• 1. Types of Eczema
• 2.Red Light Therapy and Eczema
• 3. Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Eczema
• 4. How to See Best Results?
• 5. Using At-Home Red Light Therapy
• 6. FAQs About Red Light Therapy for Eczema

Types Of Eczema

Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is an umbrella term for a broad range of sensitive skin conditions. Having eczema leads to frequent flare-ups of rashes that can be itchy or painful, with a red, swollen, scaly, or even blistered appearance. It can impact any body part, but the ones most commonly affected are the face, hands, and body creases like behind the elbows or knees.

   Because there are several different types of eczema, identifying triggers and treating the condition can be very different from person to person. According to the National Eczema Association, the main types of eczema are:

• Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema, characterized by itchiness and rashes. Atopic dermatitis often begins in childhood, and its underlying cause isn’t well-understood. This is the condition most people refer to when talking about eczema.
• Contact dermatitis is caused by direct contact with allergens or harsh skin irritants. It presents similarly to atopic dermatitis, but the key difference is that it’s caused by something external.
• Dyshidrotic eczema presents as tiny blisters on the hands, fingers, or toes.
• Nummular dermatitis or discoid eczema presents as red, raised, itchy spots that have a round or disc shape. It can be either dry and scaly or oozing. This type of eczema often shows up as a result of specific triggers, but it can also be related to atopic dermatitis.
• Seborrheic dermatitis is often associated with dandruff. It leads to itchiness and flakiness in the scalp or face. Its cause is often related to having oily skin which can lead to the proliferation of yeast.
• Stasis dermatitis leads to redness and itchiness in the legs as a result of poor blood flow or circulation issues.

Red Light Therapy and Eczema

Red light therapy has become a popular skin treatment in recent years, and for some great reasons. Red light has a wavelength between 620 and 750 nm, which is ideal for penetrating the skin and impacting its underlying layers. Red light is anti-inflammatory, so it has the ability to stimulate the skin’s own healing responses, which results in a multitude of benefits, from addressing signs of aging to reducing inflamed acne lesions.

  When it comes to eczema, red light has the potential to be extremely beneficial as a soothing treatment, although studies are still minimal. One animal study showed that red light therapy was able to reduce the immune response and the scaly thickness that’s often associated with eczema. Studies on other inflammatory conditions like psoriasis and rosacea also show a promising ability to soothe the skin.

Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Eczema

If you’ve been dealing with difficult-to-control eczema for a long time, introducing red light therapy could help your skin

• Soothing: When your skin is red and itchy, the red light therapy’s ability to control inflammation is its greatest benefit. It has the potential to soothe the skin and help alleviate some of the irritation that’s so common to eczema.
• Healing: Red light therapy for eczema could potentially speed the skin’s healing response, helping to clear away flare-ups more quickly.
• Controls scaliness and patchiness: Scaly patches of thick skin are a common eczema symptom. One study showed that red light therapy is effective for actively reducing that type of skin thickness, for smoother skin.
• Has a skin rejuvenating effect: Red light therapy can go far beyond just reducing signs of inflammation. It’s a powerful rejuvenating treatment with skin healing and anti-aging benefits, so it can also power up your skincare routine and give you more youthful-looking skin.
• Not painful: Many powerful rejuvenating skin treatments can be a little uncomfortable or painful, but that’s not the case with red light therapy. Red light treatments don’t emit heat, so they’re a perfectly pleasant experience.
• Doesn’t damage the skin: The main phototherapy that’s usually suggested for eczema is UVB therapy. Unfortunately, UVB light (just like the sun’s rays) can lead to skin damage, sunburn, and even increase the risk of skin cancer. Red light therapy, on the other hand, doesn't come with any of these risks, so it’s a safer alternative.
• Red Light Therapy for Weight Loss: Red light therapy may have a positive impact on weight loss through several mechanisms.
• Red Light Therapy for hair Loss: Red light therapy is also being explored as a potential treatment for hair loss (alopecia).

How to See Best Results?

While red light therapy can be incredibly helpful for those dealing with eczema, it’s important to use it correctly while also following a comprehensive eczema treatment regimen. Here’s everything you need to remember to see the best results:

• Consistency: As with most things in life, it’s important to be consistent with your red light therapy in order to see results. Make sure to treat your skin at least a few times a week when you’re having a flare-up, and consider keeping it up even when your skin is otherwise in good shape.
• Keep skin moist: Moisturization is essential to keeping the skin strong, which allows eczema to heal more quickly and prevents its return. Make sure to use lotions and creams on a daily basis, especially immediately after a shower when your skin is still damp.
• Avoid triggers: This might seem obvious, but paying attention to your individual eczema triggers and avoiding them is very important. This might mean taking antihistamines during allergy season, keeping your house clean of dust, avoiding scented products, or reducing stress in your life.
• Use gentle skincare: Gentle, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic skincare products are going to be best for your skin. Avoid harsh or drying products like soaps, alcohol-laden toners, and heavily fragranced lotions.
• Lukewarm showers: Hot water can dehydrate the skin, so showering or bathing in lukewarm water can help maintain your skin’s hydration. Always make sure to follow up your shower or bath with a good layer of moisturizer.
• Speak to your doctor: All of our tips here are for general knowledge, but ultimately, it’s so important that you speak to your doctor about your eczema, especially if you’re suffering from bad persistent flare-ups. Your doctor can recommend allergy tests and prescription treatments.

Using At-Home Red Light Therapy

Since red light therapy treatments must be done regularly to show results, a home device is the most convenient option.

  Salon or medspa treatments can be incredibly expensive, especially when done regularly. They also require going in for regular treatments. On the other hand, home devices are a one-off cost (and they often cost the same or even less than a single professional treatment), and you can use them at home whenever you like.

  Of the devices available, the best ones for those who have eczema are red light therapy panels or wands. Masks, which are far more common, can only be used on the face, so they’re not useful if you want to treat other parts of your body. Wands are often the most cost effective and versatile, giving you the ability to treat any body part effortlessly.

  If you’d like to try red light therapy, the Evertone Infrawave red light wand is an affordable, convenient option. For less than half the cost of a clinical red light treatment, it allows you to treat your face and body with red light therapy at home whenever you wish.

  The Infrawave combines red light therapy with electrocurrent and vibration massage stimulation, to offer a more comprehensive range of beauty benefits. In addition to helping soothe the skin, our device also offers a visible reduction in wrinkles and fine lines, helps to reduce facial puffiness, and addresses blemishes, for clearer, smoother skin.