Red light therapy has surged in popularity in recent months. Red light therapy is considered by many alternative health advocates to be powerful, affordable, and effective.
Some red light therapy products target skin health, reducing wrinkles, acne, and other common skin blemishes. Other red light therapy products boost hair growth. Some people use red light therapy to reduce inflammation. Others use it to soothe joint pain or help muscles recover. The range of benefits associated with red light therapy is expansive, making it a particularly versatile form of wellness treatment.
Manufacturers have responded to the surging demand by releasing high-quality red light therapy products. There are more red light therapy products available today than ever before. As a result of this expansion in the red light therapy industry, a number of ineffective or scam products might also present a barrier to the wellness of consumers.
Our guide to the top red light therapy products of 2020 will help you to start on the path to finding the red light project that's best for you.
Ranking the Top 16 Best Red Light Therapy Products of 2020
After much deliberation, our editorial team compiled the following rankings for red light therapy products. Always do your own research; our list is not comprehensive and the opinions of our editors might not align with your own.
Contents
iRestore
iRestore is a hair regrowth system similar to Capillus. You wear the helmet on your head, then enjoy proven hair regrowth with light therapy. iRestore doesn’t just make wild claims about its effectiveness: the company has invested in clinical trials that have proven its benefits. In a double-blind clinical study, 100% of iRestore users saw increased hair growth after four months of use.
iRestore is also one of Amazon’s best-selling hair growth systems. It’s a popular and well-rated product. There are two iRestore ‘helmets’ available, including iRestore Essential ($695+) and iRestore Professional ($1,195+). Essential has 51 medical-grade lasers and LEDs, while Professional has 282, offering extended scalp coverage across the helmet.
LightStim
LightStim offers a variety of light therapy products for wrinkles, acne, and pain relief. The company’s products have been used and recommended by aestheticians, plastic surgeons, and dermatologists for over a decade.
The three flagship LightStim products use different wavelengths or colors of light. Most other red light therapy products on this list only use one color (like red). LightStim has multiple colors and wavelengths on each device, tackling issues from multiple angles. By applying LightStim directly to your skin, you can purportedly reduce fine lines and wrinkles, increase blood circulation, and treat mild to moderate acne, among other benefits.
Joovv
Joovv promises to enhance your skin, sleep, recovery, and overall health with light therapy. Joovv specifically claims to target fitness, performance, and recovery, making it popular among pro athletes and trainers worldwide. The products can also enhance sleep and help maintain circadian rhythm, improve skin and beauty, and provide other targeted benefits.
Joovv offers multiple light therapy devices with different wavelengths, including the Joovv Duo, which offers red, near infrared (NIR), or both. There’s also the high-powered Joovv Max, priced at $3,000, which contains 420 LEDs for maximum effectiveness. Most Joovv units are designed for use at home, although there’s also a portable Joovv with its own carrying case. Whether you want to spend $300 on a red light therapy product or $6,000, Joovv has an option for you.
Capillus
Capillus uses red light therapy to help regrow your hair. Capillus looks like an ordinary baseball cap at first glance, but the cap has dozens of red light LEDs underneath. You wear the cap for 6 minutes a day, and the red light stimulates hair regrowth on your scalp.
Capillus may sound funny, but it’s FDA-cleared for hair regrowth. There’s some evidence that red light therapy can improve hair regrowth in some people. Laser light therapy for hair regrowth isn’t exactly new, but Capillus may be the most cost-effective and convenient system available. Instead of visiting a laser therapy clinic, you can simply wear the Capillus cap daily to improve hair regrowth.
Capillus offers different caps depending on your desired output. There’s the $1,000 CapillusUltra, for example, which has 410mW of total output. There’s also the $3,000 CapillusPro, which offers 3.3x the scalp coverage and 1360mW of output.
Curavi
Curavi is a laser light therapy belt that uses laser light – not LEDs – to provide pain relief. The company claims that a 30-minute session per day can lead to temporary pain relief. The red light stimulates your body’s immune response in the targeted area of your lower back, and you enjoy temporary relief from back pain.
