Red Light Therapy at Home: How to Choose the Right Device, How Often to Use

You flip a switch and turn on the lights. Pretty simple, right?

But what if flipping that switch did more than just turn on a light bulb. What if you could flip a switch and receive instant pain relief? 

What if that same switch helped with inflammation healing, tissue regeneration, autoimmune health, brain recovery, increased athletic performance, seasonal depression, better eyesight, hair loss, and even relief from painful cancer side effects. 

Do I have your attention now? 

That switch is a new kid on the block: Red light therapy at home. The truth is, there’s nothing new about red light therapy. It’s been around for almost 50 years but is only recently gaining the traction it deserves. 

Do you just need the best device right now? Then I recommend the overall favorite Handheld Red Light Therapy Device by ReVive.

In the 1990s, NASA used concentrated red light therapy to activate plant growth in space. After seeing the effectiveness, they began researching what applications this could have for people as well.

The power of light to literally cure whatever ails you is a real treatment with real results. “The number of conditions red light devices can treat is ‘continuously expanding,’” said Michael R. Hamblin, Ph.D., associate professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School.

But is it too good to be true? Let’s break it down to see what red light therapy actually is, how it helps literally every single person on the planet, and best of all – how you can do it all from the comfort of your own home. 

What is Red Light Therapy?

First, let’s just be clear about what red light therapy at home is NOT. It’s not a tanning bed. It’s not a laser. It’s not ultraviolet rays and you can’t get it from the sun.

Red light therapy is a concentrated form of light waves in the red and infrared spectrum. The light emitted in this spectrum is perfectly safe for the skin and poses no risk of skin cancer, sunburn, or tanning.

Within the light therapy devices, the red light wavelengths go straight to the cellular level, deep inside the body. At this level, it enhances ATP, which is the source of energy in every cell in your body. This means that each cell gets a boost to do its job a little bit better, which can affect almost every system in your body.

How Does Infrared Light Therapy at Home Work?

All things need cell energy to function and survive. Most living things rely on natural light to power this process. Natural light encompasses a wide range of wavelengths and colors, but it’s the red and near-infrared wavelengths that make the difference.

By concentrating these wavelengths of light, you can concentrate their benefits of stimulating the mitochondria in your cells, which is the cellular powerhouse.

Before you get any creative ideas, you can’t just pull out your red Christmas lights and stand in from of them hoping for a miracle. Red light therapy at home must use medical-grade LED lights with a concentrated wavelength.

More specifically two wavelengths of red light in particular—660 nanometers and 850 nanometers. These specifications for your red light therapy device deliver the best biological response.

The former, 660 nanometers, is more quickly absorbed by the skin, making it the go-to for dermatologists and cosmetic treatments looking to boost collagen and elastin, while 850-nanometer wavelengths penetrate deeper into your body to help with muscle recovery, joint pain, and full-body health.

As you sit or stand a few inches away from a panel of FDA cleared red LED lights, their wavelengths of light can actually alter the way your cells produce energy and antioxidants. These light therapy devices can make you feel better, quicker.

Infrared light therapy at home is a non-invasive treatment that can prevent hair loss, help clear skin, and increase collagen and elastin production with an LED mask.

At Home Benefits of DIY Red Light Therapy

Thousands of studies have been done on red light therapy at home and new benefits are being discovered almost every day. Evidence for the effectiveness of red light therapy devices is overwhelmingly in favor of both effectiveness and safety.

The FDA has approved LED light therapy devices for the treatment of joint pain, reduction of wrinkles, and many other conditions.

