Red light (approximately in the 620 to 700 nanometre range) works at the skin’s surface, supporting collagen, tone and surface healing, while near infrared (approximately in the 700 to 1100 nanometre range) reaches deeper into muscle, joint tissue and, in some cases, the skull. Many protocols combine both for layered benefits. If you have a photosensitivity condition, are pregnant, or have an active cancer diagnosis, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider before starting either.
TL;DR:
- Red light is best for surface skin benefits like tone and fine lines, while near infrared targets deeper tissues such as muscles and joints.
- Devices should specify wavelengths in nanometres, avoid high-powered lasers, and ensure eye safety for home use.
- Combining both red and near infrared wavelengths can enhance outcomes for skin wrinkles and wound healing, but results vary by study.
- Consistent sessions over several weeks at conservative intensities are more effective than occasional high-dose treatments.
- Always verify device specs before purchase, use appropriate protection, and consult a healthcare professional if you have skin sensitivities or health conditions.
Table of Contents
- Key takeaways for choosing red or near infrared
- What counts as red and near infrared light
- Why near infrared reaches deeper and how the cells respond
- Matching red and near infrared to skin, muscle, and brain goals
- Device types, specs, and Health Canada safety guidance
- A conservative approach to dosing and choosing between wavelengths
- Reading real device specs: two practical examples
- Our take on using red and near infrared light responsibly at home
- Where to start if you want to try red or near infrared light
- FAQ
- Sources
Key takeaways for choosing red or near infrared
If you want the short version before reading further, here is the practical breakdown.
- Red light (about 620 to 700 nm): best suited to skin surface goals like tone, texture and fine lines.
- Near infrared (about 700 to 1100 nm): better suited to deeper targets like muscle soreness, joint discomfort and some brain-related research applications.
- Buying checklist: confirm the wavelength in nanometres, the irradiance or power output, and whether the device is LED or laser based.
- Safety checklist: avoid handheld Class 3B or Class 4 lasers for general home use, and protect your eyes during any session.
What counts as red and near infrared light
Marketing copy on light therapy devices throws around terms like “red,” “infrared” and “NIR” fairly loosely, so it helps to know the actual ranges. A recent comprehensive review of photobiomodulation places red light at roughly 620 to 700 nanometres and near infrared at roughly 700 to 1100 nanometres, with longer wavelengths generally reaching further into tissue.
The practical distinction that matters to you as a buyer is visible versus invisible. Red light sits at the edge of what your eyes can see, so a working red light device will glow a visible red or deep pink. Near infrared sits just past the visible spectrum, so a true NIR panel may produce little or no visible glow even while it is emitting light, which occasionally confuses people who expect to “see” the device working.
When you are reading a product spec sheet, look for the actual wavelength numbers rather than vague category names. A listing that says only “infrared” without a number could mean anything from 700 to 1100 nanometres, and that range covers very different penetration depths. The same umbrella term gets used for a wide span of the spectrum, so the number in nanometres is the detail worth checking before anything else.
Why near infrared reaches deeper and how the cells respond
Light interacts with tissue through chromophores, which are molecules that absorb specific wavelengths. Melanin and hemoglobin absorb strongly at shorter wavelengths, which is part of why visible red light tends to be absorbed closer to the skin’s surface. Water absorption increases at the longer end of the near infrared range, which also limits how far light penetrates once wavelengths climb past roughly 1000 nanometres. Between those two absorption patterns sits a window, roughly in the red to near infrared range, where tissue is relatively more transparent to light, allowing near infrared wavelengths in particular to travel further before being scattered or absorbed.
At the cellular level, the leading explanation for photobiomodulation’s effects involves a mitochondrial enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase. Red and near infrared light appear to be absorbed by this enzyme, which research summarized in an umbrella review of photobiomodulation trials links to increased ATP production, the energy currency cells use to repair tissue and manage inflammation. This mechanism is described as supporting mitochondrial activity rather than producing any dramatic or instant change, and the certainty of evidence varies across different health outcomes.