Like other light therapy devices, Curavi will not work on everyone’s back pain, and it will not provide permanent relief. Those who use Curavi, however, tend to really like it. Multiple Curavi belts are available, including the Pro, Plus, and Ultra, ranging from $800 to $3,000. Whether you’re looking for powerful and affordable light therapy or high-powered light therapy at a premium price, Curavi may have the red light therapy device you need.
reVive Light Therapy
reVive Light Therapy offers several light therapy products, including a handheld acne cleansing system and the ‘LookBook’ light therapy panel. You can rub the handheld wands across your face, letting the red and violet lights target germs and improve skin. Or, you hold the panel in front of your face, neck, or chest, letting the red lights reduce wrinkles and other effects of aging.
reVive claims that with just a few minutes of treatment per day, you can experience noticeable benefits. They describe their light therapy system as a one of a kind anti-aging device. It enhances skin tone, stimulates natural collagen and elastin, and reduces wrinkles and fine lines. In one clinical trial, 97% of users experienced a significant reduction in wrinkles after using reVive. reVive is also an FDA-cleared, OTC Class II medical device.
Get reVive Light Therapy on Amazon
Hooga Red Light Therapy
Hooga promises to offer affordable and effective red light therapy from the comfort of your home, office, or gym. Hooga is a red light panel. You place it on your desk while you’re working or in your bathroom while doing your skin regimen.
Hooga offers five version of its red light therapy product, including the HG24, HG300, HG500, HG1000, and HG1500, ranging from 7W to 585W of power. Hooga is also more affordable than many other red light therapy systems listed here, ranging from $180 for the cheapest unit to $1,000 for the most expensive unit. It’s also a best-selling product on Amazon, earning top ratings from users around the world. Whether you want 12 LEDs or 300 LEDs on your red light therapy panel, you can find the right Hooga system for you.
Get Hooga Red Light Therapy on Amazon
Mito Red Light Therapy
Mito Red Light Therapy claims to be powerful, affordable, and effective, helping improve your sleep, skin, inflammation, muscle recovery, and joint pain, among other benefits. Like most other red light therapy products here, Mito uses 5W LEDs for maximum power. These LEDs deliver red light therapy across the entire therapeutic spectrum of red and near infrared (NIR) light. That means you get the benefits of 620nm to 700nm wavelength red light and the benefits of 800 to 880nm red light.
Mito Red charges reasonable prices for its red light therapy products, ranging from $250 to $1,050. Panels range in power from 300W to 1,500W, with anywhere from 60 to 300 lights on each panel. All Mito Red Light Therapy products come with a two year warranty.
Get Mito Red Light Therapy on Amazon
Pulsaderm LED Red
Pulsaderm LED Red is an FDA cleared light therapy device that targets fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet, among other signs of aging. It’s a handheld device that you hold over your face daily for anti-aging benefits.
Pulsaderm recommends using three minute treatments three times per week. Clean your skin, wear the included safety goggles, then enjoy younger, healthier-looking skin. Pulsaderm claims their LED Red product is medically proven to alleviate skin problems caused by aging and sun damage. Pulsaderm sells two laser light therapy products, including the LED Red and LED Blue, both of which are priced at a reasonable $75.
Get Pulsaderm LED Red on Amazon
Luma Skin Therapy Wand
The Luma Skin Therapy Wand from Pure Daily Care is an $80 light therapy device that combines three therapies into one device. The wand has three colors of light in each wand, including blue light (to kill bacteria and reduce acne), green light (to calm and balance skin tone and prevent uneven melanin or pigment), and red light (to improve blood circulation to diminish wrinkles). You can also use all lights at once for an all-in-one treatment, making this a “4-in-1” red light therapy system.
The Luma Skin Therapy Wand uses wave penetration technology to give your cells a “weekly workout”, pulling dirt and impurities from your skin, stimulating anti-aging effects, and targeting other benefits. At $80, the 4-in-1 Luma Skin Therapy Wand is one of the best-value options on our list.
