What does science say about red light therapy?
Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, is a non-invasive technique that has recently received significant attention for its potential in various areas, including: skin and hair care, hormone balancing during menopause, sleep quality, recovery after physical exertion, mental health, reducing inflammation, eye health, strengthening the immune system, improving blood circulation etc.
Effects on skin and hair
Hormone balancing
Better sleep
Faster recovery
Mental health and concentration
Reducing inflammation
Eyes
Immune system
Blood circulation
Red and near infrared light: what's the difference?
Cells benefit most when using red and near-infrared light wavelengths.
Red | Near infrared | |
---|---|---|
Visible to the eye | Yes | No |
Wavelength | 610–760 nm | 760–1,400 nm |
Effects on the body | Biostimulator | Biostimulator |
Body reaction | More cellular energy | More cellular energy |
Operating area | At the surface level (skin, scars, reduced swelling, hair) | At a deep level (muscles, bones, joints and organs) |
How does it work?
ATP provides the fuel that each cell needs to perform all of its functions, including regeneration and healing.
Red light and near-infrared light stimulate mitochondria. These wavelengths of light cause your mitochondria to produce more energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

Conclusions
Red light therapy is a promising non-invasive form of treatment that can improve health and beauty in a variety of ways. It is effective for hair and skin care, hormone balancing, sleep quality, recovery from exercise, mental health, reducing inflammation, eye health, strengthening the immune system, and improving blood circulation.
- Jiexiu Zhao et al. 2012. Red light and the sleep quality and endurance performance of Chinese female basketball players. Journal of athletic training.
- Jiratchaya. Tantiyavarong et al. 2019. Red and Green LED Light Therapy: A Comparative Study in Androgenetic Alopecia. Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine.
- Jiratchaya Tantiyavarong et al. 2024. Red and Green LED Light Therapy: A Comparative Study in Androgenetic Alopecia. Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine.
- M. Giménez et al. 2022. Effects of Near-Infrared Light on Well-Being and Health in Human Subjects with Mild Sleep-Related Complaints: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Biology.
- Wen-Hwa Li et al.·. 2021. Low‐level red plus near infrared lights combination induces expressions of collagen and elastin in human skin in vitro. International Journal of Cosmetic Science.
- G. Glass·. 2021. Photobiomodulation: The Clinical Applications of Low-Level Light Therapy. Aesthetic surgery journal.
- Qiaochu Sun et al. 2018. LEDI at 625 nm produces ROS scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting SPHK1 as a potential therapeutic target in phototherapy. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology.
- Erica B. Wang et al. 2019. A single-blind, dose-escalation, phase I study of high-fluence light-emitting diode-red light on Caucasian non-Hispanic skin: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. RCTVery Rigorous Journal.
- Y. Mahé et al. 2021. Low‐Level Light Therapy Downregulates Scalp Inflammatory Biomarkers in Men With Androgenetic Alopecia and Boosts Minoxidil 2% to Bring a Sustainable Hair Regrowth Activity. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
- Miao Sun et al. 2023. Effects of photobiomodulation at various irradiances on normal and dihydrotestosterone‐treated human hair dermal papilla cells in vitro. Journal of Biophotonics.