I went out to dinner with a friend of mine a few weeks ago and the wait for a table was about 1 hour so we decided to take a walk around the neighborhood. Amongst visiting a few stores we figured we would take a tour of the new low cost gym in the area, Planet Fitness. We soon realized why the cost was so low. There are no classes! A gym with no classes! I am a class fanatic going to 3 to 4 classes each evening ranging from yoga to Pilates to kicking boxing to sculpt and tone. This definitely was not the gym for me. But I was intrigued by the additional perks at the gym. They have massage chairs, tanning booths and red light therapy booths. The woman claimed the red light therapy booths help firm the skin on the face and body. In my mind I was thinking, “yeah right one more gimmick.” Nevertheless when I got home I hopped right on the web to get information on red light therapy. I watched two videos and read a few articles. Apparently, red light therapy is available in some gyms and a multitude of tanning salons now. The machine that is most often used in salons and gyms is the Beauty Angel. As per the Beauty Angel website, “BEAUTY ANGEL uses light in special ranges of effectiveness to rejuvenate the skin naturally. The Beauty Light is absorbed by the skin cells (fibroblasts), where it stimulates the body's own production of collagen, elastic and hyaluronan. Small wrinkles are reduced and the skin becomes visibly tauter and smoother.” The site also states that, “A comprehensive in-vivo study conducted by a skin physiological institute has also confirmed the effectiveness of BEAUTY ANGEL.80% of the test persons had softer skin after only one month. Over 60 % noticed other visible effects. After the second month, all results had improved again significantly. All test persons had firmer skin, fewer wrinkles, refined pores and an improved skin texture. In addition to the overall improvement in skin texture, many users also noticed stronger growth of their hair and nails.” · See a video on Beauty Angel at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pwMqJfuKDE&feature =youtube_gdata · Visit the website at: http://www.beauty-angel.eu/ After seeing the video and reading the articles I had to try it myself. The experience was interesting. The booth looks like a stand up tanning booth. Once you get in the booth you situate yourself as if you were in a tanning booth. A bright light comes on from all sides, music comes on and the floor vibrates. The light feels very rejuvenating. Ultraviolet light is not used so you do not tan and the light is actually good for your skin unlike tanning beds. The machine stays on for 12 minutes and the directions say you should use the red light therapy machine 3 to 4 times a week for two months initially. From my research the cheapest way to use red light therapy, if you plan on sticking with it, is by joining “Planet Fitness” and paying $20 a month. With this membership you get as many sessions as you want. See a video on Planet Fitness’s red light therapy at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwipMPMLJgw Below is an article on red light therapy from the website doesitrwallywork.org. Does Red Light Therapy Really Work? There is a newly discovered method in anti-aging technology called red light therapy. This system is mostly offered in salons, although you also have the option of setting one up at home. The system uses infrared lights as the main feature of this machine and it has been known to provide therapeutic benefits to the body. Anti-aging systems, techniques, and methods always get attention from health-conscious and beauty-conscious individuals. Beauty plays a major role in this modern age as celebrities and icons seem to be aging gracefully through the years. Surely, you would want to look as good too even if you are growing older every year. And with all the modern technology available today, staying young and looking young is not only possible, but achievable as well. Overview Infrared lights can easily penetrate the skin, and thus it can work effectively in repairing the damaged nerves and tissues under the skin. Because of this very effective method, your skin’s appearance will greatly improve and blemishes can be reduced too. In fact, if you are experiencing any body pain, the infrared light can also soothe this condition as well. The Claim Red light therapy systems claim that they can delay the signs of aging and treat acne. By using infrared light, a burst of energy is delivered to the body’s tissues triggering a response for the body to heal from inside. This system is different from laser technology as it doesn’t cut any of the body’s tissues. And it is different from the sun’s rays too as it has no harmful UV components. Red light therapy is a non-invasive method of anti-aging treatment and it promises to get rid of wrinkles, age spots, sun damage, and even acne on the skin. The Hype All types of anti-aging solutions are always met with enthusiasm and red light therapy is no exception. In fact, this new beauty system is even starting to replace the interest in tanning and tanning beds. The methods used are almost the same and the only difference is the source of light. While tanning beds make use of UV rays, red light therapy uses infrared light. The demand for this new system of anti-aging has become so intense that many salons are already converting their tanning beds into infrared therapy beds. The Cost You will be spending around $300 per month if you want to get a regular dose of infrared technology. The first few sessions are scheduled closely and succeeding sessions can be scheduled days apart. Your kind of treatment will generally depend on your skin condition and the amount of damage that has accumulated in your system throughout the years. The Commitment In order to make the red light therapy effective, you will need to commit to daily sessions during the first few weeks of treatment. After a while, 3 to 4 times a week may be recommended for you. And as maintenance, 1 to 2 days per week can usually suffice. For best results, you should make sure that your body and skin is totally clean. This will allow the infrared light to penetrate your skin more efficiently. Evaluation This infrared technology is realistic as it has been developed using the methods of science. Compared to other lighting methods and beauty treatments that make use of UV rays, this light therapy is definitely safer and more effective. Noticeable results are expected to be seen in 1 to 3 months as the efficacy of the system will depend on a person’s age and overall skin condition. Does Red Light Therapy Really Work? Yes, red light therapy appears to work in reducing the signs of aging. However, the length of time in achieving the desired results can vary from person to person. It is also advisable that maintenance treatments are utilized regularly, as not doing so will cause lines and age spots to appear again. Our Recommendation We recommend using a red light therapy system if you’re into beautification and have the spare cash. The method is not only good in reversing the signs of aging but it is also helpful in enhancing your general health as well. During the actual therapy, even your joint and muscle pains can be relieved. A return to normal blood pressure has also been linked to exposure to infrared light, adding one more benefit to the list. If you want the ultimate red light therapy product, we recommend going with the Baby Quasar. However, they’re pretty expensive. If you want a cheaper alternative, you can pick up the Red LED Light Therapy Kit from Amazon. So try red light therapy and see what you think!