How Does Red Light Therapy Treat Bruises? Let’s take a look.
Not all the bruises are visible. A few of them happen behind the layers of skin that don’t show up but let you feel them.
Bruises have always been a common kind of injury. Although many traditional treatments are available to heal bruising, the range is expanding towards alternative therapies.
One of them is the use of Red Light Devices.
Starting from accelerating the healing process and easing the pain to fading the marks, Red light therapy can deliver extensive support.
RLT does different tricks to do the job. How? Let’s talk about that today.
- Are you interested in using red light therapy for bruises? Then try out BIOMAX 900!
Understanding Bruises
Bruises, alias contusions, are discolored marks on your skin that appear after it absorbs a traumatic blow.
How Do Bruises Form?
A bruise happens when an external force causes blood vessels to break and blood leaks into the surrounding tissues. Because your skin doesn’t split, the blood pools under the skin, forms clots, and leads to those colored marks — a bruise.
Most blood leaking occurs close to the top layers. Hence, they can be visible.
3 Common Types of Bruises
- Subcutaneous– Skin bruises
Subcutaneous bruises are visible discolorations appearing in the shallow veins.
It happens when the capillary wall gets damaged right beneath the epidermis layer of the skin because of an injury. The blood leaks out but doesn’t flow continuously — forming blue or purple marks.
Those who take anticoagulant medication are more prone to subcutaneous bruising.
- Intramuscular– Muscle bruises
Intramuscular bruises are torn muscles within the sheath surrounding it.
It happens when a hit by a blunt object crushes your muscle fibers and connective tissues without splitting the skin. This damages the capillaries that support your muscles and leads to bleeding into the affected areas.
You can’t see muscle bruises but you can feel them since they are quite painful.
- Periosteal – Bone bruises
Periosteal bruises are injuries on the bone’s surface that lead to marks on the skin.
It happens when the bone gets hit hard enough which causes its blood vessels to bleed. The blood piles up and flows to the epidermis layer causing discoloration (mostly black and blue) on your skin.
However, the bones don’t crack so it’s not a fracture.
12 Causes of Bruises
- Falling onto a hard surface.
- Jamming the body against a hard surface
- Weakening of skin and capillary walls due to age
- Sports injuries from falls; kicks; and direct blunt blows.
- Motor vehicle accidents.
- Blows from other people like punch; abuse; molestation, etc.
- Blows from hard and heavy objects
- Severe muscle straining due to rigorous physical activity
- Weakening of capillary walls mostly due to sun damage
- Underlying health conditions like bleeding disorders, thrombocytopenia, leukemia, hemophilia, diabetes, etc.
- Nutrient deficiency mostly Vitamins (C, K, & B12), and Zinc deficiency
- Medications like steroids, anticoagulants, and blood thinners.
7 Factors Affecting Bruise Severity
- Force of Impact: The harder the blow, the more severe the bruise
- Location of Impact: Areas with more blood vessels close to the skin like the face or legs can bruise easily
- Skin Thickness: The thinner the skin, the easier it is to bruise severely
- Health Conditions: Disorders like hemophilia, leukemia, and cancer can lead to easy and severe bruising.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: The more severe the deficiency, the more severe the bruising.
- Medications: Different medicines can make the bruising more severe
- Age: Older people are more likely to bruise more easily and severely.
What Do Colors Of A Bruises Mean?
Red
Oftentimes, bruises start as a red mark on the skin. It’s because fresh, oxygen-rich blood has pooled underneath.
Blue, Purple, or Black
Right after 1 or 2 days, the leaked-out blood starts losing oxygen and changing color. Depending on the severity, size, location, and type of your bruise, the marks might look blue, purple, or black.
Yellow or green
Between 5 and 10 days after the impact, your bruise can turn into yellow or green marks. These colors result from the biliverdin and bilirubin compounds, which are produced when the body needs to break down hemoglobin.
Yellowish-brown or light brown
The final stage of bruising. The marks turning yellowish-brown or light brown typically indicate color fading and healing. It occurs between 10 and 14 days after the impact.
