Ten Reasons to Use Red Light Therapy for TSW

I have been researching red light and near-infrared light therapy for eczema and scarring damaged skin from topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) for a long time. The price of processing and purchasing the panels was just a minefield and I just didn’t understand the science behind how it worked.

I started using red light therapy in March 2024, so my treatment is still in its early stages. It will be interesting to compare the skin changes after 2-3 months. I will update this blog at that time.

See Red Light Therapy – Pros and Cons for more information.

How does red light therapy help heal skin?

The science behind how this works is complex. It basically increases the nitric oxide that is released during RLT. Nitric oxide dilates blood vessels and improves blood circulation to any site in the body. So how can it help our skin?

Many people use it to reduce the signs of aging
It can increase collagen production in the skin
It can also encourage the skin to naturally produce hyaluronic acid.
It may also help reverse skin aging and atrophy seen in many TSW skin.
There are a huge number of uses including for acne, skin lesions, removing skin pigmentation and much more.
Promotes hair regrowth, which is great because I need my eyebrows back
Dr. Thomas Burke is an expert on blood flow and nitric oxide when using red light therapy. It explains how so many other uses aid in healing. For example, a diabetic woman saved her leg from amputation after just 3 months of RLT three times a week. Another man healed a 40-year-old venous ulcer with 5 months of daily red light therapy. Thanks to TSWKidd for sharing this.
Promotes deep healing of the skin dermis
Skin will be smoother after just 2-3 months of use
There are no known side effects, adverse reactions or risks associated with the use of red light and near-infrared light therapy.

What you don’t want is far infrared light – it can be too harsh for sensitive skin such as eczema and TSW damaged skin. You want to make sure you use Near infrared red light And Red light together.

How does light therapy help heal skin?

The amazing way this works is that red light and near infrared light can pass through the layers of the skin to the deeper layers of the dermis to heal where the damage is, all the way to the inside of your skin. It’s truly incredible. Watch this video to learn more about the science behind how red light heals skin.

Video showing Dr. Thomas Burke talking about light therapy

This video is not specifically about treating eczema, skin affected by topical steroid withdrawal, or skin scarring, but it shows that even necrotic skin from diabetes can be healed with light therapy. It’s amazing what this treatment can do.

How long should you use it for?

The advice on how long you should use your RLT panel for variations, but it is generally advisable to start with just one to two minutes at first to ensure you don’t react.

I was advised to use it for 10-15 minutes, but I take it slow and will work up from 2 minutes.
You would then try to do this treatment daily. If you are treating different body parts, simply repeat this for each body part.

There is no added benefit to sitting longer and it could actually harm the skin.

How far should you sit from your red light sign?

There is conflicting information and many different distances shared. I think for sensitive skin, especially those going through topical steroid withdrawal or suffering from eczema and psoriasis, caution is advised. I think I was sitting too close to mine, 6-8 inches away. The optimal distance for safety and the absence of ignition is rather between 6 inches and 48 inches.

Check out this article which explains the science in more detail – How close to red light therapy panels, part 3: Cold LED light therapy.

I’ll be sitting at the end of that range and trying to spend less time in about a week; approximately 30 to 40 inches. I need to find a way to heal, while working, that doesn’t trigger as much inflammation. It may have nothing to do with RLT, which is familiar with TSW damaged skin, but it seems like a precaution to me.

Trust your own instincts, if you sense that something is irritating you, take note of it. You know your skin better than anyone.

How often do others use red light treatment?

I asked people how long they used theirs. These comments come from Red Light Therapy Instagram and Facebook users:

I continued for just 10 minutes but I did my whole body because it’s a bit like a deckchair
I do 10 minutes, then I change sides or parts of my body and treat the most affected areas.
You only need 10-15 minutes every day –TSWKidd
I started with 1 minute, then 2, then 5, and slowly worked up to 15 minutes and do this daily.

