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• How Often To Use Red Light Therapy?
• Frequency Guidelines For RLT
• Tips For Safe RLT Use:
• Choosing the Right Red Light Therapy Device:
• People Also Ask

Red light therapy (RLT) uses low-level red wavelengths of light (600-650 nm for red light and 800-850 nm for near-infrared light) to promote healing and reduce inflammation. It’s popular for treating various issues, including skin conditions, pain relief, muscle recovery, joint healing, and hair regrowth. 

A common question we receive is: "How often should I do red light therapy?"

As with any treatment, it's important to understand how often you should use it to get the best results without causing harm. In this article, we’ll look at the research on how often you should use red light therapy to get the best results. 

The therapy is generally considered safe, but if you overdo it, you won’t reap the maximum benefits. So, understanding how often to do red light therapy and the correct duration is key to avoiding overuse and maximizing benefits.

 

How Often To Use Red Light Therapy?

Several factors determine how often to use red light therapy for hair growth or any other health concern:

The Device: Different devices have varying power outputs or irradiance, measured in mW/cm². This affects the intensity and dosage during a session. Always check the product descriptions for irradiance levels. To compare various devices, all of BlockBlueLight’s RLT therapy devices have the irradiance mentioned in the product descriptions. 

Treatment Area: The body area being treated influences the dosage. Superficial tissues like skin need a lower dose than deeper tissues like muscles or joints.  If you want to know ‘How often should you use red light therapy on your face?’ the answer is that sensitive areas, such as the face, require lower dosages.

Age and Health: Younger, healthier individuals might tolerate more frequent sessions than older adults or those with chronic conditions.

Skin Sensitivity: If you have sensitive skin, start with shorter sessions and gradually increase the duration and frequency. Although there are no serious red light therapy dangers, overuse can cause redness or irritation.

Specific Goals: The intended outcome affects frequency. General wellness may need less frequent sessions compared to targeted medical conditions.

Doctor’s Advice: Always follow your doctor’s recommendations, especially for specific health conditions.

 

Frequency Guidelines For Red Light Therapy

Frequency:

Most people will need 3-5 sessions per week, each 10-20 minutes long. However, if you’re wondering how often to use red light therapy for pain, you may benefit from doing daily sessions initially and then decreasing the number to 3-5 sessions a week.

Here’s a general recommendation to answer the question; How often can you do red light therapy?

Condition	Frequency
Skin Rejuvenation	3-5 times per week
Pain Relief	Daily (initially)
Wound Healing	Daily (initially)
Hair Growth	Every other day

If you’re using RLT on your doctor’s prescription, follow their usage guidelines.

Duration & Positioning: Position yourself 10-15 cm away from the light source. The closer you are, the greater the irradiance and absorption, which can shorten session time. You may need to step back to cover the full area for larger treatment areas.

Time of Day: There’s no fixed time for RLT. Choose a time that fits your schedule. Morning sessions can energize you, while evening sessions can relax you for sleep. You can also do RLT before or after workouts to enhance performance or recovery. Many of our customers multitask during their RLT sessions by reading a book, studying, doing their nails, etc., to save time. 

 

Tips For Safe Red Light Therapy Use:

Start Slowly: Begin with shorter sessions and gradually increase the time as your body adjusts.

Buy from a reputable manufacturer: Ensure your devices are certified by the local regulatory authority. BlockBlueLights RLT panels are FDA-registered and certified AS/NZS 60335.2.27:2020, AS/NZS 60335.1:2020, and CE. 

Hydrate: If you tend to have dry skin, apply moisturizer after your RLT session to minimize irritation. Look for hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic acid.

Monitor Your Skin: Inspect any signs of irritation or adverse reactions. If you experience discomfort, reduce the frequency or duration of sessions.

 

Choosing the Right Red Light Therapy Device:

The effectiveness of RLT depends on the quality of your device.  Many devices you see online are cheap simply because they are not as powerful as those used by doctors or other professionals and don’t emit the correct wavelengths.

When doing red light therapy at home, choose a device that has the qualities and power of clinical devices. Here’s what to look for: 

Size:

For full-body treatments, choose a large, powerful panel such as the Red Light Therapy PowerPanel—MEGA. Mid-size panels costing $500- $1500 are the best fit for the average person. For example, the Red Light Therapy PowerPanel Mini is a slightly more powerful option, priced at $599 AUD.  

Wavelength: 

Choose a device with both red and NIR wavelengths. Red light (600 to 650 nanometers)treats skin-deep conditions like sun-related skin damage, while NIR ( 800 to 850 nm) light goes deeper to address inflammation and deep-tissue concerns like bone, joint, muscle, or brain health. Red and NIR wavelengths are used simultaneously to target every layer of tissue and deliver the best results. The most beneficial frequencies are 660 nm red light and 850 nm near-infrared light. All of BlockBlueLight’s therapy panels are optimized for this wavelength.

Power Density (Irradiance): 

Irradiance measures the light energy delivered to the skin, usually in milliwatts per square centimeter (mW/cm²). The stronger the panel, the more power it delivers. If the irradiance is too low, the wavelengths won’t travel deeply into the skin and be absorbed into the body’s tissues.

Look for a panel with a power density of at least 100 mW/cm² at the treatment distance. For example, our Red Light Therapy PowerPanel—PRO delivers 160mw/cm2.

No. of LEDs:

 More LEDs mean more efficient light emission and uniform distribution.

Flicker & EMF-Free:

Avoid flickering lights and ensure low EMF emissions because flicker doesn't just cause discomfort and eye strain; it can disrupt light distribution, reducing the panel's effectiveness. All our red light panels remove all harmful flicker.

Safety Features. :

Our devices come equipped with timers to prevent the risk of leaving red light therapy (RLT) on for too long. RLT is very relaxing, and it's not uncommon for people to fall asleep during a session, making the timer a crucial feature. Additionally, all our panels include safety goggles to protect your eyes from prolonged exposure to intense light.

 

People Also Ask

Can you do red light therapy every day?

Yes, you can do red light therapy daily, and your doctor may recommend it for the first week, especially if you’re recovering from an injury. However, it's better to switch to every other day for long-term use. This helps prevent overstimulation and allows your body to absorb the benefits better. This approach is supported by anecdotal evidence suggesting a slight break can enhance overall treatment results.

Can you overuse red light therapy?

Yes, overusing red light therapy is possible. RLT follows a biphasic dose-response, meaning too little light has minimal effect, the optimal dose provides the best benefits, but excessive light can diminish those positive effects. To avoid overuse, follow the recommended guidelines: position yourself 15 to 50 cm from the light for 10 to 20 minutes per area. Pay attention to your skin’s response and adjust your sessions accordingly. Everyone's sensitivity to light varies, so find what works best for you.

Is 10 minutes of red light therapy enough?

Yes, 10 minutes of red light therapy can be effective, especially for superficial treatments like improving skin health. The general recommendation is 10-20 minutes, depending on your goals, the device's power, and its distance from your skin.

Can you do red light therapy two days in a row?

Yes, you can do red light therapy two days in a row. For most people, 3-4 sessions a week with a day’s gap in between are recommended. However, if you miss a session, doing a session back-to-back is fine. Read the full article on doing red light therapy every day, here.

Can you do red light therapy twice a day?
No, we don’t recommend overdoing red light therapy by taking sessions twice a day. 3-5 times a week is the general recommendation for most health issues.