What Is Red Light Therapy? How It Works, Potential Benefits, and What to Expect
Red light therapy has become increasingly popular in wellness clinics, dermatology practices, fitness facilities, recovery centers, and even at home. You may have heard it discussed in connection with skin health, recovery, pain, inflammation, hair growth, or other wellness goals.
But what exactly is red light therapy, and what does the research actually say about it?
Red light therapy is a form of light based treatment that exposes the body to specific wavelengths of red or near infrared light. In scientific and medical literature, treatments using this general approach are often described as photobiomodulation, or PBM.
Unlike ultraviolet light, which can damage skin cells and DNA with excessive exposure, red and near infrared light use different wavelengths and do not work by exposing the skin to UV radiation.
Researchers have been studying photobiomodulation for decades. While evidence supports its use for certain specific applications, other popular claims surrounding red light therapy are still being investigated.
In this guide, we will explain how red light therapy works, the difference between red and near infrared light, what researchers have discovered so far, what a typical session may involve, and what to consider before trying red light therapy.
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy is a noninvasive treatment that exposes the body to specific wavelengths of red or near infrared light.
The broader scientific term often used for this type of treatment is photobiomodulation.
Photobiomodulation involves exposing tissue to nonionizing light with the goal of influencing biological processes within cells and tissues.
Depending on the device, this light may be delivered through light emitting diodes, commonly called LEDs, or lasers.
Red light therapy does not involve the same type of radiation used in X-rays, nor does it expose the body to ultraviolet light in the way that sunlight or tanning beds can.
Instead, photobiomodulation generally uses wavelengths within the visible red and near infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
The exact biological mechanisms involved in photobiomodulation continue to be studied.
One leading explanation involves interactions between light and molecules within cells.
When certain wavelengths of red and near infrared light reach tissue, light absorbing molecules called chromophores can absorb that energy. Researchers have studied how this process may influence cellular signaling, mitochondrial activity, blood flow, inflammatory pathways, and other biological processes.
Mitochondria are particularly important in discussions of photobiomodulation because they help cells produce adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, which is used as cellular energy.
You may therefore see red light therapy described online as "boosting mitochondrial function" or "increasing cellular energy."
That description can be overly simplistic.
Photobiomodulation appears to involve multiple biological pathways, and scientists are still working to understand exactly how different wavelengths, doses, treatment durations, and tissue types influence the body's response.
The important takeaway is that red light therapy does not simply "give your body energy." It exposes tissue to specific wavelengths of light that may influence cellular processes.
What Is Photobiomodulation?
Photobiomodulation is the scientific term commonly used to describe the therapeutic application of red and near infrared light at particular wavelengths and doses.
You may also encounter older terms such as:
Low level light therapy
Low level laser therapy
LLLT
Cold laser therapy
LED light therapy
These terms can overlap, although the devices and treatment parameters involved are not necessarily identical.
Photobiomodulation has become the preferred broader term because the biological effects being studied are not necessarily limited to lasers or to one particular type of device.
Red light therapy is therefore best understood as one form or application of photobiomodulation.
What Is the Difference Between Red Light and Near Infrared Light?
Red and near infrared light occupy neighboring portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, but they are not identical.
Red light is visible to the human eye. Near infrared light has longer wavelengths and is generally invisible.
Different wavelengths also interact with tissue differently.
Visible red light is often associated with treatments targeting tissues closer to the skin's surface. Near infrared wavelengths can generally penetrate more deeply into tissue, although the actual depth reached depends on the wavelength, device, tissue characteristics, and treatment parameters.
Many red light therapy systems use a combination of red and near infrared wavelengths.
This is why a device that people casually refer to as a "red light" device may actually be delivering more than one wavelength.
Is Red Light Therapy the Same as a Tanning Bed?
No. This is an important distinction.
Traditional tanning beds primarily use ultraviolet radiation to stimulate melanin production and darken the skin. UV exposure can damage DNA and is associated with premature skin aging and an increased risk of skin cancer.
