How to Use Red Light Therapy at Home: Device Choice vs Treatment Options

The standard recommendation for using red light therapy (RLT) at home can be summarized in 5 key points:

• Choose the right red light therapy device for your treatment needs for the best results.
• Be consistent. Regular use guarantees the best red light activity on the mitochondria and promotes optimal cell growth and collagen production for skin renewal.
• Work with a professional dermatologist, RLT expert, or certified cosmetician.
• Follow manufacturer guidelines to the letter when using home red light therapy devices.
• Track and record your progress and discuss it with a dermatologist or RLT professional.

While this is a general guideline, specific details apply depending on the type of phototherapy device and the problem you are treating.

So, in this guide on how to use red light therapy at home, we list for you popular LED light therapy devices for home use. Since red light panels are a popular choice, we give you step-by-step instructions on how to use RLT panels for different treatments at home. Let’s get to it!

Popular Red Light Therapy Devices for Home Use

When we speak of red light therapy devices for home use, we refer mostly to devices in the 630nm to 660nm wavelength spectrum of red light.

These devices are especially used to treat skin issues such as wrinkles, age spots, fine lines, scarring, wound healing, and acne. The latter is also often treated with blue light.

Photobiomodulation devices in this specific wavelength are also used to reduce inflammation and the resulting redness, manage mild to moderate pain, treat eye problems, and heal muscle and joint tissues. Home-use RLT therapy devices for pain management sometimes fall under the 810-850nm near-infrared light spectrum. 

Popular red light therapy devices for home use that can achieve these cosmetic and medical treatments include these 9 options:

• Face masks: Wearable devices that target wrinkles, fine lines, age marks, and acne and trigger skin elasticity, rejuvenation, and improved skin tone.
• Eye masks and patches: These mostly target the area around the eyes to depuff, detox, and firm the delicate skin around the eyes. They also deliver an anti-aging effect, reduce wrinkles and dark circles, and soothe strained eyes. Some also treat eye problems like color contrast sensitivity and dry eye disease.
• Panels: Versatile red light therapy devices that emit concentrated LED light, targeting the skin, joints, and muscles of specific body parts. They are great for full-body wellness.
• Handheld wands: These handheld devices provide targeted treatment for small areas to address skincare concerns, sore muscles from sports or workout activities, and localized pain. 
• Belts and wraps: These LED devices are flexible and light and can be used while relaxing. They are mostly used for skin care and pain management. They target human body parts like the abdomen, lower back, shoulder joints, and more.
• Caps and helmets: These devices specifically target hair follicles. They promote hair growth and regrowth for people experiencing hair loss among signs of aging and immune-related hair loss conditions such as alopecia areata. They also enhance overall scalp health.
• Mats and pads: Another type of red light device that's flexible and versatile which you can use laid on a flat surface or wrapped around body parts. They are great for combining therapy with relaxation to deliver red light therapy benefits such as pain relief, improved blood circulation, inflammation reduction, and muscle recovery.
• Wearable gloves: These RLT devices target the hands and fingers. They promote blood flow around the hands and help relieve pain from conditions like arthritis, stiff joints, and injuries.
• Therapy beds and mattresses: These are high-end at-home red light therapy devices. They provide full-body therapy in a single session. They are great for generalized chronic pain, relaxation in convalescence, and overall well-being.

So, exactly how do red light therapy panels stand out among the other devices?

Benefits of Using an RLT Panel at Home

Among the devices we mentioned above, users prefer red light therapy panels over other at-home devices, especially the smaller ones. That’s because red light therapy panels come with the following benefits:

1. They Cover Larger Treatment Areas

Red light therapy panels can vary in size from small ones that focus on targeted joint or skin areas to larger full-body size ones. That gives users a wide selection, allowing them to focus on areas such as the face, chest, back, and legs. As a result, they save you time compared to smaller devices that target a tiny body area at a time.

2. They Have a Higher Light Intensity

RLT panels have a higher energy output and provide widespread irradiance. This means deeper light penetration into the skin and other tissues, reducing the time and frequency required to begin noticing positive therapy results.

