Most red light therapy devices promise big results. Better skin. Faster recovery. Less pain.
But here’s the truth—some work, and some are nothing more than overpriced glow sticks. The difference? Knowing what actually matters before you buy.
We’ll break it down, no fluff, no gimmicks—just the key things to look for so you get a device that actually delivers.
The effectiveness of red light therapy depends largely on the wavelengths being emitted.
Studies suggest that red light in the 630-680 nm range supports skin rejuvenation, while 800-850 nm near-infrared light is better for deep tissue and muscle benefits.
Some devices offer both wavelengths, giving you more flexibility in your treatments. If you’re looking for skin-related benefits, a red-light-only device may be enough.
For deeper penetration and muscle recovery, near-infrared light should be included.
Light intensity, often measured in mW/cm² (milliwatts per square centimeter), determines how much energy reaches your skin. This directly affects how long you need to use the device to see results.
Higher irradiance levels can shorten treatment times, but more power isn’t always better. It’s important that the light is evenly distributed and not overly concentrated in one spot.
Red light therapy devices come in various sizes, from handheld units to full-body panels. Your choice should match your treatment goals:
A larger treatment area means less time spent on sessions, but it also comes with a higher price tag.
Not all red light therapy devices are built to the same standard. A high-quality device should be made with medical-grade LEDs and have independent third-party testing to confirm its effectiveness.
It’s also important to look for FDA clearance or approval, which indicates that the device meets safety standards. Some lower-cost options may cut corners on quality, leading to weaker results or uneven light distribution.
When researching a product, look for:
Some red light therapy devices offer pulsed and continuous light modes. Continuous light stays on throughout the session, while pulsed light flashes on and off at set intervals.
The idea behind pulsed light is that it may allow cells to absorb energy more efficiently. While research is still ongoing, some users prefer having both options available.
For most people, a continuous light device will work just fine. But if you want maximum flexibility, a device with both settings can be a good investment.
Red light therapy devices range from $100 for basic handheld models to over $2,000 for professional-grade full-body panels. A higher price doesn’t always mean better quality, but extremely cheap devices may lack the necessary power and reliability.
When comparing prices, consider:
Many reputable brands offer warranties, which can be a sign of product quality. Look for at least a one-year warranty, with some premium brands offering up to five years.
The Lumi Visage stands out with an industry-leading 5-year warranty and a 90-day money-back guarantee, ensuring both durability and peace of mind.
Yes, red light therapy may support melatonin production and improve sleep quality, especially when used in the evening. Unlike blue light, which can disrupt sleep, red and near-infrared light promote relaxation and a natural sleep cycle.
Wired devices often provide stronger and more consistent power output, while battery-powered models offer convenience and portability. If you need high-intensity treatments, a wired device is usually the better option.
Many users report improved skin texture and fading of scars and stretch marks over time. Red light therapy stimulates collagen production, which helps the skin repair itself, but results vary depending on scar age and severity.
Yes, studies suggest that red and near-infrared light can stimulate hair follicles and support hair regrowth. Some devices are designed specifically for this purpose, offering the right wavelength and intensity for scalp treatments.
Distance matters. 6-12 inches is typically recommended for most red light therapy devices. Too close, and the heat may be uncomfortable; too far, and the intensity may drop, reducing effectiveness. Always check your device’s guidelines.
Yes, but choose wisely. Many people use red light therapy with hyaluronic acid or vitamin C serums to boost skin hydration and brightness. Avoid products with retinol or exfoliating acids before treatment, as they can make the skin more sensitive.
Choosing the right red light therapy device comes down to a few key factors—wavelengths, power, coverage, and quality. The best devices use 630-680 nm red light and 800-850 nm near-infrared for real results.
Higher irradiance means faster sessions, but balance is key. Size matters too—handhelds work for small areas, while panels and full-body systems save time. And don’t forget build quality and warranty. A reliable device should last years, not months.
Red light therapy has been extensively studied for its promising results for wound healing, hair growth, hormone balance, sun damage, pain, and inflammation, to name a few. These potential benefits have allowed red light therapy at home to get traction in a market saturated with supplements, herbal extracts and tinctures, and alternative fitness equipment.
To get the most out of trying red light therapy at home, the right type of red light therapy device is necessary. What factors do you need to consider when choosing red light therapy at home? Let’s have a look.
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Red light therapy is a non-invasive, red and near-infrared light treatment that uses low-level red light to stimulate cellular activity and promote healing in the body. The red light penetrates deep into the skin and can help increase circulation, reduce inflammation, promote wound healing, and encourage the production of collagen and elastin, amongst various other benefits that promote youthful, healthy, clear skin.
Irradiance is the amount of energy a specific part of your body receives over a set period while using the device. Think of it as the rate of energy delivered. This is perhaps the most defining factor when considering red light therapy at home since higher irradiance can result in better results in less time.
The most used format to measure irradiance is mW/cm2 or milliwatts per square centimetre, e.g. 80 mW/cm2. However, just stating the irradiance measurement means nothing if the distance is not provided. Some red light therapy devices have a high mW/cm2 reading on the surface of the device and not on the object exposed to it.
In typical red light therapy devices, the range of frequency used is from 633 nm (a deep red that penetrates the skin and acts on mitochondria) to 850 nm (a near-infrared light penetrating deeper into tissue). This range is standard in many red light therapy devices because most of the most-desired benefits, like anti-aging, revolve around it. Red light wavelengths penetrate the skin and promote collagen production and wound healing. Near-infrared light, on the other hand, can go deeper, targeting deeper wounds and joint or muscle pain. Lower frequencies such as blue wavelengths, while providing more superficial penetration, can also be effective for treating skin issues like acne and oil regulation.
