Red Light Therapy for Warts - Gentle Care for Skin Recovery

Introduction: Red Light Therapy for Warts

Warts are benign growths of the skin and mucous membranes that are caused by specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Warts are not painful or inflamed but are hard to remove, unpleasant, and cosmetically embarrassing. Patients who develop warts in the mucous membranes often experience difficulties with talking, drinking, and eating. Most also tell them that having visible warts, particularly facial warts, decreases their self-esteem.

Victims tend to seek orthodox remedies such as freezing, burning, or using aggressive chemicals. These treatments are painful and may not even always stop the recurrence. Red light therapy is increasingly being considered a possible solution that also naturally rejuvenates the skin. It has gained massive popularity in the cosmetic industry for making the skin look healthy and youthful without the use of harsh chemicals.

Red light therapy aids in skin regeneration, reduces inflammation, and enhances the body's natural healing process in combating the virus. Red light therapy is gaining popularity as a better choice that enables the body to remove warts with less pain.

In this article, we will discuss how red light therapy for warts functions, its real-world applications, and what science has to say about this treatment.

Understanding Warts: Causes, Types, and Triggers

Human papillomavirus (HPV) types that produce warts are non-cancerous, harmless skin growths.  The virus causes skin cells to grow rapidly on the surface of the skin after entering through tiny cuts or scrapes, ultimately leading to the formation of a wart.  Approximately 10% of individuals throughout the world have warts, which are most common in children and adolescents.

Even though warts are not harmful, they are contagious and can be transmitted from one area of the body to another, or from one person to another through direct contact. Because they are virus-based, they can be easily transmitted.

There are various types of warts depending on where and how they look:

1. Common warts typically develop on the hands and fingers.

2. Plantar warts occur on the soles of the feet and may hurt during walking.

3. Flat warts are less rough and usually appear on the face, arms, or legs.

4. Filiform warts appear thread-like and tend to occur around the mouth, nose, or eyes.

5. Genital warts are found in the genital region and should be visited by a doctor.

The virus can infect your body through an open area of skin, such as cuts or wounds. Symptoms that may make one likely to develop warts are a compromised immune system, skin damage, going barefoot in public areas, and touching a person with warts directly. Teenagers, children, and those with impaired immunity have a high tendency to develop them.

Challenges with Traditional Wart Removal Methods

Patients who develop warts are not only frustrated by their looks, but also by the ineffectiveness of traditional treatments. Traditional treatments for warts include cryotherapy (freezing), electrosurgery (burning), laser therapy, and chemical application. Though they are effective, they also have many disadvantages. They tend to be painful, lead to skin irritation, and, in some cases, scarring.

Cryotherapy, for example, is several sessions and painful, especially for kids. Chemical therapy, like salicylic acid, is long-lasting and needs to be used repeatedly, something most people dislike sticking to. There are also surgical options that involve lacerating the wart, but they require time to heal, and some patients may develop infections later.

Even after successful removal, warts tend to recur. Traditional treatments address surface elimination more than the virus itself, and thus, recurrence is produced.

How Red Light Therapy Supports Skin Healing in Warts

The Science Behind Red Light Therapy for Skin Regeneration

Red light therapy is a non-surgical procedure involving the application of particular wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. The wavelengths pass into the skin without harming it and trigger the natural healing processes of the body. Red light therapy enhances the activity of mitochondria, cells' energy-producing organelles. As a byproduct, the mitochondria can release additional adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which aids various cellular processes and accelerates cell recovery.

Additionally, it enhances blood flow, thereby increasing the level of oxygen and nutrients available to cells. Improved circulation not only accelerates healing but also facilitates the removal of waste products and toxins in the body. Red light therapy, therefore, enhances the natural healing of the skin and can assist the body in flushing out the wart virus.

Additionally, red light therapy is also said to enhance the immune system by reducing inflammation. It reduces inflammation by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, allowing the skin to tighten naturally, become smoother, and achieve a more balanced appearance.

Does Red Light Therapy Work for Warts? What Research Says

Red light therapy has shown potential in reducing warts and helping the body recover effectively. However, evidence regarding red light therapy alone for warts is sparse. Research has indicated that it will reduce warts by stimulating cell recovery, enhancing blood circulation, and by its use in treating photodynamic therapy. Various studies have also shown that red and near-infrared light will increase the immune response, promote skin regeneration, and stimulate circulation—all crucial elements in eliminating viral infections like HPV.

Clinical Studies on Red Light Therapy for Wart Treatment

Study 1: Combining Laser and Red Light Therapy for Fast Wart Recovery.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of red LED light treatment in the healing process following the removal of painful plantar warts (verrucae) on the feet using an Er: YAG laser.

Results

The laser treatment excised the warts cleanly with little disruption of the overlying skin. Most patients were pain-free walkers after the first session, regardless of whether they had warts on both feet. By day two, there was usually no draining fluid from the wound, and by day six, good tissue had started to heal the wound. By day fifteen, all of the wounds were completely healed with hardly any scarring. At one year, just 6% of patients had warts come back.

Conclusion

The application of the Er: YAG laser, in addition to red LED light treatment, was a fast, painless, and effective way to remove chronic plantar warts. The combination treatment promoted faster wound healing, was less painful, and had an incredibly low risk of wart recurrence.

Study 2: Faster, Pain-Free Healing of Plantar Warts with Laser and Red Light.