What is important is consistency, ensuring that you continue to do this treatment daily. I’m careful about everything these days, so start with less and work your way up, I think five minutes, then increase to ten and so on. 15 minutes is optimal and longer periods of use do not necessarily add benefit and may in fact be detrimental.

What does red light therapy look like?

I actually find it very relaxing to take ten to fifteen minutes to just sit, either quietly, listening to a podcast or audiobook, or meditating. This is what it looks like:

It’s very brilliant, it’s shocking; be sure to protect your eyes before turning it on
You can wear glasses or close your eyes. As I have bad skin on my eyelids and the glasses are quite irritating after a few minutes, I close my eyes. It’s completely safe.
Pinging Sensation – I might be imagining this, but I swear I can feel small, not unpleasant, fizzing sensations on my skin when I use the red light. They are almost imperceptible, last a nanosecond and go very quickly.
Make yourself comfortable. I’m looking for the best way to use mine. Others said they had a couch table in front of them or reclined with it next to them. I sit in a straight chair at the dining room table and it works for me.
Set a timer – I set a timer on my phone so I know when to stop the treatment.
Always use red light and near infrared at the same time, they both work together and are both beneficial for skin healing.
When I finish a treatment, the world appears as if through a sepia lens, it’s very strange. It passes in a few moments but it’s quite funny how strange it seems. Regardless of the time of day, your vision will be a little strange after treatment, but only for a very short time.

I haven’t noticed any side effects from the treatment, other than maybe a slight dryness of the skin. However, drying and flaking during topical steroid withdrawal promotes healing. Skin overgrowth, or the excessive flaking that we get, should not be frowned upon, the skin needs to do this to hear the deeper layers.

***Similar model to the red light panel I received. Mine has no support.*** Source: Alibaba

How to choose a Red Light panel?

Most products will work, the technology isn’t that complicated and only uses LED lights, so take a look online at Amazon. There are so many brands to choose from. Here are some things to look for:

Avoid buying one from Emr-tek, TSWKidd told me these can be too strong and can actually damage the skin.
Make sure you buy one that combines red and near-infrared light, as this is the best for safe skin healing.
I received mine shipped via https://azure8.en.alibaba.com and you can also WhatsApp Nicole in China on +86 177 101 24650. Please tell them Ruth with the TSW got you sent ! And a big thank you to Cyn for recommending them to me. There were too many choices for my poor brain to process. Mine is just a small front panel and it is so well made, sturdy and easy to use.
I received a small face panel and the price was very reasonable. The specification was AL300 – Commercial Physical Therapy LED Red Light Therapy Panel 300-3600W 660/850nm 5 Wavelength.
If you have the money, find one that has red and near infrared light coming out of the same bulb. Most are alternative bulbs, like mine. These will still do a great job, but if you have the money available, a double bulb (that’s the right term) will work faster and better, but it costs a lot more for this technology.

Be sure to do your research and check reviews etc. If you can get a recommendation from a friend, ask what signs others have. Obviously, a complete body panel will cost more.

Video on how to use Red Light for eczema and TSW

If you visit Youtube you will find many videos of people using it to treat eczema and topical steroid withdrawal, so check them out if you are interested.

Red Light Therapy Research Resources

Here are some resources that may be of interest to you if you are considering red light therapy treatment.

I’m looking for more recent studies on this, but unfortunately I don’t think anyone is studying this treatment for eczema, atopic dermatitis, or topical steroid withdrawal. It’s definitely not a magic cure or anything, but for conditions like TSW that lead to collagen loss, skin atrophy, and deep skin tissue damage, it could be very powerful.

Many people are prescribed light therapy on the NHS in the form of UBV and UVA treatment, but this can be potentially harmful and should be strictly monitored and only carried out for short periods under supervision. This also cannot be done in the long term. If you are interested in my own experience doing this reading, UVB treatment for eczema and withdrawal from topical steroids.