There are two key aspects that draw differences between red, near-infrared, and infrared light: 

• Wavelength
• Depth of penetration. 

1. Wavelength

Red light, near-infrared, and infrared light have different intensities in their wavelengths, measured in nanometers (nm).

We mentioned in the introduction that red light therapy is a form of electromagnetic radiation. By doing that, we anticipated that the wavelength intensity of red and infrared light is distributed differently on the electromagnetic spectrum.

Before we show you that in a diagram, we mention that on the electromagnetic spectrum are visible lights and invisible lights. Red light is on the visible spectrum, while infrared light is invisible.

So, on the electromagnetic spectrum, red light sits in the middle and has a wavelength spectrum between 630nm and 660nm. 

Infrared light comes right next after red light as wavelength intensity increases. The wavelength spectrum of infrared light ranges between 810nm and 900nm, increasing in range in the three types of infrared light (near-infrared, mid-infrared, and far infrared light).

Just to complete your knowledge of the electromagnetic spectrum, beyond infrared light are microwaves and radio waves. On the other side of red light are ultraviolet light, x-rays, and gamma rays.

We can now show you that in this diagram.

2. Depth of Penetration

The depth of light penetration into the skin and other body tissues increases with wavelength intensity.

Red light penetrates only shallow depths of the skin to about 2mm. Near-infrared light can penetrate a bit deeper to 5mm, but still at the level of the skin layers. Mid-infrared light reaches the softer tissues. 

(Far) Infrared light has the highest depth of about 4cm (around 1.5 inches). That means it can reach deeper muscles, joints, and bones and interact with the cellular activity of the surrounding soft tissues.

Here’s a summary of those wavelength and depth of penetration differences between red, near-infrared, and infrared lights.

The above wavelength and depth or penetration differences between red light, near-infrared light, and infrared light are key in understanding how each type of light therapy is used.

And that is what you learn in the rest of the article. We tell you the health benefits of red light, near-infrared, and infrared light in therapy.

Red light therapy works with devices that have light-emitting diodes. These diodes direct the light to the skin, where cells absorb it.

The benefits of red light therapy are mostly noted within the 630-660 wavelength spectrum.

1. Benefits of the Red Light Range (630–660nm)

The benefits of the 630-660nm red light wavelength range are concentrated in cosmetic functions and treatment of shallow-skin medical issues.

These benefits include: 

• Stimulating fibroblast production, which makes collagen, the protein that helps your skin stay healthy and youthful. This high collagen production has anti-aging effects and reduces wrinkles, fine lines, and age marks. It also promotes overall skin rejuvenation and elasticity.
• Speeding up wound healing by reducing inflammation and initiating damaged tissue repair.
• Supporting hair health by promoting cell renewal at the hair follicles, boosting hair growth.
• Helping in pain management by healthily regulating blood circulation to skin cells.
• Improving overall cellular function by boosting adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, which supports cellular energy and healthier skin with aging.

2. What Red Light Therapy Can Treat?

Visible red light therapy at 630-660nm range has several science-backed outcomes showing effective treatment for the following conditions: 

• Reduction of skin roughness, fine lines, and wrinkles, with visible evidence to show for it.
• Treatment of Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), leading to greater hair density.
• Treatment of acne vulgaris, resulting in a reduction of acne lesions.
• Treatment of actinic keratosis<, leading to enhanced aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and improvement in UV-induced skin aging. 
• Treatment of psoriasis, triggering reduced skin redness (erythema).
• Treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, resulting in increased blood flow to the foot arteries, shorter ulcer healing time, and reduced pain.
• Human eye treatment to improve color contrast sensitivity, reporting better cone and rod performance.

3. What Devices Use This Wavelength?

The 630-660nm wavelength is especially used with portable red light devices for targeted treatment. It also works with larger devices intended for large-area or whole-body red light therapy. 

These devices are mostly used at home to treat skin conditions, hair loss, inflammation, and wounds.

The devices include:

• Facial masks.
• Eye masks.
• Handheld devices like wands. 
• Light therapy mats.
• Light therapy bulbs and lamps.
• Wearable pads and wraps.
• RLT caps and helmets
• Wearable gloves.
• Full-body pods and beds.
• Light therapy panels.

Near infrared light therapy with wavelengths between 810 and 850nm penetrates deeper into the skin than red light therapy. While it is generally used to address dermatology issues, near-infrared light also reaches bones and connective muscle tissues.

The deeper penetration comes with advanced treatment benefits.

1. Benefits of the Red Light Range (810–850nm)

Red light therapy with 810-850 wavelength has the following benefits:  

• Improves cellular function by stimulating the mitochondria and enhancing cell growth and repair for boosted cell energy production.
• Promotes muscle and joint recovery with deep tissue therapy.
• Reduces inflammation, lessening chronic pain in joints, muscles, and other human body tissues.
• Promotes better blood circulation by dilating the blood vessels and boosting normal oxygen delivery to body tissues.
• Speeds up scar and wound healing by promoting improved collagen production.
• Supports skin health by boosting collagen and elastin production in the deeper layers of the skin. This leads to wrinkles, fine lines, and age marks clearance, plus better skin elasticity.
• Supports a robust immune system by reducing inflammation.
• Associated with better brain health by protecting the brain neurons, especially for people with brain injuries or dementia. (source)
• Boosts muscle recovery and tissue repair in persons with muscle soreness or sports injuries.
• Promotes hormonal balance by improving the function of endocrine glands such as the thyroid.