• Inflammation: A study showed red light therapy to be useful in decreasing inflammation and stimulating post-procedure wound healing.
• Hair and Skin: It can help bolster hair growth in people with alopecia or suffering from hair loss. It can stimulate collagen and elastin production in people who hope to lessen fine lines and wrinkles. An LED mask also helps naturally decrease oil production and bacterial levels in your skin with no drying effects or harsh chemicals.
• Soft-Tissue Damage: When it comes to injuries like sprains and strains, FDA-cleared red light therapy products may both promote healing and offer pain relief as well.
• Pain Relief: The studies and data on red light therapy at home for pain relief is so clear the FDA has approved it as a non-invasive therapy for treating minor pains and arthritis.
• Wound Healing: A 2014 study found red light therapy promoted “increased tissue repair and healing…[plus] beneficial effects on wrinkles, acne scars, hypertrophic scars, and healing of burns.”
• Muscle Repair: A 2014 study found that the therapeutic light therapy devices technique led to reduced muscle strength loss, less muscle soreness, and fewer range-of-motion impairments for up to four days after exercise. A more recent 2018 study also proved that home red light therapy both before and after exercise reduces knee muscle fatigue.
• Circulation: Studies have shown an increase in circulation in the body which allows the tissues to receive more oxygen and nutrients for internal healing.
• Sleep Therapy: Using a high-quality home red light therapy at home during the day has been shown to increase your body’s natural melatonin output, which helps you sleep and stay asleep longer.
• Weight Loss: Some researchers have found red light therapy to be effective at washing away fat cells from the body and control hunger-related hormones.
• Cellulite: A 2011 study on red light therapy shows reduced cellulite in women ages 25-55 when combined with light treadmill exercise.

How Can I Get the Benefits of Red Light Therapy at Home?

As evidence for red light therapy at home benefits grows, so does the accessibility of the therapy itself. You can find red light therapy options at the dermatologist, spa, or maybe a fancy gym, but you can also enjoy red light therapy at home with your own light therapy products.

At-home red light therapy options for red light therapy include LED masks, hand-held devices, bulbs, and full red light beds for home use. You can use red light on any body part just about!

Best at Home Red Light Therapy Devices:

Best Handheld Device: dpl® Nuve—Professional Pain Relief Light

Finally, a red light medical device you can get over the counter for real pain relief. This FDA-cleared, Class II handheld design delivers direct infrared and red light therapy deep into your body for quick results.

This DPL product is clinically proven to safely stimulate blood circulation, relax muscles, and provide fast pain relief when you need it most.

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The DPL Nuve combines the best in convenience and effectiveness.

• It is the best product of its kind for delivering medical-grade pain treatment in a lightweight, handheld design.
• DPL Nuve features 72 powerful LEG lights to give you real results to a large treatment area.
• The lightweight design makes it easy to move around your body so you can target sore spots, stiffness, or pain.
• It has also been used to relieve arthritis, tendonitis, sprains, and even Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

One reviewer used this product to heal several ailments including pain from an ACL tear, IBS in his stomach, on his hands for arthritis, and use on his neck to relieve migraines. He even used it for his dog who was limping for weeks. Several reviewers agree that this product relieves pain in a short time without using pain medicine.

Why not try the dpl® Nuve Handheld Light Therapy Device?

Best Panel: Deep Red Near-Infrared LED Light Panel from VitaliZEN

If you can stand up, you can use the deep red, or near-infrared LED light panels from VitaliZEN. The full-body device uses the latest in light technology and quality materials to create an environment that is safe, natural, and easy to use.

Simply stand in front of the panel and allow your skin to absorb the light energy. VitaliZEN boasts 16x more watts than competitors, 2x wavelengths, and longer-lasting materials than other red light panels.

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Just a few of the reasons why we love VitaliZEN panels:

• You are in control to change your treatment options with both 880nm and 660 nm wavelengths.
• VitaliZEN uses metal casing and quality materials rather than competitor’s plastic to ensure your red panel device will last for years.
• VitaliZEN emits the highest rate of irradiance, making it more powerful for better and faster results.

Most buyers note how easy the product is to use and setup. Reviews confirm that the effectiveness of collagen production, pain relief, and keeping your body healthy through red light therapy at home. If you are looking for the biggest impact, I recommend the VitaliZEN 1000 Watt 660nm Deep Red & 850nm Near-Infrared Full Body Device as well.

I know they aren’t cheap, but they are absolutely amazing for multiple needs and especially if you want to save time and treat multiple areas at once.

Luckily, I have a coupon code you can use for $25 off a Red Light Device at VitaliZEN code: VITALIZEN-RED-LIGHT

Best Anti Aging Therapy: LookBook Facial Red Light Panel by reVive

If you’re looking for a way to take care of your skin, reverse aging and look years younger while doing nothing more than reading a book – you’ve found it. The LookBook by reVive delivers powerful light therapy in their most advanced panel design.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy Powerful LED lights penetrating and absorbing deep into your skin, stimulating collagen and cellular regeneration.  In just a few minutes a day, the result is natural more youthful-looking skin.