Red light therapy uses different wavelengths.
Photobiomodulation does not rely on ultraviolet radiation to produce its intended biological effects and should not cause a tan.
A 2025 evidence based clinical consensus on photobiomodulation concluded that PBM is generally considered a safe treatment modality for adults and specifically noted that red light PBM does not induce DNA damage. However, safety still depends on appropriate treatment parameters and individual circumstances.
What Is Red Light Therapy Used For?
Red light therapy is being studied across a surprisingly broad range of medical, dermatological, rehabilitation, and wellness applications.
Research has examined photobiomodulation in connection with areas such as:
Certain types of pain
Wound healing
Skin related applications
Hair growth
Some forms of neuropathy
Exercise and recovery
Inflammation
Side effects associated with certain medical treatments
Other musculoskeletal and neurological applications
This does not mean red light therapy has been proven effective for every condition on this list.
The evidence varies substantially depending on the condition, device, wavelength, dose, treatment protocol, and outcome being measured.
A 2025 evidence based consensus on the clinical application of photobiomodulation identified evidence supporting PBM for several specific clinical applications, including androgenetic alopecia, certain wound ulcers, peripheral neuropathy, and acute radiation dermatitis.
At the same time, researchers emphasized that our understanding of photobiomodulation continues to evolve.
What Are the Potential Benefits of Red Light Therapy?
This is one of the most common questions about red light therapy, but it requires some context. There is no single universal "red light therapy benefit."
Researchers study photobiomodulation for specific outcomes using specific wavelengths, doses, devices, and treatment protocols.
A recent umbrella review examining photobiomodulation across multiple health outcomes evaluated 15 meta analyses covering 204 randomized clinical trials and more than 9,000 participants.
The review found statistically significant effects for several outcomes, but the certainty of the evidence varied considerably. The researchers noted that many outcomes were supported by low or very low certainty evidence.
That distinction matters. Finding a positive result in a study is not the same thing as having strong, conclusive evidence that a treatment will produce that result for everyone.
For consumers, the most useful approach is to evaluate red light therapy based on the specific reason you are considering it rather than assuming it provides a universal collection of wellness benefits.
Can Red Light Therapy Help Your Skin?
Skin health is one of the most common reasons people become interested in red light therapy.
Researchers have investigated red and near infrared light for a variety of dermatological and cosmetic applications.
Photobiomodulation may influence processes involving fibroblasts, collagen, inflammation, circulation, and tissue repair. However, the exact effects depend heavily on treatment parameters.
A systematic review and meta analysis of LED based skin therapies found evidence supporting LED applications for several dermatological outcomes, while also identifying significant variability between studies for some conditions.
This means there is legitimate research behind the use of light based treatments in dermatology, but claims that red light will automatically eliminate wrinkles, dramatically increase collagen, or "reverse aging" go beyond what should responsibly be promised.
Does Red Light Therapy Increase Collagen?
This is another popular claim that deserves careful wording.
Collagen is an important structural protein in the skin and other connective tissues. Laboratory and clinical research has investigated whether photobiomodulation can influence fibroblast activity and processes involved in collagen production and tissue remodeling.
Some studies have reported changes consistent with these effects.
However, the response depends on factors including wavelength, dose, treatment frequency, device, and individual biology.
It is therefore more accurate to say that photobiomodulation has been studied for its potential effects on fibroblast activity, collagen related processes, and skin appearance than to promise that every red light treatment will increase collagen by a particular amount.
Can Red Light Therapy Help With Exercise Recovery?
Red light therapy has also attracted attention in fitness and athletic recovery.
Researchers have studied photobiomodulation in connection with muscle performance, soreness, fatigue, and recovery after exercise.
Some studies and reviews have reported promising findings, while others have produced mixed results.
Differences in wavelength, timing, dose, treatment location, training status, and outcome measurement make it difficult to apply one conclusion to every red light therapy device or protocol.
