A Noninvasive Path to Healthier Skin THE PROMISE OF RED LIGHT THERAPY
In skin care, treatments often fall into two extremes: high-tech procedures
production slows, resulting in sagging and the development of fine lines. Red light encourages fibroblasts, the cells responsible for making collagen and elastin, to ramp up activity. This results in firmer skin, improved elasticity, and a youthful texture. Calming Inflammation and Improving Circulation RLT can also reduce inflammation, which affects everything from acne to redness and irritation. By promoting better blood flow, RLT can enable blood to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to skin tissue, supporting healing and repair. This dual effect of calming and nourishment can help skin look healthier and more even-toned. Supporting Recovery and Skin Clarity Because of its regenerative boost, red light therapy is often used to support recovery from scarring, sun damage, and even procedures like microneedling. It may also improve overall tone and smoothness by encouraging gentle cellular turnover, without the irritation common with peels or exfoliants. Things to Keep in Mind While the evidence is promising, it’s not conclusive for every claim. Results depend on consistency, device quality, and treatment parameters such as wavelength and duration. Dermatologists generally see it as a safe, complementary step in a broader skin care routine, not a substitute for essentials like sunscreen or a balanced regimen.
or overhyped quick fixes. Red light therapy (RLT) sits somewhere in the middle. It’s noninvasive, increasingly accessible at home, and backed by growing research. While it won’t work miracles overnight, it offers a compelling blend of science and gentleness that’s tough to ignore. How It Works on a Cellular Level Red light therapy uses low-level wavelengths of red and near-
infrared light. Unlike UV rays, these don’t damage DNA. Instead, they penetrate below the skin’s surface and reach the mitochondria, the energy centers of your cells. By enhancing the way mitochondria process oxygen, RLT gives cells more energy to repair, regenerate, and function optimally.
Boosting Collagen and Elasticity One of the most talked-about benefits is its effect on collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm and smooth. Over time, collagen
ADDRESSING YOUR OWN COMFORT ISN’T VANITY
IT’S SELF-RESPECT
Valentine’s Day always stirs up conversations about love, but not just the red roses, chocolates, and dinner reservations kind. I’ve been thinking a lot about self-love lately, and how this season gives us a chance to focus on taking better care of ourselves. In the office, we were discussing procedures that help people feel more confident, and labiaplasty was mentioned. It’s something I’m genuinely passionate about because so many patients come in not for a partner, but for themselves. They want to wear certain clothes comfortably, enjoy activities like biking or horseback riding, or just feel better in yoga pants or certain poses. To me, choosing to address those day-to-day discomforts is a real act of self-love. I’ve also been trying to be more intentional with my own health: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. As I enter my fifth decade of life, I’m no longer the college football athlete I once was, and I don’t need to push myself to lift the heaviest weights or compete as I used to. I’m learning that when I power through everything, I don’t give myself the space to reflect or let things go. Like many physicians, I was trained to compartmentalize my thoughts. In residency, there wasn’t time to process the tough moments: losing patients, having difficult conversations with families, and facing trauma after trauma. You just kept moving. It works in the moment, but those experiences don’t magically disappear. They settle somewhere inside you.
For me, self-love has become about making time to intentionally decompress and reconnect with myself. That usually means getting outside, going for a hike, and spending time in nature. I pray a lot when I’m out there, and sometimes, I’ll listen to a podcast or a book I’ve been meaning to get to. I’ve also been trying to take
better care of my body by eating right, adjusting my workouts, and being kinder to myself overall.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that taking time for myself doesn’t make me selfish; it actually makes me a better person. When I fill my own tank, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, I’m more present with my patients, staff, kids, and family. I show up stronger. It’s taken me a while to accept that. A car doesn’t run well when the tank is empty, and neither do I. This year, I’m focusing on being intentional about self-care and remembering that taking care of myself helps me take better care of everyone else.
–Dr. Mike
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