All about red light therapy

Red light therapy has been growing in popularity for years, yet most people don't know exactly what it is or how it works. On this page we explain it calmly. What red light does to your body, what research says it can contribute to, how to use it and what to look for when choosing a panel. No big promises, just honest.

What is red light therapy?

Red light therapy means exposing your skin to red and near infrared light in a targeted way. That light sits in a specific part of the spectrum, roughly between 600 and 950 nanometres. Part of it you can see as a warm red glow, and part of it you can't, because near infrared light is invisible to the eye.

The main difference from an ordinary lamp is that the wavelengths are carefully chosen. Not all red light does the same thing. Shorter wavelengths around 630 to 660 nanometres mainly stay at the surface and work on your skin. Longer wavelengths around 810 to 850 nanometres reach deeper and get to your muscles and joints. Good panels therefore combine several wavelengths, so you reach both your skin and the deeper tissue.

How does red light work in your body?

Red light does not work through heat, but at cell level. Almost all your cells contain mitochondria, the tiny power stations that make fuel in the form of ATP. An enzyme in those mitochondria, cytochrome c oxidase, absorbs red and near infrared light. This helps your cells produce energy more efficiently.

Light exposure also releases nitric oxide. That relaxes your blood vessels slightly, so more blood, oxygen and nutrients flow to the area being treated. More energy in the cell and better circulation, that is essentially what red light is about.

You notice little of this during a session. It doesn't feel hot or intense. The work happens beneath your skin, and results build up slowly over weeks of regular use.

The difference from infrared warmth

Red light and infrared warmth are often confused, while they do something very different. An infrared sauna blanket uses infrared to create warmth. Your body warms up, you start to sweat and you relax, similar to a mild sauna. There, the effect comes from the warmth itself.

Red light therapy uses light to stimulate your cells, without any significant warmth involved. So the sauna blanket and the red light panel complement each other nicely. One gives you deep warmth and relaxation, the other works on your skin and recovery. They don't get in each other's way, they strengthen each other.

What research says red light can contribute to

Red light is not a miracle cure, and we are honest about that. But more and more research links it to a number of concrete areas.

Skin and collagen. This is the best supported area. Research links regular use of red light to more collagen production, finer lines and firmer, fresher looking skin. That is exactly why red light became so popular in skin care.

Recovery and muscles. Athletes use red light around their training. Studies point to less muscle soreness afterwards and faster recovery after exercise. Using it before or after exercise both seem worthwhile.

Pain and inflammation. For joints, stiffness and minor injuries, red light is being studied for its effect on inflammation markers and circulation. Many people use it locally on a knee, shoulder or lower back.

Calmer skin. For blemishes and small inflammations in the skin, researchers are looking at the calming effect of certain wavelengths. The strength of the evidence varies by situation, but it is a much requested use.

Calm and energy in your day. Apart from all the measurements, many users say a session has above all become a regular moment of rest. Ten minutes for yourself, without a screen, when you don't have to do anything. That is a reason in itself.

How do you use red light?

Red light works best when you keep it up. A single session does little, regularity makes the difference. A practical guideline is a session of about ten to fifteen minutes, a few times a week, building up to daily if that feels good.

Keep the panel at a comfortable distance, usually between fifteen and thirty centimetres from your skin. Expose the area you want to focus on, or sit in front of it for your face or whole body. You don't need any cream or preparation, clean and dry skin is enough. Do wear the included goggles or keep your eyes closed when you expose your face, because the light is bright.

Give it time. Most people only really notice something after a few weeks. Think of it as brushing your teeth for your recovery, a small habit that pays off in the long run.

What to look for in a panel

Not every red light panel is the same. Pay particular attention to the wavelengths. A panel that combines several wavelengths, from visible red to near infrared, reaches both your skin and the deeper tissue. Also look at the number of LEDs and the size, because that determines how large an area you can expose at once. A compact panel is ideal for your face or a specific spot, a large panel for your whole body.

Practical things count just as much. A sturdy stand or hanging option, a timer and simple controls make the difference between a panel that ends up in the cupboard and one you actually use every day.

The Luxyor Lumi panels

Our Lumi range was built with all of this in mind. Every Lumi panel combines seven wavelengths, from visible red to near infrared, so both your skin and deeper tissue are covered. You control it with a touchscreen and remote control, with a built in timer.

The range has three steps, so there is a panel that suits your space and how you use it. The compact model fits perfectly on your desk or bedside table and is meant for your face or a targeted area. The middle model gives you a larger treatment area for broader use. The full body model is our flagship, designed to cover you from head to toe in one session.

Honest about what it is and isn't

We don't promise you a cure or miracles. Our panels are intended for general wellbeing and daily use at home, and are not medical devices. If you have a medical condition or are unsure whether red light is right for you, check with your doctor.

What we do give you is an honest product, clear explanations and the space to experience for yourself what it does for you. Find out below which Lumi panel suits you.