Red Light, Near-Infrared Light, Infrared Heat: What’s the Difference?

With the surge of information about Red Light Therapy on the internet and social media, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and misled. Sorting through all the details to determine which type of light therapy best suits your personal needs can be challenging.

We’ve broken it down to address your questions about:

• Do red and near-infrared light do different things?
• Is infrared the same as red light? 
• Which wavelength should I use for skin, pain, or muscle recovery?
• Can I use red and near-infrared light together?
• What actually matters when choosing a red light therapy device?
• How do I know if my device has the right wavelengths?

What’s the difference between red light, near-infrared light, and infrared heat?

• Red light: visible, shorter wavelength, surface tissue
• Near-infrared light: invisible, deeper penetration
• Infrared heat (MIR/FIR): heat-producing, used in saunas
  
  

Type	Wavelength	Visible?	Main Use
Red light	620–750 nm	Yes	Skin, support surface healing
Near-infrared	750–1400 nm	No	Muscle, joints
Infrared heat	1400 nm+	No	Heating, sweating

What is Red Light?

Penetration depth:	2 -3 mm
Wavelength:	620 - 750 nm
Typical use:	Wavelength: 660 nm LED Irradiance: 50-200 mW/cm2 Duration: 2-15 min

Benefits 
Red light is light that you can see. This wavelength doesn't penetrate as deeply into the tissue, so it's better for surface-level skin health and skin rejuvenation, minimizing the appearance of wrinkles, blemishes, and pimples.

Here are some studies we found on red light:

A youthful glow 

• May reduce the appearance of fine lines, and support skin hydration (Lee et al. 2007, Nam et al. 2017) [3, 4] 
• Supports collagen and skin elasticity by activating fibroblasts, the cells that make collagen (Ng et al. 2020, Migliardi et al. 2009) [5, 6]

Skin rejuvenation

• May reduce the appearance of inflammatory acne (Mavranezouli et al. 2022, Nestor et al. 2016, Liu et al. 2014, Na & Suh. 2007) [7, 8, 9, 10]
• Supports cellular respiration involved in skin healing (Avci et al. 2013) [11]
• May help with dryness [12] and redness [13] (Kleinpenning et al. 2012, Ngoc, Moon & Lee, 2022)

Aids the body's ability to heal wounds

Outside of facial treatments, red light has also been studied for its benefits in wound healing, typically for superficial skin issues like abrasions, bruises, and bug bites.

• May reduce wound areas on the skin (Perper et al. 2020, Siqueira et al. 2015) [14, 15]

Ambiance

Exposure to blue light, especially at night, can interfere with the production of the sleep hormone melatonin, making it harder to fall and stay asleep. (Nagai et al. 2019) [16]. Swapping blue light for red may help mitigate that. 

Hair health

• May increase hair counts in patients with androgenic alopecia (Friedman, 2017) [17]
• May increase hair coverage in patients with androgenic alopecia (Mai-Yi Fan, 2018) [18]

What is Near-Infrared Light (NIR)?

Penetration depth:	5 - 10 mm
Wavelength:	750 -1400 nm
Typical use:	Wavelength: 850 nm LED Irradiance: 50-200 mW/cm2 Duration: 2-15 min

Benefits
Near-infrared light at 850 nm is invisible to the human eye but is commonly used because it may reach deeper tissues than red light.
The penetration depth of NIR (near-infrared light) is greater than that of red light because it has a longer wavelength, reaching up to 10mm deep, closer to subcutaneous fat and muscle tissue layers. However, the power of the device and its proximity to the skin also significantly influence how deeply the light can penetrate. 

Here are some studies we’ve found on near-infrared light:

Exercise & post-workout recovery

• May reduce fatigue and increase repetitions performed (Pinto et al. 2016, Leal Junior et al. 2009) [19, 20] 
• May reduce pain associated with Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, and support recovery & relaxation (Ferraresi et al. 2016, Douris et al, 2006, Zhao et al. 2012) [21, 22, 23]

Joint discomfort 

• May temporarily reduce pain and support functionality associated with bone healing (Chang et al. 2014) [24]
• May temporarily reduce Arthritis pain and inflammation (Stelian et al. 1992, Ganjeh, Rezaeian, & Mostamand 2020) [25, 26]

Blood flow, inflammation & supporting wound recovery 

• May improve circulation, as demonstrated by increases in capillary blood cell velocity and skin blood flow (Mak & Cheing, 2012) [27]
• May temporarily reduce inflammation (Hamblin, 2017) [28]
• Support cellular responses involved in tissue healing (Minatel et al. 2009) [29]

Dental

• May aid the body’s management of pain after surgery (Chen et al. 2019) [30]
• May support root canal disinfection (Asnaahari et al. 2016) [31]

Cellulite

• May improve the appearance of cellulite, when paired with exercise (Paolillo et al. 2013) [32]

It’s important to note that NIR can be quite intense (especially when delivered through a high-irradiance device like LUMEBOX). This high power could be damaging to the eyes if you look at the intense light for too long, so it’s important to choose a device that includes protective goggles!