3. RLT panels are versatile

Because they come in different sizes, red light panels give users more choices. Besides, many can be customized for time and wavelength and target different treatment issues such as skin, muscle, joint, and overall body wellness.

4. They Offer Hands-free Application

Especially when they come in freestanding options, RLT panels offer the convenience of hands-free usage. This gives the user greater relaxation and the chance to multitask during therapy sessions. Panels can also be adapted to your situation by mounting them on walls, providing full-body exposure to red light.

5. They Save You Money in the Long Run

While they may seem more costly than their smaller-sized counterparts, RLT panels save you money in the long run. This is because they offer more comprehensive red light therapy treatment and can serve multiple users in the same family.

6. They have Professional-level Benefits

Even when used as at-home red light therapy devices, panels provide similar benefits as when used by professionals at spars, saunas, or healthcare and wellness centers. These benefits include concentrated LED output, adjustable light intensities, built-in timers, and electromagnetic field (EMF) shielding.

7. Deeper Skin and Tissue Penetration

Most red light panel brands, such as the RedLiteX panels, combine red light and near-infrared wavelengths for deeper skin and tissue penetration. This makes them excellent for both surface skin issues, like wrinkles and fine lines, and deep-tissue issues such as acute muscle and joint pain management.

8. Deliver Overall Wellness

Panels are great for anyone seeking therapy for overall well-being because they can target your entire body and deliver more dispersed red light. Using them at home means the user can turn to them any time they need relaxation, want to reduce generalized inflammation, or boost their body energy levels without needing to go to a spa, salon, or sauna.

So, exactly how are red light therapy panels used at home for different treatments? We show you how below.

How to Use a Red Light Therapy Panel for Skin at Home 

To achieve the benefits of red light therapy with panels for skin at home, follow these steps:

• Record your current skin status to keep track of the resulting skin health improvement. You can do that by taking photos of the targeted area.
• Cleanse the skin on the treatment area to remove dirt, oil, or makeup. Clean skin allows better penetration of red light. Also, do not apply any serum, sunscreen, or other beauty products, unless directed by your dermatologist.
• Set the RLT panel to an appropriate position and angle. The panel should be 6-12 inches from the skin unless indicated otherwise in manufacturer instructions. Maneuver the panel so that the light directly falls on the target area. Your position should also adapt to the panel position, sitting upright or reclining as the case requires.
• Wear eye protection gear to prevent unwanted side effects. If your RLT panel did not come with eye goggles, look for a pair recommended for RLT. Alternatively, improvise eye pads and keep your eyes closed.
• Turn on the RLT panel to start the session. Set the timer, starting with 10-minute sessions at the beginning and upscaling to 15-20 minutes with time. Set the panel to the recommended wavelength for skin conditions, 630-660nm. A background of soft music or aromatherapy can make the session more relaxing.
• Follow post-treatment guidelines. These include keeping your skin hydrated and avoiding exposure to direct UV rays.
• Repeat the sessions 3-5 times a week or as recommended by your dermatologist. If not, follow the device user guide.

Pro Tip: In consultation with your dermatologist, you can use panels that combine red light with near-infrared light for better skin healing results. The RedLiteX Pro Series is a great choice in this case.

How to Use a Red Light Therapy Panel for Pain at Home 

To manage muscle and joint pain with an at-home red light therapy panel, follow these steps:

• Expose the target area to prepare it for direct treatment with red light.
• Clean the target areas to rid the skin of any dirt, body oils, or creams.
• Set the panel 6-18 inches away from the pain area or as directed by manufacturer instructions. Ensure the panel angle allows the light to hit directly on the target area. Placing the panel on a stand or table will keep it stable.
• Set the timing for 10-20 minutes of session or be guided by the user manual. 
• Set the panel wavelength to the near-infrared irradiation range between 810nm and 850 nm. This wavelength range penetrates well into the joints, muscles, and deep tissues, making it ideal for pain management.
• Lie or sit comfortably so you won’t need to move or readjust the panel during the session.
• Keep the target body part hydrated and rested after the session. A mild moisturizer will do the trick.
• Repeat the therapy 3-7 times a week or as recommended by your consulting healthcare professional. Chronic pain may require weeks or months of therapy to notice considerable improvement. 
• Keep track of your progress to assess the effectiveness of red light therapy.