Someone using red light therapy as part of a wellness or recovery routine should therefore view it as a potential complementary tool rather than a replacement for sleep, hydration, nutrition, appropriate training, and medical care when an injury is present.
Can Red Light Therapy Reduce Inflammation?
Photobiomodulation has been studied for its effects on inflammatory signaling and inflammatory conditions.
However, saying that red light therapy simply "reduces inflammation" is too broad.
Inflammation is a complex biological response and can be beneficial, harmful, acute, chronic, localized, or systemic depending on the situation.
Research suggests that photobiomodulation may influence certain inflammatory pathways under particular conditions.
Whether that translates into a meaningful clinical benefit depends on what condition is being treated and how the therapy is administered.
Can Red Light Therapy Help With Pain?
Pain is another area in which photobiomodulation has been extensively investigated.
Studies have evaluated PBM for different types of musculoskeletal, neuropathic, and other pain conditions.
Some clinical guidelines and reviews support photobiomodulation for particular pain related applications, while evidence for others remains less certain.
It would therefore be misleading to claim that red light therapy is a universal pain treatment.
Anyone experiencing persistent or unexplained pain should seek appropriate medical evaluation rather than using red light therapy as a substitute for diagnosis.
How Deep Does Red Light Therapy Penetrate?
Different wavelengths penetrate tissue to different depths.
Visible red wavelengths tend to interact more strongly with superficial tissues, while near infrared wavelengths can generally reach deeper tissue.
However, statements online such as "near infrared light penetrates exactly X inches into the body" should be treated cautiously.
Actual penetration depends on factors including:
Wavelength
Power
Irradiance
Distance from the device
Treatment duration
Skin characteristics
Tissue composition
Device design
Some of the light reaching the body is reflected, scattered, absorbed, or otherwise attenuated as it travels through tissue.
This is one reason device specifications and treatment protocols matter.
Does More Red Light Therapy Mean Better Results?
No.Photobiomodulation is dose dependent, and more exposure does not necessarily produce a greater biological effect.
Researchers have described a biphasic dose response in photobiomodulation, meaning a treatment dose that is too low may not produce the intended response, while excessively high exposure may also be less effective.
This is one of the reasons it is difficult to compare different red light devices based simply on brightness or power.
Wavelength, irradiance, energy delivered, treatment time, distance, and frequency can all affect the dose received by tissue.
How Long Is a Red Light Therapy Session?
Session length varies depending on the device and treatment protocol.
Some treatments may last only several minutes, while others may involve longer exposure.
There is no scientifically appropriate universal rule that everyone should receive red light therapy for the same amount of time.
The appropriate duration depends on the wavelengths being used, intensity of the device, distance from the light source, treatment area, intended application, and manufacturer or provider protocol.
How Often Can You Do Red Light Therapy?
Frequency also varies.
Research protocols may use photobiomodulation multiple times per week, daily, or at other intervals depending on the condition being studied.
A wellness clinic may use a different protocol depending on its device and the purpose of treatment.
More frequent treatment is not automatically better.
Follow the protocol recommended for the particular device and discuss your individual circumstances with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional when necessary.
What Does Red Light Therapy Feel Like?
Red light therapy is noninvasive and generally does not involve needles or incisions.
Depending on the device, you may sit, stand, or lie near a panel or other light source for a designated period.
The experience can vary by equipment. Some devices may produce a sensation of warmth, while others produce very little noticeable heat.
Red light therapy should not feel like the intense heat associated with a sauna.
If a treatment causes significant discomfort, burning, unexpected skin changes, eye discomfort, or other concerning symptoms, stop the treatment and speak with the provider.
Is Red Light Therapy the Same as Infrared Sauna?
No.Although the two treatments may both involve wavelengths within the infrared portion of the spectrum, their primary mechanisms and treatment goals are different.
Infrared saunas are designed primarily to heat the body.
Photobiomodulation is designed to expose tissue to specific wavelengths of light at particular doses. Its intended biological effects are not dependent on substantially increasing body temperature.
A red light therapy panel and an infrared sauna should therefore not be considered interchangeable.
