Near Infrared (NIR) Light Therapy

Near‑infrared (NIR) light therapy—also known as photobiomodulation—uses red and infrared wavelengths (600–1,000 nm) to recharge mitochondria, reduce inflammation, and accelerate the body’s natural repair processes.

Modern life unfolds under artificial light—cold, blue, and narrow‑band—while our biology evolved under the full spectrum of the sun.

Near‑infrared light therapy restores part of that lost spectrum, reintroducing the regenerative frequencies nature designed us to receive.

Across biophysics, neuroscience, and psychology, evidence shows that specific red and NIR wavelengths reactivate our cellular engines, influencing mood, sleep, focus, and long‑term vitality.

This guide—part of the CEOsage Energy Science & Environmental Physiology—explores light as both medicine and metaphor: how it powers the body’s energy system, how modern lighting disrupts it, and practical ways to harness illumination for daily renewal.

Let’s dive in …

CONTENTS

What is NIR Light Therapy?

Definition: NIR light therapy—also called photobiomodulation—uses red and near‑infrared wavelengths (roughly 600–1 000 nm) to stimulate cellular energy production and restore biological balance.

Near‑infrared (NIR) light therapy sits at the intersection of sunlight and cellular biology.

It’s a non‑invasive practice that applies specific red and infrared wavelengths to the skin to:

Activate mitochondria (the cell’s energy generators),
Increase ATP,
Reduce inflammation, and
Improve circulation.

Originally studied in space medicine, this technology now bridges multiple disciplines: biophysics, dermatology, neuroscience, and energy physiology.

NIR light therapy is also sometimes referred to as LED light therapy or low-level light therapy (LLLT).

Throughout this guide, you’ll see how these frequencies of light interact with the body—and what that reveals about vitality and consciousness itself.

The Nature of Light and the Human Body

Light doesn’t merely help us see; it regulates every cell’s rhythm.

The body interprets wavelength information through photoreceptors in the eyes and through chromophores embedded in tissues.

Certain wavelengths—especially those between 620 nm and 1,000 nm—penetrate deep enough to influence mitochondrial ATP production, balancing cellular metabolism, hormones, and circadian cues.

Light profoundly affects the pineal gland. This tiny gland in the brain’s center sends hormonal signals to the rest of the body. The pineal gland plays a vital role in our mood, sleep, dreams, immune function, and body temperature regulation.

As such, light directly influences the circadian rhythm—the body’s natural clock.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

In essence, light is electromagnetic radiation in a small band visible to the naked eye. It is a collection of electromagnetic pulses of varying wavelengths, which exist on a spectrum or continuum from shorter to longer wavelengths.

Nanometers (nm) are the unit of measure for light’s wavelengths.

These wavelengths range from approximately 380 nm (violet) to 750 nm (red).

Each wavelength of light influences the human body in specific ways.

Blue Light and Its Modern Imbalance

Our story of light starts with the antagonist: blue light.

Blue light has relatively short wavelengths within the approximate range of 450 to 485 nanometers.

Natural blue light wavelengths are highly beneficial during daylight hours.

These wavelengths from the sun can help improve attention, increase reaction time, boost energy, and enhance mood.

Natural blue light helps fight fatigue and is an essential source of energy and vitality.

Blue light isn’t the villain—it’s context that turns it harmful. Natural solar blue wavelengths signal alertness during daylight.

Artificial blue light from screens and bulbs, however, saturates our evenings and suppresses melatonin, impairing sleep, cellular repair, and emotional regulation.

The body’s energy grid falls out of sync, much like an overpowered electric circuit.

The Visible Spectrum

Red & Near‑Infrared Light—Nature’s Repair Spectrum

Red light has the longest wavelength within the visible spectrum in the approximate range of 620 to 750 nanometers.

While red light is visible to the human eye, it is not detectable on the skin (there is no warmth).

Beyond the visible continuum on the electromagnetic spectrum, just past the red wavelength, is near-infrared (NIR) light.

NIR light’s range is approximately 750 to 1,400 nanometers. It has longer wavelengths than visible light, making it invisible to the human eye (vision).

However, we can feel the warmth of this wavelength emitted from sources like the sun or a fire on our skin.

With its longer wavelengths, NIR light can penetrate more deeply into the human body, including human tissue and the skull.

Ultimately, red and NIR light are the protagonists of this story as they are the antidote to our blue light woes.

	Red light	Near-infrared (NIR) light
Visibility	Visible to the human eye	Invisible to the human eye
Wavelength	620-750 nanometers	751–1,400 nanometers
Feeling	No warmth sensation	Warmth on the skin
Applications	Healing wounds and skin conditions, pain management	Cognitive function enhancement, mood regulation, sleep improvement
Penetration	Epidermis, dermis, and fat tissues	Same, plus deeper into the muscle tissues

Mitochondria, ATP, and the Science of Light Energy

NIR light therapy devices are straightforward. Place a red and NIR light device on or close to the skin.