Penetration studies help put real numbers on this. A review on transcranial photobiomodulation for brain disorders notes that near infrared wavelengths around 800 to 810 nanometres transmit only a small fraction of light through skull tissue, with the exact amount varying a great deal depending on wavelength, skull thickness and the specific site measured. That is a meaningful limit to keep in mind: near infrared reaches deeper than red light, but “deeper” does not mean unlimited, and transcranial applications in particular work with a small remaining fraction of the original light output by the time it reaches brain tissue.
Matching red and near infrared to skin, muscle, and brain goals
Red light’s best-supported use case is skin, with complementary products like the Medicube PDRN pink collagen gel mask supporting multi-modal skincare routines. Clinical literature on photobiomodulation for the skin points to red wavelengths supporting collagen-related processes, tone and the appearance of fine lines, largely because the relevant skin structures sit close enough to the surface for shorter wavelengths to reach them effectively.
Near infrared’s strength is in tissue that sits further from the surface. The umbrella review of randomized trials found evidence supporting photobiomodulation, generally using wavelengths from roughly 600 to 1100 nanometres, for pain reduction and wound healing, with some musculoskeletal conditions showing improved function after repeated sessions at appropriate doses. Evidence quality and protocol consistency vary across the specific conditions studied, so results are best described as promising rather than uniform.
Transcranial applications sit in a more exploratory category. Research on brain-targeted photobiomodulation is ongoing, with the dose-response relationship still being worked out. For example, a narrative review of brain photobiomodulation cites cell studies finding responses near 3 joules per square centimetre at 810 nanometres, though consumer-facing dosing in actual trials varies considerably and should not be treated as a settled protocol.
Combining red and near infrared shows up often in skin studies. The photobiomodulation review describes dermatology protocols that layer both bands together, reporting additive benefits for deeper wrinkle reduction compared to either wavelength alone. This combined approach is also common in wound healing contexts, where surface repair and deeper tissue support both play a role, though the strength of evidence still depends heavily on the specific wound type and study design.
Device types, specs, and Health Canada safety guidance
Not all red and near infrared devices are built the same way, and the differences affect both results and safety.
- LED versus laser: LED arrays spread light over a wider area at lower intensity per point, while lasers concentrate light into a narrow, coherent beam, which is why lasers carry higher thermal and eye-safety risk at the same stated power.
- Array size and coverage: a larger LED panel or mask covers more surface area per session, which matters for whole-face or whole-back treatment compared to a small spot device.
- Irradiance and wavelength specs: irradiance (often listed in milliwatts per square centimetre) tells you how concentrated the light is, while the wavelength number tells you whether you are getting red, near infrared, or both.
- Session distance: most consumer LED devices are designed for a specific distance from skin, and moving closer or farther changes the effective dose you receive.
On the regulatory side, Health Canada’s guidance on thermal harm requires manufacturers of energy-emitting therapeutic devices, including lasers, intense pulsed light and LEDs, to assess and mitigate thermal hazards. The same guidance flags handheld Class 3B and Class 4 lasers as carrying meaningful eye and skin hazards for general consumer use, which is a useful reason to favour lower-powered LED-based devices for home use and to always use any included eye protection as directed.
A conservative approach to dosing and choosing between wavelengths
Consistency matters more than intensity when it comes to photobiomodulation, and clinical reviews consistently point to shorter, repeated sessions over weeks rather than occasional high-intensity use.
- Start with shorter sessions (many reviewed studies use sessions in the range of several minutes up to around 20 minutes) and build up gradually rather than maximizing time on day one.
- Stay consistent, since the evidence behind photobiomodulation largely comes from repeated sessions across several weeks, not single treatments.
- Choose red light when your goal is skin tone, texture or surface-level support.
- Choose near infrared when your goal is deeper muscle or joint comfort after activity.
- Consider a combined device if you want to address both surface skin goals and deeper recovery goals without switching equipment.
Pro Tip: Keep a simple log of session length and frequency for the first few weeks. It makes it much easier to tell whether a change in routine is actually making a difference.
