The Benefits of Red Light Therapy

My friend introduced me to infrared saunas about a year ago, and I have been hooked ever since. There is a spa near my house in California that I try to go to monthly to get the benefits of this therapy. It is truly so relaxing, and I believe it has had significant impact on reducing the inflammation in my body. As y'all may know, I am a wellness nut and am consistently researching health and diet and everything in between. I have always been passionate about these things, but I struggled a lot with fatigue, fungus, and the affect of toxins in my body after my accident in 2011, so my research has only increased along with my desire to have my body function as it is intended!Because my schedule is limited to having the time to sit in an infrared as much as I would like, I was so excited when I recently discovered red light therapy. Jason and I ordered a mini version of this for our home, and our goal is to sit in front of it for five minutes every day. The effects are pretty incredible + it's collagen boosting aka wrinkle reducing. Can I get an amen?scroll down for the fun, scientific, mind-blowing information.These specific wavelengths of red light create a biochemical affect in our cells that serves to increase mitochondrial function. This improves ATP production in the body, which is the source of energy for every cell in the body. Without it, we don’t function at all. Without enough of it, we don’t function well.It’s wavelengths range between 630-880nm and are used to treat the skin’s surface. Red therapy light penetrates about 8-10 millimeters into the skin. Depending on which area of the body the red light is used, this can easily affect all skin layers, reaching into blood vessels, lymph pathways, nerves, and hair follicles. (Insert so many heart emojis).red light therapy vs. sauna treatmentThese are all beneficial but provide different results.The purpose of a sauna is to raise the temperature of the body. This heats the body from the inside out in a sense and is said to provide more beneficial effects in less time and at lower heat.Both sauna methods increase heart rate, perspiration, heat shock proteins and improve the body in other ways. Unlike red light therapy, infrared light from a sauna is invisible, and penetrates much deeper into the body.Red therapy light is not designed to increase perspiration or improve cardiovascular function. It impacts cells on the cellular level and increases mitochondrial function and ATP production. It essentially “feeds” your cells to increase energy.for you history geeks, this is for you!Red light therapy has been around the block. In 1903 physician Niels Ryberg Finsen won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his successful treatment of smallpox and lupus with red light. Russia uses low level laser therapy in their standard medical care (and they have since the 1970s). The Russians also published hundreds of studies over the decades on the benefits of red therapy light. Unfortunately, very few of these studies have been translated into English.Red light therapy has largely been ignored by the US and western Europe until recently. However it’s been used in a clinical setting since the 1980s in Japan, China, Canada, Northern Ireland, Vietnam, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.the good stuff AKA the benefits of red light therapy.Even though the western world is behind the times with red therapy light, strong evidence supports its health benefits. It is FDA approved for chronic joint pain, slow to heal wounds, wrinkles, hair loss and acne. Many others have used it successfully for other issues, like psoriasis, improved circulation and better immune function.here’s a partial list of the evidence based uses of red therapy light:

• It helps rejuvenate facial skin and smooths skin tone.
• Red light builds collagen in the skin to reduce wrinkles.
• It helps to repair sun damage.
• Red light activates the lymphatic system for potentially improved detoxification.
• Decreases inflammation in the skin.
• Helps fade scars and stretch marks.
• Improves hair growth to reverse balding.
• Stimulates slow healing wounds.
• Can prevent recurring cold sores, or herpes simplex.
• Helpful in the short term for carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Beneficial for skin to reduce eczema, rosacea and acne.

