The roots of infrared and LED therapy are anchored in the stars. No, not celebrities touting the ever-expanding benefits of this cutting-edge skin and whole-body healing light therapy (but there are plenty of those). We are talking about those who explore the stars and planets—the astronauts, believe it or not.
NASA first began researching light-emitting diode (LED) therapy in the 1990s to promote cell and tissue growth in healing astronauts’ wounds. Fast forward a few decades, and this therapy has become a staple in wellness and spa studies, and now it is for at-home individual usage, thanks to its big benefits for both the skin and the whole body.
Blair Lauren Brown, founder of MONARCH Sun Valley (formerly The Well) and a medical integration specialist, explains that infrared light therapy involves using infrared light to penetrate the skin and stimulate cellular regeneration.
“The main difference between infrared light therapy and LED therapy is the wavelength of light used,” Brown said. “Infrared light penetrates deeper into the skin and has more therapeutic benefits compared to LED therapy.”
But no matter the modality, the benefits of giving your body some targeted light exposure is vast, and includes improved circulation, pain relief, detoxification, and overall well-being.
“What those things do [beyond the treatment] is even more extensive, [like promoting] weight loss, improved digestion, better skin quality, reduced standing heart rate, and more,” Brown said.
At MONARCH, Brown and her network of practitioners offer integrative medicine and natural modalities that combine medicine and wellness. “Whether through cutting-edge technology, age-old practices of energy work, or advances in Western medicine, we are not beholden to any single style of practice,” she said. “Instead, we intertwine them to create a personalized tapestry for each individual.”
Treatment options for light therapy vary. Handheld heating wands are as affordable as $39. More targeted therapy masks range from a few hundred dollars to closer to $600. Inside the spa and studio, the price range is just as vast as the treatment options.
“At MONARCH, options vary depending on the specific treatment chosen, but typically range from $50 to $150 and last between 30 to 60 minutes.” Brown recommends, however, a monthly membership that includes unlimited infrared saunas, cold plunge, PEMF therapy (infrared heat combined with pulsed electromagnetic waves), and more to really hone in on tracking progress with comprehensive biometric evaluations.
“We are dedicated to making this accessible,” Brown said. “It is not just a luxury thing. It might seem luxurious and, on the surface, the prices are high, but what we are offering is a really high quality of care. The reality is it is affordable based on what you are getting.”
While the popular therapy has been abundant in the wellness market for over a decade, Brown says it is now more available in the Sun Valley and Ketchum area, and residents are starting to value the benefits.
“It is abundant everywhere, but we are a small town, and sometimes there is limited access,” Brown says. “Now, locals are getting more exposure and getting on board.”
The Skinny on Light Therapy Benefits
Light therapy, most commonly infrared and LED, penetrates the skin and helps increase cellular production at its core. The increased cellular production helps repair skin from sun damage, aging, and the like. While sunscreen and proper skin care are a must, light therapy can help encourage rejuvenation and minimize the appearance of sun damage.
Beyond the surface level, light therapy has also been found to impact our internal systems.
A study published in the Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery explored light therapy to stimulate collagen, a key protein in our skin and connective tissues. Light therapy was found to increase collagen production and help with skin elasticity, overall skin appearance, and wrinkles. In those early NASA studies, this went even deeper into wound healing, and light therapy is used today to help with burns, ulcers, and other wounds to speed up the healing process.
Brown also points to light therapy’s anti-inflammatory benefits for athletes and those looking to soothe their aching muscles. Post-ski day, an afternoon with some soothing infrared self-care can actually help recharge your ski legs and get your body ready to hit the slopes again.
Targeted wound healing may have been the origins of this whole-body therapy, but today, skin rejuvenation, antiaging, and anti-inflammatory properties are popular uses of light therapy.
A benefit not to take lightly, Brown says, is the calming effects of taking a few moments in your week to find some self-care, whether that’s light therapy and a massage or a facial to round out your afternoon, soothing what ails you.
“I believe it is also about taking time for one’s self-care,” she says. “So, really, the benefits are compounded by taking thirty minutes to an hour to decompress and destress. That makes a huge and incalculable difference in most people’s stress quotients.”
Benefits of Infrared Saunas
Blair Lauren Brown, founder of MONARCH Sun Valley (formerly The Well) and a medical integration specialist, offers a variety of approachable ways to access light therapy that can be tailored to any specific need, even if that is simply a wellness experience for respite and relaxation. This therapy treatment, she explains, is hugely popular in the wellness sphere, and for good reason. Below are her top science-rooted benefits of infrared saunas and light therapy.
Cardiovascular Health:
Regular use of infrared saunas can improve cardiovascular health by enhancing endothelial function, reducing blood pressure, and increasing heart rate, similar to moderate exercise.
Detoxification:
The sweating induced by infrared saunas helps eliminate toxins, such as heavy metals and environmental chemicals from the body.
Pain Relief and Muscle Recovery:
Infrared saunas can alleviate pain from conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and muscle injuries by reducing inflammation and improving blood flow to affected areas.
Skin Health:
The increased circulation from infrared sauna use can lead to improved skin tone, elasticity, and overall skin health. It promotes collagen production and aids in the healing of wounds and scars.
Mental Health and Stress Reduction:
Infrared saunas can help reduce stress and improve mood by promoting relaxation and by decreasing levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone.
Explore light therapy in Sun Valley:
CENTERED by Dr. Molly Brown, 291 1st Avenue North, Ketchum. drmollybrown.com
Current Essence, 111 N. First Ave, Suite 2Q, Hailey. currentessence.com
MONARCH, 471 North Leadville Ave, #4, Ketchum. monarchlongevity.us
The Third Floor Spa, 400 South Main Street, Suite 301, Ketchum. thirdfloorsalon.com