Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. This is intended to educate, inspire and support you healing stress and embodying your highest self. Some content might be sensitive; I invite you to practice self-harmonizing.

Commonly known as red light therapy, photobiomodulation is becoming increasingly popular in health and wellness circles.

It’s being touted as kind-of full spectrum solution for a variety of issues and dysfunctions ranging from anti-wrinkles to brain health.

How are the benefits of red light therapy so diverse? Because light works at a root level, mitochondria.

I’ve been working with red light therapy for 2.5 months mostly for skin (wrinkles, anti-aging, hyperpigmentation, overall brightness, etc.).

But I’ve noticed how it’s helped my skin, but also joint pain, digestion, energy and mood!

Stephanie with her HigherDose Red Light Face Mask

how red light therapy works

“If you wish to understand the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration” - Nikola Tesla

We live in a quantum world of light, energy, frequency, and vibration.

For example, we know how important the light of the sun is not just for plants and food, but also for human health, down to a cellular level.

Light, specifically red light and near-infrared, has systematic health benefits because it’s support health of mitochondria in our cells.

This is because light is essential for production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) within the mitochondria. ATP is cellular energy, required for cells to function.

Mitochondria are in every cell, except for red blood cells.

Mitochondria are in your skin cells, eye cells, liver cells, gut cells, brain cells, nerve cells, bone cells, etc. etc.

What does this mean? The health of your skin, organs, joints, hormones, cognition, digestion, sleep, energy levels, weight loss… and so much more can be positively impacted with red light therapy!

All in just 10 minutes 3-7x per week! Yes, please!

red light therapy benefits

Research is demonstrating the possible improvements in the following areas:

reduces inflammation and oxidative stress
(what triggers inflammation? STRESS! stressors like injuries (broken bones, burns, bruises, scrapes, etc.), alcohol, medications (prescribed and over the counter), poor sleep, pesticides, food sensitivities, environmental toxins, and more all can contribute to inflammation on a cellular level in the bodymind)
increase ATP production
increases collagen production
reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and acne
increases protein synthesis
improve blood flow
improve wound healing and tissue repair
enhances muscle recovery
reduce joint pain
improve immune function
improve memory, learning, executive and cognitive function
improve mood
improve hormone health
enhance neurogenesis
really the list goes on…

choose a red light therapy device right for you

Before we get into red light devices you can purchase, I always like to talk about free and natural options first!

So what’s that?… THE SUN!

The sun has the whole spectrum of light and is beneficial for mood, sleep, energy, cognition, memory and more.

Try to get outside for at least an hour per day (20 minute increments morning, noon and night is a great starting point)!

Ok, let’s get into red light device options.

Choose a wavelength between 600-700 nm (Red) and 770-1200 nm (NIR)

Red light therapy devices have red light and near infrared (NIR) light.

“Many wavelengths in the red (600–700 nm) and near-infrared (NIR, 770–1200 nm) spectral regions have shown positive results.”

If the product doesn’t tell you the wavelength, don’t buy it!

No, you can’t just buy a red light bulb on Amazon.

2. Decide type of device

You might choose between a wand, face mask, target handheld device (with or without a stand), or a large wall mount system.

If you get a handheld device, I highly recommend a stand so you don’t have to hold it for 10 minutes at a time!

If you are looking at a large wall mount system, I would highly recommend a wand, face mask or targeted device for travel.

I wouldn’t recommend a wand on it’s own (a wand in addition to a targeted device or wall mount system, yes). That’s because you won’t just want to spot treat a pimple or bruise, but want to use in various places!

3. Decide how much you can invest in your wellness

Remember, if you don’t invest in your wellness… you’ll be forced to invest in your sickness.

Red light therapy can cost from $100-$600+ for wands/targeted devices, $300 to $1,500+ for a face mask, and up to $10,000+ for a system!

You pay for what you get, cheaper isn’t necessarily better!

red light therapy at home devices

There are a lot of brands of red light therapy devices for at home use now.

Joovv is red light therapy industry leader. A tiny, targeted red light therapy device is $600. Or you can design your own kit starting at $1,100+…

BonCharge and Mito Red Light both have a variety of options ranging from wand/small targeted device to an entire system.

LumeBox is a targeted red light device created by Dr. Viv of Plateful Health who I love and highly recommend you follow on Instagram.

HigherDose Red Light Face Mask which is what I bought (see my review below).

DRx SpectraLite™ FaceWare Pro has a range of lights on the device not just for collagen production but also for acne.

There are even options target for hair, under eye, ankles and more!

review on my HigherDose Red Light Therapy Face Mask

I purchased a HigherDose Red Light Therapy Face Mask because I loved the idea of a hands free wearable.

With a similar wavelength spectrum to Joovv’s targeted device at 1/2 the price tag, I felt like this was a really good option to start with.

Joovv Wavelength: 660 nm (Red) and 850 nm (Near-Infrared)

LumeBox Wavelength: 660 nm (Red) and 850 nm (Near-Infrared)

HigherDose Wavelength: 630nm (Red) and 830nm (Near-Infrared)

I have to say that wearing the eye protection goggles with the HigherDose red light facemask is very challenging; the mask’s eye holes aren’t large enough for the goggles to fit, so I don’t wear the eye protection.

Additionally, at the battery isn’t holding a charge and the connection between the face mask cord to the battery isn’t stable anymore and sometimes I have to play with it for it to turn on.

Plus the bag it comes in is synthetic (i.e. plastic)…

Although… I do love that in addition to wearing it on my face, I can also lay on it to get my shoulder or midback, or have it lay on me so I can target my stomach or hip, I’m not sure I would buy it again.

who red light therapy is not for

Red light therapy is not recommended for people with light sensitivity. Test your skin before a full treatment.

It is also not recommended to place the light directly on a pregnant belly.

does red light therapy work?

Short answer, all signs point to yes. But don’t trust my word for it… do your own research, read the science below and if you feel called, invest and try for yourself!

infinite health & growth,
Stephanie