Get Luma Skin Therapy Wand on Amazon
Tendlite Red Light Therapy Device
Tendlite’s Red Light Therapy Device is one of the best-selling red light products on Amazon. Priced at under $180, the device delivers red light in a compact, handheld system. The medical grade light claims to target injuries directly, providing joint and muscle pain relief.
The Tendlite Red Light Therapy Device claims to quickly and safely relieve aches and pains anywhere on the body, including acute pain, arthritis, back pain, joint pain, tendonitis, sprains, and more. It uses two rechargeable batteries, although it also comes with a charger. You can bring it on-the-go anywhere you need red light pain relief.
Get Tendlite Red Light Therapy Device on Amazon
Wolezek Red Light Therapy Lamp
You don’t have to buy a full red light therapy product to enjoy the benefits of red light. Some manufacturers sell ordinary red lightbulbs that can plug into a standard socket. Wolezek’s Red Light Therapy Lamp is one such product, delivering 660nm deep red light via a series of LEDs.
Like other red light therapy products listed here, the Wolezek Red Light Therapy Lamp claims to target pain relief by improving circulation. Infrared heat improves blood flow, encouraging your body’s natural healing processes. And, at just $43 per bulb, the Red Light Therapy Lamp is one of the cheapest options on our list.
Get Wolezek Red Light Therapy Lamp on Amazon
Anyork Body Red Light Therapy
Anyork sells a full-body red light therapy device on Amazon for $180. You plug in the device, then stand in front of it daily to enjoy the benefits of red light therapy. The product claims to reduce wrinkles and boost collagen. It also claims to boost energy, improve sports performance, help you sleep, and provide other benefits. It’s 22 inches large, giving you full body red light coverage with 338 LEDs.
Whether you want to improve your skin, energy, sleep, or anything else, Anyork’s red light therapy board is available through Amazon for a reasonable price.
Get Anyork Body Red Light Therapy on Amazon
RubyLux NIR-A Near Infrared Bulb Grade A
The RubyLux NIR-A Near Infrared Bulb is a red lightbulb designed for use in red light therapy. Priced at just $30, the lightbulb produces 1431mW per square centimeter from 6 inches away. The light purportedly increases collagen and skin elasticity, reduces pain, and speeds healing, among other benefits.
If you want to test the benefits of red light therapy without buying a $600 red light therapy product listed above, then a $30 lightbulb like RubyLux is a great starting point.
Get RubyLux NIR-A Near Infrared Bulb Grade A on Amazon
DGYAO Red Light Therapy
DGYAO sells a small, portable red light therapy product through Amazon. The light claims to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and improve joints. It’s a 12” x 6” pad outfitted with 52 red lights (660nm) and 65 invisible infrared lights (880nm). By using the light therapy device daily, you can stimulate cellular repair and increase circulation, promoting a more vibrant and youthful complexion.
DGYAO is soft and comfortable to use. The lights are placed on flexible fabric – not a solid surface. You can wrap it around any part of your body – like your arm, elbow, or lower back – to enjoy pain relief on the go. With 20 minutes of treatment per day, DGYAO claims you can experience meaningful pain relief.
Get DGYAO Red Light Therapy on Amazon
Beurer IL50 Infrared Light Therapy
Beurer IL50 Infrared Light Therapy is a red light therapy product that is very well-rated and popular on Amazon. It looks like a standard beauty mirror: you place it on a dresser or countertop, then turn on the light to start therapy. The unit outputs 300W of red light for muscle and pain relief, improving blood flow and circulation.
Beurer claims their product provides deep penetration, leading to more effective pain relief by targeting the lower layers of your skin. It purportedly improves cardiovascular health and cell repair, among other benefits. And, at around $47 on Amazon, it’s one of the most value-packed red light therapy products on our list.
Get Beurer IL50 Infrared Light Therapy on Amazon
How We Ranked
All red light therapy products claim to offer powerful benefits using the power of red light. But not all products live up to the hype. Our editorial team used the following to separate good and bad red light therapy products.
Scientific Evidence: The best red light therapy products use the same wavelengths used in scientific studies. These wavelengths have been linked to specific benefits. The more scientific evidence, the better.
