for reaching out with your question about the safety of exposing your eyes to Red light. We understand your concern and we are happy to provide you with some clarification on this issue.
We do recommend wearing the protective goggles that come with each Rouge device. We also advise against looking directly into the LED lights as they are very bright. Although the likelihood of damage occurring from using the NIR wavelength directly on your eyes has not been established nor discounted, there is a slight concern about long-term eye issues which stemmed from an old study on furnace workers who developed cataracts after decades of NIR light exposure.
It is important to note that there is not much that can be extrapolated from that to conclude one way or another whether red light therapy could be harmful. However, to err on the side of caution, we do recommend wearing protective goggles if the NIR light is shining directly on your eyes. You could also switch over to the red-only wavelength, and then there is no concern that there may be long-term damage. Red light is actually quite bright, but ironically, it can be beneficial to the eyes. It is the NIR wavelength that has raised concerns.
We hope that this information helps to answer your question. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re always here to help.