Red and NIR LED lenses emit specific light wavelengths (usually 650 nm to 1000 nm) that penetrate the skin.

These long-wavelength red and NIR lights stimulate cellular energy production and energy metabolism.

The Powerhouse of Cells

As unique structures in every cell in your body, mitochondria are considered the “powerhouses of the cell.” They generate the body’s energy by converting nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Neuroscience professor at University College London, Glen Jeffrey, explains that longer wavelengths ranging from 650 nm to 1000 nm “mitochondrial performance to increase energy production.” ¹

We know that red and NIR lights improve ATP cellular energy functioning, production, and regeneration in mitochondria. (However, the actual mechanism of how red light triggers ATP is not yet clearly known.)

Increased cellular energy (ATP) has tremendous therapeutic effects on the body, as we’ll see below.

Reversing Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Current research suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction—where the mitochondria don’t function properly or produce sufficient energy (ATP)—is a leading contributor or cause of many chronic conditions.

Improving mitochondrial functioning is analogous to recharging a battery.

Brief exposure to red and NIR light can recharge the body’s energy system, helping to reverse the course of disease, improve resilience, reduce pain, and slow aging.

The Blue Light Dilemma

Our modern dilemma is that artificial blue light is so pervasive.

This manufactured blue light is emitted from light sources such as LED and fluorescent bulbs, televisions, and virtually every device with a screen (monitors, televisions, tablets, smartphones).

Especially after sunset, artificial lighting illuminates our world. How many hours every evening does the average person spend glued to their screens with artificial blue lighting as the backdrop?

A growing body of research links blue light exposure to numerous health risks, including cancer, diabetes, obesity, and bipolar disorder.

Ultimately, blue light suppresses melatonin and disrupts the circadian rhythm, reducing our sleep quality.

Blue Light, Mitochondria, and ATP Production

Perhaps most importantly for our story, artificial blue light leads to mitochondrial dysfunction.

Excessive blue light causes the mitochondria to become inefficient at converting nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Essentially, artificial blue light exposure damages the body’s primary source of cellular fuel!

When the body (especially the brain) doesn’t produce sufficient ATP, we’re prone to fatigue, anxiety, depression, and many neurodegenerative disorders over time.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is correlated with virtually every chronic disease. The harmful effects of artificial blue light can not be overstated.²,³

A Life Spent Indoors: Starving for Sunlight

Our “modern” lifestyle exacerbates the problem of artificial blue light.

The average person spends 87% of their time indoors.⁴

Put simply, we’re starving ourselves of natural sunlight during the day.

The absence of natural sunlight (which contains all the electromagnetic wavelengths highlighted above) combined with intense overexposure to artificial blue light is a recipe for long-term disaster.

Some experts, like neurosurgeon Dr. Jack Kruse, firmly believe that artificial blue light is a considerably more significant factor in chronic illness and poor health than diet.

Protagonist: The Sun

The sun is the real protagonist in this story. The healing benefits of sunlight medicine are extraordinary, especially in our modern context.

The longer visible wavelengths of red light combined with NIR light mimic the sun’s healing abilities while counteracting many of the harmful effects of artificial blue light.

While blue light triggers oxidative stress in our cells, red and NIR lights repair and regenerate our cells.

Exposure to artificial blue light is akin to consuming junk food, whereas exposure to red and NIR light is comparable to eating organic, homegrown, whole foods.

Now, with the above in mind, let’s review the documented benefits of red and NIR light based on available research.

Benefits of Red and NIR Light Therapy

Over six thousand and five hundred published studies exist on red and NIR light therapy!

In general, the benefits of red and NIR lights include:

Increased ATP production (more energy)
Enhanced antioxidant defenses
Inflammation reduction (anti-inflammatory)
Slowed aging (anti-aging)
Repaired muscle tissue
Faster bone and wound healing
Pain relief
Thyroid, hormone, and immune function improvements
Chronic disease mitigation

Here are some of the benefits of red and NIR lights from current research:

Benefits of Red Lights

Studies show that red light can help improve vision, reduce glucose levels, accelerate wound healing, promote skin rejuvenation/healing, and slow aging.

Improves vision for those with declining eyesight in 40-year-olds and older with 670 nm deep red light.⁵, ⁶
Reduces blood glucose levels simply by shining a 670 nm light on a person’s back for 15 minutes.⁷
Accelerates wound healing and improves tissue regeneration.⁸, ⁹
Significantly improves skin complexion, skin feeling, and rejuvenation measured by collagen density. (This particular study shows no NIR light benefits over red-light-only exposure.)¹⁰
Reduces hay fever symptoms (70% improvement using red and NIR light).¹¹
Improves skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis (using red and NIR light).¹²
Slows aging (combined with NIR light).¹³
Reduces inflammation (combined with NIR lights).¹⁴

Not bad. Now, let’s look at current studies focused on the potential benefits of targeted NIR light wavelengths.