Clinical Testing: Some red light therapy product manufacturers do their own testing to verify benefits. iRestore, for example, launched a double-blind clinical study where 100% of iRestore users saw increased hair growth after four months. Evidence like this puts certain red light therapy devices ahead of others.
Ease of Use: Is the red light therapy product battery powered? Does it connect to a power outlet? Is it portable? Do you have to awkwardly hold it above your body during use? Or is it convenient and easy to use? We considered ease of use and usability in our rankings.
Quality of Light: You can’t shine red light on your body and expect immediate health effects. We preferred red light therapy products that used high-quality, proven red light wavelengths, including deep red (620nm to 700nm) and near infrared (850nm).
Advertised Benefits: Some red light product manufacturers advertise ridiculous benefits. They claim their products can cure any disease or ailment. Most manufacturers are more honest and transparent, emphasizing scientific evidence and research-backed benefits.
Warranty: We appreciate manufacturers who stand behind their products. A good warranty indicates the product is expected to last. A bad warranty or return policy means the manufacturer is not confident in its product.
Other Features: Some red light therapy devices contain other lights to maximize benefits. Some contain ultraviolet lights to kill germs, for example. We see this on the reVive acne fighting systems. Others contain other beneficial features that enhance the effectiveness of red light therapy.
Light Output: Different red light therapy systems have different outputs. Generally, the stronger the output, the more expensive (and more effective) the red light therapy device is expected to be. However, some low-quality manufacturers do not even disclose their output, making it difficult to compare them with other red light therapy products.
Price & Value: Some red light therapy products are unusually expensive. They use the same red lights as other products – but charge a premium to capitalize on the hype of red light therapy. We featured products at a range of prices, although we emphasized good value at every price range.
Who Should Use Red Light Therapy Products?
People use red light therapy products for all different reasons. Some use red light therapy products for anti-aging benefits. Others use it for acne or general skin care. Some use it for pain relief, hair loss, or muscle recovery.
Many people use red light therapy daily or weekly for anti-aging benefits. Red light therapy has shown some evidence of reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Red light may increase collagen and elastin production, helping your body look younger. It also raises cellular energy, which means you might feel younger too.
Some red light therapy products contain ultraviolet light or other light sources to kill acne-causing bacteria, reducing the appearance of acne.
Others use red light therapy products for pain relief. Red light appears to stimulate blood flow in targeted areas, increasing your body’s natural healing powers. It kickstarts your body’s natural healing processes, giving you temporary relief from back pain, elbow pain, and any other pain throughout your body.
Some people use red light therapy to improve their mood. Some red light therapy products claim to offer psychological benefits: reducing anxiety or boosting happiness, for example.
Others use red light therapy to reduce hair loss or boost hair growth. Specific red light therapy devices – like Capillus and iRestore – use lasers to stimulate hair growth on your scalp. In fact, many of these devices have been proven to regrow hair in clinical trials.
Others use red light therapy for targeted beauty benefits – like reducing puffy eyes and dark circles. Red light therapy can also target uneven melanin (pigment) levels in your skin, smoothing your skin tone and clarifying your appearance.
Is there any scientific evidence behind red light therapy products? Do they actually work as advertised to reduce aging and pain? Below, we’ll check the scientific benefits of red light therapy.
Benefits of Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy may sound unusual – but it’s linked with real, scientific benefits. By shining a specific wavelength of red light onto your body, you could kickstart your body’s natural healing processes, support skin health, and even support hair growth, among other benefits.
Just like plants, our skin and other body tissues can absorb light and convert it into energy. Red light therapy products are based on this phenomenon.
Red light therapy is known by several names, including:
Low level light therapy (LLLT)
Photobiomodulation (PBM)
Soft laser therapy
Cold laser therapy
Photonic stimulation
Biostimulation
Low-power laser therapy (LPLT)
Some red light therapy products claim to use “NASA technology”. Why? Well, in the 1990s, NASA used red lights to grow plants in space. The red lights were 10x brighter than sunlight, and NASA found that plants grew faster than they did on earth. Today, that same technology is found in many red light therapy products.
