What is Red/Near-Infrared Light Therapy

Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, uses specific red and near-infrared wavelengths of light at certain concentrations to induce therapeutic benefits. This gentle light stimulates cellular processes, promoting healing, reducing inflammation, and boosting overall health.

​The Benefits of Red Light

Perceived by the human eye as a bright red light, therapeutic

red light falls in the range of 600-700 nm.  These wavelengths

are active on the surface of the body and often used to treat wrinkles,

sun damage, scars, persistent wounds, acne - and promote a healthy,

youthful appearance.

The Benefits of Near-Infrared Light

Near-infrared light (NIR) can be found along the 700-1100 nm range

of the spectrum.  This light is almost invisible to the naked eye and 

penetrates deeper into the tissues to assist with wound repair, muscle

recovery, nerve injury, and joint pain.

Red Light Treatment

Our treatment room has a whole-body Red/Infrared light panel suspended on a motorized mount above a clinician's table. Red and near-infrared light is projected via 600

no-flicker LEDs with a beam angle of 30° that focuses the light where it needs to be.

Wave lengths of 660nm in the Red for your skin and 850nm in the near-infrared for deeper issues, can be used simultaneously or independently, however, we always recommend using both simultaneously to take advantage of the full benefits that each wavelength offers.

The Science of Photobiomodulation

What is Photobiomodulation?

It sounds complex; however, when you break it down, it’s really quite simple - photo refers to light, bio meaning life, and modulation refers to change. Photobiomodulation is the use of light to bring about a change in life.

To be more precise, photobiomodulation refers to the use of red light at specific wavelengths that target the chromophores in cellular mitochondria. Mitochondria are cellular organelles which are often referred to as the “powerhouse” of the cell due to their function in the production of energy. These mighty little structures break down nutrients and turn them into energy, or adenosine triphosphate, also known as ATP.

All living things require adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to generate energy that the body can use. When mitochondria absorb red and near-infrared light, they produce more ATP, which aids energy transportation within cells and causes increased cell proliferation. Cell proliferation is the action through which cells divide and replace damaged or dead cells.

Each cell has an ‘oxidative environment’—the balance of chemicals inside the cell in which the ATP reaction takes place. Red light helps to provide this optimal environment, ensuring cells can more efficiently and effectively communicate with one another to carry out tasks within the body.

It becomes apparent why red light therapy has numerous benefits once you understand the cellular reaction. Instead of simply aiding with one task, red light assists in supporting the cells that perform an incalculable number of functions within your body. From collagen production to the appropriate inflammation response – there’s essentially an endless string of processes going on in your body right now, and red light can optimize each of the billions of cells performing those tasks.

What About Oxidative Stress?

Oxidative stress is just one of many buzzwords circulating the health and wellness community in recent years. It has been attributed to accelerating the aging process, like sagging skin and wrinkles. It may also contribute to the development of a number of more serious conditions, such as diabetes and cancer. But what exactly is oxidative stress?

What is Oxidative Stress?

Essentially, oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. Both molecules are needed for normal, healthy reactions in the body. When free radicals outnumber antioxidants, this can lead to a state called oxidative stress.

Free radicals are oxygen-containing molecules with an uneven number of electrons. This uneven number allows them to easily react with other molecules and cause large-chain chemical reactions in the body. This reaction is known as oxidation, and it can be helpful or harmful. Antioxidants, however, are molecules that can donate an electron to a free radical without making themselves unstable. This causes the free radical to stabilize and become less reactive.

Effects of oxidative stress on the body

Oxidation is a normal and necessary process that takes place in the body. Oxidative stress, on the other hand, takes place when there’s an imbalance between free radical activity and antioxidant activity. When functioning properly, free radicals can help to combat pathogens.

When there are more free radicals present than can be kept in balance by antioxidants, the free radicals can start damaging fatty tissue, DNA, and proteins in your body. Proteins, lipids, and DNA make up a large part of your body, so damage can lead to a broad number of diseases over time.

These include diabetes, atherosclerosis or the hardening of the blood vessels, inflammatory conditions, high blood pressure, heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and cancer. Oxidative stress also contributes to the aging process and can affect skin’s collagen production, causing lines, wrinkles and sagging skin.

What causes Oxidative Stress?

Oxidative Stress can result from various daily environmental toxins, such as mold, plastics, pesticides, and heavy metals; cigarette smoke (including secondhand smoke); chronic physiological stress (finances, politics, health, safety, and relationships); circadian rhythm disruption (blue light exposure from tech devices); infections (gingivitis, hepatitis C, pneumonia); physical inactivity; and iron overload.

Dietary considerations can also contribute to excess free radicals. Diets high in fat, sugar, and alcohol can increase free radical production.

How Can We Prevent Oxidative Damage?

Many dietary and lifestyle strategies can help prevent oxidative damage. For instance, a diet high in antioxidants may neutralize free radicals and prevent some damage. Plant foods are rich sources of antioxidants, most abundantly found in fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and some meats. Increasing physical activity and implementing stress-relieving techniques such as meditation may also aid in the prevention of damage.

Protecting ourselves is as simple as protecting our cells by providing what the body needs and avoiding what it doesn’t need. We are all exposed to stress, toxins, and potential infections, so choosing ways to reduce stress and increase antioxidants regularly will help us live longer, healthier lives.

Another beneficial strategy to aid in the fight against oxidative stress is red and near-infrared light therapy. Current research indicates that photobiomodulation therapy can be an effective approach to reducing oxidative stress markers (e.g., thiobarbituric acid-reactive) and increasing antioxidant substances (e.g., catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase).

There is an ever-increasing list of conditions that can benefit from photobiomodulation. Red light therapy can be used as a complementary strategy at home and in clinical practice to provide greater overall health and wellness.