Benefits of NIR Lights

Not surprisingly, because the wavelengths associated with NIR light penetrate deeper into the human body, this light can potentially provide even more significant benefits.

Current studies show that infrared light therapy devices can alleviate pain, improve mood, reduce drowsiness, enhance memory, squash depression, and more.

Alleviates pain in the knees, neck, and lower back, as well as pain from osteoarthritis, post-surgery, fibromyalgia, and temporomandibular diseases.¹⁵
Reduces chronic lower back pain.¹⁶
Rebuilds muscle tissue.¹⁷
Elevates overall mood, reduces drowsiness, and supports overall positive well-being.¹⁸
Enhances visual working memory after shining NIR lights at 1064 nm on the brain (no benefits found at 852 nm).¹⁹
Anti-aging effect on retinal function (improves vision).²⁰
Reduces depression symptoms.²¹
Significantly improves cognition in mild to moderately severe dementia cases (Alzheimer’s disease).²²
Significantly improves cognitive performance after traumatic brain injury (TBI).²³, ²⁴

The benefits of red and NIR light can seem too good to be true. But remember, these benefits mimic the sun’s healing powers.

Our artificial blue-light-dominated world promotes cellular dysfunction, imbalance, illness, and disease. Red and NIR light have restorative and counterbalancing effects on these disorders.

Wavelengths Decoded

Most basic red and NIR light therapy panels emit two wavelengths: 660 nm and 850 nm. 660 nm is a specific red light wavelength, while 850 nm is an NIR light wavelength.

Why are these two specific wavelengths used most often?

From what I’ve gathered, it’s not necessarily because they are the “best wavelengths.” Instead, many early published papers on red and NIR lights used 660 nm and 850 nm.

Then, a few manufacturers of red light therapy devices started using them, and the rest of the industry followed.

While these two wavelengths produce excellent results, this doesn’t necessarily mean they are superior or as therapeutic as other wavelengths. Let’s dig a little deeper…

Red and NIR Light Penetration Factors

The reality is that red and NIR light from the 600 to 1,100-nanometer range all have beneficial effects in photobiomodulation therapy.²⁵

The range of wavelengths from 600 to 1,100 nanometers penetrates deeply into the skin, evoking a broader cellular response (as described above). As long as the red and NIR lights penetrate the skin, we get the desired ATP response (cellular energy production).

For shorter wavelengths, blood and melanin in the skin determine the absorption rate. For instance, individuals with darker skin, which contains more melanin, absorb shorter wavelengths more easily than those with whiter skin pigmentation.

With longer NIR wavelengths, water absorption is the primary factor.

Based on current research, 810, 830, and 850 nm offer the best penetration for blood and melanin.

The 1064-nanometer wavelength is considered the longest NIR wavelength that may provide the best penetration.²⁶

Red and NIR Light Wavelength Mechanisms & Effectiveness

Which wavelengths of NIR light are most effective?

The short answer is: it depends.

810 nm Wavelength

Some researchers consider NIR light’s 810-nanometer wavelength optimum, especially when used in direct contact with the body.²⁷

When using direct skin contact, the 810 nm wavelength is potentially the best, especially relative to brain benefits.²⁸

830 nm Wavelength

However, for noncontact delivery (NIR light panels at a short distance away from your skin), the 830 nm wavelength shows the most promising benefits for skincare. Athletic injuries are also treated with 830 nm.²⁹

The 830-nanometer wavelength is considered superior due to its absorption level and activation of specific chromophores. 830 nanometers is also excellent for hair growth, eye health, and mitochondrial support.³⁰, ³¹

Red Light Combined with NIR Lights

Some research also suggests that combining red (630 nm and 660 nm) with NIR light (850 nm) can have greater efficacy than either wavelength at one time.³²

As such, many NIR light therapy devices use both these wavelengths.

But do the specific wavelengths really matter?

According to Dr. Michael Hamblin, a leading expert in red light therapy research, in all of their studies, they can’t detect a significant difference in mechanisms between red and NIR lights.³³

Dr. Hamblin’s observations are encouraging because they suggest that we may not need to fixate on specific wavelengths within the red and NIR light range.

Using NIR Therapy at Home

According to the literature, there are three methods for using NIR light therapy:

Noncontact method
Contact method
Pressure method

With the noncontact method, you generally position the panel 4 to 12 inches away from your body.

Noncontact is the most common method suggested by the industry and its “influencers” (but not necessarily by researchers).

Popular NIR light panels are often used on a table stand or hung behind a door. The individual sits or stands at least six inches away from the panels.

Red and NIR light therapy devices can also be applied directly to your skin—the contact method.

