Surgical recovery can be very tender and, often than not, a tediously slow process. The patients attempt to seek many ways to accelerate this post-op period of healing, pain reduction, and reducing scarring. One of the newer forms of treatment and therapy in post-surgical recovery is red light therapy, or RLT. This is the kind of therapy that involves low-wavelength red light and is known to be used for tissue repair, inflammation reduction, and pain relief.
But at what juncture does one actually begin red light therapy after surgery? How soon is too soon? In this blog post, we will be discussing a detailed timeline of healing in which one could start RLT after a surgical procedure and answer many questions about how safe or effective red light therapy is during recovery.
Understanding Red Light Therapy and Its Benefits
It is now post-surgery time; however, first, let us see the modality in action. RLT involves the use of light in the red and near-infrared part of the spectrum (sometimes in the blue as well), usually between 600nm and 1100nm, which will penetrate the skin to interact with cells.
On a cellular level, red light maintains the powerhouse of the cell, the mitochondria, to increase adenosine triphosphate or ATP production-the energetic currency that drives cellular processes of repair and regeneration. This increased energy-producing capacity allows, therefore, for quicker healing of tissues, less inflammation, and heightened production of collagen-so important for wound healing and, eventually, reducing scarring.
Some of the post-operative recovery benefits attributed to red light therapy include:
- Faster tissue repair: speeds up cell regeneration, therefore accelerating the healing of cuts or wounds.
- Less inflammation: decreases swelling of the tissue, which is often one of the main contributors to pain and delayed healing post-surgery.
- Relieving pain: Relieves pain and chronic pain with no side effects, unlike that of pain medicine.
- Scar minimization: optimizes collagen production, therefore resulting in thinner, healthier scars.
- Antibacterial effects: Blue light helps to kill bacteria on the surface of the surgical wound, reducing the risk of infection and promoting a cleaner, healthier healing environment.
- Advanced technology: It's important to include blue light, pulsing frequencies, and 810nm wavelength, as these features distinguish us from others in the market, offering a more effective and targeted healing process.
The Timeline for Healing after Post-Surgical Recovery
Recovery post-surgery depends on many factors, including the kind of surgery, general health and age of the patient, dietary factors, and pre-existing health conditions. However, there is generally a healing timeline that determines when red light treatment can be safely and effectively introduced into the patient's care. Here are the different phases:
Phase 1 - The Acute Phase First 72 Hours Post-Surgery
What’s Happening: This is an immediate reaction of your body to the trauma caused by surgery. This phase includes inflammation, swelling, pain, and initiation of tissue repair. The immune system goes in hyperactive mode to prevent any infection, and clotting cascades are activated to control bleeding.
At this phase, it is highly recommended to consult with your physician prior to starting the RLT treatment, as some types of surgery may require more time without resorting to therapies that stimulate the healing process.
Phase 2: The Proliferative Phase (Within 3 Days to 2 Weeks following Surgery)
What's happening: During this stage, there is new tissue formation because the body has now started the replacement of old cells with new ones. There is a migration of fibroblasts, which are collagen-producing cells, at the injured site, and new blood vessels start to form in support of tissue regrowth.
Red Light Therapy Considerations: About 3 days to 2 weeks post-surgery, a large number of patients may begin treatments with red light therapy as a means to support healing. RLT can be used to expedite tissue repair and enhance collagen production, while reducing residual inflammation and pain.
During such a period, treatments like the Mini Red device will go a long way in offering portable red and near-infrared light therapy, which will be very applicable on pinpoint areas, on or around the surgical site. Be it minor surgeries, such as dental surgery, or major ones involving joint replacement, this compact and focused device serves to stimulate localized healing.
When initiating red light therapy, consider treatment duration and distance from the surgical site based on the manufacturer's recommendation. Treatment duration of 10-15 minutes per day, administered at the recommended distance, can have beneficial effects without being too aggressive on the already healing tissues.
Phase 3: The Remodeling Phase (2 Weeks to 2 Months Post-Surgery)
What's happening: The body focuses more on strengthening and fine-tuning the newly formed tissue during the remodeling phase. The collagen fibers will start to reorganize themselves into a more orderly form. Scars will mature in this phase. This phase is important to minimize scarring and maximize tissue elasticity.
Red Light Therapy Considerations: This is a good time to increase frequency of red light therapy treatments. Larger devices, like the Diesel Tabletop or XL Shortie can be utilized to cover larger surface areas effectively at larger surgical sites or larger healing areas.
Daily treatments at this time will serve to:
- Decrease scar tissue formation by supporting better collagen organization.
- Lessen lingering pain from stiffness or tightness surrounding the surgical site.
- Improves elasticity of the skin to reduce the possibility of thick, raised scars.
Regular use of RLT devices during this phase may also reduce the need for invasive treatments of mature scars, such as injections of corticosteroids or silicone sheets. Ensure for optimal outcomes that treatment is consistently scheduled and discuss options with your healthcare professional regarding combining RLT with other scar management strategies, such as massage therapy or silicone scar gels.
Phase 4: The Maturation Phase (2 Months to 6 Months Post-Surgery)
What’s Happening: In this final phase, the scar is constantly being remade and reshaped. The body fortifies tissues and ultimately reduces any residual swelling or coloration. The time to full maturity for some surgical scars can be as long as one year, based on the depth of an incision and area of injury.
Considerations for Red Light Therapy: In this stage, the therapy will help in reducing the scar further and develop healthy, elastic tissue. The major models of red light therapy, as with the Diesel XL, are well-suited for larger scars or all over coverage for patients who have undergone extensive surgeries like C-sections, joint replacement, or abdominal surgeries.
Regular red light therapy in the maturation phase will:
- Decrease the redness and discoloration of scars.
- Skin texture and elasticity improve.
- Minimize the risk of the scar becoming retracted, one cause of discomfort and lack of range.
Make sure to add a healthy lifestyle with proper hydration and a diet rich in vitamins that support wound healing like vitamin C and E.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Undergoing Red Light Therapy After Surgery
While red light therapy is known to be generally safe and well-tolerated, here are a few things one can consider before introducing it into the post-surgical recovery plan:
- Consult Your Surgeon: Always discuss red light therapy with your surgeon or healthcare provider before beginning treatments, particularly if you’ve had major surgery or are prone to complications like infections or delayed wound healing.
- Start Slowly: Begin with fewer, less intense treatments and increase duration and frequency based on how your body responds. Most devices have manuals that outline safe treatment times depending on the area of the body.
Conclusion: Timing is everything when it comes to red light therapy post-surgery
Timing is everything with regard to red light therapy significantly enhancing the post-surgery healing process. Since RLT will provide, among many other advantages, faster tissue repair and pain relief with minimization of scars, this method should be introduced at an appropriate stage of recovery. By adhering to a specific timeline of healing, you will incorporate the best-of-class red light devices: Mini Red, Diesel Tabletop, XL Shortie, or Diesel XL. This would act to support easier and quicker recovery with less long-term scarring and stiffness.
Like any other recovery program, listen to your body, communicate with your healthcare team, and keep your treatments consistent for the best results.