Healing Time
- Mild bruises: Can last 6-7 days
- Moderate bruises: Can last 1-2 weeks
- Severe bruises: Can take several weeks or longer to heal
7 Common Traditional Treatments
Here are some treatments to get rid of bruises.
- Rest
- Ice Packs
- Compression
- Elevation
- Red light therapy
- Over-the-counter Medicines and Ointments
- Homeopathic remedies like Arnica
- Bromelain Supplement
- Vitamin K Cream
- Hematoma Draining
Introduction to Red Light Therapy For Bruises
Red Light Therapy is a therapeutic technique that uses low-level wavelengths to treat different skin conditions. The therapy uses special lights on the device for the treatment. These are either lasers or LEDs or sometimes both.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
Red Light Therapy works by supplying visible red wavelengths (630–660nm) and invisible Near-infrared wavelengths (810–850nm) under your skin. They penetrate the skin up to 2-3 millimeters deep, cause positive reactions around damaged cells, and help them heal.
History and Development
The concept of red light therapy originates from the year 1896. A Danish doctor Niels Ryberg Finsen used bright electric light for treating lupus vulgaris. Because of its effectiveness, many doctors started using such lights for different skin conditions.
Later in 1967, Hungarian physician Endre Mester became the first to devise a low-active experimental laser based on Davis radiotherapy in medicine. Not only did he discover but also registered the therapeutic effect of red light on human wound healing.
Based on those data, the first low-active laser photodynamic therapy device was created. Its efficiency was proven and it eventually received FDA approval in 2002.
The benefits of therapy also drew the attention of NASA scientists in 1985. In space, astronauts used to face a lot of health issues. These include poor wound healing ulcerations, muscular atrophy and adiposis caused by microgravity, and loss of bone density.
For this, the scientists started experimenting with red lights and discovered that they could stimulate plant growth and wound healing in space. As a result, NASA launched the first red light therapy devices to use in orbit for the well-being of astronauts.
Since the therapy provided health benefits, NASA started funding the devices. They incorporated advanced technologies that helped expand their applications to different sectors of the healthcare system.
Now, Red Light Therapy is used in:
- Bruise Healing
- Wound Healing
- Anti-Aging and Skin Health
- Pain Relief
- Inflammation Reduction
- Dental Health
- Anxiety And Depression
- Eye Diseases
Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Bruises
Accelerated Healing Process
Red Light Therapy can help heal bruises as fast as 2 weeks.
When your skin absorbs Red Light Therapy, it boosts cellular activities and energy production. This increase in cell energy stimulates different healing responses. More blood flow, nutrients, and oxygen reach your bruised skin and in turn, it quickens the process.
The therapy also promotes angiogenesis. It means the light helps heal damaged capillaries and form new blood vessels. Because of the formation of newer vessels and increased blood flow, RLT can quickly heal the bruises.
Pain Reduction
Red Light Therapy can be a great pain management tool.
As the wavelengths pass through your bruised skin to the deepest cells, it helps stimulate the release of endorphins. Such chemicals act as your body’s natural painkillers that provide a big relief from bruise-related discomfort.
Moreover, RLT works to stimulate the lymphatic drainage. This allows the body to eliminate lactic acid buildup by stopping the enzyme activity that causes its production. Consequently, it helps alleviate muscle soreness and bruise pain overall.
Reduction of Inflammation
Red Light Therapy has anti-inflammatory effects that help heal bruises.
It uses 40 Hz flicker to modulate cytokine gene expression that influences the production of proteins. These proteins repair the bruised tissue, manage the immune system, and alleviate inflammation.
As the inflammation reduces, the pain subsides. This further helps accelerate the healing of bruises.
Improvement in Skin Appearance
Red Light Therapy is a great way to treat bruises faster since it helps fade discoloration.
As the light goes deeper into the skin, it tells the special cells (fibroblasts particularly) to generate more collagen. This helps fade bruises more quickly which leads to healthier skin. So, you won’t be stuck with colored marks for too long.
