What Is Red Light Therapy? Benefits, Uses & How to Use It at Home

Red light therapy has become a popular addition to at-home wellness and recovery routines. From post-workout recovery to skincare and relaxation, red and near-infrared light offer a simple, non-invasive way to incorporate light therapy into your self-care routine.

But what exactly is red light therapy, and how can you use it at home? Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. Many at-home devices use wavelengths around 660nm for red light and 850nm for near-infrared light.

Unlike UV light, red light therapy does not use ultraviolet radiation. Instead, the light is directed toward the skin during short sessions as part of a wellness or recovery routine.

Why Do People Use Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy is commonly incorporated into routines focused on skin care, exercise recovery and general wellness.

People may use it to support:

• post-workout recovery
• a healthy-looking complexion
• relaxation and self-care routines
• everyday wellness
• convenient at-home recovery sessions

Research into red and near-infrared light therapy continues to develop, and results can vary depending on factors such as wavelength, intensity, treatment time and the individual.

660nm vs. 850nm: What’s the Difference?

You’ll often see two wavelengths mentioned when shopping for red light therapy devices: 660nm and 850nm.

660nm red light is visible and is commonly used in routines focused on the skin.

850nm near-infrared light is invisible to the human eye and penetrates more deeply than visible red light, which is why it is commonly included in devices designed for broader body and recovery routines.

Some panels combine both wavelengths, allowing you to incorporate red and near-infrared light into the same routine.

How to Use Red Light Therapy at Home

Always follow the instructions provided with your specific device, as recommended distance and session length can vary between products.

In general, consistency matters more than making individual sessions excessively long. Position the device as directed, use it for the recommended session time and build it into a routine that works for you.

Choosing an At-Home Red Light Therapy Device

When choosing a device, consider the wavelengths it provides, the size of the treatment area and where you plan to use it.

A panel can be particularly convenient if you want the flexibility to use red light therapy on different areas of the face or body rather than treating only one small area.

The Recovery Ritual Red Light Therapy Panel combines 660nm red light with 850nm near-infrared light and is designed for convenient at-home face, body and recovery routines.

Making Recovery Part of Your Ritual

Recovery doesn’t have to mean an elaborate routine. Whether it’s stretching after training, taking time to unwind or adding red light therapy to your routine, small habits can make self-care easier to maintain.

Explore The Recovery Ritual’s recovery and wellness tools to build a routine that works for you.

Ready to Start Your Red Light Therapy Journey?

Explore our Red Light Therapy Panel and discover how easy it is to incorporate light therapy into your daily wellness routine.

Shop the Red Light Therapy Panel