red light 101
If you’ve just bought for your first red light therapy product, or are considering getting one, you’re probably wondering “how the heck do I use this thing?” Well look no further: Here is your go-to guide for all things red light therapy!
What exactly is red light therapy?
Red light therapy (also known as photobiomodulation) is the application of light with specific wavelengths to the body for the purposes of influencing biology. The term “red light therapy” is a bit confusing, since most devices emit both red and near infrared light. Red light is visible to the human eye, while infrared light is not, although it can be felt as heat. While early research on photobiomodulation used primarily lasers, more recent research has found that LED’s can also be used, which have the advantage of applying light to a larger area of the body as well as an improved safety profile. The use of LED’s in red/NIR devices has also greatly reduced the cost of treatment, making it something that can be done in the comfort of one’s own home. Fringe products use LED light chips that deliver red and near infrared light.
What is red light therapy used for?
There are many mechanisms by which red light therapy affects the body, with the most well-known being increasing the synthesis of ATP (the energy currency of the cell) through effects on the electron transport chain in the mitochondria. The link between red light therapy and improved mitochondrial function has been well established. This increased supply of energy can be used to do many types of cellular work, including healing, growth, maintenance, and repair. There are thousands of published studies showing the efficacy of red light therapy for a wide range of health applications, ranging from general support for healthy cells to improving brain function in Alzheimer’s Disease patients.
What are the wavelengths of light used in Fringe red light therapy products?
The red wavelengths used in light therapy range from 600 to 700 nanometres (nm), with the unit nm referring to distance the light wave travels in one cycle. The near infrared light used in light therapy ranges from 800 to 1100nm. All the Fringe red light therapy wraps (except for the head wrap) and the red light therapy panel use red light at 660nm and near infrared light at 850nm. The Fringe head wrap uses red light at 660nm, near infrared light at 810nm, and near infrared light at 1050nm; the addition of a second wavelength of near infrared light is to enhance penetration into the head. The Fringe face mask uses red light at 630nm, near infrared light at 830nm, and blue light (yup, not red at all!) at 415nm. Blue light is included in the face mask due to its ability to control blemishes. Importantly, the spectrum of blue light in the face mask mimics the blue light from the sun and is different from the artificial blue light that is emitted from electronic devices. Our wavelength selection for each product was informed by an analysis of scientific studies of red light therapy.
How do I know which Fringe red light therapy products is right for me?
Fringe makes two types of red light therapy products: Panels and wraps. Our wraps come in several different shapes/sizes, including a regular and long wrap that have a rectangular shape, a head wrap, a face mask, and several joint specific wraps (knee, foot/ankle, shoulder/neck, elbow/wrist). All our products deliver both red and near infrared light (plus blue light in the face mask) at approximately the intensity of the sun – more on that in #5! You can help a wide variety of health conditions with either a panel or a wrap – but it is important to understand the differences between them so that you can choose which product best suits your needs.
To choose the right product for you, first identify what health goals you want to achieve. Both panels and wraps can be used to treat pain, inflammation, and a wide range of health conditions. Panels also can help with sleep & mood as they create a visible ambient light, and they can be used to treat a larger surface area. When using a wrap, the red wavelengths are barely visible, so the additional health benefits from ‘seeing’ red light (sleep & mood) are not available. Panels are better suited to treating regional pain, while wraps work better for localized pain.
Second, identify what area(s) of the body you want to treat. If there are multiple body parts to be treated, you should choose a versatile device like an red light panel or non-specific wrap (either the regular or extra-long wrap) that can easily be applied to different target areas. Panels can be used to treat most body parts, including the face, chest and back. Non-specific wraps work well on most body parts, except the face and head. If you want to target a particular body part (such as the face), you can choose a product that is designed specifically for that area (for example, a mask). Our specific wraps (head, face, and joints) are uniquely designed to be used on certain body parts, and may be a bit more comfortable, especially on the head and face.
Third, you should consider how and where you intend to use the product. If you would like to have the option of moving around during your treatment, you would do better with a wrap rather than an panel, since wraps are battery powered and portable. Panels are plugged into an electrical outlet and require that you stay stationary during your treatment. Every person’s needs are unique, but there are many different device options to choose from.
How intense is the light delivered by Fringe red light therapy products?
