Hi Growing Friend,

I've received more questions about the topic this month than almost anything else — so I'm excited to finally dive in. Today we're talking about Red Light Therapy.

I purchased the Hooga Pro 300 Red Light Therapy device in January, so we're just under five months in. Between my husband, daughter, and me, this thing gets used daily — sometimes 2–3 times a day. It is hands down my new favorite purchase and 100% worth every dollar.

Here's how we've actually been using it:

Seasonal allergies — My husband has mild seasonal allergies, and on rough mornings when the congestion and sneezing are hitting hard, he uses the device and feels relief almost instantly. It's become part of his morning routine during allergy season.

Acute illness — colds, flu, congestion & more — Anytime one of us starts feeling an illness coming on — congestion, a cough, fever, that general "ugh" feeling — the red light device is one of the first things we reach for. Every single time, we've noticed reduced symptoms and faster recovery. It has genuinely changed how our family handles getting sick.

Clogged duct while nursing — I had a severe clog for nearly a week. Typically, a clogged duct turns into mastitis within 12–48 hours, but mine never did. The red light instantly calmed the pain and inflammation, and I never needed antibiotics to clear it. I'm not a doctor or researcher, but the results spoke for themselves.

Trigger finger — I experienced this over a decade ago and it came back out of nowhere a few months ago. The last time this happened, I had recurring flare-ups for months before finally needing a steroid shot. This time, I used the red light device on my finger for a few days — and it was completely gone.

Post-surgery recovery — I had abdominal wall and double hernia repair surgeries (all at the same time), and used the device to reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling throughout recovery. I could literally feel relief during each session. It has been — and continues to be — a huge part of my healing.

Skin — I've struggled with acne scarring, redness, and uneven skin tone for years, and now I'm also targeting fine lines and wrinkles as I get older. Since using red light on my face, I've seen significant improvement in all of it — more even tone, reduced redness, softer scarring, and fewer wrinkles. Seriously a miracle worker.

My husband's chronic back pain — He's used it consistently and has noticed a significant difference. Enough said.

Beyond these clear, obvious improvements, I've also personally experienced better sleep, better mood, and an overall greater sense of wellbeing since we started. Are some of those harder to measure? Sure. Placebo or not — I feel it, and I love it.

So why does it actually work?

Red Light Therapy works by stimulating your mitochondria — the energy source of your cells — which improves cell function and repair at a foundational level. Think of it this way: while you're on your health journey cleaning up the food you eat and the products in your home, red light therapy is working on the inside, helping your body make the most of those changes.

What the research shows:

🔴 Pain & Inflammation — One of the most well-supported benefits. Studies show significant improvement in both chronic and acute pain, making it especially valuable for those managing ongoing conditions.

🔴 Immune Support & Acute Illness — This one is a big deal and something I wish more people knew about. Studies show RLT can increase the activity and number of white blood cells while improving blood flow to areas where immune cells are stored and activated — meaning your body's defenses are working faster and smarter. It also helps bring more oxygen and immune cells directly to the site of infection, reducing swelling and congestion. For our family, reaching for the red light device at the first sign of illness has become second nature — and the results have consistently impressed us.

🔴 Skin Health — Anti-aging, wrinkle reduction, acne, scarring, and skin inflammation. The FDA has cleared several red light devices specifically for skin treatment, so this one has strong backing.

🔴 Sleep & Mood — Many users (myself included) notice improvements in both. This connects directly to the broader mind-body benefits of reduced inflammation.

🔴 Hair Growth — Studies show meaningful benefit, making this a popular use for thinning hair or hair loss.

🔴 Thyroid & Hormonal Health — RLT energizes the mitochondria, improves blood flow through nitric oxide release, and triggers the body's antioxidant defenses to reduce inflammation. For those dealing with Hashimoto's, hypothyroidism, or other autoimmune conditions, this cellular-level support can be significant.

🔴 Gut Health — Research shows that red and near-infrared light positively impacts the composition of the gut microbiome — meaning it may help balance the good and bad bacteria in your gut, supporting digestion, immunity, and overall health. Given how central gut health is to everything we talk about here, this one is worth paying attention to.

🔴 Brain & Cognition — Early research shows improved cognitive function in those with mild to moderate dementia. For the rest of us, this translates to better mental clarity and reduced brain fog — something many of us are chasing every single day.

A note on choosing a device:

There is a lot of research and growing evidence supporting Red Light Therapy. What matters most when choosing a device is finding one that provides both red and near-infrared spectrum light and publishes third-party testing results so you know exactly what you're getting. We went with the Hooga Pro 300 as an affordable entry-level option but there are some other brands I would actually recommend over this one, I'll be doing a full deep-dive on all of this later this month — so stay tuned.

Have you tried Red Light Therapy? I'd love to know — and if you have questions, send them my way. I'll answer them in our next newsletter!

Rooted in Wellness & Rising Together,

Erica