Common Mistakes to Avoid with Red Light Therapy

Mistake #1: Being too close or too far away during treatment

A common mistake is standing too close or too far from a red light therapy panel.

Getting too close to a device will prevent the wavelengths from mixing when they come into contact with the skin. This essentially cancels out the benefits of stimulating mitochondria with multiple wavelengths simultaneously.

This is also why devices like red light therapy masks are less ideal for treatment than red light therapy panels. The close contact essentially blocks the projection of the light diodes.

The heat felt when standing too close to a red light therapy panel may also not be ideal.

Being too far away can also reduce the intensity of treatment.

We recommend a distance of 20 to 35 cm for deep tissue or 40 to 60 cm for superficial skin therapy during treatment.

Mistake #2: Using the wrong red light therapy device

Full body panels offer the best treatment in all scenarios because they treat the mitochondria of the entire body, which results in healing all parts of the body that might otherwise be specifically targeted.

While it may seem counterintuitive, this explains why devices that target specific areas are no more effective at healing them, with the only potential exception being exposure to blue light, which destroys bacteria on the surface of the skin.

Smaller panels are less effective than larger ones, and non-panel devices are rarely worth it and often not even cheaper.

Mistake #3: Using the wrong wavelengths in red light therapy

Red light therapy panels look similar on the outside, but the wavelengths they emit can differ significantly, and the wavelengths themselves are a large part of what causes mitochondrial stimulation.

The longer the wavelength, the deeper it penetrates the skin. Using multiple wavelengths ensures non-invasive therapeutic penetration beyond the skin to multiple depths. While surface area exposure should be maximized, the same is true for exposure to healthy, stimulating wavelengths from the surface to as deep as possible.

Near-infrared light is ideal for treating signs of aging, sun damage, acne, rosacea, psoriasis, wrinkled skin, and stretch marks. Meanwhile, NIR+ light is needed to treat muscle pain, deep bruising, joint pain, healing, and systemic inflammation. For extremely deep tissue healing and to activate the body’s “heat shock proteins,” users should look for a panel that emits 1064nm wavelengths.

Devices with a variety of wavelengths offer optimal flexibility and better results during treatment.

Blue light therapy is best for treating acne-causing bacteria on the surface of the skin. Green light has shown some promise but less overall therapeutic value. The other hues in the color spectrum, however, fall far short in terms of effectiveness. These include yellow, cyan, purple, and other light therapy devices.

The main point is to look for a variety of red light wavelengths, and traces of blue light wouldn't hurt either.

Mistake #4: Covering your body while using red light therapy

Red light therapy works best when applied to clean, bare skin. Clothing, makeup, face powder, henna, oils, and lotions can block and scatter the light.

For this reason, right after a shower is usually the perfect time for a red light therapy session.

The same generally goes for clothing. Red light therapy works best when the skin has maximum exposure.

Mistake #5: Infrequent red light therapy treatment sessions

Red light therapy typically requires at least a few weeks before results are seen. During this time, it is important to maintain regular treatment.

It works at the cellular level. Once individual cells are treated and their function is restored, the body needs time for the effects to become evident.

Doing red light therapy once in a while won’t yield great results. For optimal results, users should aim for sessions of up to 20 minutes, four days a week.

Consistent red light therapy supports cells at all stages at once: emerging, mature, and damaged cells.

Mistake #6: Excessively long treatment sessions

Users get the most out of red light therapy by having daily treatment sessions. As long as users follow the treatment guidelines, they do not experience any side effects.

Some users will be tempted to go for a more intense treatment by having longer treatment sessions than recommended. This may seem ideal for an ultra-committed user, but it is not recommended.

At best, the user will experience diminishing returns from super long sessions, and at worst, the user will experience minor side effects such as skin redness. It should be emphasized that there is no risk of serious adverse events as a result of excessively long treatment times. These are not recommended primarily because they result in significantly diminished returns.

In a way, red light therapy is like food for your cells. By providing them with small amounts of light each day, they will function beautifully. By being “stuffed” with excessively long sessions, most of the energy is simply wasted.

For those who have more free time to optimize their health, there are many other things you can do, such as exercise and meditation!

Mistake #7: Forgetting supplemental treatments

Red light therapy is an excellent practice and works even better when combined with the many elements of a healthy lifestyle.

It has been shown to treat numerous chronic conditions, which are also helped by good nutrition and potentially other doctor-recommended treatments.

We recommend that users consult a physician to maximize their chances of achieving optimal health and/or treating any medical conditions.

Mistake #8: Expecting Overnight Results

Red light therapy can take several weeks or longer before results begin to appear. It will be easier to engage in daily treatment once it becomes habitual.

However, having a panel at home makes treatment much easier and more convenient than having to go to a clinic every time treatment is needed.

Better, faster results with the TheraPRO series

Using a powerful, medical-grade light therapy device from a legitimate and reputable company is another important factor in getting results.

The TheraPRO  features the most comprehensive treatment available, including R+ wavelengths, NIR+ wavelengths, and blue wavelength traces as well.

Check out more articles to discover the many ways red light therapy can improve your overall well-being!