Introduction: Expanding the Healing Spectrum at Fringe
At Fringe, we’ve long championed the healing power of light. Our range of targeted Red Light Therapy (RLT) products—from wraps to panels to precision wands—has helped thousands address localized pain, inflammation, and skin concerns. But now, we’re expanding the possibilities of what red and near-infrared light can do.
Introducing the Fringe Full-Body Red Light Therapy Mat.
Designed to bathe the entire body in therapeutic light, this mat delivers two synergistic wavelengths: 660 nm (red) and 810 nm (near-infrared). It represents not just a new product, but a paradigm shift in how light can support systemic healing, energy regulation, and biological resilience.
This blog explores the science behind full-body RLT, why it differs from localized therapy, and what makes the Fringe mat uniquely suited to support deep, whole-body regeneration.
A Primer on Red Light Therapy (RLT)
Red light therapy (RLT), also referred to as photobiomodulation (PBM), is a therapeutic intervention that uses visible red light (typically 620–750 nm) and near-infrared light (750–1400 nm) to stimulate biological processes in the body. Unlike ultraviolet (UV) light, which carries ionizing energy that can damage DNA, RLT uses non-ionizing wavelengths that gently interact with cells to support healing and regeneration.
The primary target of red and near-infrared light is cytochrome c oxidase, a light sensitive enzyme in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. When activated by either red or near infrared light, this enzyme increases the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule responsible for cellular energy. This upregulation of mitochondrial function can lead to wide-ranging downstream effects across multiple physiological systems.
The therapeutic response to RLT depends on several factors, including wavelength, irradiance (intensity), energy density (dose), treatment duration, and tissue depth. Red light tends to be absorbed in the skin and superficial tissues, making it ideal for dermatological and surface-level applications. Near-infrared light, with its deeper penetration, is suited for reaching muscles, joints, and internal structures.
Together, red and NIR light form a biologically compatible spectrum that can support healing from the surface to deeper tissues, making RLT a versatile and non-invasive tool for both targeted and systemic applications. The primary mechanisms by which RLT acts on a cellular level include:
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Increased ATP production
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Reduction in oxidative stress and inflammatory markers
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Enhanced blood flow and lymphatic circulation
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Stimulation of cellular repair and regeneration
As detailed in our blog Top 10 Evidence-Based Uses for Red Light Therapy, RLT has been shown in hundreds of peer-reviewed studies to improve skin quality, reduce pain, accelerate wound healing, support neurological recovery, and more. Most clinical studies have focused on localized RLT, but a growing body of evidence suggests full-body delivery may unlock broader and more systemic benefits.
What the Research Says About Full-Body RLT
While much of the Red Light Therapy literature focuses on localized treatment—targeting a joint, a muscle group, or an area of skin—there is growing scientific interest in the systemic effects of full-body red and near-infrared light exposure. These studies investigate how full-body RLT influences outcomes like pain perception, inflammation, and functionality in arrange of different conditions. For example:
In fibromyalgia, a clinical trial found that four weeks of whole-body PBM led to notable reductions in pain and enhanced quality of life in people with fibromyalgia. In addition, both kinesiophobia and self-efficacy improved in the short and long term, while pain catastrophizing showed sustained improvement at six months post-treatment. Patients with fibromyalgia receiving full body RLT perceived improvements in resilience, physical capacity, and quality of life.
In COVID-19, use of either full body RLT or transcranial RLT improved cognitive function, reduced brain fog symptoms, and enhanced quality of life, with whole-body treatment offering systemic benefits.
In athletic performance and recovery, full body RLT improved sleep quality and endurance performance over a multi-week training period. It also reduced post-exercise creatine kinase levels and inflammatory markers, suggesting enhanced recovery. It also resulted in immediate improvements in agility performance following a single full body RLT session. A systematic review of full body RLT for exercise performance and recovery concluded that whole-body PBM may enhance recovery, reduce muscle soreness, and improve sleep, although effects on performance vary depending on protocol.
In skin health, a study using full-body RLT twice a week for 30 sessions significantly improved skin smoothness, texture, and overall appearance. Collagen density in the skin increased, while roughness and wrinkles decreased. These benefits were still present 60 days after treatment, and the control group saw no such improvements.
In patients with cardiovascular disease, a study found that full body RLT using an LED bed reduced blood pressure in about two-thirds of participants with hypertension. The authors noted that heat from the bed may have contributed to this cardiovascular benefit.
These research findings suggest that full-body RLT is not limited to surface-level benefits but can influence deeper biological systems such as pain signaling and sleep architecture. While most RLT research has traditionally focused on localized applications, these studies demonstrate the broad potential of systemic light exposure to support full-body wellness.
Why Choose Full-Body Over Localized RLT?
Full-body red light therapy offers distinct advantages that extend beyond what localized treatment can achieve. Here's why a whole-body approach is often preferable:
Systemic and Holistic Benefits
Full-body RLT allows light to interact with and influence multiple systems at once—including the nervous, immune, endocrine, and circulatory systems. This enables the possibility of systemic (meaning whole-body) shifts that are harder to achieve with a localized panel or wrap.
A great example of a systemic benefit relates to adipose tissue, which is distributed over the entire body. Red Light Therapy to the abdomen has been shown to have a positive effect on metabolism and inflammation in adipose cells, which could theoretically be even greater with full-body application.
Improved Microcirculation and Oxygen Delivery
When light reaches tissues throughout the body, it can stimulate nitric oxide release, which induces vasodilation and increases blood flow. This supports better delivery of oxygen and nutrients across large areas—not just the treatment site.