Although most laser therapies use red light, some use invisible light (like infrared) or other colors of light. These lights are collectively labeled as red light.
Red light therapy speeds up the process of skin cell reproduction and healing. The red light penetrates deep into the skin – more deeply than other colors of light. As the light penetrates the skin, it enhances cell function, helping cells grow more quickly.
After entering the skin, red light stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, the two most abundant proteins in your skin. These proteins make your skin supple and soft. As your body ages, your collagen and elastin levels decrease. Many anti-aging products contain collagen and elastin to give you youthful, firm, healthy-looking skin.
Red light penetrates the skin more deeply because it has a longer wavelength. Red light penetrates about 1/3 inch into the skin, while infrared light (which is invisible to the naked eye), penetrates up to one inch. Infrared light passes the epidermis and dermis, interacting with your skin’s collagen fibers below.
Another benefit of red light therapy is that it’s fast: some of the red light therapy products above work in just 5 to 10 minutes per day. Others recommend treatment times as short as 3 minutes. With just 3 minutes of light therapy per day, you could experience significant and noticeable benefits.
Red light therapy is also convenient. You don’t have to visit a clinic for laser treatment in-person. Instead, you can buy one of the home red light therapy products listed above, then use the treatment any time without leaving your house. You can perform the treatment as frequently as you need it. Once you own the therapy device, you don’t have to spend extra money on each treatment.
There’s real science that demonstrates the effectiveness of red light therapy. In 2014, researchers published results of a controlled trial analyzing the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment. Researchers tested how red light reduced wrinkles, fine lines, skin roughness, and collagen density.
To test the effects of red light therapy, researchers took 136 volunteers, then separated them into four treatment groups. Subjects were treated twice a week with 611-650 or 570-850nm polychromatic light, then researchers compared results to a control group.
The results were impressive. Researchers noticed “significantly improved” indicators of skin health:
“The treated subjects experienced significantly improved skin complexion and skin feeling, profilometrically assessed skin roughness, and ultrasonographically measured collagen density. The blinded clinical evaluation of photographs confirmed significant improvement in the intervention groups compared with the control.”
Other studies have led to similarly impressive results.
This study found that light therapy promoted wound healing and tissue repair, for example. Researchers analyzed the effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on wounds, and noticed wounds healed more quickly than a control group.
Another study found that red light therapy improved hair growth in people with androgenic alopecia. Researchers applied 665nm and 808nm light to the scalps of 90 participants between ages 18 and 70. Researchers found that patients treated with the laser scanner “had better results and showed a higher increase in terminal hair density” compared to men in the control group.
This study from 2006, meanwhile, showed that light therapy could treat sun damage. Researchers gave 36 subjects 9 LED treatments over a 5 week period, then evaluated the skin to determine the effects. Researchers observed “a statistically significant improvement in wrinkles” along with “improvements in softness, smoothness, and firmness”. Researchers concluded that LED treatments at the 633-nm and 830-nm wavelengths can “play a role in the treatment of photodamaged skin”.
Many of the red light therapy devices above target pain relief. There’s some science showing red light therapy can relieve pain in targeted areas.
This study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2006, for example, analyzed the effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on seven patients with bilateral Achilles tendonitis. After treatment, researchers concluded that LLLT “can reduce inflammation and pain” in Achilles tendonitis.
Joovv’s science page claims that their red light therapy products can lead to more ATP energy and enhanced cell signaling, both of which should raise your overall energy. The light interacts with mitochondria in your cells, increasing energy production and regeneration.
Specific wavelengths of light also create a better oxidative environment in your cells, helping activate numerous intracellular signaling pathways, increasing protein synthesis, enzyme activation, and cell cycle progression, among other elements of cellular health.
Some athletes use red light therapy to enhance recovery. Elite strength trainer Charles Poliquin once asked Joovv if red light therapy was an unfair competitive advantage, despite the fact it’s completely natural. UFC champion TJ Dillashaw has also publicly supported light therapy, as has NFL star Patrick Peterson.
