4 min read · Oct 18, 2023
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Heidi Jo is a nurse practitioner by day and a gamer by night. She is also a fitness enthusiast who loves to share her journey and inspire others to live a healthy and active lifestyle. She has a popular Twitter account @heidijofit where she posts her workouts, gaming clips, and motivational messages.
But Heidi Jo was not always fit and confident. She struggled with her weight and body image for years, and tried many different diets and exercise programs without much success. She felt frustrated and unhappy with her appearance, especially the stubborn cellulite on her thighs and hips.
That’s when she discovered red light therapy, a natural and non-invasive treatment that claims to help reduce fat and cellulite by stimulating the cells to release their stored energy. She decided to give it a try, and was amazed by the results.
Red light therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy or infrared light, is a procedure that uses a low-irradiance laser that emits wavelengths of red, blue, and infrared light approximately 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) into your skin. It targets the layer of fat that sits just below the surface of your skin ( 1, 2 ).
The theory behind red light therapy is that it temporarily breaks down part of the cell membrane, allowing stored fat cells to leach out, shrink, and be removed through your body’s natural waste removal process ( 1, 2 ). This reduces the size and volume of fat cells, resulting in a slimmer and smoother appearance.
Red light therapy also boosts collagen production, which improves skin elasticity and firmness. Collagen is the main protein that gives structure and strength to your skin. As you age, your collagen levels decrease, leading to thinner and less elastic skin. This makes the underlying fat more noticeable, causing cellulite.
By increasing collagen synthesis, red light therapy helps to strengthen the connective tissue between the skin and the muscle, forming a firmer latticework with fewer weak spots where fat can push through. This reduces the dimpled and lumpy look of cellulite.
Red light therapy for weight loss and cellulite is very controversial. Despite positive patient testimonies and impressive results from various studies, many researchers and healthcare professions are skeptical of its benefits.
However, several studies have found that red light therapy provides benefits for fat reduction and cellulite improvement. For example:
- A recent 6-week pilot study in 60 people found that red light therapy treatments twice per week led to a modest 0.8-inch (2-cm) reduction in waist circumference1.
- Another randomized double-blind study in 67 people revealed that those who received 6 red light therapy treatments for 2 weeks lost significantly more collective inches from their abdomen, hips, and thighs — 3.5 inches or 8.9 cm) — than the control group2.
- A 2-week study in 86 people at a U.S. clinic observed a significant decrease in waist (1.1 inches or 2.8 cm), hip (0.8 inches or 2 cm), and thigh circumference (1.2 inches or 3 cm) after receiving red light therapy3.
- A review of 17 studies concluded that red light therapy is effective for body contouring and reducing subcutaneous fat4.
Heidi Jo Fit used a red light weight loss belt that she bought online. She wore it around her waist, hips, and thighs for 20 minutes every day for 12 weeks. She also followed a balanced diet and exercised regularly.
She documented her progress on her Twitter account, posting before-and-after photos and measurements. She was thrilled to see that she lost 4 inches from her waist, 3 inches from her hips, and 2 inches from her thighs. She also noticed that her skin was smoother and firmer, with less visible cellulite.
She said that red light therapy was easy, convenient, and painless. She could use it at home while watching TV or playing games. She did not experience any side effects or discomfort.
She also said that red light therapy helped her feel more confident and happy with her body. She said that she felt like a new person, with more energy and motivation to pursue her goals.
She encouraged her followers to try red light therapy for themselves if they wanted to achieve similar results. She said that it was worth every penny, and that it changed her life for the better.
Have you ever tried red light therapy for weight loss or cellulite? If so, what was your experience? If not, would you consider giving it a try? Why or why not?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. We would love to hear from you and learn from your insights.