The contact method works with most NIR light therapy devices, such as red LED panels, pads, torches, masks, and blankets.

The third option is to apply pressure to the NIR light therapy device, pressing it into the skin to allow it to penetrate deeper.

Contact and pressure methods are most common in red and NIR light research studies. It’s unclear why the industry advocates mainly the noncontact method.

Why the Contact Method is Superior

The contact and pressure methods are preferable because they enable deeper penetration.³⁴

If you position an NIR light therapy device six inches away from the skin, you have a larger coverage area; however, the skin reflects many beneficial wavelengths (they don’t penetrate).

If your skin is white, for example, approximately 60% of the red and NIR light wavelengths don’t penetrate it. In contrast, if you have black skin (more melanin), the absorption rate is significantly higher.

Based on one NIR light study (using 830 nm) on living tissue, the contact method offers 3X better penetration than the noncontact method at 1 cm away from the skin.³⁵

The Contact Method and EMF Exposure

The challenge with using the contact and pressure method is that most available NIR light therapy devices emit high levels of artificial electromagnetic frequency (EMF) radiation.

This high EMF is mainly a function of the product design.

For example, most panels and other NIR light devices are plugged directly into the wall (AC outlet), which produces an electrical field (EMF).

A DC adapter (to convert AC power into DC power) is embedded within the device. This embedded adapter generates additional EMF radiation.

In addition, most panels have built-in fans to cool the unit from the red LED lights, which generate a magnetic field (magnetic EMF exposure).

Although undetectable to most people, high and low EMFs cause cellular damage.³⁶ That is, most red and NIR light devices are counterproductive as this EMF radiation damages ATP just as much—if not more than—blue light.

But don’t worry. Below, I’ll highlight a manufacturer who explicitly addresses this EMF issue and explain how to set up an NIR light therapy pad with significantly less EMF.

Duration and Frequency of Use with NIR Light Devices

One or two sessions per day are sufficient if you’re in relatively good health and using NIR lights to increase energy, ATP production, and positive well-being.

Studies show that ATP production continues for hours after NIR light exposure. Even one session every other day or twice a week can be beneficial.

NIR light manufacturers often recommend sessions last 20 to 30 minutes. Again, this depends on your personal goals and treatment requirements.

Try starting at 10 minutes per day and see how you feel.

Session times also vary depending on the method used. For example, the NIR light contact method generally requires shorter sessions. Five-minute direct contact sessions can suffice.

Note: If you are treating a specific ailment or injury, you may want to consult a red light therapy professional for protocols.

Selecting the Right Device

Numerous factors, including treatment application, goals, and budget, must be considered when purchasing red and NIR light therapy devices.

Different Types of Light Therapy Devices

NIR light therapy devices come in many forms:

Red and NIR light therapy panels (most popular)
Red light therapy blankets and mats
Red light face masks
Red light wands (or torches)
Red and NIR light pads
Full-body photobiomodulation systems
NIR saunas

The growing popularity of NIR light therapy devices is spawning endless innovations.

Specific red light devices target the neck, mouth, knees, and fingernails. You can find NIR light therapy hats, belts, and gloves!

Different Applications for NIR Light Devices

There are now countless manufacturers of these various devices. NIR light therapy device costs can range from 20 bucks to thousands of dollars.

Red light face masks are popular for addressing wrinkles, but I wouldn’t put one directly over my face unless it is battery-operated. Otherwise, it likely emits too much EMF radiation.

Blankets and mats target a larger region, but again, you’re putting the device in direct contact with your body, so you should be mindful of EMF exposure.

Portable pads are an excellent way to use direct-contact NIR light therapy.

Red light wands are for highly targeted applications. I keep a red light therapy torch on my desk. It’s an excellent, portable NIR light wand for quick, 5-minute treatments.

The Versatility of Red LED Light Panels and Pads

Most people interested in NIR light therapy go with red LED light panels.

These panels provide the most versatility for noncontact NIR light therapy. For example, the red LED light panels do everything a red light face mask or wand can do, but with a larger coverage area.

You can target a specific area, such as your face, but you can also use the red and NIR light panels on your back, feet, or other body areas.

Red LED light pads are optimal for direct contact and pressure treatments because they can bend to match the contours of the body.

Factors for Red LED Light Panels and Pads

Red LED light panels and pads (which include NIR lights) are ideal solutions for most people because they provide the most versatile coverage area.

However, comparing various brands can be challenging if you don’t know what to look for.