Autonomic Nervous System & Vagal Tone Modulation
Whole-body RLT may also shift autonomic balance toward parasympathetic dominance, supporting vagus nerve tone and potentially impacting digestion, stress resilience, and inflammatory tone.
Structured Water and Long-Wavelength NIR
Research suggests that near infrared light can influence the structuring of water within and between cells. These effects are linked to improved mitochondrial efficiency, protein folding, and overall biological coherence. Applying this wavelength across the entire body may offer systemic restructuring of biological water compartments.
Convenience and Compliance
A yoga-style mat makes full-body therapy practical and accessible. Unlike panels that must be repositioned multiple times or wraps that only cover limited areas, mats invite effortless use. You simply lie down and let the light do the work.
Uniform Coverage = More Consistent Results
Many people struggle with dosing consistency when using targeted devices. With full-body RLT, the entire body is treated evenly, promoting balanced systemic signaling and eliminating the guesswork around where to aim the light next.
Multi-Goal Functionality
Because it delivers light to skin, joints, organs, and fascia simultaneously, full-body RLT can support multiple wellness outcomes—such as pain relief, stress regulation, muscle recovery, and skin rejuvenation—in a single session.
These advantages illustrate why full-body RLT represents a meaningful evolution beyond localized treatment. By supporting systemic biological processes, rather than focusing solely on symptom relief in a single area, full-body RLT invites a more integrative model of healing. It addresses not just where discomfort shows up, but the physiological imbalances that underlie it. Whether you're seeking deeper recovery, improved resilience, or foundational support for long-term health, a full-body approach provides a uniquely efficient and comprehensive therapeutic platform.
Light Intensity and Dosing Philosophy
As described in our blog, Red Light Therapy Intensity: Why Higher Power Isn’t Always Better for Results, Fringe does not subscribe to the belief that higher light intensity is better. While many commercial devices advertise high irradiance values to appeal to consumers seeking fast results, we take a more evidence-informed approach.
The bulk of published human studies demonstrating therapeutic benefit from red and near-infrared light use relatively low-to-moderate intensities, often between 10–50 mW/cm². Higher intensities may increase the risk of tissue overheating or photoinhibition—especially in full-body contexts where large surface areas are exposed.
Excessively high irradiance can also create a biphasic dose response, where benefit diminishes or reverses beyond an optimal threshold.
Our full-body RLT mat is designed to operate within a safe and biologically effective intensity range, supporting consistent mitochondrial activation without overstimulation. This philosophy is supported by research in which low-intensity, full-body RLT improved pain, recovery, and wellbeing without requiring high-output LED arrays.
Why the Fringe Full-Body Mat Is Different
The Fringe Full-Body Red Light Therapy Mat is uniquely engineered with two carefully selected wavelengths:
660 nm (red) and 810 nm (near-infrared), found at a ratio of 1:2 (red: near infrared). Each wavelength contributes distinct biological effects and penetrates to different tissue depths, making the mat versatile and capable of addressing surface-level and deep-tissue targets in one session.
660 nm (Red Light): A very well-studied wavelength, 660nm is well absorbed in skin and superficial tissues, making this wavelength ideal for improving skin tone, circulation, and reducing inflammation near the surface. It also supports collagen production, accelerates wound healing, and promotes dermal regeneration. The 660nm wavelength also reduces oxidative stress and improves functionality of tissues.
810 nm (Near-Infrared Light): A well-studied NIR wavelength that penetrates more deeply into muscle and connective tissue, 810 nm is widely known for its effects on mitochondrial ATP production, pain modulation, and nerve repair. It activates cytochrome c oxidase and is frequently used in both sport recovery and neurological research. This deeper-penetrating wavelength also interacts more with water, allowing it to reach deeper tissues with minimal scattering. It may influence the structure of intracellular and extracellular water, potentially enhancing mitochondrial efficiency and protein dynamics.
This wavelength composition reflects a systems biology approach to RLT targeting not only the skin and muscle, but also the foundational structures and fluids that support human health.
How to Use the Fringe Full-Body Mat
To get the most from your full-body red light therapy sessions, consider the following evidence-informed guidance:
Session Duration:
Start with 10 to 20-minute sessions per day. This aligns with the duration used in most full-body RLT studies showing benefit for pain, recovery, and well-being.
Frequency:
Use 3–5 times per week. Like exercise, the benefits of RLT accumulate over time with consistent use.
Clothing:
While recent research has shown that near infrared light can penetrate through clothing, red light can’t, so to get maximum benefit from both wavelengths, exposed skin is ideal.
Timing:
Some users prefer morning sessions for energy and circadian rhythm alignment; others use it in the evening for relaxation and recovery. You can experiment with timing based on your goals.
Consistency is Key:
While even one session can feel rejuvenating, the deeper and more lasting benefits of full-body RLT - such as reduced inflammation, improved resilience, and better sleep - come with regular use over weeks to months.
Conclusion: A New Paradigm for Whole-Body Healing
Targeted red light therapy has clear benefits, particularly for localized pain, injury, or skin concerns. But when the goal is broader—supporting whole-body energy production, recovery capacity, and systemic regulation—a full-body approach becomes especially relevant. Delivering light to a large surface area allows red light therapy to engage not only local tissues, but also circulating blood, immune signaling, and nervous system pathways that influence the body as a whole.
The Fringe Full-Body Red Light Therapy Mat combines 660 nm red and 810 nm near infrared light to provide comprehensive, low-stress exposure across the entire body. This approach supports mitochondrial function, circulation, and nervous system balance without relying on high intensities or complex treatment strategies. Full-body light therapy offers a practical way to integrate red light therapy into daily life, supporting resilience, recovery, and cellular health from head to toe.