If you notice unexpected skin irritation, unusual pain, or you have an active skin cancer diagnosis or a photosensitizing medication, stop use and speak with a healthcare professional before continuing.
Reading real device specs: two practical examples
Translating the science above into an actual purchase comes down to matching the spec sheet to your goal. An LED red light face mask built around red wavelengths in the 620 to 700 nanometre range fits a skin-focused goal like tone and texture, typically used in short sessions several times a week as part of a regular at-home routine.
For deeper recovery goals, an LED infrared belt designed around near infrared wavelengths targets muscle and joint areas rather than surface skin, which lines up with the deeper-penetration pattern described earlier. A targeted option like a red light scalp cap shows how the same wavelength principles apply to hair and scalp use rather than facial skin.
Before buying any light therapy device, confirm the actual wavelength in nanometres (not just “red” or “infrared”), check for any eye-safety documentation, and look for a clear return policy in case the device does not suit your routine. If you are deciding between light therapy and another at-home modality, it helps to understand the trade-offs between LED and microcurrent devices before settling on one approach.
Our take on using red and near infrared light responsibly at home
We focus on curating at-home devices with specs that are easy to verify, avoiding claims that go beyond the evidence. Photobiomodulation research is genuinely promising for some uses, and genuinely mixed for others, and we think the honest answer is usually “it depends on your goal and your consistency,” not a universal claim either way.
What we emphasize most is steady, repeated use at conservative settings rather than chasing maximum intensity. We would rather you buy a device with clear specifications and a straightforward return option than guess based on marketing language alone.
— HavenlyGlow Team
Where to start if you want to try red or near infrared light
If skin tone and texture are your focus, our Beauty & Skin collection is the natural starting point, while deeper recovery goals fit better in Wellness & Recovery.
- We choose devices with clearly stated wavelengths and power specs so you can match a product to your actual goal.
- Our site offers a 30-day return window, giving you room to test a device before committing to it long term.
- If facial skin tone is your priority, The Skin Rejuvenation Facial Beauty Device uses red wavelength ranges suited to that goal.
For broader self-care support alongside light therapy, our Self-Care & Mindfulness and Move collections round out a recovery-focused routine.
This article is general information, not a substitute for advice from a qualified doctor. Consult a qualified healthcare professional about your own circumstances before acting on anything here.
FAQ
Should I use red light or near infrared light?
Choose red light for surface skin goals like tone and texture, and near infrared for deeper muscle or joint comfort, since the two wavelength bands penetrate tissue to different depths as described in reviews of photobiomodulation. Many people use both, depending on what they are targeting that day.
Should I use red light and near infrared together?
Combining red and near infrared is common in dermatology protocols, with some studies reporting additive benefits for deeper wrinkle reduction when both bands are used together, according to research on combined photobiomodulation. Whether combining is worthwhile for you depends on whether your goals span both surface skin and deeper tissue.
Does near infrared light pass through clothes?
Near infrared light can pass through thin fabric to some degree, but any barrier reduces the amount of light reaching your skin, so most guidance recommends applying devices directly to bare skin for a predictable dose. Thicker clothing will block meaningfully more light than a thin layer.
Can I use near infrared light every day?
Many reviewed protocols use sessions several times a week rather than daily, with evidence pointing to consistency over weeks mattering more than daily frequency, based on findings in the umbrella review of photobiomodulation trials. If you have a specific health condition or are using a prescription medication, check with a healthcare professional about an appropriate frequency for your situation.
Sources
- Unlocking the power of light on the skin: a comprehensive review on photobiomodulation
- Health Canada notice on risks of thermal harm from therapeutic lasers, IPL and LEDs
Recommended
- Red Light Therapy at Home: Benefits & How to Use It
- Red Light Hair Care Cap - Wearable Scalp Care Device
- LED Red Light Face Mask | At-Home Skincare
- LED Infrared Belt Therapy Device
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Please talk to a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement or therapy device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.