Objective

The primary objective of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of red LED light therapy in promoting wound healing and alleviating pain following Er: YAG laser removal of plantar warts (verrucae).

Results

A total of 141 plantar warts were treated with laser removal, followed by red light therapy, over a period of two and a half years. Following treatment, the majority of patients were pain-free, even those with warts on both feet. By the third day, there was usually no fluid drainage from the wound. Wounds had decreased in size and were filling in with healthy tissue by day six. Wounds were mostly healed by day fifteen, with minimal scarring. Less than 8% of patients had their warts reappear at the 12-month checkup.

Conclusion

This dual treatment—red LED light therapy after laser treatment—was very effective, mild, and quick. It facilitated pain-free healing, minimized complications, and achieved low recurrence rates, even for resistant warts that are typically difficult to treat.

Choosing the Right Red Light Therapy Device for Wart Removal

Key Features to Look for in an Effective Wart Treatment Device

You can perform red light therapy for warts at home using a reliable and effective red light therapy device. A good device should have all the necessary features and ensure both effectiveness and safety. This is necessary since not all devices found on the market have these features, and some vendors will deceive you with empty promises.

Therefore, if you would like to buy the correct device, here are the key points to consider:

Specific Wavelengths

Your device must emit red light at wavelengths of 610, 630, 633, 650, and 660 nm, as well as near-infrared light at wavelengths of 810, 830, 850, 904, and 1064 nm. Of these, 633 nm is most effective in removing skin warts and naturally improving the health of the skin.

Power Output

The device should have a power output density of at least 30–100 mW/cm² in order to penetrate deeply enough into the skin to affect the wart tissue and cause healing.

FDA-Approved

Ensure the unit is FDA-approved, indicating it has undergone rigorous testing and is both effective and safe.

Treatment Area Size

Select a unit with the most extensive treatment area to effectively treat more skin and multiple warts or larger body areas simultaneously.

Timer Settings and Safety Features

Internal timers, automatic shut-off, and temperature regulation of the treatment make it comfortable, safe, and consistent, especially for home use.

Adjustable Intensity

The device should have adjustable intensity levels, allowing you to set the light output according to your needs and convenience. 

By maintaining these parameters, you can easily select a red light therapy device that effectively treats warts from the comfort of your own home.

Total Spectrum Devices: Tailored Red Light Therapy for Skin Health

Overview of the Total Spectrum Series for Wart and Skin Treatments

RLT Home is a series of top-grade red light therapy devices. The devices emit therapeutic red and near-infrared light wavelengths, including the 633 nm wavelength, which is highly effective in eliminating warts. They are FDA-approved, so there is no need to fear their safety and efficacy.

Every device comes with all the features one needs to perform red light therapy successfully at home. The devices are made of durable materials and feature a stunning, user-friendly design. They also possess sufficient power output, allowing them to achieve deep light penetration for optimal results.

ULTRA and ELITE are high-end models with more LEDs than regular products. ELITE has the highest number of LEDs of any red light therapy product available. These high-strength products not only aid in quick healing but also protect against warts by enhancing skin and immune health.

Best Practices for Using Red Light Therapy for Warts

Finding the Right Dosage: Frequency, Session Length, and Distance

You may do red light therapy for warts at home safely by investing in the proper red light therapy device and adhering to the proper dosage. Proper dosage involves the frequency, duration of sessions, as well as distance from the device.

Frequency is the number of times you are allowed to do the therapy. You begin with 3–5 sessions a week, and each session should be 10–20 minutes. You can increase the frequency based on your needs and the way your body reacts.

Also, ensure that you have a distance of 6–12 inches from your body to the device while receiving the treatment.

Conclusion: The Role of Red Light Therapy in Wart Treatment

Why are More People Turning to Red Light Therapy for Warts?

More people are choosing red light therapy for warts because it is a natural method that effectively heals warts and rejuvenates the skin. Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that stimulates cellular recovery, enhances blood flow, and reduces inflammation. It also supports the body's immune response, which helps in preventing the recurrence of warts.

What are the Dangers of Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy is generally safe, but personal errors—such as using it for too long or placing the device too close—can sometimes cause slight discomfort, like skin irritation or redness. Additionally, direct exposure to light can cause eye damage. These side effects can be avoided if you perform red light therapy properly and follow safety guidelines.

FAQs: Addressing Common Questions

Does red light therapy remove warts?

Red light therapy helps reduce warts by stimulating cellular recovery, enhancing blood flow, and reducing inflammation. But for direct removal, red light therapy is used in a procedure known as photodynamic therapy.

Can red light therapy get rid of HPV?

Red light therapy doesn't kill HPV directly, but it helps your body fight it by boosting healing and immune response. It may reduce warts caused by the virus over time.

What kills warts the fastest?

The quickest way to kill warts is typically cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen) performed by a physician. Over-the-counter medications using salicylic acid can also be effective, but are slower.

Where not to use red light therapy?

You should not use red light therapy on the eyes, open wounds, cancerous areas, or tumors, or on the belly during pregnancy.

References

1. RED LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE (LED) THERAPY-ASSISTED HEALING IMPROVES RESULTS OF Er: YAG LASER ABLATION OF PLANTAR VERRUCAE.
2. Er:YAG laser ablation of plantar verrucae with red LED therapy-assisted healing.