Red light therapy (wavelengths of 620 to 750 nm) and near infrared light therapy (wavelengths of 800 to 2,500 nm) has become very popular the last few years for both aesthetic (anti-ageing, acne, hyperpigmentation, skin rejuvenation etc) and wellness (pain relief, sports injuries, back pain, seasonal affective disorder, burns, wound healing etc) applications. Many people wonder what is the main difference between red light and near infrared (NIR) light therapy and the answer is quite simple, as we will see below...
Red (and infrared) light therapy: all you need to know
Infrared and red light therapy, often termed photobiomodulation and mostly applied via LEDs, is a non-invasive treatment that employs specific wavelengths of light to stimulate healing and address a variety of health and aesthetic conditions. This innovative therapy has surged in popularity in the last decade, celebrated for its efficacy, safety, and adaptability. In this article, we will explore the scientific foundations of red and infrared LED light therapy, clarifying its mechanisms, its multiple health benefits and the practical considerations for its application…
An LED mask is typically 6 to 20 times weaker than the best professional LED device
LED light therapy (phototherapy / photobiomodulation) is used to treat a variety of aesthetic and health concerns, most commonly skin ageing, skin wounds/burning, diabetic wounds, psoriasis, hyperpigmentation, acne, seasonal affective disorder, sports injuries and back pain, among others - and to enhance the effectiveness of other treatments, such as radiofrequency or ultrasound. Red and infrared light wavelengths are used for all the above concerns, except from blue wavelength, which is used for acne and psoriasis. LED devices come in the shape of masks, panels and dome/canopy style...
Laser and red/infrared LED light therapy vs radiofrequency and cavitation for skin tightening and cellulite
Which is better for body skin tightening and cellulite: laser or radio frequency? Absolutely NOT laser. Laser is way too superficial and also pointless for skin tightening or cellulite. There are two types of lasers: strong, ablative, lasers aim to burn the surface of the skin to stimulate new epidermal growth. Cellulite, however, is found at the deepest layer of the skin (hypodermis), not the most superficial (epidermis), so ablative lasers do not work for cellulite at all…
IPL vs LED red light therapy for facial skin redness
Superficial facial vascular lesions (facial redness, thread/spider veins) can be an aesthetic problem as well as a symptom of different skin diseases. Risk factors include Fitzpatrick skin types I, II and III, significant sun exposure, rosacea, alcohol consumption and smoking. Facial spider veins and related facial vascular lesions are treated with laser, IPL and LED phototherapy treatments. The first two (laser and IPL) are generally more effective but also can cause side effects, such pain, erythema/redness and less often oedema, blistering, hematoma, crusting, hyperpigmentation, scarring, keloid formation and infection…
How does infrared / red light therapy work?
Energy in every single cell of the human body is produced in specialised cell compartments called mitochondria. Mitochondria is where oxygen is utilised to produce ATP, the energy currency of the cell. If mitochondria malfunction then the whole cell malfunctions and underperforms. On the skin, this can lead to aesthetic problems (dull, irritated, inflamed or unhealthy skin). In other organs and tissues this can lead to a poorer state of health, lower energy levels, slower recovery from injuries etc…
Red light therapy: is a 10-minute treatment sufficient?
Red and infrared LED light therapy (What does red light therapy do?) is highly effective and extremely safe for both cosmetic purposes and health conditions (back pain, musculoskeletal injuries, seasonal affective disorder, etc.). With a high-power LED unit, 10 minutes may suffice, though 20 minutes (and occasionally 30 minutes) would be preferable. A high-power device is one delivering approximately 60-200mW/cm². Anything exceeding 200mW/cm² for the body or 120mW/cm² for the face is unwise unless conducted in a professional environment with meticulously crafted protocols and for a briefer duration…
Does red LED boost collagen?
Both red (around 630nm) and near infrared (around 830nm) LED light stimulate mitochondrial function on all cells, including fibroblasts, which are the collagen and elastin producing cells in the skin, tendons, ligaments and other tissues. So, yes, by improving mitochondrial and cell function in skin fibroblasts, red and near infrared LED light does boost both collagen and elastin…
Why are good LED masks so expensive?
And this is a common question we hear: “Why good LED masks (and professional LED devices) so expensive?” Well the answer is: “they are not”. In the West we are addicted to cheap imported goods and so we believe everything should be dirt cheap. And indeed, many LED masks are dirt cheap but, as many people understand, they are of poor quality, while the higher quality devices are considered “expensive”. A good home-use LED mask (or even professional LED device for use at clinics) must use high quality LED bulbs that provide what it says on the tin: red or infrared light of a specific frequency and specific intensity, constantly throughout the treatment…
Low-level light therapy (phototherapy) works with light - never with heat
"Ah yes, LED light therapy, good reminder to use again my RF wand I have at home…" This is how some people react when they hear about red light therapy / photobiomodulation, erroneously believing that light therapy works by heating up the skin. However, this could not be further from the truth. Low level light therapy (LLLT), with either...