Can you use any red light for red light therapy?
Mia Kelly
Published Jan 15, 2026
Yes, red and infrared lights can, and in most cases, should be combined. These two types of lights, when used in tandem, are a power couple. One example is anti-aging light therapy devices, where the most effective solutions will nearly always be designed with a combination of red and infrared lights.
Can you use any light for red light therapy?
Wavelengths between 625 and 700 nanometers are considered red, while NIR light is found between 780 and 2,500 nanometers. Studies have shown that red light therapy is most beneficial when using red light at ~660nm and NIR light at ~850nm.
What kind of light does red light therapy use?
Red light therapy (RLT) is a treatment that may help skin, muscle tissue, and other parts of your body heal. It exposes you to low levels of red or near-infrared light. Infrared light is a type of energy your eyes can't see, but your body can feel as heat.
Do watts matter in red light therapy?
We think the Total Optical Watts can also be important. Right now, Total Watts is the only reliable way to compare 3rd party tested red light panels. In the future, it could be very important to understand the Total Watts and Total Energy that the body is being exposed to, especially for large full-body treatments.
Are all infrared light bulbs the same?
Based on multiple websites I've read, all of these red heat lamps are basically the same. They may differ in hardware and construction quality, but they will all produce infrared light above 600nm and peak between 850 and 1000 or so. Many sites recommend the same bulbs you find at a pet store or hardware store.
42 related questions foundWhich is better red light or infrared light?
Red light is visible and is most effective for use on the surface of the skin. Red light occupies the “long end” of the visible spectrum with wavelengths of 630nm-700nm. Infrared light is invisible and is effective for use on the surface of the skin as well as penetration of about 1.5 inches into the body.
Can I do red light therapy at home?
Infrared Light Therapy at home is just as effective as going to a salon or spa which has a Red Light Therapy Panel. The beauty of LED Light Therapy is that it is a non-invasive skin procedure. This means the treatment is painless and super easy to do at home.
What wavelength is best for red light therapy?
Frequency. The range of frequency used in typical red light therapy devices is from 650 nm (a deep red, penetrates the skin and acts on mitochondria) to 850 nm (near-infrared, penetrates deeper into tissue).
Do you need to wear goggles for red light therapy?
A: It is not required that you wear eye protection, nevertheless the lights are very bright and may be uncomfortable for some individuals with sensitivities to light. Q: Is Red Light Therapy similar to tanning? A: No not at all. You will not get a tan from Red Light Therapy, nor does it expose you to damaging UV rays.
What nm should red light therapy be?
The general range of light used in red light therapy is between 600 and 900 nm, sometimes higher. You can get benefits from any wavelength between those values.
What should I put on my face before red light therapy?
Immediately before a light therapy session, you should cleanse your skin with a gentle product free of perfumes and dyes (or other drying agents). Gently pat your skin dry and do not apply any topical treatments. Clean, fresh skin during light therapy yields the best results.
Can I use red light therapy on my face?
Red light therapy is a popular option for treating redness, scars, acne, and wrinkles. This may be due to the light's effect on collagen production and blood circulation in skin tissue.
Does red light therapy tighten skin?
You can do just that with red light therapy. Often described as the fountain of youth, red light therapy has been clinically shown to reduce wrinkles, promote the healing of scars and blemishes, and tighten sagging skin, resulting in a more youthful appearance - you know, one that matches the 'you' on the inside.
Is it necessary to use red light to get photoelectric effect?
No, it is not possible to see the photoelectric effect with red light. The energy necessary to rip an electron from its orbital is equal to the electron's work function, which red light photons lack.
Does red light therapy tan you?
Red light is proven effective in the repair and rejuvenation of skin. Red light emits ZERO UV and will NOT tan you.
What time of day is best for red light therapy?
If yours does, you might consider using red light therapy in the morning before applying makeup, or after washing your face before bed.
Does red light therapy help under eye bags?
Red and Infrared Laser Therapy and LED light therapy have proven effective at eliminating puffiness around the eyes. Red 660nm monochromatic light from a laser triggers the body to produce new skin cells and collagen causing the skin around the eye to become noticeably smoother.
Should I shower before or after red light therapy?
Any customer who wants red light therapy needs to come in with clean, fresh skin. It's really best if customers shower right before their sessions and remove all traces of moisturizers, using a mild cleanser.
Can red light damage eyes?
Red light therapy is a safe, natural way to protect your vision and heal your eyes from damage and strain, as shown in numerous peer-reviewed clinical studies.
How deep does red light therapy penetrate the skin?
Red light (wavelength 630nm-640nm) penetrates human tissue superficially, with approximately 80% of the energy being absorbed in the first 2cm.
Is red light in sunlight?
Just as early morning sunlight has a higher proportion of red and near-infrared light compared to midday light, the same is true for late afternoon and evening sunlight. The evolutionary advantage may be somewhat different, however. Rather than prevent sun damage, late day sun may actually repair it.
Is infrared light the same as red light therapy?
Infrared Light Therapy
Unlike red light, infrared light is invisible and has a wavelength of 700 to 1200 nanometers on the electromagnetic scale. Instead of seeing infrared light, we feel it as heat, and the human body naturally gives off infrared energy, making it a safe treatment that is also effective.
Can you use retinol with red light therapy?
Using retinol and light therapy together can give your skin care routine a boost. Keep in mind, you should never apply retinol before light therapy use, as your skin may react unexpectedly. However, retinol can safely be used after light therapy.
What does red light do to the brain?
The red and near-infrared light photons penetrate through the skull and into brain cells and spur the mitochondria to produce more ATP. That can mean clearer, sharper thinking, says Naeser.
Does red light therapy cause wrinkles?
Research shows that red and infrared light therapy can significantly improve skin complexion, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and increase collagen density.