What is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy (RLT) is a medical treatment that utilizes specific wavelengths of visible and near-infrared light to deliver energy to cells, promoting various therapeutic effects. This modality is also known by several other names, including low-level laser therapy (LLLT), low-intensity light therapy (LILT), phototherapy, photobiostimulation, biostimulation (BIOS), photobiomodulation, and photonic stimulation, among others.

Historically, it was believed that only red-colored lasers could produce healing benefits. However, subsequent research has demonstrated that light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are significantly more cost-effective, are equally capable of delivering therapeutic outcomes. This advancement makes RLT accessible to a broader population, as powerful and effective devices can now be obtained at more locations.

While red light therapy has received FDA approval for applications such as pain management, skin conditions, wound healing and anti-aging treatment, extensive scientific research has revealed that its benefits extend far beyond these areas. Evidence supports the efficacy of RLT in treating a wide range of conditions, including wound healing, cognitive enhancement, increased bone density, improved testosterone levels, relief from anxiety and depression, acne treatment, and both the prevention of hair loss and stimulation of hair regrowth. These and many other applications will be discussed in further detail.

Infrared and red light therapies are non-invasive, natural treatments that are backed by hundreds of studies worldwide and prominent, respected doctors. They are well-tested and free from adverse side effects, making them a safe and effective therapeutic option for numerous medical conditions.

How Does Red Light Therapy Work?

Here is a simplified breakdown of the benefits of how red light therapy helps you recover and rejuvenate:

Step 1 - The Mighty Mitochondria

Within our cells, we have small powerful structures known as mitochondria. Akin to the amazing photosynthesis process seen in plants, the mitochondria absorb light and convert energy into cellular fuel.

Step 2 - Amazing ATP

As red light shines through your body, it interacts with your mitochondria. This, in turn, stimulates the production of ATP which is the powerhouse molecule that stores and releases energy in your body.

Step 3 - Cellular Enhancement

An increased production of ATP results in more energy within each cell in your body. A cell with more energy can better repair itself, replicate, and perform its unique specialized function(s).

Step 4 - The Cascade Effect

This amazing process improves blood flow, reduces inflammation, and stimulates collagen production which causes a cascade effect to enhance your overall health and faster healing.

Step 5 - Science-Based Treatments

Red light penetrates deep into our bodies which results in skin rejuvenation, muscle recovery, pain relief, enhanced physical performance and general well-being.

Is Red Light Therapy Trusted & Safe?

The first time light was utilized as a medical therapy was in the year 1893 by Doctor Niels Ryberg Finsen after developing Pick’s disease.  He used red light to initially treat smallpox and two years later he leveraged his invention to treat lupus.  The world renown Danish physician Finsen went on to become a Nobel Laureate among other laudable awards. 

Fast forward a century, red light therapy research has seen a groundswell of independent scientists investing thousands upon thousands of hours delving into the myriad benefits of low level light therapy.  Science publications on red light therapy have exponentially grown in the last 20 years.  In fact, a quick search on The National Library of Medicine of the various terms that describe light therapy renders thousands and thousands of published scientific and clinical studies reveals an astounding number of independent, reliable research as of December 2024:

Red light = 41,637 studies

Phototherapy = 61,921 studies

Photobiomodulation = 9,859 studies

Red light LED = 3,242 studies

Photostimulation = 2,223 studies

Lllt = 8,991 studies

Low-level laser therapy = 10,413 studies

Low-intensity light = 17,388 studies

Near-infrared light = 20,366 studies

Red Light Therapy = 7,509 studies

Red Light (RL) & Near Infrared Light (NIR)

Red and infrared light share similar physiological benefits, with the key distinction being that infrared light penetrates more deeply into the body, allowing it to reach a greater number of cells. This deeper penetration makes infrared light especially effective for healing tissues that are located further beneath the skin's surface. For most therapeutic applications, a combination of both red and infrared light is likely to be the most beneficial approach.

Based on scientific studies, the most effective wavelengths for red and infrared light therapy are as follows:

• Red light: 620-700 nm

• Infrared light: 700-1100 nm

Modern therapeutic devices often emit multiple wavelengths of red or infrared light, and many now incorporate both red and infrared wavelengths in a single device for enhanced treatment efficacy. These combined wavelengths offer a broader range of therapeutic benefits, addressing both superficial and deeper tissue concerns.

Therapeutic Benefits of Red Light and Infrared Light

When light passes through a prism, it splits into the various colors that make up the visible spectrum, including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. Each of these colors corresponds to different wavelengths of light, with red occupying the longer end of the visible spectrum.

While many people know that sunlight is a valuable source of vitamin D—critical for protecting against conditions such as autoimmune diseases, certain cancers, and cardiovascular disorders—fewer are aware of another important benefit sunlight provides: its therapeutic radiation in the red and infrared spectrum.

The infrared spectrum includes a range of wavelengths, categorized as near-, mid-, and far-infrared. For the purposes of this discussion, we focus primarily on near-infrared radiation, which spans wavelengths between approximately 700 nm and 1500 nm, though this range can vary slightly depending on the source. In comparison, red light occupies the range of about 600 nm to 700 nm.

In recent years, infrared saunas have gained popularity, though the type of radiation they emit generally falls outside the near-infrared range. Far-infrared saunas typically emit wavelengths between 3000 nm and 1 mm, offering therapeutic benefits that differ from those of red and near-infrared light.

While far-infrared saunas provide their own health benefits, red and near-infrared light specifically target cellular processes at the mitochondrial level, offering potential advantages in tissue repair, inflammation reduction, and enhanced cellular function.