Does Red Light Therapy Help With Postpartum Scar Tissue
Introduction
Becoming a mother comes with a great cost. So many sleepless nights, mood swings, back pain, disfiguring, and urinary problems. Mothers are powerful human beings and undergo the unbelievable pain of labor. Many mothers undergo C-sections which means giving birth through operation instead of normal delivery. After the operation, doctors incised the abdomen of the woman. Later these incisions become scars.
We call them postpartum scar tissue. It is common among mothers. However, these are a sign of discomfort and obstruction for our women. Sometimes, they cannot move freely due to pain and inflammation of scar tissue. In the past, there was less evidence regarding the healing of scar tissue through different treatments. But as the technology progressed, we have a new method called red light therapy (RLT) which helps heal the scar tissues. Special short wavelengths of red infrared light penetrate through the skin and heal the tissues.
The purpose of using RLT during postpartum is to speed up the recovery process. So that mothers can enjoy time with their babies without worrying about their scar tissues. Less pain and better body functionality are the results of clinically supervised RLT.
Bontanny is going to shed light on the process of RLT and its phenomenon that helps you heal your postpartum scar tissues through this post.
Understanding Postpartum Scar Tissue
What is Scar Tissue?
When incisions of mothers heal after the cesarean operation, they change into scar tissues. A scar tissue forms as a result of the healing of these incisions through the skin’s natural healing process. Scar tissues have collagen and when they accumulate they form a thick buildup which we call scar tissues. In the early phases of recovery, these scar tissues can be quite problematic for mothers.
Formation During the Postpartum Healing Process
During C-sections, gynecologists make different incisions. Due to these incisions, the body gets triggered to initiate its natural healing process. After the operation, the skin will begin to heal these incisions. Now this process gives rise to the formation of scar tissues. These are thick builds of new skin that replace the damaged and compromised skin. These are not always friendly and due to this reason, demand special attention from the mothers in terms of supervised and appropriate treatment.
Common Areas Affected
There are two major areas where scar tissues are prominent for many women. First is the abdomen and second is the perineal area. The incisions made in these areas result in the formation of scar tissues. In some women, these scar tissues can subside with time however a large group of women struggle with the prominence of scar tissues.
Potential Complications or Discomforts
Scar tissue not only induces physical discomfort in women but also creates a negative psychological impact on them. Below are some common complications and discomforts experienced by mothers:
- 1. Frequent itching around scar tissues can take place.
- 2. The skin around the scar tissues can become inflamed and highly sensitive to some maternity products.
- 3. When scar tissues combine with other tissues around them, the area becomes stiffened and it hampers free movement.
- 4. Scar tissues can also compromise the natural pelvic function of women which is not good for their postpartum phase as they undergo limited body movement.
- 5. This condition can also trigger postpartum depression leading to mood swings, anxiety attacks, and disturbance in the cognitive abilities of mothers.
- 6. Every mother is different. Therefore, the healing process of scar tissues can last for varied periods from one woman to the other. However, this is not important. The first step is to understand the importance of treating scar tissues and opting for viable methods in this regard by seeking professional help at your earliest convenience.
What is Red Light Therapy?
Definition and Brief History
Red light therapy or LED light therapy is a clinical laser treatment that includes short wavelength red infrared light for penetrating the skin. This penetration is harmless and does not compromise the skin at all. When these waves approach mitochondria, they stimulate them. As a result of this stimulation, the mitochondria initiate the healing process for the damaged area. Medical science considers RLT as a harmless and skin-friendly process of fast and effortless skin rejuvenation. Over time, LED light therapy has undergone many technological advancements to make it more adaptable for every woman.
How Red Light Therapy Works: The Science Behind Light Wavelengths and Skin Healing
Red light therapy uses red and near-infrared wavelengths of particular nanometers. These harmless waves cross the skin barrier and stimulate some cellular bodies for the skin’s healing process. Besides, there is more blood flow during the process and better tissue repair and regeneration takes place. All these processes come together to heal the postpartum scar tissue which is much needed by women to experience a seamless and depression-free postpartum phase.