better circulation and collagen productionRed therapy light improves collagen levels naturally by triggering the body to produce more of its own. Since collagen comprises about 70% of the protein in our skin, it’s a big deal!Increased collagen doesn’t just give the skin a wrinkle free glow, but its ability to improve joint health makes it great for arthritis sufferers. It can be helpful for those with a variety of painful musculoskeletal issues. The increased circulation and anti-inflammatory effects that red therapy light provides also help reduce pain and heal the body.wound healing and red light therapy (I love this for my scars!)Fibroblasts in our skin synthesize collagen, maintain connective tissue and are integral to wound healing. Red therapy light stimulates fibroblasts to do their job, and increases circulation for faster wound repair time. People have used this therapy for burns, amputation injuries, skin grafts and infected wounds. It’s been successfully used for skin damage caused by cancer treatments, including those in the mouth and mucus membranes.a remedy for hair lossA 24 week study demonstrated that red therapy light significantly improved hair density and hair thickness without any serious reactions. So amazing!help for the thyroidOne randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study from 2013 looked at the benefits of light therapy on chronic autoimmune thyroiditis. This study showed an overall improvement in thyroid health from near infrared and light therapy. Many participants were able to reduce or eliminate their thyroid medication. In fact, a startling 47 percent of the participants no longer needed medication during the entire nine-month follow-up after the light therapy treatment. This is shocking as most people are told that they will need thyroid medication for the rest of their lives.help for acne, rosacea and eczemaThe collagen and ATP stimulating benefits of red light therapy make it a promising solution for skin problems like acne, rosacea and eczema. This benefits stretch marks, wrinkles, and an improved hair line. Hooray!how to use a red therapy lightSpas and dermatologists who offer this service generally charge $50-$100 a session, so we found it much more convenient and likely cheaper in the long run to get the benefits of red light therapy at home.There are plenty of at home devices for sale from a variety of manufacturers. I wanted to find a device that used a combination of wavelengths for maximum benefit. This way, I would get the benefit of the deeper penetration of the higher wavelength and the cellular “charging” of the lower visible spectrum.After much research, I settled on the Joovv Light. We are loving it so so much and think it was one of our best investments!Here is a great article on how to choose the best device if that is of interest! I love this learn page too, which answers frequently asked questions!Also, this device contains both red and NIR light. NIR will help with muscle recovery, joint pain relief, inflammation reduction. What’s not to love? 

My Crane & Lion Activewear Capsule Collection

Friends! I truly could not be more excited to announce that I partnered with Crane and Lion active wear to create a capsule collection. This company was built to serve women who inspire daily by pairing sumptuous fabrics with high-performing design to power your journey with balance, strength and style. The words crane and lion are two poses in yoga that requires strength and stamina. I love this parallel to life!They are truly the most lovely company with the biggest hearts, and the most exciting part of this partnership is that 30% of all sales from this capsule collection will be donated to The Lauren Scruggs Kennedy Foundation for a year! This is such a blessing because we will provide for four recipients by January of next year, and we are now waiting for donations before we can continue giving to these sweet girls.Check out the sweet interview we did together on their website, and be sure to take a look at the capsule collection I created. P.S. Here is a fun shopping surprise: use this discount code to receive 20% off your entire order: Lauren_Scruggs_Kennedy, and this is limited to one use per customer. Happy shopping! 

Favorite All-Natural Cleaning Product Brand

It was so fun recently discussing the importance of a toxin-free home and hearing some tips and tricks from Molly Abrigg. I love her perspective that we have little control over the toxin exposure outside of our homes, but we do have that control inside our homes! I have learned so much about the power of toxin exposure through the book, Never Be Sick Again, and it has fully empowered me to limit my contact with toxins because they affect our health in such detrimental ways.

I am so excited to share my favorite all-natural cleaning product brand with you: Murchison-Hume cleaning products. The cleaning products are extremely productive and smell so delicious, even though they are free of all the toxins. Not to mention, this company is owned by the sweetest couple here in California! I love supporting a local company and am so thankful for their commitment to creating clean cleaning products. The Kennedy household is always fully-stocked with MH products!

Where do I begin? The sandalwood candle is so divine and has become a staple in our home; it alway brings me so much joy to have it burning in our house. Oh, and the counter spray is a dream. I am kind of known for the fact that I would take up counter cleaning as a second career, so a wonderful formula to help with that makes me happy. It really is true that cleaning is more enjoyable when you actually love, believe in, and trust the products that you are using.

