What’s Red Light Therapy All About?
Red light therapy (RLT) is basically a skin and wellness treatment where red or near-infrared light gets absorbed by your skin and helps your cells do their thing better. It’s supposed to boost collagen, smooth wrinkles, speed up healing, and even help with things like muscle recovery and inflammation. Different wavelengths of light penetrate your skin at different depths, which means red light works more on the surface, while near-infrared goes deeper to target muscles and joints.
The science behind it is pretty fascinating: the light energizes your mitochondria (if you don´t remember from the 5th grade, those are the little powerhouses of our cells), and this gives your cells the energy they need to repair and regenerate. It’s safe, non-invasive, and becoming super popular for skin care and wellness. Since I’ve dealt with acne and scarring for most of my life, I thought, “Why not give this a try?”
I’ve struggled with acne since my teenage years. Even now, in my 40s, the scars are a constant reminder of that battle. As my skin ages, the scars seem more noticeable, so I’m always open to anything that might help. When I learned about RLT and its potential to improve skin texture and scars, I was sold.
My Experience at Die kleine Wellnessinsel
I found this cozy little wellness studio in Munich called Die kleine Wellnessinsel. They offered a red light therapy session that included a face massage with color oil mixes, so I booked an appointment. The moment I walked in, I knew I was in good hands. The cosmetician was a former biologist with decades of experience – the kind of person who knows her stuff but also has this intuitive, almost magical vibe about her.
She started by explaining how the therapy works and what it can do for the skin. She even had visuals to break it all down, which I loved. Then she asked me why I’d come in and how she could help. When I said I was there specifically for red light therapy, she looked a bit surprised. Apparently, most of her treatments are more intuitive – you choose oils with your eyes closed and let your body guide the session.
When she asked me to pick an oil, I chose violet with my eyes closed, without knowing what it meant. Turns out, violet is all about rest and relaxation, which made me laugh because, yes, I definitely need more of that. For a moment, I wondered if I should switch and go with the violet therapy, but I’d been wearing red all month and was committed to the theme. One night of red light wasn’t going to hurt, right?
The Session
The treatment started with a gentle face massage using a red oil blend from Akari, an Austrian brand known for natural cosmetics and light therapy products. According to her website: “Red color oil improves circulation, opens the pores, and provides strength and energy. Color oils work holistically, just like colored light.” The oils can also be used at home – mixed into masks or creams, added to a diffuser, or even as a bath additive.
The whole setup was so relaxing: a carefully curated combination of red light, a red essential oil mix, and soothing “red” music specifically designed for this purpose.
The cosmetician – honestly, she felt more like a good fairy – took her time. Even though I’d only booked a 30-minute session, she didn’t rush me out the door. It was clear that this wasn’t just a job for her; she genuinely cared about making sure I felt comfortable and taken care of. I could tell she was fully in her element, blending science with a kind of intuitive wisdom that’s hard to put into words. It felt like she could see exactly what I needed without me even saying it.
How I Felt After
Red light therapy is one of those things where the results are cumulative, so you can’t expect a miracle after just one session. Still, I walked out of there feeling incredibly relaxed and well cared for. My skin felt soft and happy, and my mind was at ease. The next day, I noticed that my skin had a special glow – though I can’t say for sure if it was because of the treatment.
Was it life-changing? Not yet, but I loved the experience. It made me realize how important it is to slow down and give your body and mind a little love. I also learned a lot about how colors can influence us on more than just a visual level – red for energy and vitality, violet for rest and renewal.
Continuing the Journey at Home
For Christmas, I got a * light therapy device to use at home, and I’m so excited to keep going with the sessions. Next month, I’ll be focusing on violet light therapy, which is actually a combination of red and blue LED lights. The effects should be similar to red light but with an added calming element that aligns perfectly with the energy of violet. It feels like the perfect follow-up to my red month.
A Little Intuition Goes a Long Way
Even though I came for red light, I ended up buying the violet oil she recommended. It felt like the right way to balance things out, and it’s perfect timing since violet is the color I’m focusing on next month in my 12 Colors in 12 Months project. The whole experience reminded me to trust my intuition and listen to what my body and soul need, even if it doesn’t align with my plans.
Final Thoughts
My red month wasn’t just about wearing red or exploring its associations; it was about connecting with the energy and essence of the color in a meaningful way. Red light therapy was the perfect capstone to the month, blending science, intuition, and a touch of magic. If you’re curious about trying it, I’d definitely recommend checking out Die kleine Wellnessinsel. Whether or not you believe in the esoteric side of things, there’s no denying the calming, restorative effects of the experience.
Have you ever tried red light therapy or explored the meaning of colors in your life? I’d love to hear about it!
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