The Science of Red Light
Red Light​:
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The Sun emits light across nearly all parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, with most of its light in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared regions. The sunlight we see falls within a narrow range of about 400 to 750 nanometers. The Sun also emits at longer wavelengths like infrared, microwave, and radio, as well as shorter wavelengths like ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma-ray. Red (R) light has wavelengths between 610 nm - 750 nm. This range of wavelengths is in the visible spectrum and appears to be red to the human eye. Wavelengths in this range can penetrate the skin to a depth of about 4 to 5 mm and have been scientifically proven to provide many therapeutic benefits for skin, hair, nails, and more. Red light has longer wavelengths that are not thermally damaging to cells and does not damage cellular DNA.
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Infrared Light:
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Infrared light is also red light but it’s wavelengths are outside of the visible spectrum, between 750 nm- 850 nm, so it’s not visible to the human eye. Infrared light will appear to be clear. Wavelengths in this range can penetrate tissue to a depth of just over 5 mm. This depth of absorption also has been scientifically proven to provide may therapeutic benefits for bone, muscle, blood vessels, organs, abdominal fat, lymph nodes, and other deep tissue. Infrared (IR) light is not thermally damaging to cells and does not damage cellular DNA.
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Near-Infrared (NIR) light has the shortest wavelengths but penetrates the deepest. It has the distinct property that it’s not captured by water in the body so can penetrate the deepest to increase your body’s core temperature and directly produces energy with the cells through ATP stimulation.
Mid-Infrared light waves are captured by water molecules and temporarily increase circulation through vasodilation, promoting increased blood flow, elevating heart rate, and overall metabolism.
Far-Infrared (FIR) energy is transferred as heat and is readily captured by water molecules so transfers heat and energy readily. It is the closet of the wavelengths to the infrared heat that is given off by our own bodies at about 9.4 microns, so feels very natural and normal to us.
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What is Red Light? ​
The Electromagnetic Spectrum:
The Sun emits light across almost the entire electromagnetic spectrum, though some wavelengths are more prominent than others. The sunlight visible to us falls within a narrow range of the spectrum, from approximately 400 to 750 nanometers (a nanometer is one-billionth of a meter, or about 400 millionths of an inch). In addition, the Sun emits light at longer wavelengths, including infrared, microwave, and radio waves. It also produces light at shorter wavelengths, such as ultraviolet, X-ray, and even gamma rays.
However, most of the Sun's light falls within the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet parts of the spectrum. Its emission at the longest wavelengths (radio waves) is far less than at visible wavelengths. On the other hand, the Sun’s X-ray emissions, which are at shorter wavelengths, are produced only by the hottest and most active regions of its outer atmosphere, the corona. The gamma rays generated by the Sun's core fusion processes are converted into lower-energy light before they can escape the Sun. Therefore, the only gamma rays that reach Earth are those produced by extreme solar events, like powerful solar storms.
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What is Red Light Therapy?​​
​Photobiomodulation:
​When a photon of red light is absorbed by the chromophores located in the cell's mitochondria, a cascade of complex events take place that results in photophysical and photochemical changes at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels of the body. It induces physiological reactions in diseased and damaged tissues to accelerate wound healing and tissue regeneration, increase circulation, reduce pain and inflammation, and help restore normal cellular function. Recent research indicates light can enhance performance in normal tissues and cells.​​
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Red Light & Near-Infrared Light:
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Red (R) light, between 610 nm - 750 nm and near-infrared (NIR) light, between 750 nm – 850 nm have the most profound health and wellness benefits and is known as the “therapeutic window" where biomodulation occurs. "Red Light Therapy" in the therapeutic window, increases ATP production by stimulating mitochondrial function, promotes the dissociation of nitric oxide in the electron transport chain, and enhances cellular respiration by facilitating better oxygen utilization, and improves blood flow. These effects collectively contribute to the therapeutic benefits associated with red light therapy, such as accelerated healing, and reduced pain and inflammation.
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Far Infrared (Thermal):​
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Far infrared (FIR) is a part of the infrared spectrum with wavelengths between 15 micrometers - 1 mm. FIR energy is transferred as heat rather than light and works with our own body's thermal receptors to heat the body's core. Infrared saunas are typically 30 degrees lower in temperature as a result of not having to transfer heat from a surrounding area to the body.
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Cell Aging and Mitochondria Dysfunction:
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Cells age primarily due to the accumulation of damage over time, including DNA damage from environmental factors, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress from free radicals, and epigenetic changes. Aging mitochondria in cells become less efficient at producing energy, leading to increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which can also stimulate NO synthesis. This can lead to a state called cellular senescence where cells stop dividing and loose their ability to function optimally and begin releasing harmful substances. This causes increased NO production, contributing to the inflammatory environment associated with aging and the development of age-related diseases. The enzymes responsible for producing and breaking down NO can become dysregulated in aging cells, leading to an imbalance in NO levels.​​ Excessive NO can promote inflammation by activating inflammatory pathways, which is linked to various age-related diseases like arthritis, cardiovascular disease and impaired vascular function. High NO levels can cause damage to cellular components like proteins and DNA, contributing to the accumulation of cellular damage associated with aging.
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Therapeutic Benefits of Red Light Therapy:
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"Red Light Therapy" (Red and near-infrared) increases ATP production by stimulating mitochondrial function, promotes the dissociation of nitric oxide to improve blood flow, and enhances cellular respiration by facilitating better oxygen utilization. These effects collectively contribute to the therapeutic benefits associated with red light therapy such as increased cellular energy, collagen production, reduced fine lines, and wrinkles, accelerated healing, and reduced pain and inflammation.​
