That Glow Everyone's Been Asking About? It's Not a Filter

It's Father's Day, and if you'd like a Father's Day focused newsletter, take a look at last year's. It's a hard day for some, so this year we're gonna keep it moving.

Remember when you could pull an all-nighter and still look fresh the next day? Yeah, those days might be behind us, but here's some good news: there's actual science that can help your skin bounce back.

A Red Light Refresher

Your skin cells run on energy called ATP - it's their fuel. As we age, our cells produce less of this fuel, which means slower healing, less collagen production, and more visible aging.

Here's where red light gets interesting. A 2015 study on aging found that near infrared light increases ATP production in aged cells, improving cellular function and even extending cellular lifespan. When researchers exposed aging cells to red light, they saw increased energy production and overachieving cell performance.

But it's not just about energy. The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reported that treating human skin with low level red light increased collagen expression within just 1 week. One week - not months of hoping your expensive serum is doing something.

The Anti-Inflammation Game Changer

Inflammation is basically your skin's worst enemy. It breaks down collagen, causes redness, and accelerates aging. Red light therapy tackles this head-on.

A comprehensive review in the journal AIMS Biophysics found that PBM can reduce inflammation in the brain, abdominal fat, wounds, lungs, spinal cord - basically everywhere. The same review noted that "the local reduction of edema, and reductions in markers of oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines are well established."

Basically it's saying there's solid scientific evidence showing it reduces swelling, protects cells from damage, and calms down inflammation in the body.

Dr. Michael Hamblin from Harvard Medical School, one of the world's leading photomedicine researchers, concluded that one of red light therapy's most reproducible effects is "an overall reduction in inflammation, which is particularly important for disorders of joints, traumatic injuries, lung disorders and in the brain."

Real Results People Are Seeing

Beyond the lab studies, here's what red light therapy is actually doing:

• Wrinkle Reduction: A 2014 controlled trial found that red light therapy demonstrated efficacy and safety for skin rejuvenation and increased collagen

• Faster Healing: Studies show it accelerates wound healing by increasing blood flow and cellular repair

• Acne Control: Research indicates it reduces both active acne and scarring by targeting inflammation at the source

• Pain Relief: Clinical trials show significant reductions in joint pain, muscle soreness, and post-surgery inflammation

Why This Matters More Than Your Skincare Routine

Look, we get it. There are a million treatments promising miracles. But red light therapy has something most don't: decades of NASA research and hundreds of peer-reviewed studies.

This isn't about blocking your perception of problems (like painkillers) or covering them up (like makeup). It's about giving your cells the tools they need to actually fix themselves.

15 minutes under our red light bed. That's less time than your average Instagram scroll session, and way more productive for your skin.

The Bottom Line

Still too shy to ask the front desk about the Red Light Therapy in the recovery center? Well, MD Anderson Cancer Center is using it. Harvard researchers are studying it. NASA developed it. Maybe they're onto something.

Plus, unlike that jade roller collecting dust in your bathroom or the collagen powder you keep forgetting to take, this actually requires zero effort on your part. Just show up and let science do its thing.

Ready to give your cells the energy boost they've been craving? Book a recovery center session. Your skin (and your selfies) will thank you.

Ready for your next glow up,
Your West Coast Fitness Family

P.S. - Fun fact: The same technology NASA uses to grow plants in space is now making your face look better.