Factors to consider with red LED light panels include:

Number of wavelengths (most common are 660 nm and 850 nm; some panels have up to 7 wavelengths)
Number of LED lights on the panel (e.g., 60, 150, or 225 LEDs)
Panel size (a standard single panel size is roughly 12 in by 8, but the sizes can vary)
Type of LED lights (standard, dual chip, or quad chip)
Quality of LEDs (ideally, they should be “flicker-free”)
Coverage area (depends on the size of the panel, number of LEDs, and energy output)
EMF exposure (tested for radiation at a specific distance like 0.0 μT @ 6”)
Overall quality and build of the panels themselves (usually an aluminum exterior with built-in fans)
Timers and other functionalities like variable pulsing and customizable brightness
Ease of use
Irradiance (high power output): “radiant flux received by a surface per unit area.”
Mounting options
Certifications (including CE, FCC, SAA, FDA, ARTG)
Stackable or not (some brands enable you to “stack” more than one panel for additional coverage)

I know it can seem overwhelming. Fear not. Let’s run through the factors that are arguably the most important in helping you select an NIR light therapy device right for you.

Number of Wavelengths

Many people pay attention to the number of wavelengths. This feature is a significant factor in the cost of the red LED light panels and their potential treatment capability.

As stated above, most basic red and NIR light panels emit two wavelengths: 660 nm and 850 nm. 660 nm is a specific red light wavelength, while 850 nm is an NIR light wavelength.

However, some panels will emit up to seven specific wavelengths. As I explained above, there isn’t sufficient data to conclusively state what wavelengths are optimal. Dr. Hamblin says anything within the 600 to 900 nm wavelength range works.

LED Light Power Intensity

Power density, or irradiance, is something I found confusing when I first researched NIR light therapy devices.

Most manufacturers quote a specific irradiance value, like “>100mW/cm² at 3 inches”. This irradiance value means the NIR light therapy device is measured to produce solar power intensity greater than 100 milliwatts per square centimeter.

However, after more digging, I found an article by Andrew LaTour, the founder of GembaRed, explaining how most brands overquote their power intensity—often by a factor of 2X!

You might assume that the higher the power intensity of the LED lights, the better. However, that’s not necessarily the case.

While marketing literature and many “influencers” say that over 100 mW/cm² is the ideal light dosage, available research suggests otherwise: the optimum therapeutic power intensity is between 16 and 50 mW/cm².

So, in the case of red and NIR light therapy devices, more is not necessarily better.

What’s the Ideal Power Intensity?

As explained above, most current research on NIR light treatment uses the direct contact method. Andrew LaTour writes:

In reality, most studies are using lasers, LED arrays, and LED or laser clusters and mostly placing them in contact with the skin. In one review on the complexity of photobiomodulation parameters, it was simply put as “The first issue to be addressed is light reflection from the surface of the skin, which can be minimized if the optical probe is held in firm contact with the skin.”³⁷

The cells beneath the skin are highly responsive to red and NIR lights. It only takes 1 to 4 Joules/cm² to reach a stimulatory dose. In most cases, after 4 Joules, the benefits start to decline, eventually reaching an inhibitory region. ³⁸

Remember that red and NIR light therapy mimics the sun’s therapeutic qualities. The sun emits between 20 and 40 mW/cm² of red and NIR wavelengths.³⁹

Isn’t it logical that this is the optimum power range for NIR light devices?

Despite many marketing claims, available research suggests that low-powered devices used with direct skin contact are superior to high-intensity units.

Other Factors to Consider in Red LED Light Panels

Now, let’s run through a few other important factors to consider:

Flicker-Free LEDs

Ideally, the LED lights should be close to flicker-free.

You probably won’t stare directly at the lights (unless you’re treating the eyes), but the flickering of LEDs (or other bulb types) strains your eyes and brain. (Unfortunately, virtually all blue-lit screens on devices flicker too.)

While we can’t detect this flicker with the naked eye, our brains register it, causing fatigue over time.

Standard, Dual, and Quad Chip LEDs

With the standard LED red light, there’s one chip per lens. (When you see some LEDs “on” while others look “off,” it’s generally a standard LED lens design. NIR lights are not detectable to the human eye (for the most part).

“Dual chips” means two LED chips are on the same circuit. For example, a dual chip design allows manufacturers to pack more LEDs on a panel by incorporating red and NIR lights in a single lens.

“Quad chips” means four LEDs on the same circuit. Four chips per lens allow for four different wavelengths in a single lens.

Generally, the dual and quad chips increase the cost of the device. They reportedly increase the intensity of the light dose, but I haven’t seen any research confirming this.

# of LEDs

The number of LEDs on the unit is a determining factor in price and coverage area.

Coverage Area

The panel’s size is relevant as it determines the treatment area and price.

A larger panel with more LEDs will cover a larger body region. Many biohackers want a full-body panel they can stand naked in front of. However, I’m not sure that’s necessary based on available research.

I’d rather have a smaller panel size, so I can target closer to a specific region of my body.

EMF Radiation

For me, this is a HUGE factor. I stopped using my first NIR light therapy device because the levels on my EMF meter were literally OFF THE CHARTS—even though the company’s website said the device had “low EMF.”