Is Red Light Therapy Safe?
Photobiomodulation is generally considered noninvasive, and research suggests that it has a favorable safety profile when used appropriately.
The 2025 clinical consensus on photobiomodulation concluded that PBM is a safe treatment modality for adults when appropriately applied.
That does not mean there are no precautions.
Eye protection may be recommended or required depending on the wavelength, intensity, device, and treatment area.
People taking photosensitizing medications or those with particular medical or eye conditions should discuss treatment with an appropriate healthcare professional.
Anyone with an active or previous cancer diagnosis should also discuss photobiomodulation with their medical team before using it in connection with an affected treatment area.
Pregnant individuals and people being treated for significant medical conditions should similarly ask their healthcare provider whether red light therapy is appropriate for their circumstances.
Can Red Light Therapy Damage Your Skin?
Red light therapy does not expose the skin to ultraviolet radiation, so it does not produce UV related skin damage through the same mechanism as sunlight or tanning beds.
When appropriately administered, photobiomodulation is generally considered well tolerated.
However, inappropriate device settings, excessive exposure, excessive heat, or improper use could potentially cause unwanted effects.
Follow the instructions associated with the particular device rather than assuming that longer sessions or higher intensity are automatically better.
Do You Need Eye Protection During Red Light Therapy?
Eye protection requirements depend on the device.
Some manufacturers recommend protective eyewear, particularly with high intensity light sources or when treating near the face.
Near infrared light can also be invisible, meaning you cannot judge exposure intensity simply by how bright a device appears.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and the guidance of the professional administering your treatment.
Do not stare directly into a high intensity light source unless the device has specifically been designed and cleared for that type of use.
What Should You Wear During Red Light Therapy?
Light needs to reach the intended treatment area, so clothing covering that area can interfere with exposure.
What you wear therefore depends on which part of the body is being treated and the design of the device.
Your provider can explain how much skin needs to be exposed for the particular treatment.
You may also be asked to remove products or clothing that could interfere with treatment.
Is Professional Red Light Therapy Different From an At Home Device?
Potentially. Red light devices can differ considerably in wavelength, irradiance, treatment area, construction, dose, and intended use.
A small consumer device designed for facial use is not necessarily comparable to a large professional photobiomodulation system.
The fact that two devices both emit red light does not mean they deliver the same treatment.
If you are comparing devices, useful specifications include:
Wavelengths
Irradiance
Treatment distance
Recommended treatment time
Intended use
Treatment area
Safety instructions
Be cautious about evaluating a device solely based on its number of LEDs or maximum advertised power.
What Should You Expect at a Red Light Therapy Appointment?
Your experience will depend on the equipment and treatment protocol.
Before treatment, the provider should explain how the system works, how long the session will last, what area of the body will be exposed, and whether eye protection is necessary.
You may be asked to expose the treatment area and position yourself a particular distance from the light source.
Once the session begins, there is generally little for you to do other than remain in the appropriate position for the prescribed treatment period.
Red light therapy does not require injections, anesthesia, or incisions.
What Does the Research Say About Red Light Therapy?
Photobiomodulation is a legitimate field of scientific and medical research with decades of published studies behind it.
There is evidence supporting its use for certain specific clinical applications.
At the same time, red light therapy has become a major wellness trend, and marketing claims have expanded much faster than the evidence for some proposed uses.
This creates an important distinction. Evidence that photobiomodulation can help with one condition does not establish that it improves every aspect of health.
Likewise, a laboratory study showing a cellular response to red light does not necessarily demonstrate that a person will experience a noticeable clinical benefit.
The most useful evidence comes from well designed human clinical trials and systematic reviews examining a specific treatment protocol for a specific outcome.
Current research suggests photobiomodulation has meaningful potential across several areas of medicine and wellness. However, treatment parameters vary substantially between studies, and the certainty of evidence remains stronger for some applications than others.
Red Light Therapy in San Luis Obispo County
For people exploring red light therapy in San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, Shell Beach, and surrounding Central Coast communities, it is useful to understand both the science behind photobiomodulation and the specific equipment being used.