What are Mid-Infrared Light (MIR) and Far-Infrared Light (FIR)?

Penetration depth:	2-7 cm
Wavelength:	Mid-infrared 1400 - 3000 nmFar infrared 3000 nm– 0.1 mm
Typical use:	Infrared sauna

Infrared light (IR), distinct from near-infrared light, has much longer wavelengths that penetrate deeply into the body. Its primary purpose is to heat the body and induce sweating, which is why it's commonly used in infrared saunas.

Unlike red light, IR does not support collagen or offer skin-related benefits. It also provides much less targeted pain and inflammation relief compared to NIR. However, if your goal is to sweat, mid- to far-infrared saunas are effective! 

 

Why LUMEBOX?

Given the benefits discussed above, red light therapy offers huge potential for human health… and there’s still more exciting science emerging. 

LUMEBOX:

… can emit both RED and NIR light from a single bulb

How I use LUMEBOX

RED mode

Use case: Face, surface wounds, relaxation, and ambiance.

Distance: Hold 5-6 inches from the face (or target area). Remember your goggles if your eyes are in the beam window of light (the area where light is actively shining)! 

Time: 6-minute cycle

NIR mode

Use case: Deeper muscle tissues and joints.

Distance: Hold closer to the skin, ensuring no clothing is between LUMEBOX and the body. 

Time: 12-minute cycle 

Combined mode

Use case: The best of both worlds!

Directions: Refer to our YouTube channel for detailed use notes! 

Results take time 

Results with red light therapy require patience. Red light therapy isn't a quick fix but is designed to enhance the body's natural processes. For instance, when using red light for skin improvements, changes become visible only after the deeper layers of skin cells rise to the surface, which could take between 6 and 8 weeks. While some individuals might notice mild effects shortly after beginning treatment, the most significant benefits are typically seen with consistent, prolonged use.

Ready to revitalize your health? Consider adding LUMEBOX to your self-care routine. It's a convenient and accessible way to experience the potential benefits of RLT in the comfort of your home.

 

FAQ 

Does near-infrared light go deeper than red light?

Yes. Near-infrared wavelengths generally penetrate deeper than visible red wavelengths because longer wavelengths scatter less in tissue.

Is infrared sauna the same as red light therapy?

No. Infrared saunas mainly use heat-producing infrared wavelengths, while red light therapy uses red and near-infrared wavelengths aimed at photobiomodulation benefits like skin health, pain relief, and muscle recovery.

Which wavelength is best for skin?

Red light around 630–660 nm is most commonly studied for skin-related applications.

Which wavelength is best for pain?

Near-infrared light penetrates deeper than red light wavelengths, so it is most commonly studied for sub-surface applications like temporary pain relief or muscle recovery.

Can red and near-infrared light be used together?

Absolutely! While red and near-infrared light have their individual benefits, when in doubt, use them together (provided you have a device that offers combined mode). A lot of the benefits actually overlap, and you’ll find that the most common treatment approach in the science is using RED and NIR together. 

Using combined mode for cellulite, muscle recovery, sleep, inflammation, wound healing, and more. For a more comprehensive overview, refer to our Kickstarter Guide, which is included with your first purchase of LUMEBOX.

 

Shop LUMEBOX

New to red light therapy? Download our free eBook to help you choose the best device.

Already have a LUMEBOX? Download our 6 time-saving tricks guide! 

 

Medical Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog post is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used as medical advice. Everyone responds to light differently. Testimonials are not a guarantee of the results you or anyone who uses LUMEBOX will get because your success depends entirely on your circumstances, and the studies on red light therapy shared were not specifically performed using LUMEBOX. Please check with your doctor before using red light therapy, and do not change your medical treatments or lifestyle without consulting your physician first. 

References: 

1. Mester, E., Spiry, T., Szende, B., & Tota, J. G. (1971). Effect of laser rays on wound healing. The American Journal of Surgery, 122(4), 532-535. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9610(71)90482-X
2. Hamblin M. R. (2017). Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS biophysics, 4(3), 337–361. https://doi.org/10.3934/biophy.2017.3.337
3. Lee, S. Y., Park, K. H., Choi, J. W., Kwon, J. K., Lee, D. R., Shin, M. S., Lee, J. S., You, C. E., & Park, M. Y. (2007). A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, and split-face clinical study on LED phototherapy for skin rejuvenation: clinical, profilometric, histologic, ultrastructural, and biochemical evaluations and comparison of three different treatment settings. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology, 88(1), 51–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2007.04.008
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29.  Minatel, D. G., Frade, M. A., França, S. C., & Enwemeka, C. S. (2009). Phototherapy promotes healing of chronic diabetic leg ulcers that failed to respond to other therapies. Lasers in surgery and medicine, 41(6), 433–441. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.20789
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