Many companies quote their product’s EMF emission. For example, “0.0 µT @ 6 inches” means the panel should emit zero EMF radiation if you’re six inches away. But I’ve come to distrust these published ratings as I’ve consistently found them inaccurate.

As explained above, most studies done with red and NIR light are close to the skin or in direct contact.

Arguably, six inches is too far away and not ideal because it significantly reduces light penetration (even at higher intensity). We might assume these companies are quoting their EMF radiation at 6 inches because the EMF levels are too high at closer ranges.

Consequently, look for a red light device engineered with low EMF. (See below.)

Control Features

Numerous high-priced and highly marketed red light therapy panels have elaborate displays and apps that sync with your smartphone.

I would NOT recommend any of these panels. Why? If the panel can communicate with your phone, it has Wi-Fi or Bluetooth built in. This means the panels produce microwave radiation (another form of EMF).

Why subject your body to harmful EMF radiation if you don’t need to? (And why pay more for this feature?)

Practical NIR Light Therapy Devices

After extensive research in the red and NIR light therapy panel industry, I’ve concluded that it’s filled with charlatans and grifters. These brands promote high-priced LED panels, driven mainly by stylized marketing and a lack of accountability.

I could not find any demonstrable benefits or significant differentiating factors between these high-priced brands and other, less expensive options. However, after extensive research and experimentation, I did find what I consider a clear winner in the NIR light space: GembaRed.

Below, I’ll highlight one of GembaRed’s most popular units (I use it) and a few other devices for your review.

Disclaimer: The panel recommended has an affiliate link. This does not affect what you pay in any way. In fact, you can use the discount code provided below (CEOSAGE) for additional savings.

GembaRed Vector Mini Red and NIR LED Light Panel

If I were going to recommend just one red and NIR light panel, it would be THIS one.

Designed by Andrew LaTour, an experienced chemical and materials engineer and biohacker, the GembaRed Vector has the best specs in the industry for a device this size.

GembaRed doesn’t focus on slick marketing like so many competitors. Instead, the company focuses on producing superior devices at highly competitive prices.

GembaRed is also highly transparent and has excellent customer service. This company focuses more on reducing EMF radiation in its devices than any other brand.

Features

Wavelengths: The Vector Mini is a four-wavelength device that emits 630, 660, 830, and 850 nanometers from 40 LEDs—all packed in a small unit (9 inches X 5 inches X 1.25 inches).

Power Intensity (Irradiance): 44 mW/cm² at 0 inches; 14.4 mW/cm² at 6 inches.

No Flicker: The LEDs have practically no flicker (measured by a 3rd party).

Ultra-Low EMF: Andrew designed this panel with EMF concerns in mind. Most panels have a DC adapter within the device. The problem is that these adapters generate high levels of EMF.

Andrew’s panels have an external DC adapter, which keeps the EMF farther away from the panel and, therefore, from you. The Vector Mini emits a 4 V/m electrical and 0.13 milliGauss magnetic field.

Quiet Design: Most red LED light panels require fans to keep the LED circuits from overheating.

Personally, I don’t like the sound of these fans. The fan noise makes it more difficult to relax, which makes me less likely to use NIR light therapy. Plus, fans generate EMF by producing a magnetic field.

GembaRed’s design is perfectly silent. It doesn’t use internal fans, thus further lowering the EMF levels.

Versatility: Initially, you may think that the bigger the panel, the better. But after using NIR light therapy devices for a while, you may discover the opposite: the smaller the panel, the more likely you are to use it.

For example, you can put the GembaRed Vector under your shirt while using the computer. Plus, with a smaller panel, you can more easily target specific areas with close contact.

Controls: This multi-wavelength red light panel has a built-in timer and individual red and NIR control options. In my opinion, the controls are the only minor “con” of the GembaRed Vector.

The timer is preset to 10 minutes—that’s it. You can’t program it to anything other than 10 minutes, so it functions more like an on/off switch without any programmability.

3rd Party Testing: Andrew takes testing and measuring his designs very seriously as an engineer. He uses industrial-grade devices and third-party testers.

Pricing

Perhaps best of all, the GembaRed Vector Mini retails for $249 (with free shipping in the USA). Many comparable devices in this industry (with much higher EMF) sell for over twice that amount.

Use code CEOSAGE for an additional 10% discount.

GambaRed has a 60-day return policy.

Note: GembaRed offers an extensive catalog of products with different-sized panels and features. I’ve chosen to highlight the Vector Mini because, for the majority, I believe it’s the most pragmatic.

Red & NIR Light Therapy Pads

Another excellent option for NIR light therapy is to use red LED light pads instead of a panel.

Flexible red and NIR light pads offer:

Convenience,
Comfort,
Ease-of-use, and
Skin contact for efficiency.

