Top Summertime Uses for Red and Infrared Light Therapy
Added April 30, 2024
#1: Red Light Therapy for Sunburns
Having fun in the summer often means we overdo it a bit and end up with a painful sunburn. The worst thing about sunburns is they mean we can’t go back outside for a while. Translation: the fun is over for you. The good news is; red light therapy is perfect for healing sunburns at a rapid rate.
Red light therapy greatly reduces inflammation, heat and discomfort from overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Notice I said “red light therapy”, not near infrared (heat) therapy. Although near infrared bulbs are great for lots of uses, they are not the best choice for a sunburn. This is because they get hot, and applying heat to a sunburn hurts. Fortunately, LED red light therapy does the job well without adding heat to the inflamed area.
As someone who burns easily, I always bring RubyLux Red LED Bulbs with me on vacation. If my luggage is too full for a large one, I take the small one instead. It’s been more than once I ended up sitting in front of a hotel lamp outfitted with my trusty red light therapy bulb to salvage my vacation.
And it works! Typically, I do one or two sessions of 10-15 minutes on an area and by the next day the burn is gone. Remember it’s best to space your sessions apart by a few hours to get the best results.
Needless to say, vacations are not the only time I’ve used red light therapy on a sunburn. For times I stayed outside too long gardening or at the pool, it’s been a lifesaver.
#2: Near Infrared Light Therapy for Mosquito Bites
Mosquitoes bites are one at the top of the (short) list of bad things about warm weather. We’ve all experienced the annoying itching and inflammation. And some of us seem to specifically be magnets for mosquitoes.
This is where hot near infrared light therapy bulbs are your best friend. The heat inactivates the mosquito saliva that causes itchiness, while the near infrared light promotes healing. In 5-10 minutes of exposure, your bites will stop itching and you’ll already be well on your way to healing them up.
#3: Red Light Therapy for Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac
Poisonous plants range from a minor annoyance to a trip to urgent care. Obviously, if you get into such a bad situation that you have large or extremely painful rashes, a trip to the doctor is in order. But if you have a small rash, red light therapy can help you heal faster.
One plus about red light therapy is that it usually is safe to use with other treatments. If you’re using a topical cream like corticosteroid cream or calamine lotion, be sure to do your light therapy treatment before applying it so the cream won’t block the light.
If you end up getting prescription steroids or medication for pain, make sure to confirm with your doctor or pharmacist that the medication will not cause photosensitivity before using red light therapy.
#4: Bee and Wasp Stings
Red light therapy is very helpful with insect stings, like from bees or wasps. With all the time spent outdoors in the nice weather, run-ins with bees and wasps are bound to happen. It doesn’t have to end the fun, though. Just break out your RubyLux All Red bulb. You’ll be back to having fun in no time.
#5: Ear Aches from Swimmer’s Ear
Summer means lots of time at the lake, pool or beach. This leads to more cases of swimmer’s ear, an infection of the outer ear, usually from water being trapped in the ear. Bacteria grow in the water and your immune system fights against it, leading to pain and inflammation. Often ear infections need to be treated by a doctor with drops or antibiotics. As long as your medication does not cause photosensitivity, red or near infrared light can ease the pain while you’re healing up. One tip, though- be sure no liquid from the ear or ear drops can come into contact with the bulb. The LED bulbs are not waterproof and the near infrared bulbs, when hot, can shatter if they come into contact with liquid during use.
#6: Jellyfish Stings
Jellyfish are so hard to see and it’s easy to brush up against one and get stung. Here’s a better solution than having everyone pee on you…use red light therapy! It’s a great tool to use to heal the sting faster and make it stop hurting. Still, you can have everyone pee on you if you like. To my knowledge, urine will not cause any interactions with light.
#7: Plantar Fasciitis Flares
Sandals and flip-flops are the footwear of choice for spring and summer. Unfortunately, because these shoes offer little cushion or support, they can lead to flare-ups of plantar fasciitis, an inflammation in the foot. One of the best remedies for plantar fasciitis is near infrared therapy that is hot. The heat eases tension and the near infrared light provides temporary pain relief and speeds up healing. It also increases range of motion and encourages blood flow. Just point the light toward the spot that hurts the most. You can repeat this multiple times a day to keep extending the pain relief effects. Over time the light will help your body heal and recover faster.
#8: Seasonal Allergies
If you have seasonal allergies and spring or summer is your season, you already know how miserable they can be. Instead of planning a bunch of fun activities, you’re planning on how to avoid dealing with allergies. Keep in mind that RubyLux Bionase can help. It’s portable and easy to use, so give it a try.
#9: Sports or Activities Injuries
It’s true injuries could happen anytime, not just in summer. However, there are many minor injuries that happen from hiking, boating, or activities outside. Very often, red or near infrared light therapy can help by relieving pain and speeding up healing. That can be so valuable when all you want to do is get back outside to keep making fun memories.
Overall, during the warm weather months, don’t forget that red light therapy and near infrared light therapy can help you have more time to enjoy the season. Keep your bulbs at the ready, especially on vacation, or if you need more, stock up today!