Red light therapy appears to enhance recovery the same way it boosts cellular energy: it creates a better oxidative environment in your cells and targets mitochondria, improving cellular health and enhancing recovery.
There’s also evidence that red light therapy reduces inflammation, which is a huge risk factor for disease. Inflammation within your body is linked with all types of diseases.
Other studies have shown that red light therapy can reduce symptoms of arthritis, fight back against knee pain, improve carpal tunnel syndrome, and provide other powerful benefits.
What about sleep? Can red light therapy really help you sleep better? Bulletproof founder Dave Asprey claims to use red light therapy for healthier sleep. He has discussed red light therapy numerous times, claiming it helps maintain his circadian rhythm. Other studies have reinforced this idea, showing that light therapy (not necessarily red light therapy) increases natural melatonin production for healthier sleep.
Some people claim that red light therapy reduced pain when no other treatment worked. Paleo Mom Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, for example, claims to have treated her chronic fibromyalgia pain using red light therapy. She claims that after using red light therapy for her fibromyalgia pain, she has been symptom-free.
Red light therapy is not a miracle solution, nor is it a proven medical treatment for all illnesses and diseases. There’s no significant evidence that red light therapy can improve mood or treat depression, for example, or assist with any cognitive disorders.
There’s also no evidence that red light therapy can boost the immune system, help with weight loss, or reduce cellulite – despite what some laser therapy clinics seem to claim.
You might hear about red light therapy and its effects on cancer. It’s true that red light therapy is sometimes used in combination with cancer therapy. However, red light therapy does not seem to have any significant effects on cancer – it simply activates cancer drugs in your body, making treatment more effective.
Additionally, health insurance organizations will rarely cover red light therapy. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS.gov), for example, has concluded that “there is sufficient evidence to conclude that the use of infrared devices is not reasonable and necessary for treatment of Medicare beneficiaries” for wounds and ulcers, diabetic neuropathy, and similar treatments.
Red Light Therapy Side Effects
Red light therapy has been shown to be safe and effective for all skin types. Few side effects have been reported in any studies to date.
Typically, you’ll notice a warming sensation at the targeted area of your skin, but you shouldn’t experience any other side effects.
A 2014 review study by researchers at Harvard and MIT praised light therapy for its “noninvasive nature and almost complete absence of side effects”.
A few people have developed burns after falling asleep with red light therapy units in place. Others experienced burns due to broken wires or device corrosion.
There’s potential of damaging your eyes during treatment. Most red light therapy products contain goggles to protect your eyes, and you should wear these goggles during treatment.
However, you should talk to your doctor before undergoing any therapy – including red light therapy.
Red Light Therapy Dosage
Red light therapy products vary widely in terms of light strength, power, and effectiveness. Some red light therapy products are effective with just 3 minutes of use 3 times per week, for example, while others require 30 minutes of use.
We recommend following the dosage instructions on your red light therapy product.
Frequently Asked Questions About Red Light Therapy
Despite its climb in popularity in the past few months, much about red light therapy remains complicated and shrouded in confusion. This section will answer some of the most commonly asked questions about red light therapy.
Q: Does red light therapy help hair growth?
A: Yes. Certain wavelengths of red light have been shown to stimulate hair follicles, leading to hair growth. iRestore, one of the leading red light therapy product companies above, has performed clinical trials proving this benefit. Red light therapy isn't comprehensive; speak with your doctor for more information about whether or not red light therapy will help your specific situation.
Q: Does red light therapy reduce wrinkles?
A: Yes, there’s evidence that red light therapy has a significant effect on wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Q: How does red light therapy reduce the effects of aging?
A: Red light therapy appears to reduce the effects of aging by enhancing collagen and elastin production, plumping your skin.
Q: Does red light therapy really work?
A: Yes, there’s plenty of evidence supporting the benefits of red light therapy. However, red light therapy is not a miracle treatment for everything. There’s no evidence that red light therapy can improve mood or kill cancer cells, for example. We advise that consumers always be careful when dealing with companies that make outrageous or unsubstantiated claims about the effectiveness of their red light therapy products.