2. What Red Light Therapy Can Treat?

In line with the above potential benefits, studies have reported positive treatment outcomes with 810-850nm LED light therapy wavelengths:

• Treatment of muscle and joint inflammation and pain in athletes, demonstrated in accelerated muscle and joint repair and faster return to play.
• Regulating skin hyperpigmentation by controlling the melanin-producing enzyme (tyrosinase) with irradiation at 830nm.
• Pain relief in delayed-onset muscle soreness after exercise.
• Treatment of exercise-induced skeletal muscle fatigue by increasing the number of bicep contractions and reducing the biochemical markers that cause joint damage.
• Treatment of psoriasis cases deemed unresponsive to other treatments, reporting 60% to 100% clearance rate.
• Accelerated wound healing with enhanced pain relief and secondary infection control.
• Management of depression by increasing blood flow and mitochondrial energy through transcranial irradiation with near-infrared light.
• Treatment of non-penetrating brain injuries, reporting improved cognitive and social functions and better sleep quality.

We should also tell you that clinical controlled trials are underway to find out whether near-infrared light has positive outcomes in cancer treatment. 

3. What Devices Use This Wavelength?

Red light therapy devices targeting deep skin and tissue penetration and advanced therapeutic benefits use the 810-850nm wavelength range. 

They include:

• Near-infrared light panels.
• NIR light mats.
• NIR caps and helmets.
• Wearable NIR belts and wraps.
• NIR bulbs and lamps.
• Full-body NIR pods and beds.
• Near-infrared light sauna emitters.

Benefits of Infrared Light Therapy

Infrared therapy incorporates light energy that goes beyond the near-infrared wavelength to reach light spectrums beyond 900nm. This range of LED infrared light therapy waves has the deepest tissue penetration, achieving extraordinary treatment targets.

The longer wavelengths of infrared therapy are delivered to the body as heat. They heat the water molecules in the body and cause them to vibrate. As a result, there is enhanced blood circulation and lower muscle tension.

This working of infrared light delivers numerous treatment benefits.

1. Benefits of the Red Light Range (900+nm)

At 900+nm wavelengths, infrared light delivers these benefits:

• Stress relief and deep relaxation due to the penetration of the light to deep body tissues, enhanced blood flow, and the soothing effect of the heated water molecules in the muscles and joints.
• Pain relief for acute conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and sports injuries following enhanced blood flow and reduced inflammation.
• Detoxification, considering the heat from the infrared wavelengths causes the person to sweat and get rid of impurities from the body.
• Enhanced cardiovascular health due to regulated blood flow and better oxygen delivery.
• Improved skin tone thanks to boosted blood circulation and collagen production.
• Better immune function since the raised body temperature mimics a fever-like response, similar to when the body fights infections.
• Supports weight loss because the heat of the wavelengths increases the metabolic rate and potentially burns calories.
• Promotes sleep quality from the relaxed and soothing effect of heated tissues.

2. What Red Light Therapy Can Treat?

With the benefits derived from their heating effect, 900+nm infrared light waves have confirmed positive results for these conditions:

• Pain management for chronic back pain, recording a significant reduction in pain on the numerical rating scale (NRS).
• Promising potential for the treatment of acute and chronic brain pathologies and related neurodegenerative diseases.

Ongoing clinical trials so far show promising outcomes for treating acute traumatic brain injuries by renewing the affected cellular activity of brain tissue.

3. What Devices Use This Wavelength?

Infrared light devices with 900+nm wavelengths have deep-penetrating properties due to their longer wavelengths that target deep muscles, joints, and tissues.  

The devices include:

• Infrared panels.
• Infrared wraps.
• Infrared handheld devices.
• Infrared bulbs and lamps.
• Infrared helmets and caps.
• Full-body infrared pods and beds.
• Full-body infrared blankets and mats.
• Wearable infrared belts and wraps.
• Vet Infrared devices for animal health.

How Do You Choose the Right Device for You?

Choosing the right device for you for maximum treatment benefits depends on several factors:

• Your specific needs.
• Your budget.
• Your wellness goals.
• The targeted area.
• Your lifestyle.

With those factors in mind, here’s a quick guide on how to choose the right red light therapy device for you:

1. Define Your Treatment Goals.

Know the type of treatment you are looking for and what LED light wavelength is suitable for the treatment. For example, 630-660nm works well with skin health, while 810-850nm is great for muscle recovery and pain relief. 900+nm enhances cellular regeneration for deep tissue issues.

2. Consider the Treatment Area.

Determine whether your RLT treatment targets a small, medium, or large/full-body area. Go for smaller handheld devices like face masks and pads for small areas like the face. Choose medium-sized devices such as panels, mats, and infrared wraps for medium-sized areas like shoulder joints. Instead, choose larger panels and whole-body mats and beds for full-body treatments.