Pro Tip: Discontinue use if the pain seems to be increasing or is constant after a while. Consult with a RLT expert or your healthcare provider before proceeding. 

How to Use a Red Light Therapy Panel for Hair Loss at Home 

Most scientific studies have focused on red light therapy caps and helmets for hair loss. However, experts agree that other low-level light therapy (LLLT) devices like panels use the same red light therapy principles and have the potential for efficiency in hair regrowth.

With that in mind, here’s how to use a red light therapy panel for hair loss at home:

• Record the state of hair loss with photos before commencing therapy to help keep track of the improvement.
• Prepare for the therapy by cleaning your hair and scalp. That should serve to remove any dead skin on the scalp as well as dirt and oil that can hinder light penetration.
• Set the panel on a table or stand 6-12 inches from your head. The angle should allow light to reach your head while in a sitting or reclining position. You may need to turn or move the panel to ensure all sides of the scalp receive red light evenly. Otherwise, set the panel to target specific areas of the scalp with pronounced hair loss.
• Time the session for 10-20 minutes or according to manufacturer guidelines. Just like skincare, the recommended light spectrum for hair loss treatment is 630-660nm. 
• Consistently repeat the sessions 3-5 days a week or as guided by manufacturer instructions. It may be several weeks before you notice some change and months for significant hair growth.
• Take weekly photos to monitor changes in hair growth.

Pro Tip: Avoid rough hair brushing after RLT treatment to prevent further damage. Combining LRT for hair loss with professional medical advice and treatment will give better results.

Things to Avoid When Using an RLT Panel at Home

While red light therapy panels deliver all the benefits mentioned so far for the different treatments, they can cause undesired outcomes if you skip precautions.

To prevent such situations, here are some things to avoid when using a red light panel at home:

• Avoid overuse during single sessions or in the frequency of use. Strictly adhere to manufacturer or professional guidelines.
• Do not place the panel on an unstable stand or table to guarantee safety.
• Avoid using red light therapy panels on broken, infected, inflamed, sunburned skin or acute acne flare-ups.
• Do not combine the use of RLT panels with skin products. Doing so can cause adverse reactions like heightened skin sensitivity and irritation.
• Avoid direct exposure of the eyes to panel red light. Use eye protection glasses or goggles.
• Never use RLT panels with signs of damage, such as broken light-emitting diodes and open wires. These can cause electrical hazards. 
• Do not ignore panel specifications for different treatment wavelengths. 630–660nm red light spectrum is recommended for mild and moderate skin concerns and hair loss. 810–850nm near-infrared light therapy is for acute skin issues, deep tissue treatment, and muscle and joint pain relief.
• Avoid self-sufficiency when using RLT panels at home. Instead, always work with a professional for safety and better results.

The Bottom Line!

Choosing the right type of red light therapy device is crucial when exploring how to use red light therapy at home. There’s a wide range of at-home devices. Some work best for skin and hair treatment, while others excel in joint and muscle pain treatment.

Among all RLT devices, panels stand out as an excellent choice for most therapy needs. Follow manufacturer or professional guidelines for best results when using panels for different treatments.

As a precaution, you may be home alone for your red light therapy sessions, but ensure you are not alone in planning and executing your phototherapy journey. Work with a professional!

Sources:

1. WebMD: Red Light Therapy: What Is It?
2. Park Y, Kim H, Kim S, Cho KJ. (2022). Effect of low-level light therapy in patients with dry eye: a prospective, randomized, observer-masked trial.
3. Li WH, Seo I, Kim B, Fassih A, Southall MD, Parsa R. (2021). Low-level red plus near infrared lights combination induces expressions of collagen and elastin in human skin in vitro.
4. Vogue: At Home Red Light Therapy May Not Be a Skincare Cure-All—But It’s Pretty Close
5. RehabMart: Expert Explains How To Choose A Red Light Therapy Device