Light Therapy Colors of Light: Red and NIR (Part 1)

==> For more information about the colors of the Visum Light, please refer to our Use of Colors page.

How Red and NIR Light Therapy Works

Much has been said about the healing power of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), also known as Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT).

Red, infrared, blue, green, magenta, turquoise, yellow, and white light at specific wavelengths and frequencies are shown to be effective in:

  • Lowering pain
  • Increasing circulation
  • Stimulating cellular repair
  • Accelerating natural healing
  • Reducing swelling and inflammation
  • Cell rejuvenation

Today, we’ll take a more in-depth look at 2 primary colors of PBMT: red and near-infrared. We will share more about other PBMT colors in the coming weeks.

Visible Red Light

Red light at a wavelength of 660 nm penetrates tissue to a depth of around 8-10 mm (about 3/8′′). This means it is extremely beneficial in treating problems close to the surface of the skin and particularly effective in accelerating healing, for example:

  • Burns (de Oliveira et al., 2018)
  • Chronic Wounds (Jere et al., 2021)
  • Scar Prevention (Kurtti et al., 2021)
  • Trigger points (Simunovic, 1996)

The red light, also known as Photonic Therapy, has been proven to be a drug-free, safe, natural, and non-invasive way to promote healing and control pain. Red light increases circulation and revitalizes cells to accelerate healing. We like to call this the “Great Energizer.”

Near-Infrared Light

Near-Infrared light at a wavelength of 810nm is not visible to the eye. It penetrates to a depth of about 30-40 mm (1.2′′ to 1.4′′) — which makes it extremely effective on deeper structures such as bones, joints, deep muscles, and bursa.

Infrared light is one of the safest therapies on the market today. It reduces sensitivity of neural pathways and causes the body to release endorphins that provide a nontoxic, natural form of pain relief.

Unlike ultrasound and electrical stimulation, infrared technology is so gentle that patients can use it frequently without causing more damage to injuries or other chronic pathologies.

Although both red and infrared wavelengths penetrate to different depths and affect tissues differently, their therapeutic effects are similar.

Cells that are injured can actually be rejuvenated by light. The visible red and invisible infrared portions of the spectrum have been shown to have highly absorbent and unique therapeutic effects in living tissues.

 

References

Barolet, D., & Boucher, A. (2010). Prophylactic low-level light therapy for the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids: a case series.  Lasers in Surgery and Medicine,42(6),597–601.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-017-2399-z

Foley, J., Vasily, D. B., Bradle, J., Rudio, C., & Calderhead, R. G. (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

Jere, S. W., Houreld, N. N., & Abrahamse, H. (2021). Effect of photobiomodulation on cellular migration and survival in diabetic and hypoxic diabetic wounded fibroblast cells.Lasersin Medical Science,36(2), 365–374.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-03041-y

Kuboyama, N., Ohta, M., Sato, Y., & Abiko, Y. (2014). Anti-inflammatory activities of light emitting diode irradiation on collagen-induced arthritis in mice (a secondary publication).Laser Therapy,23(3), 191–199.https://doi.org/10.5978/islsm.14-OR-15

Kurtti, A., Nguyen, J. K., Weedon, J., Mamalis, A., Lai, Y., Masub, N., Geisler, A., Siegel, D.M., & Jagdeo, J. R. (2021). Light emitting diode-red light for reduction of post-surgicalscarring: Results from a dose-ranging, split-face, randomized controlled trial. Journal ofBiophotonics,14(7), e202100073.https://doi.org/10.1002/jbio.202100073

Langella, L. G., Casalechi, H. L., Tomazoni, S. S., Johnson, D. S., Albertini, R., Pallotta, R. C.,Marcos, R. L., de Carvalho, P. de T. C., & Leal-Junior, E. C. P. (2018).Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on acute pain and inflammation in patients who under went total hip arthroplasty-a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Lasers in Medical Science,33(9), 1933–1940.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-018-2558-x
 
Maiello, M., Losiewicz, O. M., Bui, E., Spera, V., Hamblin, M. R., Marques, L., & Cassano, P.(2019). Transcranial Photobiomodulation with Near-Infrared Light for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Pilot Study. Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery,37(10), 644–650.https://doi.org/10.1089/photob.2019.4677
 
Mitchell, U. H., Myrer, J. W., Johnson, A. W., & Hilton, S. C. (2011). Restless legs syndrome and near-infrared light: An alternative treatment option. Physiotherapy Theory andPractice,27(5), 345–351.https://doi.org/10.3109/09593985.2010.511440
 
Nizamutdinov, D., Qi, X., Berman, M. H., Dougal, G., Dayawansa, S., Wu, E., Yi, S. S.,Stevens, A. B., & Huang, J. H. (2021). Transcranial Near Infrared Light Stimulations Improve Cognition in Patients with Dementia. Aging and Disease,12(4), 954–963.https://doi.org/10.14336/AD.2021.0229
 
Schiffer, F., Johnston, A. L., Ravichandran, C., Polcari, A., Teicher, M. H., Webb, R. H., &Hamblin, M. R. (2009). Psychological benefits 2 and 4 weeks after a single treatment with near infrared light to the forehead: a pilot study of 10 patients with major depression and anxiety. Behavioral and Brain Functions: BBF,5, 46.https://doi.org/10.1186/1744-9081-5-46
 
Simunovic, Z. (1996). Low level laser therapy with trigger points technique: a clinical study on243 patients. Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine & Surgery,14(4), 163–167.https://doi.org/10.1089/clm.1996.14.163