Q: How many times a week should you use red light therapy?
A: Most red light therapy products work best with 3 to 4 treatments per week. Check your product for the recommended dosage and usage instructions. Try to avoid exceeding the maximum recommended doses or usage amounts, as doing so could potentially be harmful.
Q: Does red light therapy reduce pain?
A: There’s limited scientific evidence that red light therapy provides significant pain reduction, and there’s no evidence it can reduce pain long-term. However, some people claim to have reduced pain with red light therapy, and some wear red light therapy products daily for short-term pain relief.
Q: How much does red light therapy cost?
A: Most of the red light therapy products on our list above range in price from $40 (for a basic red light bulb) to $6,000 (for a huge wall of medical-grade red lasers). You can also buy red light therapy from certain clinics. Clearly, prices on these products can be extremely volatile. Look for a product that suits your needs but remains relatively affordable.
Q: Can red light therapy reduce sun damage?
A: Yes. There’s evidence that red light therapy can reduce sun damage on the skin, evening out pigmentation, reducing wrinkles, and supporting other anti-aging benefits. The skin-promoting effects of a given product can vary, so be sure to check the product's site to know how it can help you.
Q: How does red light therapy work?
A: Red light therapy penetrates the skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production to help the cells work more efficiently. This can lead to a number of positive effects within the body as collagen and elastin help to give the skin and muscles the strength and structure they need.
Q: Why is red light special?
A: Red light and infrared light have longer wavelengths than other colors, which helps them penetrate more deeply than other colors.
Q: Is red light therapy safe?
A: Red light therapy has been found to be safe in all major studies to date, and there’s no evidence that red light therapy is linked with dangerous health effects. However, it's never a bad idea to speak to your doctor about any new alternative wellness product.
Q: What’s the best red light therapy product?
A: Any of the top-ranked red light therapy products listed above may be the right choice for you. It's hard to say which red light therapy product is best for you, especially considering that red light therapy products vary greatly in specs and benefits.
Q: What’s the best red light therapy company?
A: iRestore, LightStim, reVive, Hooga, and Joovv are all popular, well-rated red light therapy product manufacturers.
Q: Do you need to charge your red light therapy product?
A: Most red light therapy devices come with a charger or electrical cord that can be plugged into any standard socket. Specific charging instructions can really only be found on the official product websites.
Q: Does red light therapy hurt?
A: Red light therapy should not hurt, although you may feel a gentle warming sensation during treatment. Most agree that red light therapy feels pretty good. If your therapy begins to hurt, contact customer support for the company that produced your device or devices.
Q: What are the benefits of red light therapy?
A: Red light therapy may improve circulation, reduce inflammation, encourage your body’s natural healing process, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, among other benefits.
Q: Which red light therapy device is the best?
A: iRestore, LightStim, reVive, Hooga, and Joovv are all popular and well-rated red light therapy device companies, although any of the companies listed above is recognized as a top manufacturer.
Q: Is red light therapy covered by insurance?
A: No major insurance company or organization covers red light therapy. This means that cost-effectiveness may be one of the biggest concerns for many users looking to participate in red light therapy.
Q: What are similar treatment options to red light therapy?
A: Laser treatments, natural sunlight, blue or green light therapy, sauna light therapy, ultraviolet light B (UVB), and ultraviolet light A (UVA) treatments may all offer similar benefits to red light therapy.
Q: Will red light therapy products help with seasonal mood disorders?
A: Red light therapy products generate visible light, and visible light could improve mood. Your brain’s chemistry and body clock are affected by light, and light stimulates hormones and neurotransmitters that influence overall feelings of wellbeing.
Q: Can red light therapy reduce acne?
A: Some dermatologists recommend using light therapy to reduce of acne. This 2014 review study, for example, mentions light therapy as a potential alternative for the treatment of acne vulgaris.
Q: Where can you get red light therapy?
A: If you don’t have a red light therapy product at home, then you may be able to find gyms, day spas, tanning salons, wellness centers, saunas, and dermatology clinics offering red light therapy. Some doctors offices or dental clinics also offer light therapy. Expect to pay $50 to $200 per session, depending on the clinic.