The purpose of Red light therapy during pregnancy or after pregnancy is to reduce the inflammation around scar tissue as much as possible and let the skin soothe. When this happens, the skin will loosen itself and will slowly come to its original state. It won't be wrong to say that LED red light is for rejuvenating the compromised skin by amplifying collagen in the skin. Also, the process fixes the tone and texture of the skin around the scar tissues.
Types of Red Light Therapy Devices (Professional vs. At-Home Use)
Experts perform RLT in two ways. One way is to execute RLT at a clinic and the second way is to do it at home. Professional LED light therapy machine are only available at clinics and you have to personally visit these clinics to get the treatment done.
Some people consider professional infrared red light execution better than at home because of the installation of devices. Experts adjust the wavelengths (850 nm red light therapy or 600 nm red light therapy), and the functioning of machines as per the patient’s requirements and intensity of every case. Therefore, the professional RLT promises more precision and supervision for the patients. However, we are not criticizing red light therapy at home services.
A vast majority of people are in favor of this option. Why? It is because they want to feel the comfort of home for this purpose. Besides, they don't have to travel to far-fetched clinics for treatment. Portable masks, essential LED red light equipment, and full-body panels are available for you if you pick the red light therapy at home option.
The Healing Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Postpartum Scar Tissue
Besides treating the scar tissues, RLT delivers extraordinary benefits to patients. It targets inflammation and swelling and reduces irritation. It makes the skin supple and loosens it so that it can regain its former shape. Other than this, it is crucial for the enhanced and uninterrupted production of collagen. Without sufficient collagen, the body fails to heal the skin properly. If this happens, it can get infected and the condition can worsen.
The Role of Red Light Therapy in Collagen Production and Inflammation Reduction
The process of red light therapy device enhances the production of fibroblasts which are the main cellular entities that heal a wound or an injury. Therefore, due to the fast production of fibroblasts, the skin does not consume much time to start the healing process. Besides, in the meantime, collagen is also produced in bulk amounts through RLT. The role of collagen is to make the skin supple, and elastic.
Therefore, the stiffness caused by scar tissues can be easily fixed with sufficient collagen production. This is how RLT provides you with dual benefits during the sessions that you need to fix irritating scar tissues as soon as possible.
How to Use Red Light Therapy for Postpartum Scar Tissue
It’s time to find out how RLT heals scar tissues and rejuvenates the skin for mothers going through postpartum:
- 1. Make sure to cleanse the skin and gently dry it. Don't drag the towel on your scar tissues instead softly dab it on them.
- 2. The damaged area should be facing the light source however it is better to cover it with a light cloth to avoid chances of skin irritation.
- 3. The recommended duration of the session lasts about 20 minutes with regular breaks. However, the best is to adjust the intensity of the light source depending on the intensity of inflammation and swelling caused by scar tissues.
- 4. The sessions should be regular throughout the week to get the desired results in less time.
Considerations and Precautions
Infrared light therapy therapy is a harmless process however there have been cases when some patients experienced some temporary mild effects. We state them below for you!
Side effects:
- 1. Redness and inflammation
- 2. Photosensitivity
- 3. Skin dryness
Precautions:
- 1. Cover your eyes before starting the treatment
- 2. Immediately stop the procedure in case of unusual feelings or skin irritation
- 3. Use infrared light therapy only in the presence of an expert
- 4. Use mild moisturizers on the treated area after the procedure
Conclusion
Red light therapy before and after pregnancy might be overwhelming for you. You might refuse to undergo the treatment due to postpartum depression. However, it is important to know that you can become your normal self through this process. Trust your experts and follow them as they navigate you through the process and the results will stun you!
Red Light Therapy can be a beneficial treatment for postpartum scar tissue healing. For postpartum scar tissue healing, consider using the Bontanny Portable Series Red Light Therapy Device.
Red light therapy machine emits red and near-infrared light that can help reduce pain, relax muscles and joints, and improve blood circulation. Its portable design with a red light therapy stand makes it user-friendly and convenient for daily use, offering a potential solution to aid in the healing process of postpartum scar tissue.