Light intensity refers to the amount of light being delivered by a device. It is also referred to as irradiance. This describes the amount of light energy your skin receives over a period of time and is usually measured in mW/cm2. The amount of light your skin receives, which is a function of time and intensity, is referred to as the “dose”. Another way to describe the dose of light received is in Joules/cm2 or Total Joules, with Joules being a unit of energy. In terms of intensity, it has been found that it is ideal to mimic the intensity of the sun, which is around 24 mW/cm2 at the skin. This is described as the “sweet spot” between higher intensities, which can have harmful effects, and lower intensities, which will have no effect at all. Our target intensity is 20-40mW/cm2. This is the approximate intensity of the sun, and we think the sun knows a thing or two about healing! Many companies claim to have over 100mW/cm2 at 0 inches. Man, that would be HOT! Higher irradiance or power does not mean better results, if the dose is too great – the benefits are negated! There is a “photoinhibitory” effect that occurs at higher intensities that you want to avoid.
Our panels emit light at a higher power than our wraps, but that does not necessarily mean more light is absorbed into our skin. When the light source is 4-6 inches away from our skin, a large portion of the light is scattered before it reaches our skin. Due to the indirect nature of red-light therapy panels, the units have a higher power rating (192W) so we can accommodate for light that is lost and deliver the appropriate intensity of light for a treatment. Wraps, which are in direct contact with the skin, have less power (60W) so we can deliver the appropriate intensity of light for a treatment (30 mW/cm2). Both panels and wraps are designed to deliver the same intensity of light during a treatment: approximately 30 mW/cm2. Think of your Fringe Light as a way to safely supplement the sun (or the wavelengths from the sun) that offer us the most healing benefits.
What are the treatment parameters that I should follow?
Our recommendations regarding treatment parameters can be considered flexible, but there is one thing to make note of: it’s possible to overdo it! The consequences of too much red light therapy rarely manifest as unpleasant symptoms, unless you’re using a very high intensity light, which can heat the tissue; instead, there just isn’t a therapeutic benefit. The good news is that it’s easy to stay within the therapeutic window by following a few simple guidelines when it comes to distance, time, interval, and frequency.
Distance: Since red light wraps are applied directly to the skin, there are no distance considerations to make note of. Direct skin contact means less light reflection and higher light absorption. The near infrared light in the wraps generates heat, which should feel warm but not hot. If the temperature is uncomfortable, you don’t have to move the wrap away from the skin; instead, just reduce the intensity of the light by pressing the intensity button, which looks like a sun.
With a panel, the further away you are the less light gets absorbed by the skin. This is due to reflection losses, since between 60 and 80% of the light is reflected away from the skin. There is also less penetration into the skin as distance from the panel increases. We recommend being positioned six inches away from the panel during a treatment; at this distance, the intensity of light will be at our target of 30mW/cm2. If you are further away from the panel, the intensity will be lower, and if you’re closer, it will be higher. A higher intensity will require less time to deliver the same dose of light, while a lower intensity will require more time. If you’re using the panel to create ambient light in a room, it can be used in the same way as any other light source.
Time: Our recommended treatment times range from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on what it is being used for. Our wraps all have a 20-minute built in timer, while our face mask has a 10-minute timer, and the panel has timers for 10-, 20-, and 30-minutes. Using the timers will ensure that you don’t overdo your light exposure and negate the therapeutic effects.
Interval & Frequency: Interval refers to number of sessions per day, while frequency refers to number of times per week. The important thing to consider here is that the effects of red light therapy can cumulative if they are applied in close proximity. Since the cellular response can last from 24 to 48 hours, doing treatments more than once per day on the same area is not recommended, since repeated high doses will be counterproductive. For best results, we recommend using red light therapy between 3 and 7 times per week, with no more than one treatment per day.
Are there any precautions I should be aware of?
The safety of red light therapy has been demonstrated in thousands of research studies. However, there are some precautions to be aware of before you begin your therapeutic journey.
Photosensitivity is the main contraindication to red light therapy. If you are sensitive to light, or are using medications that increase light sensitivity (see https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7672668/ for a recent list). On the other hand, if you can comfortably spend 20 minutes out in the sun without experiencing any adverse effects, red light therapy should be perfectly fine. (Note – this applies to Fringe red light products, which are at the approximate intensity of the sun, and may not apply to higher intensity products from other companies).
Here are some other precautions to consider. Please don’t:
- Stare directly at the LED lights with your eyes open.
- Allow children to use the device without adult supervision.
- Use on infants.
- Use while sleeping.
- Exceed 30-minute treatment times.
- Use on open fresh wounds.
- Use in combination with lotions, balms or other topical products that contain heat producing ingredients.
- Ice before or after red light therapy.
Red light therapy has been found to be safe to use during pregnancy, but we still recommend checking with your health care provider to see if they think it’s appropriate. They can assess your unique health needs and determine if red light therapy is right for you.
Conclusion
Red light therapy is safe, effective, and very easy to use. With several device types available, it’s easy to find one that meets your needs. Fringe red light therapy products are a great addition to a home care health toolbox. Give one a try!
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.
