Mosquito Season is Buzzing in Florida – Can Red Light Therapy Help with Bug Bites

Summer is bringing wet and hot conditions to Florida, which means mosquito season is in full force. If you’re looking for relief from the itching and skin damage caused by bites, you may look to a topical solution, but many involve chemicals or medications that can cause irritation or adverse reactions or just not work. 

Can red light therapy help with bug bites?

Red light therapy offers a promising alternative. Known for its efficacy in reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, and improving skin health, red light therapy is a great option for bug bites.

Here’s the argument for using red light therapy to treat bug bites, drawing from scientific studies and clinical insights.

Increases Collagen Production and Skin Healing

When skin is damaged by bug bites, collagen repairs damaged tissues and promotes new, healthy skin cells. By increasing collagen production, red light therapy aids in the repair of bug-damaged skin.

Enhanced collagen levels improve the skin’s ability to heal, reducing the time it takes for bug bites to heal. Additionally, improved skin texture and reduced roughness contribute to a smoother, more uniform skin appearance after the healing process.

Red light therapy increases collagen production by penetrating the skin and stimulating the mitochondria in skin cells, which increases adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of cells, in turn promoting the synthesis of collagen.

One study found that the use of red light in the wavelength range of 611–650nm led to a marked increase in collagen density within the skin. By accelerating the repair process and improving skin texture, red light therapy can help you recover more quickly from bug bites and achieve better skin quality.

Reduces Pain and Inflammation

Bug bites cause localized inflammation and pain due to the body’s immune response to the insect’s saliva, resulting in redness, swelling, and itching.

The anti-inflammatory effects of red light therapy can help to minimize the immune response, reducing swelling and redness, while the pain-relief benefits can provide immediate comfort.

By enhancing cellular energy production (ATP), red light therapy allows cells to function more efficiently and reduces oxidative stress, a major contributor to inflammation. Lowering oxidative stress enables red light therapy to decrease the inflammatory response in the affected area, which means less irritation in the bug bite.

Red light therapy also helps to alleviate pain associated with bug bites by increasing blood flow to the affected area, which enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients while also facilitating the removal of metabolic waste products.

This improved circulation can help to reduce pain and accelerate the healing process. Furthermore, red light therapy stimulates the release of endorphins, natural pain-relieving compounds produced by the body, which can provide immediate relief from discomfort.

Studies have shown that red light therapy can effectively reduce pain and inflammation in various conditions. For example, a NASA-funded study demonstrated that high-intensity red and near-infrared LEDs significantly accelerated the healing of oxygen-deprived wounds and sped up the growth and proliferation of skin, bone, and muscle cells​​.

These findings support the use of red light therapy for reducing inflammation and pain in skin conditions, including bug bites.

Enhances Cellular Function and Wound Healing

Bug bites often result in skin damage, especially when you accidentally scratch the bite. Red light therapy can enhance the healing of these wounds by boosting cellular energy production and facilitating more efficient repair processes.

Red light works by penetrating the skin and stimulating the mitochondria, which are the energy powerhouses of cells. This stimulation increases the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy carrier in cells.

With more ATP available, cells can repair and regenerate better, accelerating the body’s natural repair processes.

Research funded by NASA demonstrated that red light therapy could significantly speed up the healing of wounds. When supplied to U.S. Navy crews, the therapy was found effective in treating musculoskeletal injuries and lacerations, resulting in 50% faster healing times for lacerations and 40% improvement in musculoskeletal injuries compared to a control group.

Oxidative stress is a condition characterized by excessive free radicals that can damage cells and tissues. By reducing oxidative stress, red light therapy helps to lower inflammation and protect cells from further damage.

Offers Antibacterial and Protective Properties

Red light therapy has antibacterial properties that can help prevent bug bites from becoming infected. By increasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells, red light can create an environment that is hostile to bacteria, reducing the likelihood of infection.

This is a part of why red light therapy is used to treat other skin conditions with bacterial involvement, such as acne and psoriasis​​.

A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology highlights that low-level red and infrared light significantly increases the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, such as collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, in human skin cells​​.

These proteins are crucial for maintaining skin structure and health, and their enhanced production helps in repairing skin damage caused by bug bites.

The same study demonstrated that red and infrared light therapy induces the production of cross-linked dermal fibers, which are crucial for skin strength and elasticity. This not only helps in the immediate repair of bug bites but also strengthens the skin, making it more resilient to future damage​​.

Red Light Therapy is a Non-Invasive and Safe Treatment for Mosquito Bites

Unlike many topical creams and medications that can cause skin irritation or adverse reactions, red light therapy does not involve any chemicals. It uses low-level red and near-infrared light, which penetrates the skin to promote healing without causing damage to the skin surface​​.

When used as directed, red light therapy is associated with minimal to no side effects. This contrasts sharply with other treatments that may cause skin irritation, dryness, or allergic reactions. The Cleveland Clinic emphasizes that RLT is a non-toxic and non-invasive treatment option that is less harsh than many traditional skin treatments​​.

Bug bites often occur on sensitive areas of the skin, such as the face, neck, and arms. Red light therapy is gentle enough for use on these areas.

This makes it an excellent option for treating bug bites on delicate skin, where other treatments might be too harsh.

Get Red Light Therapy in Trinity, Florida

As the wet and hot summer conditions create a perfect environment for mosquitoes, our non-invasive red light therapy provides immediate relief, prevents infection, and promotes faster healing.

There’s no completely escaping the mosquitoes in Trinity this summer, but red light therapy can help you enjoy the summer season with less discomfort and healthier skin.

Call us today to schedule a red light therapy session (727) 232-6567