Red Means Go: Benefits of RLT

I love infrared sauna.

I find it hugely beneficial to many of my health goals; the obvious one being detox, but also recover, muscle growth, and immune function. I used to get into a sauna at least once a week, but this past year, I was dealing with some health issues and the heat seemed to exacerbate my symptoms in the short term. It was enough for me to take pause on sauna for a while.

But, recently I've been feeling better. I have put a lot of time and energy into healing myself through diet, exercise, meditation, and managing stress (I'm putting together all my thoughts on this for a subsequent post). So, I figured it was safe to try sauna again.

Yesterday, while visiting a friend's family down in Orange County, I checked out Saunatica in Costa Mesa. The place was modern and clean, with a fancy water dispenser and a friendly front desk manager, named Ryan. I walked in without an appointment, but was quickly shown to an open room and briefed on the function of all the toys in there.

I started my 45 minute session with red light therapy (RLT) – an unexpected bonus! I was told to stand in front of the wall of LEDs – five minutes on each side. I flicked it on and shut my eyes.

It was so bright it felt dangerous.

As I stood there, I told myself, "I know this is good for me..." but I couldn't recall the reasons why.

So – time for me to study.

Since there are too many benefits to red light therapy to go over, I am going to choose the ones that are most important to me.

Key Benefits of RLT

Skin Conditions (Psoriasis and Eczema)

As someone who struggles with both – this is a game changer. Red light penetrates the skin and stimulates the mitochondria. This new energy yields more efficient cells, which in turn produce more collagen, reduce inflammation, and boost blood circulation – helping to alleviate symptoms of skin conditions.

Athletic Performance

That increased mitochondrial function? It also happens in muscle cells; facilitating faster repair and recovery. By reducing oxidative stress (the imbalance of antioxidants and free radicals in the body), RLT reduces inflammation and muscle soreness – a significant perk for anyone looking to stay active.

Mood and Sleep

Another huge one for me, as I am very concerned with sleep quality. RLT can stimulate the production of two key neurotransmitters in the brain – serotonin and dopamine – boosting mood and affecting a positive, more balanced feeling. It supports melatonin, which is crucial for restful sleep, and influences another receptor I have never heard of called melanopsin – a light-sensitive protein in the retina that helps to regulate circadian rhythms. Plus it reduces cortisol, the stress hormone, and promotes relaxation.

Immune Support

RLT modulates the activity of cytokines (proteins involved in inflammation), boosting immune function. For those with autoimmune conditions, this can be especially helpful, tying back to its benefits for skin health.

The more I learn about red light therapy, the more I’m convinced of its potential to support my health and wellness. While the science continues to evolve, the benefits are more than enough to inspire me to double down and incorporate RLT into my weekly routine.

Saunatica will be my go-to for now, but in the long term, I hope to invest in an at-home system. As I continue this journey, I’m excited to track my progress and reflect on how these small but meaningful changes impact my overall well-being.

Healing isn’t linear, as I have learned firsthand this year. But to me, discovering new tools to help me along the journey is encouraging and fun.

So – here’s to embracing the process, trying new things, and finding some fun in the little steps that make a big difference.