Is it just me, or do you guys love when hand soap & lotion are next to one another in someone's home? Cleaning and then nourishing your hands is such a healthy habit! Another thing about Murchison-Hume products that I love is the packaging- their bottles and labels are so beautiful and look very sophisticated on display on our countertops. Of course the ingredients and effectiveness of the products are most important, but good-looks are an extra bonus. Murchison-Hume has the winning, triple-threat combination: gorgeous products that are made with all-natural ingredients that work extremely well.

Also, I have exciting news! You can use the promo code LAUREN20 for 20% off your order. Happy cleaning, xo.

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RMS Beauty: Nourishing, Rejuvenating, and Totally Clean

After much recent research, we at LSK are the biggest promoters of using makeup and beauty products that feed your skin rather than expose it to chemicals and toxins. It has been a fun journey searching for and testing out products that are as pure as possible, with no hidden preservatives or chemicals, and RMS has topped the charts. Their makeup line has made my skin dewier and more hydrated than ever. It not only is non-toxic, but it actually heals and nourishes the skin. How amazing is it that we can use a nutrient-filled cosmetic line to create a solid foundation for anti-aging and long-term beauty? Yes, please!! Win, win! (Insert every party emoji here).

[from RMS Instagram]

I love RMS because they are dedicated to transforming the way women use makeup. These beauty products are formulated with raw, food grade and organic ingredients in their natural state, allowing their living, healing attributes to penetrate and rejuvenate the skin. In their purest form, enzymes, vitamins, antioxidants and their healing properties remain fully intact, encouraging amazing potential for anti-aging effects. They have also taken extreme care in the use of minimal heat in the manufacturing process in order to keep all nutrients and healing properties alive. All RMS Beauty products are free of harmful chemicals, synthetic preservatives, synthetic vitamins, and genetically altered ingredients + each product is full of healing nutrients that work synergistically with the skin. Not to mention, each ingredient interacts with skin to promote hydration, softness, and luminosity.

[from RMS Instagram]

I love supporting a brand that can be trusted in the fullest extent; no research needed!My favorite products are the following + you can scroll down to shop too: the tinted "un" powder sets the makeup perfectly, the buriti bronzer is a dream, the concealer is my go-to, the lip2cheek blush is a must with an array of color options, and their eyeshadow selection is so pretty. I am also obsessed with the Skin2Skin blush brush. It is so soft and applies the makeup in the most magical way! They also have a foundation brush that works wonders too. P.S. Did I mention everything blends so easily and is super simple to use![show_shopthepost_widget id="2834131"]Do you use a clean cosmetic line? We would love to hear your favorites in the comments below!Also, if you are a health nut, and want to keep reading for a breakdown of the lovely list of ingredients they use in their products, read more here. Truly a pure delight! xo

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10 Questions with Molly Abrigg

Hi, friends! We are so excited to have Molly Abrigg here on LSK today for a 10 question Q&A. For those of you that know Molly Abrigg, you understand how she has a contagiously vibrant personality that is truly captivating to everyone that she is around. She is a pure bundle of joy with a heart of gold, and not to mention, her singing voice is seriously a dream! She recently reached out to me about my interest and passion in making our home a haven of clean, pure, toxin-free products and I was so thrilled to chat with her and learn from her. Molly is a wealth of knowledge and I am so thankful for her tips and guidance, and I am even more thankful that we are able to share her tips and guidance with all of you! Read on below, xo.

1) Hi Molly! Tell us a little bit about yourself in 2-3 sentences!

My name is Molly Abrigg and I am a momma of 2, or 3 if you count my furry child. I have also been married to Peter for almost 11 years! My passions include chemical free living, my Young Living business, design and decorating and singing. :)

2) What do you think is the biggest benefit + most important aspect of creating a clean, pure, toxin-free home?

The biggest benefit in creating a pure, non-toxic environment in my home is peace of mind. There are so many toxins out there that we cannot control.  So making good choices IN your home helps to alleviate some of the worries of being a momma. Many of the products we use in our home can actually BENEFIT your family. How crazy is that? That's a huge bonus to me. I can purify my home and boost my kids immune system at the same time.

3) How surprised/worried were you when you first learned that so many everyday products (household cleaning products, personal care items, and more) include toxins? 

