Power of Red and Near-Infrared Light Therapy

The Power of Red and Near-Infrared Light Therapy for Pain, Recovery, and Anti-Aging

Red and infrared light therapies are gaining recognition for effectively promoting healing and recovery. This science-backed approach, already embraced by athletes and healthcare professionals, can help you optimize your health and maintain peak performance. Let’s discuss some of the research for its use.

Red Light vs. Near-Infrared Light Therapy

Red light is classified according to its wavelength location in the electromagnetic spectrum. The red light therapy spectrum starts with red light, moves to near-infrared (NIR) light, and extends to infrared light. Understanding their distinct properties is crucial for choosing the proper treatment for your needs. The critical difference lies in their wavelengths and penetration depths. Light visible to the human eye falls within a narrow range of the electromagnetic spectrum – approximately 400-700 nanometers ( nm). Red light occupies the longer end of this visible spectrum from about 600 to 700 nm. Infrared light, with wavelengths beyond 700nm, is invisible to us. Within infrared light, is near-infrared light (NIR), which occupies the area of the spectrum between short red and infrared light. NIR light penetrates more deeply into your body than red light, but less deeply than infrared light.

Red Light (620-750nm): This light primarily targets surface-level tissues, making it effective for skin conditions, wound healing, and collagen stimulation.
Near-Infrared Light (~ 700-900nm) Penetrates deeper into the body than red light, reaching muscles, nerves, and joints. This makes it ideal for addressing pain and inflammation and promoting tissue repair at a cellular level. Also helpful for improving muscle performance and recovery in athletes.
Infrared Light (900-1400nm) – Can penetrate deep into the skin and tissues, but has thermal properties. For this reason, infrared light must be administered carefully and diligently.

This difference in wavelength dictates their therapeutic applications. While each has unique strengths, combining red and near-infrared light can provide comprehensive therapeutic benefits, addressing pain and tissue regeneration at various depths.

How Does Light Therapy Work?

Unlike high-intensity lasers used in some medical procedures, low level light therapy (LLLT) doesn’t cut or burn tissue. Instead, it works through a fascinating process called photobiomodulation (PBMT), which shares similarities with photosynthesis in plants. As plants absorb sunlight to fuel their growth, our cells can absorb light energy to power healing and regeneration.

But how does this happen? It all starts deep within our cells, in tiny energy factories called mitochondria. Mitochondria are often described as the “powerhouses” of our cells because they generate most of the energy we need to function. They have a complex chain of proteins acting like tiny circuits, shuttling electrons around to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), our cells’ primary energy currency.

Here’s where light therapy comes in. One of the essential proteins in this energy-producing chain is cytochrome c oxidase (CCO). CCO contains heme and copper molecules – the same components that give our blood its red colour – which are excellent at absorbing light, particularly in the red and infrared wavelengths. Something unique happens when we shine red or near-infrared light on living tissue. The light penetrates the skin and reaches the mitochondria, where CCO absorbs it. This absorption is like flipping a switch, boosting CCO’s activity and setting off a chain reaction of beneficial effects:

Reduced inflammation: LLLT helps to suppress inflammatory molecules, reducing pain and swelling.
Increased blood flow: LLLT can stimulate the release of nitric oxide from our muscle cells and red blood cells, leading to improved circulation and enhanced delivery of oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues, promoting healing.
Enhanced cellular repair: LLLT stimulates the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the cell’s primary energy source, which is essential for repair and regeneration.
Pain relief: LLLT can reduce Prostaglandin E2 concentrations, which helps to reduce pain, inflammation, and tissue damage.

References

Calderhead, R. G., Kim, W. S., Ohshiro, T., Trelles, M. A., & Vasily, D. B. (2015). Adjunctive 830 nm light-emitting diode therapy can improve the results following aesthetic procedures. Laser therapy, 24(4), 277–289. https://doi.org/10.5978/islsm.15-OR-17

Research Studies

Pain Relief

Low-level light therapy (LLLT) is gaining increasing attention as a potential alternative or adjunct therapy for pain management, particularly in the context of musculoskeletal disorders. Below are findings of several research studies that have investigated the effectiveness of LLLT in alleviating pain. From meta-analyses encompassing a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions to focused studies on specific issues like neck pain and ankle sprains, the research highlights this non-invasive treatment modality’s potential benefits and limitations.

Athletic Recovery

Recent studies have highlighted the efficacy of light-emitting diode phototherapy (LEDT) in enhancing athlete recovery by promoting muscle repair and reducing inflammation. In one study with 630 nm LEDT, participants experienced significantly reduced muscle soreness, strength loss, and range of motion impairments up to 96 hours after exercise. This suggests LEDT’s potential to accelerate recovery post-exertion.

In volleyball players, LEDT doses of 210-315 J effectively prevented significant increases in creatine kinase, indicating protection against muscle damage when applied before matches. Additionally, 830 nm LED phototherapy significantly reduced return-to-play times in injured athletes, enhancing pain control and blood flow and shortening recovery from various injuries.

Comparative studies have shown that LEDT, a non-invasive method, is more effective than cryotherapy for muscle recovery. It not only enhances muscle strength but also reduces oxidative damage markers. This underscores LEDT’s potential to significantly enhance athlete recovery and performance in a safe and non-invasive manner.

Research Studies:

Enhanced Metabolism

Recent studies have explored the potential benefits of infrared light therapy, mainly using LED technology, in enhancing metabolism, weight loss, and cellulite reduction. One study focused on combining infrared-LED (850 nm) phototherapy with treadmill training in women, demonstrating improvements in body aesthetics, including a reduction in cellulite and thigh circumference. The combination therapy prevented an increase in body fat and maintained lean mass, with thermal imaging showing significant temperature changes in the thighs.

In another study involving postmenopausal women, infrared-LED therapy during treadmill training showed promising results in improving metabolic markers and body composition. Participants experienced improvements in lipid profiles, such as reductions in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels. Additionally, the LED group reported enhanced quality of life, with significant decreases in WHQ scores, indicating potential psychological benefits.

These findings suggest that infrared-LED therapy, particularly when combined with physical exercise, can be an effective non-invasive strategy for weight management and aesthetic enhancement. Integrating such therapies could offer a holistic approach to improving physical and metabolic health, especially in populations prone to metabolic abnormalities.

Research Studies:

Skin Health – Acne, Wrinkles

LED light therapy is gaining recognition for its dermatological benefits, particularly in treating acne, wrinkles and overall skin rejuvenation. Studies indicate that blue light suppresses sebum production and exhibits antimicrobial effects against P. acnes, a bacterium implicated in acne development. Additionally, red light can reduce inflammation, making the combination therapy effective in targeting both the causes and symptoms of acne. This dual-action approach has shown encouraging results in reducing inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions with minimal side effects.

Red light therapy, including wavelengths like 830 nm, is renowned for enhancing skin rejuvenation by promoting collagen and elastin production, reducing wrinkles, and improving skin texture. These therapies penetrate deeply into the skin, enhancing cellular activity and encouraging healing processes.

Both blue and red light treatments are well-tolerated with minimal adverse effects, making them appealing options for patients.

Research Studies:

Disclaimer

This blog post is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

About Dr. James Yoon

Dr. Yoon is a licensed naturopathic doctor practicing in Downtown Toronto but also provides virtual consultations to patients across Ontario. He focuses on a functional medicine approach to healthcare, identifying underlying conditions contributing to individuals’ symptoms and using natural, scientifically-proven solutions to improve their health. Dr. Yoon is a clinician, researcher, medical educator, and speaker.

Learn more about Dr. James Yoon

February 8, 2025