Not every red light device delivers the same wavelengths or dose. At Central Coast IV Therapy, red light therapy is available as part of our broader selection of wellness services for clients throughout San Luis Obispo County.
Our goal is to provide clients with information about how the treatment works, what to expect during a session, and where the available research is strong or still developing. Contact us to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Red Light Therapy
What is red light therapy?
Red light therapy is a noninvasive treatment involving exposure to specific wavelengths of red or near infrared light. In scientific literature, this general approach is commonly referred to as photobiomodulation.
What does photobiomodulation mean?
Photobiomodulation describes the use of nonionizing light to influence biological processes within cells and tissues. It includes treatments using certain red and near infrared wavelengths delivered through devices such as LEDs or low level lasers.
Is red light therapy UV light?
No. Red and near infrared light occupy different portions of the electromagnetic spectrum from ultraviolet radiation. Red light therapy does not work by exposing the skin to UV radiation.
Does red light therapy tan your skin?
No. Tanning occurs primarily through exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which stimulates melanin production. Red light therapy does not use UV light for its intended effects.
Is red light therapy the same as infrared sauna?
No. Infrared saunas primarily use infrared energy to generate heat. Photobiomodulation uses particular wavelengths and doses of light with the goal of influencing biological processes without relying on substantial heating of the body.
Does red light therapy help your skin?
Photobiomodulation has been studied for several dermatological and cosmetic applications. Research has examined its potential effects on fibroblasts, collagen related processes, wound healing, inflammation, and skin appearance. Results depend on the specific treatment parameters and application.
Does red light therapy increase collagen?
Research has investigated the effects of photobiomodulation on fibroblasts and processes involved in collagen production and remodeling. Some studies report positive effects, but outcomes depend on factors including wavelength, dose, device, and treatment protocol.
How long does red light therapy take?
Treatment length varies according to the device and protocol. There is no single session length that applies to every red light treatment.
How often should you do red light therapy?
Frequency depends on the device, treatment protocol, and reason for use. Follow the recommendations associated with the specific equipment rather than assuming that more frequent treatment will provide better results.
Does red light therapy hurt?
Red light therapy is generally noninvasive and should not be painful when appropriately administered. Some devices may produce mild warmth.
Do you need eye protection for red light therapy?
That depends on the equipment. Follow the manufacturer's safety instructions and the guidance of your treatment provider regarding eye protection.
Is red light therapy safe?
Photobiomodulation is generally considered to have a favorable safety profile when appropriately administered. Individual circumstances, medications, medical conditions, device specifications, and treatment parameters can affect whether a particular treatment is appropriate.
Can you use red light therapy every day?
Some research and treatment protocols involve frequent use, but daily treatment is not automatically appropriate for every device or purpose. Follow the protocol for the specific system you are using.
Is more red light better?
No. Photobiomodulation is dose dependent. Increasing intensity or treatment time beyond an appropriate dose does not necessarily improve results and may reduce the desired biological response.
Learn More About Red Light Therapy on the Central Coast
Red light therapy is a rapidly growing wellness treatment, but there is considerably more science behind photobiomodulation than the latest social media trends might suggest.
There is legitimate clinical research supporting specific applications of red and near infrared light. There are also many broader claims that require additional research.
Understanding that distinction can help you make a more informed decision about whether red light therapy fits into your wellness routine.
Central Coast IV Therapy provides red light therapy for clients from San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, Shell Beach, and surrounding communities throughout San Luis Obispo County.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Research regarding photobiomodulation and red light therapy continues to evolve, and evidence varies depending on the condition, device, wavelength, dose, treatment protocol, and outcome being studied. Individual results may vary, and red light therapy is not appropriate for every individual or medical condition. Always discuss your health history, medications, current medical conditions, and the potential risks and benefits of a treatment with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional when necessary. Red light therapy should not be used as a substitute for appropriate medical evaluation or treatment.
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