Q: Can red light therapy help me sleep?
A: Visible light – including red light – has a crucial role in melatonin production, and melatonin is the hormone that helps you fall asleep. Blue light, for example, triggers your body to stop producing melatonin, which is why some use blue light filters or blue light glasses to increase melatonin production.
Q: How do you use red light therapy?
A: With most devices, you just press the button, then sit in front of the red lights to soak up the benefits of the red light. Most devices recommend being 6 to 12 inches away, but check your instruction manual to be certain. Misusing your device could cause negative impacts.
Q: Do my eyes need to be open during red light therapy?
A: Some light therapy treatments require your eyes to be open (say, if using light therapy to manage circadian rhythm). Generally, you can close your eyes or wear goggles with red light therapy, and you should avoid looking directly at the light when any light therapy.
Q: Will you get a suntan from red light therapy?
A: No, red light therapy will not give you a suntan, mainly because the lights do not emit ultraviolet rays.
Q: Should you be naked during red light therapy?
A: If you have a full body red light therapy product, and you want to experience red light therapy benefits all over your body, then you should remove clothes before treatment. However, it’s up to you which parts of the body you want to target.
Q: Does red light therapy stimulate production of vitamin D?
A: No, only ultraviolet light (from sunlight or other sources) can stimulate the production of vitamin D.
Q: When should you do red light therapy?
A: Some manufacturers recommend doing red light therapy at night, although you can do it any time of day. Consult the manufacturer's instruction for your device to be sure.
Q: How do you clean a red light therapy product?
A: You can clean your red light therapy product by unplugging it or turning it off, then using an air blower device (like a compressed air duster or blow dryer) to remove particles and dust from LEDs. You can also clean the device exterior with a damp cloth or rubbing alcohol. Allow the device to dry completely prior to use.
Q: Why can’t I see all the lights on my product?
A: Some red light therapy products use both red and infrared light. Red light is part of the visible spectrum, while infrared cannot be seen with the human eye.
Q: Should you take off makeup before light therapy?
A: Yes. Most manufacturers recommend removing makeup and cleaning your face before red light therapy. But this might depend on the specific brand of red light therapy, so be sure to check the official product website for your device to be sure.
Q: How does red light therapy reduce pain?
A: Red light therapy may reduce pain by penetrating the skin’s surface, improving circulation in the area and kickstarting the body’s natural healing processes. However, more research is needed to verify the pain relief benefits of red light therapy.
Q: Can you travel with a red light therapy product?
A: Many red light therapy products are designed to be lightweight and portable, which means they should be able to travel with you without issue.
A: Most red light therapy systems are designed to work without direct skin contact, which means you shouldn’t transmit germs by sharing red light therapy systems.
Q: What’s the difference between red and near infrared (NIR)?
A: Red light at 660nm and near infrared light at 850nm have both been shown to enhance cellular function. The main difference is that red light is readily absorbed by skin tissue, while infrared penetrates deeper into skin tissue. Red light may be more effective for skin health and collagen production, while infrared may be more effective for deeper healing, muscle recovery, and reduced joint pain.
Q: Will red light therapy interfere with medications?
A: Red light therapy has shown to be safe in all major clinical trials. However, fi you are using photosensitizing drugs, then it’s possible red light therapy could interact with these drugs. Talk to your doctor if you use medications such as Tetracycline, Digoxin, Retina, or generic versions of those drugs.
Final Thoughts
Red light therapy is linked with powerful benefits. It may be an effective way to reduce wrinkles and other symptoms of aging. There’s evidence it promotes healing and recovery, boosts hair growth, and raises cellular energy, among other benefits. Some use red light therapy to reduce pain or improve joint mobility.
Evidence supporting red light therapy continues to grow. More studies are published every year verifying certain benefits of red light therapy.
Red light therapy product sales are surging. You can find dozens of top-rated red light therapy products on Amazon and other retailers. Whether seeking pain relief, better energy, hair growth, or reduced wrinkles, you can find the right red light therapy product for you.
