Sunshine & Skin: Separating Harm from Healing
For most of human history, life was lived in close partnership with the sun. From hunter-gatherers who roamed under open skies to agricultural societies rising and resting with daylight, sun exposure was simply part of daily life. But in recent decades, our relationship with sunlight has undergone a dramatic transformation. Today, the average person in the industrialized world spends over 90% of their time indoors, shielded from natural light. Sunscreen use has become routine, and official guidelines increasingly urge the public to minimize sun exposure altogether. As a result, our sun-drenched evolutionary history has been replaced by an artificially lit present.
These public health recommendations are largely based on well-established risks: excessive sun exposure, particularly to ultraviolet (UV) light, can damage the skin. UVB rays can directly harm DNA, while UVA contributes to oxidative stress. Together, these wavelengths can lead to sunburn, accelerated aging, hyperpigmentation, and increased risk of skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. In this context, limiting sunlight exposure may seem like a logical way to protect skin health.
Yet research continues to show that sun exposure isn’t all bad. In fact, it’s essential for optimal health. Light stimulates vitamin D production, regulates circadian rhythms, and improves mood. Studies have also linked sun exposure to reduced risk of diseases like multiple sclerosis, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. One analysis estimated that insufficient sun exposure contributes to 340,000 premature deaths annually in the U.S. alone. This creates a clear conflict: while sunlight can damage skin, avoiding it entirely may do more harm than good.
So how do we strike a balance? It’s entirely possible to enjoy the health benefits of sunlight while minimizing its damaging effects on the skin. Protective strategies include wearing wide-brimmed hats and natural, loose-fitting clothing, seeking shade during peak UV hours, and using mineral-based sunscreens that block harmful UV rays without exposing the body to chemical filters. Spending time outdoors during early morning or late afternoon – when UV radiation is naturally lower – is another simple way to enjoy the sun more safely.
Avoiding all sun exposure is not only unnecessary – it’s also likely counterproductive to health. Thoughtful exposure combined with practical protection allows us to receive the benefits of sunlight while minimizing harm. And for the skin specifically, we can go a step further. By using red and near infrared light therapy, we can harness the healing properties of the sun’s spectrum in a targeted way, without UV exposure. These wavelengths penetrate deep into the skin, improving cellular energy and promoting repair. The result is a proactive way to both support skin health and counteract UV-induced damage.
The Physics of Sunlight
The sun emits a broad range of electromagnetic radiation. Roughly 10% of this is ultraviolet (UV) light, which includes UVA and UVB, the components most associated with skin damage. About 40% is visible light, ranging from violet to red. The remaining 50% is infrared radiation, with near infrared light (NIRL) spanning wavelengths just beyond visible red. Together, this full-spectrum light is what we experience as sunshine, even though only a portion is visible to the naked eye.
Interestingly, the spectrum of sunlight that reaches our skin is shaped by our environment. Tree canopies, for instance, tend to filter out more UV while allowing red and near infrared wavelengths to pass through. Similarly, moving from full sun into shade dramatically alters the composition of light, with UV dropping sharply while red and near infrared persist. Time of day also matters. In the early morning and late afternoon, the sun is lower on the horizon, and the atmosphere scatters more UV light, leaving a spectrum richer in red and infrared. Season and latitude further influence the spectral composition of natural light. UV light increases near the equator and during summer months, while red and near infrared light remain more stable and present year-round, even in winter and at higher latitudes.
Red and near infrared light are remarkably stable components of natural sunlight. Unlike ultraviolet (UV) light – which fluctuates dramatically with time of day, season, latitude, and environmental conditions – red and NIR wavelengths are present consistently throughout the day and in nearly every outdoor setting. Whether we’re walking in a forest, sitting under an umbrella, or watching a sunset, our skin is still absorbing these healing wavelengths. This stability suggests that red and near infrared light may play a continuous, foundational role in human biology that our bodies evolved to depend on across varied environments and levels of sun exposure. In fact, some researchers propose that early morning exposure to NIR light may help “precondition” the skin, making it more resilient to the harmful ultraviolet rays encountered later in the day.
How Red & Near Infrared Light Support Skin Health
The distinction between UV and red/near infrared light is important because these light wavelengths have very different effects on the skin. UV radiation is high-energy and potentially damaging in excess. As already described, it can mutate DNA and increase oxidative stress, which in the skin, can degrade collagen and trigger inflammation. Red and near infrared light, by contrast, have been shown to promote healing, enhance mitochondrial function, and reduce oxidative stress. They do not damage DNA and do not carry the same risks of skin cancer or photoaging.