Consistent skin contact is easier with pads as they conform to your body.

If going this route, be mindful of two factors:

Intensity
EMF

NIR Light Therapy Pad Intensity

High-intensity levels are unnecessary, especially with direct contact. If the pad gets very hot after 10 or 15 minutes of use, it’s probably too intense.

Remember, the contact method already provides greater penetration. Anywhere from 10 to 30 mW/cm² is fine.

How to Lower the EMF on NIR Light Pads

Some red and NIR light pads have 3-prong wires that plug into a standard wall outlet, while other NIR light pads have a built-in battery option. (And other versions have both power options.)

Again, to lower EMF radiation from the device, use DC (not AC) power. If you can avoid plugging the device into a wall outlet, you can reduce EMF exposure for direct contact.

So either get a pad with a built-in battery or purchase a separate battery power bank (like the ones used for mobile phones). Ensure that it has a USB option.

Either option will ensure that you can get direct skin contact without subjecting your body to excessive EMF radiation.

Pricing

Here’s one example from Amazon. It’s a low-budget option with excellent controls. It has four different intensity levels, and you can attach the USB cord to any backup power bank.

Virtually all these low-budget pads use the same two wavelengths: 660 and 850 nm. I suspect they are all sourced from the same Chinese manufacturers.

The pricing of red light pads depends on their size (and the number of LEDs). The smallest version of the one linked above (GMOWNW) costs between 30 – 40 USD (depending on the available discount).

You can find countless others, so shop for the best price. Note: I can’t speak to the shelf life of these brands; however, I have used this particular one for several years without any problems.

Commonly Asked Questions

Now, let’s run through some frequently asked questions:

Are there side effects to NIR light therapy?

There are no known side effects related to red or NIR light therapy.

NIR light therapy is considered safe, non-invasive, and painless.

The biggest concern I’m aware of is EMF radiation, but that’s the same issue with your smartphone (RF radiation) or a blender.

Just use NIR light therapy devices in moderation.

When is the best time to use NIR light therapy?

I don’t know of any specific studies that suggest the ideal time to use NIR light therapy devices.

However, as a general rule, use the red LED light panels in the morning or during the day. Why? Because you’re subjecting your body to intense levels of red and NIR wavelengths. Your body receives these wavelengths during the day via the sun, but not at night.

Very likely, late evening and nighttime use can negatively impact your body clock by confusing your pineal gland.

For evening use, consider using the contact method with NIR light pads.

Are NIR light therapy devices necessary for overall health?

If you get sufficient daily sunlight exposure and learn to block blue light, it’s probably not necessary.

It can still help heal wounds more quickly, improve your skin (“anti-aging”), reduce pain, enhance energy levels, and provide other treatment benefits (listed above).

But if you’re already relatively healthy with sufficient vitality, you’re better off increasing your exposure to sunlight and reducing your exposure to artificial blue light.

Biohackers may disagree with me here, and that’s fine.

Many people don’t want to adjust their habits and lifestyles. As such, red and NIR light devices mitigate some of modern life’s harmful effects.

How long before I see results?

Generally, users start to feel the benefits of red and NIR lights within a few weeks.

Overall improvements in your vitality, skin, or targeted region (pain) can take up to 2 to 4 months of consistent use.

Do I need to wear glasses when using NIR light therapy devices?

Some individuals prefer wearing glasses, especially if they are targeting their face with a high-powered red light panel. Many manufacturers include glasses with their NIR light therapy devices.

However, light-blocking eyewear is unnecessary during treatment (as red light can improve your vision). Just don’t stare directly into the panels at close distances.

Balancing Sunlight, Screenlight, and Inner Light

If you’re exposed to too much blue light, you should counterbalance the adverse effects by exposing yourself to more red light.

Ideally, spend more time in direct sunlight throughout the day and aggressively block blue light in the evenings. (Sun gazing in the early morning is a potent practice.)

However, if you cannot spend more time in direct sunlight—which many people in the working world can’t do—OR if you’re treating a specific ailment, you can counteract the effects of blue light using red and NIR light therapy devices.

It’s a simple and effective “biohack.” And, based on thousands of studies and countless testimonials, it works!

Interestingly, the irony of this story about light is that direct, midday sunlight is probably not so great for our health either.

Don’t believe me? Just observe a seasoned trucker. Their left arm often looks many years older than their right arm.

Why? Years of driving a truck with the window down expose their left arm to extensive sunlight, but not their right.

Direct, midday sunlight can accelerate aging. (This might be due to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, which makes it no less ironic.)

Notably, various ancient Taoist sects viewed the sun as “evil” as it can sap your chi energy (especially in midday).

In the “modern” age, however, we’re starved for natural sunlight.

Balance is the Way.