Recent studies have provided more specific insights into which other wavelengths within this range are most effective. For instance, a significant study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry tested red light therapy at multiple wavelengths including 670nm, 728nm, 770nm, 830nm, and 880nm. It was found that 670nm and 830nm were particularly effective, enhancing the chemical processes thought to be influenced by red light therapy, such as the activation of cytochrome c oxidase. Conversely, 728nm was shown to be among the least effective. Another study in Lasers in Medical Science explored the efficacy of 635nm, 730nm, 810nm, and 980nm. The results indicated that 635nm and 810nm were effective in stimulating healing processes, while 730nm and 980nm were less effective. These findings are crucial as they align with the expected absorption rates by key cellular components involved in healing and rejuvenation.
By integrating such specific research data, we can better understand which wavelengths are most beneficial and why, thus optimising the therapeutic outcomes of red light therapy for various medical and cosmetic applications, such as skin issues like acne and oil regulation.
Will the treatment be for the face or the whole body? While many would go for smaller devices to treat wrinkles and stretch marks, others may opt for bigger ones if they want to maximise the use of red light therapy for muscle recovery, hair loss, hormone balance, and even joint pain.
If the budget allows, buying a red light therapy device with maximum coverage is always a better idea, as larger devices emit more light energy and better performance than smaller ones. Larger devices also allow users to access full-body red light therapy at a moment’s notice.
That isn’t to say smaller devices are poor investments. Some red light therapy devices are portable and let users take them to work, a friend or relative’s house, or even abroad.
Quality is not something to overlook when it comes to tools, supplements, and devices designed for the human body.
As such, the rise of trying red light therapy at home has made the market vulnerable to products produced solely for cashing in on the trend. Always look for standards or certificates that attest to the device’s authenticity and safety to prevent buying a fake or unsafe red light therapy device.
Standards to look out for include those relating to the safety of the parts used and those that refer to light calibration.
Lastly, customer satisfaction and testimonials can show how a particular red light therapy device works in real life. Some customers leave details regarding results, ease of use, actual light intensity, and whether the device is prone to damage or requires some maintenance investment.
Customers will also let you know if the company offers customer-friendly returns and replacement procedures.
Here at Aesthetic Bureau, all of the medical IPL and LED red light therapy machines we manufacture are included in the ARTG (Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration).
Our Xen LED is the only medical aesthetic system in Australia that utilises the latest LED technology. This allows us to pack a much higher density of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on our units than our competitors. While other systems on the market today pack only 1,800 LEDs maximum, the Xen LED packs 10,500 LEDs on ONE head. This gives it the ability to deliver the most optimised and high-intensity treatments with three clinically proven wavelengths.
Pearl Xen is our smaller and more portable system that similarly contains a higher number of LEDs than our competitors. While it is powerful for an LED face mask, its use is limited to the face.
To gain the full health benefits of photobiomodulation (PBMT), a whole-body LED system such as the Total Xen is optimal. Whole body photobiomodulation therapy has been extensively studied in over 5,000 laboratory studies and more than 500 published double-blind, randomly controlled studies.
Experts agree that PBMT offers a wide range of benefits, including:
All of Aesthetic Bureau’s Xen products feature specific wavelengths of light that are most clinically backed for their therapeutic benefits —633nm and 830nm— and are ideal for both home and professional settings. All devices come with CE marks and TGA approval and have undergone rigorous third-party testing to ensure safety and efficacy.
To learn even more about the research and scientific evidence behind photobiomodulation, head on over to our new Xen website or contact us to view our devices in our showroom.
No, red light therapy is not a gimmick. There is a growing body of scientific research supporting red light therapy’s effectiveness for various health conditions. Numerous studies have shown this therapy to promote wound healing, reduce inflammation, improve skin health, and alleviate pain. However, as with any treatment, it’s essential to do your own research and consult with a healthcare professional before starting red light therapy.
When we explore the nitty-gritty of red light versus near-infrared (NIR) light therapy, it’s fascinating to see just how differently they behave when interacting with our body’s tissues and the resulting biological impacts. Red light, which ranges between 630-670nm, doesn’t go too deep—it’s kind of a skin-deep kind of light. That’s why it’s amazing at tackling surface-level conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and even helping smooth out some of those pesky fine lines and wrinkles. The reason for this is its effect on fibroblasts, those cells that pump out collagen and elastin, keeping our skin looking firm and youthful and helping wounds heal faster.
On the other hand NIR light in the wavelengths of 810-890nm penetrates deeper into the body, bypassing the superficial dermis and reaches into areas like joints and muscles. This is super useful for conditions that lurk deeper, like joint pain. Think of NIR as the kind that can get deep into the joints, tackling inflammation that’s causing all the pain and stiffness. By calming down that inflammation, NIR light might just loosen up those joints and improve mobility.
In a nutshell, it boils down to this: red light is your go-to for surface skin issues, thanks to its shallower reach, while NIR steps up for the deeper, undercover tissue problems, especially those that deal with inflammation and deeper connective tissues. We definitely need more research to totally nail down and leverage these insights, but what we already know is guiding both clinical and cosmetic applications of light therapies pretty effectively.
Red light therapy has many incredible benefits, but it isn’t for everyone.
People who take medications that increase their sensitivity to sunlight or have a medical history of eye disease or skin cancer are generally unable to undergo LED treatments.
As always, speak to your primary healthcare provider first to determine if it is safe and appropriate for you to undergo red light therapy.
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