Children’s health is easily one of the most important topics for parents, caregivers, and medical professionals. And while technology has made it easier than ever for parents to find new ways to keep their kids healthy, technology is also part of the problem.
Studies show that children are exposed at far higher rates than they used to be. This is mainly due to their near-constant use of devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers, and televisions.
A high-energy visible light, blue light is emitted by both digital screens and artificial lighting. While some blue light exposure is natural, as it comes from the sun, excessive artificial blue light, especially in the evening, can negatively impact children's health.
This has become an increasing concern as screen time rises, particularly because of the growing links between blue light exposure, sleep problems, and attention-related disorders like ADHD.
Fortunately, there’s a solution- Red Light Therapy (or RLT). In this article, we’ll do a deep dive into how blue light exposure can overstimulate kids’ brains, worsen sleep, and increase behavioral issues. More importantly, we’ll talk about how red light therapy can help combat this worrying trend.
What is Red Light Therapy (and How Does it Work)?
RLT works by activating mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells, which helps boost cellular energy production. Similar to how sunlight activates photosynthesis in plants, red light stimulates a variety of different cellular functions in the body. The therapy has been shown to increase the production of adenosine triphosphate (also known as ATP).
Put simply, ATP is the “energy currency” of cells. In greater quantities, ATP can help enhance a subject’s overall cellular health and repair processes. RLT has been widely recognized for treating a variety of skin and health conditions, including acne, wrinkles, scars, and inflammation.
But here’s the thing: while it’s true that RLT has immense potential for improving skin health and reducing aging, that is only a tiny sliver of its potential. Indeed, new benefits are being discovered on a near-daily basis. This includes studies on how RLT can benefit kids both physically and mentally.
Physical Benefits of RLT on Children
As with adults, the persistent use of red light therapy provides numerous physical benefits for children and teens, particularly due to its ability to promote cellular regeneration and reduce inflammation.
One of the primary benefits for children is improved skin health. RLT can stimulate collagen production in younger individuals dealing with acne or other skin conditions. This helps reduce the appearance of acne, improve skin texture, and – in the case of cystic or extreme breakouts – can aid in the healing of scars. Additionally, red light therapy enhances skin elasticity, which can be helpful for those recovering from skin injuries or irritation.
Children involved in sports can also benefit from RLT's ability to accelerate muscle recovery. By increasing blood flow and reducing muscle inflammation, RLT helps repair damaged tissues more quickly after physical activity. This can reduce the likelihood of injuries and soreness following workouts or sports events. Of course, kids are already known for bouncing back far faster than adults. However, RLT only exacerbates their youthful healing abilities.
Here's where some of the more behavior-related benefits begin to show up, because RLT has also been shown to regulate sleep patterns by improving melatonin production and promoting relaxation, counteracting the effects of blue light. In children who struggle with sleep issues or hyperactivity, RLT can not only improve sleep quality, but may even help to “reset” the child’s circadian rhythm. Of course, any pediatrician will tell you that good sleep is essential for growth and cognitive development.
Red light therapy may also provide valuable relief for children experiencing growing pains or suffering from conditions such as juvenile arthritis. This is because it can dramatically reduce inflammation in joints and tissues, improving mobility and reducing discomfort. It can also enhance the immune system by stimulating cellular energy production and reducing oxidative stress, making it an effective therapy for children prone to infections or illnesses due to developing immune systems.
Can Red Light Therapy Help with Childhood ADHD?
As impressive as the physical benefits of childhood RLT use are, the psychological benefits may be even more advantageous. This brings us to the “big question” of this article: is red light therapy a suitable treatment for ADHD?
A combination of recent research and anecdotal evidence suggests RLT may have a wealth of positive mental and emotional effects. Although there is no consensus on using RLT as a direct treatment for childhood ADHD yet, we do know that some of RLT’s benefits could indirectly help manage symptoms of the condition. More importantly, we have seen several studies’ worth of promising results in older individuals.
Of course, to get an understanding of how light therapy can aid ADHD, we first need to have a better understanding of what it is. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the brain's ability to regulate attention, focus, and impulses. It is mainly characterized by a combination of persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can interfere with daily functioning.
Because ADHD can lead to behavior issues and learning difficulties, behavioral therapies and medications are commonly used to treat the symptoms. However, many parents who are reluctant to use medication on their younger children are now turning to complementary therapies like RLT for additional support.
The Benefits of RLT on ADHD
One potential benefit of red light therapy for children with ADHD is its ability to improve mood and emotional well-being. RLT has been shown to promote the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter often referred to as the "feel-good" hormone. By improving emotional balance, RLT can help reduce irritability, stress, and anxiety—all of which are common issues that children with ADHD face.
