Better known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), red light therapy is a non-invasive procedure that can be performed in a doctor’s office.
It’s a popular form of body sculpting — a type of non-invasive procedure that claims to remove fat cells without surgery.
The procedure uses a low-irradiance laser that emits wavelengths of red, blue, and infrared light approximately 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) into your skin. It targets the layer of fat that sits just below the surface of your skin (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source).
Though the mechanism is unclear and controversial, one common theory is that LLLT temporarily breaks down part of the cell membrane. This allows stored fat cells to leach out, shrink, and be removed through your body’s natural waste removal process (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source).
When you attend a laser session, a trained professional, such as a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon, will place the laser on each treatment area for 10–40 minutes. Most clinics recommend at least six sessions to see results.
There’s no downtime, and you can resume your normal activities right after the session. That said, eating a healthy diet and exercising are strongly
encouraged.Does it work for weight loss?
Red light therapy for weight loss is very controversial. Despite positive patient testimonies and impressive results from various studies, many researchers and healthcare professions are skeptical of its purported benefits.
To date, several studies have found that LLLT or red light therapy provides benefits.
A recent 6-week pilot study in 60 people found that LLLT treatments twice per week led to a modest 0.8-inch (2-cm) reduction in waist circumference However, these findings are limited by the lack of a control group (1Trusted Source).
Another randomized double-blind study in 67 people revealed that those who received 6 LLLT treatments for 2 weeks lost significantly more collective inches from their abdomen, hips, and thighs — 3.5 inches or 8.9 cm) — than the control group (3Trusted Source).
Furthermore, a 2-week study in 86 people at a U.S. clinic observed a significant decrease in waist (1.1 inches or 2.8 cm), hip (0.8 inches or 2 cm), and thigh circumference (1.2 inches or 3 cm). Still, the study lacked a control group (4Trusted Source).
Finally, one study in 40 people compared the efficacy of LLLT treatment on the circumference of the upper arms with a placebo treatment.
After 2 weeks, the LLLT group experienced a significant decrease in upper arm circumference of 1.5 inches (3.7 cm), while the control group didn’t experience any changes (5Trusted Source).
These studies and several others appear to show some benefits of using LLLT for fat loss (6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source, 9)Trusted Source.
While most studies have observed benefits of LLLT treatment, there’s a lack of consistency among them. Plus, there’s little data to show whether the results are long term or have clinical relevance.