3. Assess Device Features.

Evaluate the features of the device against your treatment goals. Consider features like:

• Wavelength range to ensure it suits the targeted treatment issue.
• Irradiance, as higher irradiance means faster treatment results in shorter periods.
• User-friendly features such as timer and wavelength settings.
• Portability for ease of movement. For example, panels are compact and often have wheels to facilitate rolling.

4. Confirm Device Safety and Efficacy.

Go for RLT devices that are FDA-approved or those with CE certification for ensured safety. Also, verify manufacturer authenticity with existing customer reviews and confirm reliability with solid warranties. 

Consider that, while a one-year warranty is standard for most devices, 3-year warranty devices like the RedLiteX panels show manufacturer confidence in their products.

5. Factor in Your Budget.

Smaller budgets will afford smaller RLT devices, which often have lower wavelengths. However, if you want devices that treat deeper tissue issues and are on a budget, smaller affordable panels can deliver localized LED red light with infrared light wavelengths. The RedLiteX mini handheld panel is a perfect option here.

6. Evaluate Device Size Against Placement Space.

Assess whether you have enough space for the device you wish to purchase. Larger panels and mats require more space, even when used for individual treatment. At-home handheld devices need less space. Full-body infrared pods, beds, and panels are best for infrared saunas, spas, or healthcare and wellness centers.

7. Assess Device Compatibility with Your Lifestyle.

Buy easy-to-use RLT devices for short treatment sessions. Adjustable, wearable, and compact devices work best for those with busy schedules.

8. Seek Expert Advice

If ever you have doubts about the safety and efficiency of red light therapy devices for your needs, be sure to consult a healthcare professional, certified dermatologist, or trained beautician. As a rule of thumb, it is always best to plan and carry out your red light therapy with the guidance of a professional right from the start. That also serves to prevent any side effects.

Bonus Pro Tip: Combine Wavelength for Enhanced Benefits.

Consider that LED red light and infrared light beams can be used together for greater treatment benefits. This means using a device with combined red and infrared light wavelengths, such as the RedLiteX Panels.

By considering this combo option, you opt for both surface-level and deep-tissue red light therapy benefits. That means selecting from a range of 480-1060nm wavelengths.

Final Thoughts

Red light vs. near-infrared vs. infrared light treatment delivers a wide range of benefits for different cosmetic and medical conditions.

To know which light wavelength is right for you, consider that 630-660nm LED red light works great with skin issues while 810-900+nm deeper wavelengths of near-infrared and infrared light have deeper penetration and work best for severe bone, joint, and deep tissue issues.

As a disclaimer, we always recommend working with a professional for the best red light therapy benefits.

Sources:

1. Vatansever F, Hamblin MR. (2012). Far infrared radiation (FIR): its biological effects and medical applications.
2. Wunsch A, Matuschka K. (2014). A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomed Laser Surg.
3. Kim H, et al. (2013). Low-Level Light Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia: A 24-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham Device–Controlled Multicenter Trial.
4. Aziz-Jalali MH, et al. (2012). Comparison of Red and Infrared Low-level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris.
5. Clementoni MT, et al. (2010). Photodynamic photorejuvenation of the face with microneedling, red light, and broadband pulsed light.
6. Harpreet S. et al. (2020). Optically Improved Mitochondrial Function Redeems Aged Human Visual Decline.
7. Kleinpenning MM, et al. (2011). Efficacy of blue light vs. red light in the treatment of psoriasis: a double-blind, randomized comparative study.
8. Jing Z., et al. (2024). Efficacy and safety of red and infrared light in the adjunctive treatment on diabetic foot ulcers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
9. Foley J, et al. (2016). 830 nm LED phototherapy reduced return-to-play in injured university athletes: a pilot study.
10. Kim JM, et al. (2012). LEDs at 830 and 850 nm inhibit melanin synthesis in vitro.
11. Chang W, et al. (2021). Effects of 830 nm LED Therapy on Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness.
12. Leal Junior ECP, et al. (2009). Effect of multi-diode LED therapy on skeletal muscle fatigue and recovery.
13. Ablon G. (2010). Combination 830-nm and 633-nm LED phototherapy for psoriasis: preliminary findings.
14. Min P, Goo B. (2013). 830 nm LED-LLLT enhances wound healing: A preliminary study.
15. Askalsky P, Iosifescu DV. (2019). Transcranial Photobiomodulation For Depression: Current Perspectives.
16. Naeser MA, et al. (2014). Red/NIR LED treatments improved cognition in chronic mild traumatic brain injury.
17. Gale GD, et al. (2006). Infrared therapy for chronic low back pain: a randomized, controlled trial.
18. Mohiuddin TM, et al. (2023). Near Infrared Photoimmunotherapy: Recent progress and targets for cancer therapy.
19. Santos JGRPD, et al. (2018). Transcranial LED therapy for cognitive rehabilitation in diffuse axonal injury: study protocol.
20. Nizamutdinov D, et al. (2022). Transcranial near-infrared light for neurodegenerative diseases.