Honestly, I felt duped and hurt. But, when you really sit down and think about it, the FDA isn't really responsible for my family's health and wellness. I am. So that really empowered me. I first realized this about 7 years ago when my son was 1.  I realized that there were things in my home that could potentially be making my child sick.  My son was suffering from food allergies, outdoor allergies, eczema, and many other things.  So, I wanted to cut out what I knew could be potential triggers for him. It was pretty shocking to me.  Fragrance was the biggest culprit I found in my house - it was in EVERYTHING like bath products, cleaning products, face products, baby wipes, laundry detergent, etc. I was horrified to know I might have been the person making it harder for my kid to thrive in my own home. Fragrance is a generic term found on labels in all these products.  The term fragrance is considered a "trade secret," so companies are not legally bound to disclose what chemicals make up the scent.  There are often DOZENS and sometimes hundreds of chemicals reeking havoc on our endocrine systems! Companies can slap "fragrance free" on a label and it still may contain hundreds of hidden toxins.  It's just so scary.

4) What are a few of your go-to resources (websites, blogs, or books) for information on clean living? 

There are many resources I go to when I am researching and looking for toxins.  Think Dirty is a huge one for me. Some of the products I use haven't even made it on the app yet. I have also really relied on other moms who are in this journey with me.

Some of my favorites include: www.thehomeademommy.net + www.thechemicalfreehome.com (I own all her books. They contain recipes that I love!) + www.safecosmetics.org (This resources gives a great list of the toxins we should stay away from in our beauty products. I feel like there are a few more that should be added to this list too, but this is a great place to start.)

5) Any tips for people who want to transition from products that they have been using to clean products? 

If there is ONE tip I would share about turning over your home, is to not give in to the pressure of needing to do it ALL at once. I know that some of the products out there can hurt your pocket book, so doing your research is important. I would suggest starting with cleaning products first. Look under your kitchen sink. Do you have ten bottles of cleaner that you use for different things? The good news is, YOU DON'T need all of that!! We use ONE cleaning product in our home along with baking soda and vinegar. Thieves Household Cleaner relates to the frugal husband in your life. :) Bath and beauty products come next. I will say, I'm not an all or nothing person. It took me TIME. But, if you are an all or nothing type of gal, more power to ya!

6) Have there ever been certain clean products that you have tried, just to find that they don't work for you? If so, what have you learned from those experiences? 

So, to a fault, I'm a pretty trusting person, and I listened to marketing on accident. Never rely on marketing. Companies don't always have your best interest at heart.  I used a certain brand of diapers that ended up having a toxic ingredient that would cause yucky rashes. I also was using a brand of makeup that I thought was clean. Come to find out, it had Bismuth in it. Bismuth isn't a product that I wanted to use on my face. Ever. So, the moral of the story is, do your own research.  I have a list of toxins that I keep in my phone.  I always scan my Think Dirty app, and then google ingredients that I am unsure of and go from there.

7) Do you have a few favorite brands for clean care products for your little ones? 

Some products for my littles that I absolutely love are from the Young Living Seedlings Line.  This collection has some baby wipes in it that I use on my face and use as dryer sheets as well as on my babes! How amazing is that?? The bath gel and seedlings lotion are divine. I don't have to worry about any nasty chemicals or toxin seeping into my kid's skin.  There aren't many products that I use outside of Young Living.  It's simple for us and it's delivered right to my door step. Because they are such a trusting company, I don't have to worry about doing any scanning or googling! Dr. Bronner's unscented Castille Soap is also used often in our home. I'll add essential oils to them to make our own scents as well.

8) How do you find balance between sticking to clean living, but also surrendering to the fact that there are some things you can't control when it comes to toxin exposure? 

Oh man, like I said before, there is a balance. There are so many toxins out there that we breathe in every single day that are out of our control. But, it's important to me that I make good choices for my family in my own home.  Daily, I'm trying to do better but ultimately know that the Lord is in control of me and my family's health.

9) What are your top five favorite toxin-free household cleaning products? 

