Almost all of us have to go through some kind of surgical procedure during our lifetime. It can be a major one such as a cesarean section, organ or a joint replacement, heart surgery, cancer surgery, or a minor one that is minimally invasive. But in any case, patients need proper care and attention for fast healing and to avoid any postoperative complications.
It is generally observed that rapid recovery after surgery depends on factors such as proper medication to manage pain and heal wounds, adequate rest, balanced nutrition, and above all, a motivation to get well fast. In case of negligence, a patient may experience wound infections, fever, or prolonged physical or emotional stress. It is not uncommon that people develop anxiety if the procedure has left some scars on their visible body parts, such as the face.
How To Recover From Surgery Quickly?
Science and technology have made everything easy for us nowadays. There are many physical therapies, exercises, and procedures that can help us overcome post-surgical problems. As of now, one of the most effective non-invasive treatments is red light therapy, also known as low-level light therapy (LLLT), soft laser therapy, photobiomodulation (PBM), or biostimulation.
Interestingly, when it comes to the issues arising after a surgery, such as inflammation or infection in the wounds, red light therapy can help a great deal. Also, red light therapy for surgical scars is extensively used as it can make your scars go away quickly.
Let’s jump in and see what red light therapy is and how it works to help you heal quickly after a surgical procedure.
What is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy (RLT) is an evolving treatment that helps your muscle tissues, skin, and other parts of the body heal quickly.
The mechanism behind red light therapy is that it exposes you to low levels of red and near-infrared light wavelengths, which are emitted through an RLT device. This helps to activate the mitochondria within a cell, also known as the power generator of cells. When the functions of mitochondria speed up, a cell can make more ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy-carrying molecule in the living cell. With the high amount of energy, blood circulation increases, and cells start to repair and heal at a faster speed.
The best part of red light therapy is that it works at low energy as compared to the other forms of laser therapy and that’s how it doesn’t cause any damage. It can be absorbed eight to 10 millimeters within the skin that can only positively affect the cell metabolism and energy level.
Research proves that red light therapy can speed up surgical recovery since it helps overcome a lot of post-surgical problems. Such as:
RLT Promotes Wound Healing, Tissue Repair, and Reduces Inflammation
After operations, one of the major problems is swelling and inflammation that causes pain and slows down the process of recovery. With the use of red light therapy, chronic inflammation can be reduced without the use of drugs. In the affected area when exposed to an RLT device, new blood vessels and tissues are formed as a result of biochemical and molecular responses which leads to fast healing, reduced inflammation, and pain reduction.
Red Light Therapy Makes Scars Go Away
Another fear associated with the surgery is scarring which can be of various types. The scars may appear as fine lines as a result of a C section, or scars produced as a result of excessive collagen production. In any case, if these scars are well-taken care of at the very beginning of their formation, they can disappear much faster because they are new and respond to treatment and therapies more quickly.
Red light therapy has the power to activate cellular energy and rejuvenate the skin. With RLT, cells get more oxygen and nutrients and heal up more quickly. It also puts collagen production back on track instead of forming clusters, improving the skin condition and making it appear fresh and smooth. That’s why there are many women around the world, using red light therapy to regain their natural beauty and slow down the aging process.
Red Light Therapy Helps Overcome Post-Surgical Depression
Post-surgical anxiety is common and undoubtedly most patients experience it. A feeling of helplessness, dependency, and a fear of further complication can cause depression, leading to a slowed down recovery process. If a patient is hopeful, motivated, and has a positive attitude, the progress is much faster.
Here again, red light therapy has been proven to be helpful. Using red light therapy, you can get exposure to an alternative of natural light as you are staying indoors and avoiding socialization. Red light will result in the secretion of serotonin, the happy hormone that positively affects the patient’s mood and energy level.
See Als0: Blue LED Light Therapy Face Mask for Acne
Red Light Therapy Can Help Manage Sleep Cycle
Resting after surgery is very important since it ensures you have a safe recovery without suffering much from pain and anxiety. It is also evident that while you sleep, your muscles relax that reduces inflammation, and promotes healing. Many studies clearly prove that red light therapy helps manage your sleep cycle and thus activates your body’s natural healing process. The red light wavelengths stimulate the production of a hormone called melatonin, which is responsible for making us sleepy. Once your sleep pattern is corrected, the process of recovery from your surgery itself improves.
Conclusion
Summing up, it is evident that red light therapy is one of the safest modes of treatment after surgery, addressing some of the major problems that may arise after a surgical procedure. With a little research, you can find a suitable product that is tailored to your physical condition.