Scholarly References

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Chao, L. L., Barlow, C., Karimpoor, M., & Lim, L. (2020). Changes in brain function and structure after self‑administered home photobiomodulation treatment in a concussion case. Frontiers in Neurology, 11, 536411. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2020.00952
Chaves, M. E., Araújo, A. R., Piancastelli, A. C., & Pinotti, M. (2014). Effects of low‑power light therapy on wound healing: Laser × LED. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, 89(4), 616–623. https://doi.org/10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142519
de Lima, F. J., Barbosa, F. T., & de Sousa‑Rodrigues, C. F. (2014). Use alone or in combination with red and infrared laser in skin wounds. Journal of Lasers in Medical Sciences, 5(2), 51–57. PMID: 25653799
Dompe, C., Moncrieff, L., Matys, J., Grzech‑Leśniak, K., Kocherova, I., Bryja, A., Bruska, M., Dominiak, M., Mozdziak, P., Skiba, T. H. I., Shibli, J. A., Angelova Volponi, A., Kempisty, B., & Dyszkiewicz‑Konwińska, M. (2020). Photobiomodulation—Underlying mechanism and clinical applications. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(6), 1724. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9061724
Ferraresi, C., Hamblin, M. R., & Parizotto, N. A. (2012). Low‑level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) on muscle tissue: Performance, fatigue and repair benefited by the power of light. Photonics & Lasers in Medicine, 1(4), 267–286. https://doi.org/10.1515/plm‑2012‑0032
Foley, J., Anderson, D., Sutton, C., & Villarreal, A. (2016). 830 nm light‑emitting diode (LED) phototherapy significantly reduced return‑to‑play in injured university athletes: A pilot study. Laser Therapy, 25(1), 35–42. https://doi.org/10.5978/islsm.16‑OR‑03
Giannakopoulos, E., Katopodi, A., Rallis, M., Politopoulos, K., & Alexandratou, E. (2022). The effects of low‑power laser light at 661 nm on wound healing in a scratch‑assay fibroblast model. Lasers in Medical Science, 38, 27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103‑022‑03670‑5
Giménez, M. C., Luxwolda, M., Van Stipriaan, E. G., Bollen, P. P., Hoekman, R. L., Koopmans, M. A., Arany, P. R., Krames, M. R., Berends, A. C., Hut, R. A., & Gordijn, M. C. M. (2022). Effects of near‑infrared light on well‑being and health in humans with mild sleep‑related complaints: A double‑blind, randomized, placebo‑controlled study. Biology, 12(1), 60. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12010060
Gopalakrishnan, S., Mehrvar, S., Maleki, S., et al. (2020). Photobiomodulation preserves mitochondrial redox state and is retinoprotective in a rodent model of retinitis pigmentosa. Scientific Reports, 10, 20382. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598‑020‑77290‑w
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What is NIR Light Therapy?

The Nature of Light and the Human Body

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Blue Light and Its Modern Imbalance

Red & Near‑Infrared Light—Nature’s Repair Spectrum

Mitochondria, ATP, and the Science of Light Energy

The Powerhouse of Cells

Reversing Mitochondrial Dysfunction

The Blue Light Dilemma

Blue Light, Mitochondria, and ATP Production

A Life Spent Indoors: Starving for Sunlight

Protagonist: The Sun

Benefits of Red and NIR Light Therapy

Benefits of Red Lights

Benefits of NIR Lights

Wavelengths Decoded

Red and NIR Light Penetration Factors

Red and NIR Light Wavelength Mechanisms & Effectiveness

810 nm Wavelength

830 nm Wavelength

Red Light Combined with NIR Lights

But do the specific wavelengths really matter?

Using NIR Therapy at Home

Why the Contact Method is Superior

The Contact Method and EMF Exposure

Duration and Frequency of Use with NIR Light Devices

Selecting the Right Device

Different Types of Light Therapy Devices

Different Applications for NIR Light Devices

The Versatility of Red LED Light Panels and Pads

Factors for Red LED Light Panels and Pads

Number of Wavelengths

LED Light Power Intensity

What’s the Ideal Power Intensity?

Other Factors to Consider in Red LED Light Panels

Flicker-Free LEDs

Standard, Dual, and Quad Chip LEDs

# of LEDs

Coverage Area

EMF Radiation

Control Features

Practical NIR Light Therapy Devices

GembaRed Vector Mini Red and NIR LED Light Panel

Features

Pricing

Red & NIR Light Therapy Pads

NIR Light Therapy Pad Intensity

How to Lower the EMF on NIR Light Pads

Pricing

Commonly Asked Questions

Are there side effects to NIR light therapy?

When is the best time to use NIR light therapy?

Are NIR light therapy devices necessary for overall health?

How long before I see results?

Do I need to wear glasses when using NIR light therapy devices?

Balancing Sunlight, Screenlight, and Inner Light

Read Next

Scholarly References

About the Author

Knowledge Center

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