- Young Living's Thieves Household Cleaner - this stuff smells like Christmas. Who wouldn't want their house to smell like Christmas? We actually use this cleaner for EVERYTHING...including glass and wood floors.  - Good old Distilled White Vinegar - I use this as a fabric softener in my washer along with a few drops of essential oil. It also gets used in my homemade soft scrub too. - Baking Soda - This stuff is amazing. It is also an ingredient in my DIY toilet bowl cleaner and soft scrub recipes.- Young Living Essential Oils - I specifically use Thieves, Tea Tree, Lemon and Purification to clean around my house. I also have room refreshers and mattress cleaners made out of oils, witch hazel and a little water.  - I do love a good Norwex cleaning cloth to dust. :)

1o) How about your top five beauty/personal care products? 

-Young Living's ART Renewal Serum - this stuff is HEAVEN on my face. It's my secret primer even though it is typically used before your moisturizer. It also helps my skin maintain a youthful appearance. I need all the help I can get at age 37. It has Jasmine essential oil in it and it's my JAM!

-Soignee Anti-Wrinkle Cream - THIS STUFF! Whew! It is just so amazing. It has MSM in it. Will you google that? Your mind will be blown. Everyone needs some MSM in their system to help protect us from the free radicals and toxins in the environment. I add Frankincense, Neroli, Jasmine and Rose essential Oils to this cream. It is also a decent price. My husband thanks me. :)-Young Living's Orange Blossom Facewash - this also contains MSM.  Clearly I'm passionate about getting MSM onto my face. Haa! A little goes a long way with this wash. I use it in the morning and at night.-Young Living's Savvy Minerals makeup line - this line of make up meets all of my standards for a chemical free face. It does not have nasty chemicals such as phthalates, parabens, SLS's, formaldehyde, toulene, propylene glycol, mineral oil, bismuth, lead or fragrance. I don't wear makeup much and love a natural look. - Last but not least, good old fractionated coconut oil! Yep! It's the best. I whip some of this up in my mixer with shea butter and add some essential oils and boom. Smooth as silk!!!!

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Must-Have Hair Products + Tools

Today's post is all about hair! I love all things hair-related, so I thought it would be fun to share my must-have hair products + tools. As many of you know, my bestie & I developed a loose powder dry shampoo for blondes, brunettes, and redheads...Meet, Stranded. It goes without saying that Stranded is a staple in my hair routine and I use it daily. We are very passionate about clean beauty products, so it brings me great joy and peace of mind knowing that the ingredients in our dry shampoo powders are pure and free of harsh chemicals.Thanks to Stranded, I can go a few days between hair washes. Doing this allows natural oils to develop which is a good thing for our strands! Over-washing the hair strips the strands of natural oils, causing hair to appear more dry than normal. However, when I do wash my hair and need to head out the door in a timely manner, an effective, powerful yet gentle, and high-quality hair dryer is so necessary.When Dyson reached out about sending me their Supersonic Hair Dryer, my excitement was seriously on another level. I had heard about how lightweight, effective, and cutting-edge it was from a technology standpoint, so I couldn't wait to give it a try.Not only does it try my hair so quickly, but the design is seriously gorgeous. I love the look of it on my bathroom counter! In all seriousness though, I knew I was going to love this hair dryer when I read that it protects the hair from heat damage and promotes shine and overall hair health. After using it many times now, I can confirm that this is totally accurate.When used with a round brush, the results are amazing. I am a fan of the natural, slightly undone hair look and this hair dryer achieves that easily and effortlessly. The lightweight feature + unique shape of the dryer enables styling as you dry your hair.As for shampoo and conditioner, it is again really important to me to use products that are created with clean, pure ingredients. I was so happy to discover Rahua and have been using their products for a while.  My hair is always left feeling clean, light, and fresh, after a washing and I am able to go a few days (with Stranded!) until it is time to wash it again.