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• The best feature of the LookBook device is the newly renovated design. Other DPL Panels are effective, but only the LookBook is slightly smaller, significantly more portable, and endlessly convenient than larger panels.
• It also features a built-in timer, which allows you to enjoy the experience without checking your watch every few minutes.

Most reviewers have seen significant results after using the LookBook. In fact, 97% of users participating in a clinical study experienced a significant reduction of wrinkles.

For facial red light therapy, it’s easy to recommend the reVive LookBook (sold exclusively here) hands down.

Best Lip Device: reVive Light Therapy Lip Care

Injectables are not the only way to get fuller, sexier looking lips. The NewBeauty Magazine and Award-winning reVive Light Therapy Lip Care is here. This system combines powerful red light therapy with a lip plumping system that is clinically proven to make lips look and feel younger.

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What makes this lip system different?

• The red LED lights naturally help to stimulate your own collagen products to get the lips you want naturally.
• Fine lines and wrinkles are eliminated naturally while elasticity and firmness are restored from the inside out.
• In addition to the anti-aging benefits, it can also support skin healing and recovery from damage caused by burns, cuts, scrapes, and cold sores.

Most buyers had noticeable results in the size of their lips after a few weeks of use and all agreed that it was completely painless. It is important to use it consistently to see results, and everyone’s skin may react differently based on existing elasticity.

For the convenience, price, and effective reviews, it makes it very easy for me to recommend reVive Light Therapy Lip Care as well.

Best Bulb: Wolezek 36W Red Light and Near Infrared LED light Therapy Bulb

This bulb is the Amazon Choice award for red light therapy at home devices and it’s easy to see why. It fits in any basic light but delivers the best properties of both red light and infrared light therapy. Wolezek 36W LED technology is ideal for red light therapy at home. 

Why we love it: 

• Gives benefits of both 660nm and 850nm with both red light and infrared right in one bulb. 
• It’s energy-efficient and comes with everything you need to get started. 
• It’s small and lightweight making it easy to use anywhere. 

Almost 80 percent of the reviews are 5-stars. It’s important to note that this purchase is only the bulb, so you will need a desk lamp or other fixture to use with it. You can learn more about the red bulb here.

Best Face Mask: Dermashine Pro 7 Color LED Face Mask 

If you’ve been on Instagram lately, you know the cult following of LED face masks. These are the best way to get the benefits of light therapy specifically for the face. Celebrities like Katy Perry, J-Lo, and Jessica Alba are huge LED light mask supporters. 

Why we love it: 

• The shape allows the LED lights to penetrate every area of the face for even treatment. 
• Completely safe and natural with no harmful UV rays 
• 150 different LED lights emit wavelengths including red light for increased blood flow and collagen boost and other colors to offer additional calming, tightening, and tissue benefits.

Dermashine recommends using the product for 15-30 minutes once a day to quickly and naturally treat many blemishes like scarring, lumpy uneven skin, fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, large pores, inflammation, redness, dryness, oiliness, and more. This makes it easy to recommend this LED face mask.

Recommended reading: The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy by Ari Whitten

If you’re just getting started into the world of red light therapy at home, it’s worth doing a little research. Ari Whitten’s Ultimate Guide is an energy and fatigue specialist as well as a nutrition and lifestyle expert. 

Why we love it: 

• This book gives a deep dive into the science of red/infrared light so you know what you’re doing when you invest in a device. 
• Details on how to use red light therapy at home to get the best results 
• Critical information on dosing, health issues, and protocols. 

It’s definitely worth doing your own research with the help of industry expert Ari Whitten before you get started. Grab this book on Amazon here.

How to Choose the Best at Home Right Light Therapy Device

You can buy a variety of DIY devices for home use, but it’s important to be sure that it specifies a clear output intensity.

Near-Infrared Light vs. Infrared Light: Most light therapy products are marketed as either a Red Light therapy device or an Infrared Light device. This is not just a difference in wording, but a complete difference in application, so it’s important to know the difference:

• • Near-Infrared Light reaches 600-700 nanometers and is designed for skin and cosmetic treatment.
  • Infrared Light reaches 700-900 nanometers and is designed for muscle recovery, joint pain, inflammation, etc.

