Does Red Light Therapy Fade Tattoos?
Introduction
Red light therapy or RLT is an effective way of treating various types of skin issues. It is used in various fields of life which include healthcare, automobiles, design, and the manufacturing industry. It was first used by astronauts to grow plants and veggies in space. After that, it became an integral part of the cosmetic and medical field. It significantly helps in reducing pain, inflammation, acne, and pigmentation. Moreover, it also enhances the wound-healing process.
The immense popularity of red light therapy devices has raised serious concerns among people who have tattoos. Tattoos refer to detailed artwork on the skin of an individual, which needs utmost care and attention when it comes to choosing skincare products and treatments. Many people are forced to think about whether 850 nm red light therapy or 600 nm red light therapy affects tattoos’ visibility and makes them fade or not.
This article, Bontanny, will give you a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between tattoos and infrared red light therapy, and how they both affect each other's presence.
Understanding Red Light Therapy
Red Light Therapy refers to a non-invasive treatment that uses low-level red light wavelengths to cure various skin-related issues. The therapy uses a wavelength of low-intensity red light which penetrates through the skin of the person and gives a therapeutic effect.
Infrared red light therapy offers various skin benefits but skin regeneration is one of the major benefits it offers. It enhances collagen production and makes the skin healthy. The treatment also helps in reducing aging effects like wrinkles and fine lines.
Moreover, red infrared therapy also boosts the wound healing process, promotes the repair and rebirth of the tissues, and reduces skin inflammation. In simple terms, RLT heals the wound faster and enhances skin health effectively. RLT also effectively reduces severe pains and provides relief from muscle soreness, joint disorders, and chronic pain.
Tattoos And Light Exposure
It is essential to understand the relationship between light exposure and tattoos to get the potential benefit of RLT on tattooed skin. People get tattoos by injecting pigment into the upper or dermis layer of the body. After healing, the tattoo becomes visible and stays like that because the particles of ink are too big that they can't fade off naturally.
But the exposure to light, especially ultraviolet radiation from the sun, fades the tattoo more frequently. The UV light breaks the particles of ink, which is removed naturally from the body due to the immune system. Therefore, people with tattoos are always advised to protect their tattoos from the direct sun rays.
Red light therapy uses low-level wavelength and does not contain the same level of energy efficiency as UV light does. Also, both react and affect differently to the skin. UV light breaks down the ink particles and leads to fading, whereas, red light enhances the production of collagen in the skin without breaking the ink of the tattoo. This shows that red light therapy does not harm the tattooed skin while UV light does.
Research On Red Light Therapy And Tattoos
There are very few studies and research that directly address the potential effects of RLT on pigments of the tattoo. However, the current studies show some claims on how red light reacts on the tattooed skin. All of this research just discusses the intensity and wavelength of the red light and its influence on the tattoo ink.
The existing reports and studies show that due to the low level of wavelengths, RLT does not directly affect the pigments of the tattoo. Professional LED light therapy machine soft and gentle to the skin compared to tattoo removal lights that use high-intensity light.
Experts believe that red light therapy offers promising skin-related benefits, but it has little impact on tattoos.
Red Light Therapy: Risks And Precautions For Tattooed Skin
Red infrared therapy is one of the safest skin care treatments, but it has minimal potential risks when used on tattooed skin. Therefore, people with tattoos must be aware of these potential risks.
Potential Risks
● Heat Sensitivity
People who have tattoos on their skin feel high heat sensitivity. Red light therapy does not generate heat but the light may give a warming feel that may affect tattoo areas on some level.
● Unknown Reactions
There is no detailed research and evidence that proves that red light therapy has a safe effect on tattooed skin. Therefore, there is a high chance that it may cause an unwanted reaction to the skin when it comes in contact with the ink molecules.
Safety Tips And Precautions
● Consult A Dermatologist
It is highly advised to consult a skin care specialist or dermatologist before undergoing infrared light therapy. An experienced dermatologist will fill you in with details like your skin type, ink type, age of tattoo, and whether it will be good for you to have RLT or not.
● Patch Test
Conducting this test on skin that has an unnoticeable tattoo will help you understand better how therapy reacts to your skin.
● Monitor Skin Response
People must closely watch out for the response of their tattooed skin, particularly at the start of therapy sessions. If you notice and experience a little adverse effect, stop the therapy sessions and seek immediate help from the healthcare expert.
● Use Lower Intensity
Always start a therapy session with a less intense and shorter period. It reduces potential risks. Then gradually increase the intensity and period as per the effects.
● Sunscreen Application
The tattooed area on the skin becomes heat sensitive, therefore, it is best to apply sunscreen on the skin during and after the LED light therapy. It gives skin extra protection.
Alternative Therapies For Tattooed Skin
Several other skin treatments are safe and effective for people with tattooed skin. Here we enlist some of the skin therapies that improve skin health without hurting the pigmentation of the tattoo.
● Moisturizing Treatments
Regular use of moisturizer on the tattooed skin makes it hydrated and vibrant. A moisturizer that contains natural ingredients such as coconut oil and shea butter keeps the skin healthy and hydrated without hurting the ink.
● Gentle Exfoliation
Slow and gentle exfoliation removes the dead cells from the skin and maintains the vibrance of your tattoo. It is essential to choose an exfoliant that does not have any harsh chemicals like particles as it may affect the tattoo.
● Hydration Therapies
Hydrating facials contain hyaluronic acid that keeps the skin hydrated and moisturized without hurting the tattoo look. These therapies significantly help in keeping the skin smooth and flexible.
● Antioxidants-Rich Treatment
Therapies that are enriched with antioxidants such as extracts of green tea or vitamin C keep the skin healthy and improve its glow without damaging the pigment of the tattoo.
● Physical Sunscreens
As the tattooed skin is heat sensitive, the use of physical sunscreens that contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide protects the skin from harsh UV lights and keeps it safe.
People with tattoos must consult a tattoo artist or dermatologist before undergoing any skin treatments or therapies. These professionals analyze your skin type, the age of the tattoo, ingredients used in the treatment, and then give you valuable advice.
Conclusion
The current research data and evidence show that RLT does not fade tattoos. Professional LED light therapy machine use low levels of wavelengths which cannot alter the pigments of the ink. This means that Red LED light therapy is the safest and most effective treatment for people with tattoos on their skin. But still, due to a lack of detailed research and solid evidence on the relationship between tattoos and red light therapy, people must follow the treatment with utmost care.
People who have tattoos and are currently thinking of undergoing a LED red light session must seek expert advice. Getting a consultation from a dermatologist or skin specialist helps you grasp the idea of your skin condition and whether the treatment will suit your skin or not. It ensures the safety of the treatment. Adopting a careful approach while choosing a skincare product will ensure that your tattoo will not affect you and you experience safe and therapeutic effects.
The Bontanny Portable Series Red Light Therapy Device is an effective product that can help fade tattoos. This device emits red and near-infrared light designed to increase blood circulation and stimulate cellular energy, which can help break down tattoo pigments. It is a home red light therapy device and comes with table stand and is easy to use without needing installation.