As mentioned above, RLT can help improve a child’s sleep quality. Since children with ADHD often experience sleep disturbances, RLT’s ability to regulate the circadian rhythm and increase melatonin production can lead to better sleep. This, in turn, may help reduce hyperactivity, irritability, and difficulties with attention that often accompany sleep deprivation in children with ADHD.
Additionally, RLT has the potential to reduce mental fatigue. This stems from its primary benefit: enhancing mitochondrial function and boosting cellular energy. Because it can help facilitate improved mental clarity and cognitive function, it’s possible regular exposure to RLT can help children with ADHD focus more effectively. Lastly, red light therapy may help manage stress levels by lowering cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. Reduced stress levels can promote a calmer, more focused mind, which may be beneficial for children struggling with emotional regulation and hyperactivity.
While direct studies on red light therapy as a treatment for ADHD are still limited, there is promising research that suggests light-based therapies can play a big role in managing symptoms. For instance, a 2019 study found that near-infrared light therapy improved working memory and sustained attention in adults, suggesting that it may also hold potential for improving cognitive performance in children with attention disorders like ADHD.
The Dangers of Blue Light for Kids with ADHD
Unfortunately, any use of red light therapy on children must be combined with a reduction of blue light exposure. We’ve already touched on how excessive blue light exposure – especially from digital screens – can interfere with melatonin production and interrupt a child’s sleep. However, it also has the potential to lead to digital eye strain, which can result in dry eyes, headaches, blurred vision, and discomfort. This is problematic for any child, but children with ADHD tend to suffer more notably when they are in a position of unease.
And that’s really just the beginning.
Blue light also leads to cognitive overstimulation, which can make it harder for children to relax, focus, and wind down. This overstimulation can worsen behavioral issues, such as hyperactivity, irritability, and difficulty paying attention, even in children who don’t suffer from ADHD. Indeed, several studies have suggested a direct link between excessive screen time and behavioral problems.
Others suggest that too much time on tablets, laptops, and TVs may actually increase hyperactive behaviors in children with ADHD. Since kids with ADHD are already prone to hyperactivity, prolonged exposure to stimulating content on screens can exacerbate these symptoms, leading to difficulties in calming down or staying focused.
Of course, managing screen time is one important aspect of reducing these issues. However, red light therapy is quickly gaining traction among parents of ADHD and non-ADHD children as a sort of “anti-blue light.” This leads us to another important question…
Is RLT Safe for Use on Kids?
In order to answer this question completely, we need to revisit our discussion of what RLT is and how it works. First and foremost, RLT is a non-invasive and pain-free treatment, which means it poses minimal risks at best.
- For starters, RLT uses non-ionizing light, meaning the light doesn’t carry enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules. This is the process that causes cell damage, thus increasing the user’s cancer risk. Unlike UV light, which can damage skin cells and lead to burns, the red and near-infrared wavelengths used in RLT (ranging from 600 to 1000 nanometers) do not cause such harm.
- Additionally, RLT involves low-level light exposure, which is gentle on the skin and underlying tissues. The therapy delivers energy at levels that are safe for cells and tissues, stimulating healing without causing burns, tissue damage, or adverse reactions. This is why RLT is often referred to as low-level light therapy (LLLT).
- Heat is also not a problem with RLT, because – unlike other light-based therapies - RLT generates minimal heat. This dramatically reduces the potential for burns, even if the device is handled improperly.
When using RLT with children, there are a few important considerations. For starters, proper supervision is crucial. This means parents or healthcare providers should oversee the sessions to ensure that the therapy is administered correctly, especially regarding session length and frequency. Children’s skin may be more sensitive, so avoiding overexposure is important.
And though RLT is safe for most kids, children with certain medical conditions, such as epilepsy or light-sensitive skin disorders, should consult a healthcare provider before undergoing treatment. While side effects are rare, some children will find that their skin feels a bit sensitive after treatment. This generally improves with time and a reduction in the duration of therapy.
Conclusion
Although the direct use of red light therapy for ADHD treatment requires further research, its known benefits—such as improved sleep, reduced stress, enhanced mood, and better cognitive function—suggest that it could be a helpful complementary therapy for managing ADHD symptoms.
By addressing these secondary ADHD symptoms, red light therapy can provide children with ADHD with a better quality of life. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating RLT into a treatment plan, especially when used in conjunction with other therapies for ADHD.
With more research, RLT may become an essential tool in managing ADHD, offering a non-invasive and supportive approach to addressing the condition’s challenges.