I try to keep my hair routine pretty simple and stick to minimal products + tools that I know work well time and time again. I am so happy to now have the Supersonic Dryer (c/o) in my collection, as I am pretty positive it will stand the test of time. xo

[show_shopthepost_widget id="2825933"] images by Felicia Lasala 

An Answer To A Health Prayer

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably have seen a few of my stories over the past months that featured this book: The Plant Paradox by Dr. Gundry. I started reading this book because I have had bloating, inflammation, and fatigue issues for years. I felt like I had tried everything to make it better with certain dietary remedies and supplements. However, they would only help for a limited amount of time and the issues would come back. I would get so confused as to why I would get painfully bloated everyday when I was eating SO clean - AKA homemade salads with homemade lemon juice and olive oil dressing, fresh quinoa bowls made from scratch, almonds with skin for a snack, whole food protein bars, fresh veggies like cucumbers and bell peppers. It just didn't make sense! Two of my dear friends go to Dr. Gundry and have nothing but amazing things to say about him and his perspective on gut health. My girlfriend went specifically for unexplained stomach problems a few years ago after seeing doctor after doctor, and she hasn't had a problem since! She told me to make an appointment with him, but he is sadly not taking new patients at this time. I was bummed to find that out, but I immediately ordered his book and it has brought me so much hope and a new perspective!In his book, Dr. Gundry describes the many people who have changed their lives by eliminating lectins.  Lectins are large plant-based proteins found in the seeds, grains, skins, rinds and leaves of most plants that bind to carbohydrates. Lectins are designed by nature to help the plant survive by protecting the plant from predators. Animals don’t like the taste, so they spit the seeds or rinds out. Humans aren’t quite as wise and continue to try to digest the lectins. Once inside, the lectins cause a chemical reaction playing havoc on our digestive system. Eating lectin-free can heal any auto-immune disease and it truly allows the body to function as it should and heal itself. How amazing is that!? Dr. Gundry's book is filled with impressive case studies that I find just beyond fascinating. He discusses cases from arthritis, to migraines, to cancers, plus many more that have been solved by patients remaining disciplined to a lectin-free diet. Another big lesson from Gundry's book is this: Every disease starts in the gut.The Plant Paradox is truly mind-blowing and it has opened my eyes to so much. When I started to read the book initially, I seriously could not put it down. It is an answer to a health prayer and has provided me with so much hope. I cannot recommend reading it enough; it is a total game-changer! 

OUTFIT DETAILS

vest (c/o) | sports bra (c/o) | leggings (c/o) | sunnies (c/o) | shoes

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[show_shopthepost_widget id="2805411"] images by felicia lasala 

The Beauty Of Smiling

Have you ever seen someone in a public place (maybe in a restaurant, in a coffee shop, at the grocery store, or anywhere else) and thought to yourself, wow, "she is such a happy person" or "oh my gosh, how much joy she must have!"? This has happened to me several times and it always sparks something inside me. This normally happens when that person is smiling. Whenever I notice someone's smile, I feel joy inside, for them, and it also causes me to intentionally smile more.The beauty of smiling is like no other; it is genuine, it is real, and it is who we are. We are made to rejoice and share joy, even when circumstances aren't perfect. Actually, especially when circumstances aren't perfect! It is a fun challenge to smile past the hurt, feel happy despite the storm you might be in, and carry joy in our hearts.About a year and a half ago now, I listened to a sermon by Graham Cooke and this quote really stuck with me: "You need to have a lightness about you, where the joy in you is greater than anything else." I think about these words often and whenever I do and take them to heart, something inside me changes. Worry, fear, and doubt can really burden us and cause us to get stuck. If we have a mindset that is rooted in joy, we will feel light, happy, and hopeful.Smile on, friend! You never know who might need to see the light of your smile, so share it with the world, no matter what. xo

THE OUTFIT: sunnies (c/o) | choker | top | skirt ($100!) | bag | shoes

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[show_shopthepost_widget id="2799824"]images by felicia lasala 

9 Clean Self-Care Items That We Love

As you guys know, we love clean skincare and beauty products that are made with pure, safe ingredients. Using products made with safe ingredients not only results in happy skin, but it makes for happy hearts and peaceful minds! Below is a collage of 9 clean self-care items that we love + links to shop. P.S. Follain is a great online shop for high-quality skincare and beauty items. xo

one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine