I’ve been a long time listener of the benefits of light therapy (having friends who swear by LED facials), however, I’d only previously dabbled with the at-home face masks myself.
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With benefits ranging from pigmentation reduction to inflammation relief (depending on what colour light you choose), light therapy has been known as an effective skin care technique for quite some time now. However, in my experience, it was only ever an option from the neck up. So you can imagine my intrigue when I heard there was treatment available for the entire body.
Image credit: @bionikwellness
As someone who doesn’t love a massage (I’m a freak I know), but has persistent lower back pain, the muscular and inflammation relief benefits touted by top-to-toe light therapy had me hooked.
That’s how I ended up at Bionik Wellness. Next minute, I was inside a Redlight Pod with a wall of light bulbs shining their scientifically-backed healing powers onto my body.
What is a Redlight Pod and how does it work?
A redlight pod is a quiet, serene room that’s shut off with a curtain and lined with light therapy bulbs.
Delivered at 660 nm, these type of red lights are readily absorbed by surface tissues and cells, to enhance rejuvenation and healing of the skin.
Combined with the near-infrared light system (delivered at 850 nm) the pod aims to provide effective recovery and inflammation support, which I was keen to try for my lower back pain A session in the pod also provides stimulation of melatonin production, AKA the naturally-occurring hormone that assists us with sleep – another benefit I was pretty keen to reap.
Image credit: @bionikwellness
As for the anti-ageing skin care side of things, red light therapy contributes to repairing sun damage, diminishing wrinkles, scars and even stretch marks.
And for those of us who endure a never-ending runny nose or bout of hayfever, red light therapy also increases nitric oxide, a cell-healing compound that strengthens your immune system and defends against disease.
Plus, these quick sessions can even help to balance your hormones and positively impact your memory and cognitive skills by reducing stress levels. So if you suffer from chronic brain fog (yes, me) this is a treatment to consider. All in all, it’s a pretty multi-beneficial treatment.
My experience inside a ‘RedLight Pod’
Before entering the pod, I had a quick chat with the Bionik Wellness staff about my skin and wellness concerns. When you enter the pod, the choice is yours as to which parts of the body you’d like to target and having the initial consultation will guide you on where to position yourself and what to do.
You can stand up facing the wall to target your front, sit down on the stool to expose your back or spend the session spinning around for a full 360 degree experience.
As I was mainly there to see how it would go treating my lower back pain, I chose to sit on the stool and focus on my back.
Once the staff had given me directions, I was left to strip down to my undies, pop the eye-protecting goggles on, press the ‘ok’ button and enjoy my red light bubble in peace. The session in the RedLight Pod goes for 20 minutes and to be honest, I found it super relaxing.
If you’re a bit of a wimp (like myself) when it comes to cold weather and the idea of standing half-naked for 20 minutes sounds like your idea of torture, I can assure you, you’ll find quite the opposite. These cosy rooms radiate the most luxurious warmth – I was in denial when my time was up and the lights turned off.
Now, this experience isn’t recommended as a one-off treatment, so I wasn’t expecting to walk out after 20 minutes with immediate results. In fact, to reap the benefits, most users visit the pods weekly. Bionik Wellness offers memberships; their philosophy is not dissimilar to what you’d find at your local gym.
So, because I’ve only had the one session (to see what the fuss was about), I can’t confirm that I’ve seen any groundbreaking anti-ageing or cognitive-related benefits yet. I can say, however, that I had the deepest sleep I’ve had all year the night following my session in the pod. Turns out that stimulation of melatonin production is no joke and a feeling that I’m already craving to re-visit.
How much does a RedLight Pod session cost?
Bionik Wellness memberships are priced at $150 per week, allowing you access to 5x treatments per week. You can choose between the Hyperbaric Chamber, RedLight Pod Therapy, SmartLux Light Therapy, Infrared Sauna and Therastretch.
This equates to approximately $50 for one-off sessions.
Final verdict
Do I think this is an essential part of your beauty routine? No, probably not. But if you’ve got room in your life for some added self-care, and are perhaps struggling with muscular pain, stress or restless sleep, I do think this is well worth a try. And if all else fails, it’s 20 minutes of blissful alone time. And on a freezing cold winter night? My God, it’s good.
Main image credit: @slipsilkpillowcaseHave you ever tried a RedLight Pod before? Would you be interested?
Oh I would love to give this a try.
Wow something new to try
This sounds incredible. If I win lotto I would sign up pronto. My lower back pain is the bane of my life!
This looks good as sleep is what we all need.
This sounds like an interesting therapy but would like to hear the results after several months of treatment – You will have to go back Ruby and finish more treatments Xxxx
Great article and interesting, but the $$$ is crazy because you need to keep going back.
I would like to have one of these at home – it sounds a lot like a warm bath! Lovely!
No , wouldn’t. But if it was ever proven (double blind control study and repeated a few times without any conflict of interest) to have benefits (better than healthy diet and lifestyle and being outdoors), I would get one of those big powerful lamps with red/near-infra-red bulb blasters and do it at home. Way cheaper and same thing.
This sounds perfect for me, I suffer from chronic back pain and insomnia! A bit pricey for normal people though
Red Light Pod Therapy sounds wonderful I have so many areas that need this kind of Therapy. Thank You BH for bringing this Therapy to my attention.
My sister has had a go in one of these as our local organics health shop round the corner has one and they invite customers to have a go in there for free for 20 minutes = they are very nice people in our local health shop! They’ve offered it to me but I haven’t said yes – yet!
I definitely need improved sleep but I’d like to see more research too. We have lots of red lights at world so maybe I’ll find a dark place and test it myself!
This is too expensive for me.
I would definitely love to try this 🙂
Sounds good to me! If you need anyone to trial it, my number is ………
If you try it, please let us know what it is like. I want to try it but $150 a week is a bit too steep for me
This isn’t something for me.
$150 for 5 sessions is $30 per sesh, not $50.
I’m intrigued but also concerned about other possible side effects. Solariums were considered safe once, so I’m on the fence.
I like the sound of this but would not be able to afford $150 a week – Would love to see some reviews from Beauty members
Haven’t heard of this before, would be interested to give it a go
You are such a scientist Yohanna! Smart idea about getting infra reds for home. I know a very rich couple who have an infra red sauna in their home. I’m not close enough to ask if I can try it. Maybe I should work harder on that!
I haven’t heard of this before and the positive effects sound wonderful. I am cautious by nature though, so I’d be interested in any negative effects before giving it a try.
Although it sounds interesting, and I’m not opposed to trying it, I wonder how many sessions are needed to actually make a difference to your particular problem.
Can’t say I’ve ever heard of this before but it does sound interesting
I don’t get how it helps with sleep?
$30 per session does appeal. I’d like to try it to strengthen my immune system for my hayfever.
Always good to be cautious these days.
This is new, I haven’t heard about this before.
So true re the solariums. Puts me off trying new things.
It sounds interesting, I would like to try it.
Would need this
Not something I’d consider trying.
Looking at the second image made me think of a solarium, so I’m really not keen to try this type of treatment.
Makes sense… Red light helps you sleep, blue light helps you wake up… But wouldn’t pay this much for it!!!
Not for me. But you can purchase melatonin gummies I’ve been told.
This to me sounds like a fad. My bedside clock has a red display and I find it annoying.
how interesting
This sounds interesting. It is quite pricey though.
I’d give it a go but it sounds a bit too good to be true
Not heard of it before and not something I’d want to pursue
Would definately give this a go, am very intrigued!
Sounds like a lovely treatment to me
I never heard this kind of thing before. This is expensive for me.
My friend has been trying to get me to do red light treatment.
I had a red light device a few years ago before someone discarded it when I moved. They wouldn’t have known how expensive it was. I didn’t get a chance to try it for long. I might consider getting another one in the future.
I have the Trophy Skin on order!
Ouch – $150 a week?!?!
I want to try this!