It’s important to base the red light therapy device you purchase off of the intended purpose you’d like to use it for. You can use either red and near-infrared light or infrared light and sometimes both.

One is not better than another, they simply target different areas. Both can be effective for skin treatment, but infrared light will penetrate deeper to help with bone and muscle health.

How to Use a Red Light Therapy Device at Home

Because red light therapy at home is still new and the effects are constantly being researched, the jury is still out regarding the exact dosage or near-infrared light needed for an optimal effect.

What we do know is that there is no fear of overdoing it because there have been no side effects. It’s almost impossible to cause any harm so long as the bulbs are in working order.

Start with treatment times of 5-10 minutes and work up from there. If you can start from a low level of red light used. You can use the device every day or even several times a day. You will see more benefits from consistent use.

Every device, due to the different levels of intensity and recommended exposure for the area you want to treat, will have their own directions on how to best use their device. Please read your manual for the best results when it comes to treating the internal issues.

DIY Red Light Therapy FAQs

• Can you do red light therapy daily?
  • Yes! It is recommended to start with just a few minutes daily until you increase your tolerance. How often you should do red light therapy all depends on how bad your symptoms are, or if you would like to take preventative measures. In that case, you can still stick with it daily.

• How to treat the skin surface?
  • For skin aging and pigmentation, look for wavelengths near to either 610 to 630 nm or 670 nm.

• How close should the light be from your skin for the best results?
  • Depending on your light, position it so that the light hitting the skin is between 20 mW/cm² and 200 mW/cm². The highest results are under 100 mW/cm².

• How do you use the red light to treat acne?
  • A slightly higher intensity of red light seems more appropriate for severe cases of acne, for up to 10 minutes every day.
  • Depending on the device, the distance would be around 10 cm or less with one of the more powerful units. Treating acne treatment involves reducing skin inflammation, but also sterilizing the acne bacteria. Red light has a photodynamic bactericidal effect on certain bacteria, including acne bacteria, due to a photosensitive pigment they have. The photodynamic effect is dose-dependent, meaning more is better.
  • For acne treatments, specifically, blue light is highly recommended. This blue light acne therapy device by ReVive would be my recommendation.

• How about to treat general skin aging or pigmentation?
  • It has been suggested to use a relatively moderate light intensity exposure, but for a longer time. This might range from a 50 to 100 mW/cm² light intensity. Results tend to be worse if you go for short intense sessions. 
  • Use for 5-15 minutes, four times a week.

• What about treating hair loss?
  • Because hair loss doesn’t have the root cause at the scalp you should be using light on other areas—like the thyroid, for example, as well as the scalp. 
  • Use fairly high power densities, 50 to 100 mW/cm² or more.

How Often for DIY Red Light Therapy?

Closer and longer treatments are better in certain conditions such as infections, but otherwise, a more moderate dose is better. Five to 15 minutes is all that is usually necessary if you plan to use your device daily (which you can).

The weaker devices out there might need 20 to 30 minutes or more. If you can’t find information on a device’s power density, in mW/cm², and how that changes by distance, I would be skeptical whether it is useful at all.

Just remember – the closer the device to your skin the deeper the treatment will penetrate.

Are There Any Side Effects to Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy is not UV rays, is not a laser or intense pulse light, and is completely non-invasive. As of today (2019) there are no known side effects of red light treatment, LED light therapy, or near-infrared light.

My eyes are sensitive to light, so it made it hard to do my red light therapy at home, so consider eye protection if that is an issue for you.

But I might mention that overuse of home red light therapy can be a little tiring on the body and skin if you haven’t built up to using it regularly.  Light therapy devices can still pack a punch!

How is Red Light Therapy Different Than Sunlight?

Red light therapy at home is completely different than the harsh UV rays of sunlight. While the sun can give you Vitamin D, a sunburn (if you’re not careful), and promote a great day at the beach, red light therapy is actually making a difference at the cellular level of your body using a red light therapy device.

The sun’s rays are actually harmful to the body when used in excess while red light therapy is completely safe using near-infrared light with absolutely no side effects.

Let There Be Light! 

Everyone from soccer moms to Olympic athletes is discovering the benefits of red light therapy. Most often it’s used for joint pain, inflammation, physical performance, and skin health. Imagine what red light therapy at home could do for you.