Scientific Evidence and Studies
Two studies indicate that Red Light Therapy can help treat and heal bruising.
- One study assessed the efficiency of RLT on bruised eyelids and found that light therapy accelerated the healing process. (Source: Researchgate)
- Another study mentioned that the patients who used red LED and had undergone blepharoplasty and periocular resurfacing showed significant improvement in bruising. (Source: NCBI)
How to Use Red Light Therapy for Bruises?
Selecting The Right Device
Choose a Red Light Therapy device that offers these benefits:
- High mW/cm2 reading
- Varying wavelengths
- Offers maximum coverage
- Easy to use.
For bruises, BIOMAX 900 red light therapy can be a great pick. Its power ranges from 160-190 mw/cm2 which works effectively to treat bruises.
The rule of thumb is—- the higher the number, the more power output, and the deeper and more effectively it heals bruising.
The device is on its 8th generation and comes with 7 wavelengths. Four NIR- 1060nm, 810nm, 830nm, and 850nm, two R+ 630nm and 660, and 460nm traces of blue light. Such a range makes the device more efficient.
Its coverage is pretty wide, meaning it can emit light all over your body. Plus, it’s easy to use especially the remote control and app make it more convenient.
Usage Guidelines
| Bruises | Per Session Period | Frequency | Treatment Time | Visible Result |
| 10-20 min | 4-6 times a week | 1-4 weeks | 2-3 weeks |
Step 1: Cleanse Your Skin
Red light therapy works effectively on fresh, bare skin. There shouldn’t be any products.
So, cleanse the skin thoroughly. Use a gentle cleanser with no harsh chemical formulations as they can worsen bruising.
Step 2: Position the RLT Device At A Distance
Although RLT is a safe technique, don’t stay too close to the device. It can overheat your skin, damage your tissue, and worsen bruises.
It’s better to sit 6 to 12 inches away from the device. Now, you can expose the bruised areas to the red light. Make sure to keep the skin bare.
Step 3: Start The Session Depending On The Bruises
Let’s say you’re new. In that case, it’s advisable to start the session with 5 to 10 minutes.
As your skin acclimates to the red light over 2-3 weeks, gradually work your way up to 15 or 20 minutes. Consider doing it 4 to 6 times a week for 1-4 weeks.
Note that the session period, treatment duration, and results might vary based on the type and severity of bruises.
Do consult an expert beforehand and know about the treatment in detail.
Step 5: Be Consistent
Red light therapy can take a longer time to show visible results. So you have to be patient and consistent.
Make sure to use the device following the manual instructions that come with BIOMAX 900.
You’ll get key details like recommended treatment times, frequency, and positioning of the RLT device on your bruises.
- Warning: Skipping the session, overexposure, and doing it carelessly can cause damage to your skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for red light therapy to work on bruises?
It may take around 2-3 weeks for the Red Light Therapy to work on bruises. However, it depends on factors like bruise type, severity, location, and how properly you’re using the device.
Are there any side effects of using red light therapy for bruises?
No, there aren’t any side effects of using red light therapy for bruises as long as it’s used within 25 minutes. Overexposure to red lights can lead to skin irritation and other issues.
Can I use red light therapy at home, or do I need to visit a clinic?
You can use red light therapy at home. In case you don’t want to buy one, then you can visit a clinic.
How often should I use red light therapy for it to be effective?
For bruises, use red light therapy 4-6 times a week for 1-4 weeks for 10-20 minutes.
Is red light therapy safe for all skin types?
Yes. Red light therapy is noninvasive, nontoxic, and safe for all skin types.
Cure Your Bruises With Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy works effectively in treating different types of bruises. It penetrates the light under the skin, activates the positive cells, and starts the treatment. Not only does it reduce pain, alleviate inflammation, and lighten discoloration but also makes sure to heal the bruising faster.
If you’re considering getting yourself one, the BIOMAX 900 can be a good choice.