When researchers discuss the dangers of sunlight, they are almost always referring to UV light, particularly UVB. The link between cumulative UV exposure and skin cancers is well established. But this is only one part of the solar spectrum. It’s critical to recognize that the sun also emits light that supports skin health, and that this part can be separated, mimicked, and used therapeutically.
Red and near infrared light therapy (also known as photobiomodulation) uses specific wavelengths of light (typically 600–700 nm for red and 800–900 nm for near infrared) to stimulate beneficial biological effects. These wavelengths penetrate deep into the skin, where they are absorbed by the mitochondria, which are the energy producing powerhouses of cells. This leads to increased ATP production, modulation of oxidative stress, and activation of cellular repair pathways.
When applied to the skin, red and near infrared light increase collagen and elastin production, increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and support healing at a cellular level. These effects are particularly relevant when it comes to reversing or preventing sun-induced skin damage. Research shows that red/NIR light therapy can help address common consequences of UV exposure — including photoaging, inflammation, and impaired wound healing — while also supporting repair from conditions like acne, melasma, psoriasis, eczema, and scars.
In contrast to treatments like lasers, peels, or microneedling (which often work by intentionally injuring the skin to stimulate repair) red and NIR light encourage healing without harm. Red and NIR light therapy is non-ablative and painless, which makes it especially appealing for long-term skin health and for mitigating the cumulative effects of sun exposure. Red and near infrared light are already present in sunlight, but using therapeutic devices allows us to deliver them in concentrated, UV-free doses.
How to Use Red Light Therapy for the Face, Neck and Chest
The face, neck, and chest are the most common sites of sun-associated skin damage. These areas are frequently exposed and have thinner, more delicate skin than other parts of the body. Over time, this makes them more vulnerable to wrinkles, pigmentation, and loss of elasticity. Supporting these areas with red and near infrared light therapy can help prevent and reverse visible signs of aging while enhancing overall skin resilience.
When choosing a Red Light Therapy product, it’s important to consider a few key factors. First, look for a device that uses both red and near infrared light, ideally in the ranges most supported by clinical research (600–700 nm for red and 800–900 nm for near infrared). Second, ensure the light intensity (also known as irradiance) mimics the power of natural sunlight. Devices that are too strong can overwhelm the skin, while those that are too weak won’t provide a therapeutic effect. Third, opt for LED-based products for home use, which are safe, effective, and supported by evidence.
The Fringe face mask and neck/chest wrap are designed specifically to treat the areas most vulnerable to sun damage. These hands-free, wearable devices contour to the skin and deliver healing light directly to the face, neck, and upper chest. Their targeted design makes them ideal for daily use, and they can be comfortably worn while resting, reading, or relaxing. LED panels are also a great option for the face, neck and chest area, although they require users to stay stationary during treatment.
Whichever product you choose, consistency is key. Light therapy works best when used regularly over time, much like sunlight itself.
Conclusion
Our relationship with the sun is complicated. On one hand, UV radiation can damage skin and increase the risk of cancer. On the other hand, sunlight is essential for overall health and well-being. Avoiding the sun entirely may reduce skin damage, but it can also undermine important physiological functions. Instead of viewing the sun as harmful, we can embrace a more balanced approach that includes mindful sun exposure, protective strategies, and the healing potential of red and near infrared light.
Unlike UV, red and near infrared light are present consistently across time of day, season, and latitude. Their stable presence in nearly every natural outdoor setting suggests a fundamental role in human biology that our bodies have evolved to rely on, even in low-light or shaded environments. By prioritizing regular exposure to these wavelengths, either through time outdoors or targeted light therapy, we can support the skin and the body in ways that align with our evolutionary design.
With evidence-based light therapy tools like the Fringe face mask and neck/chest wrap, we can support the skin’s natural repair processes, reduce the visible signs of aging, and build resilience against the very damage we once feared. The sun, it turns out, isn’t just a source of risk – it’s also a source of healing.
about the author
Dr. Genevieve Newton, DC, PhD spent close to 20 years as a researcher and educator in the field of nutritional sciences before joining Fringe as its Scientific Director. Gen’s job is to “bring the science” that supports Fringe’s products and education. She is passionate about all things Fringe, and is a deep believer in healing body, mind and spirit using the gifts of the natural world.
The contents in this blog; such as text, content, graphics are intended for educational purposes only. The Content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider.
