What is red light therapy?
Red light therapy is a treatment that may help skin, muscle tissue and other parts of the body heal. It exposes you to low levels of red and near infrared light. Near infrared is a type of energy your eyes can’t see but your body can feel as a gentle warmth.
It’s one of the easiest treatments in the clinic to fit into a day. There’s no preparation, no recovery time and nothing invasive about it.
How it works
All you need to do is stand in front of the red light panel for ten to twenty minutes. The more surface area the light covers, the more your cells absorb — which is why we use a full body panel rather than a handheld device.
Red light is one of the therapies where consistency matters more than intensity. Regular sessions over several weeks tend to produce more noticeable results than occasional long ones.
Benefits
What to expect
Before
Nothing to prepare. Clean skin with no heavy make up or sun cream lets the light reach you properly, so it’s worth wiping off if you’re coming straight from elsewhere.
During
You stand in front of the panel, usually in underwear or minimal clothing so more skin is exposed. You’ll be given protective eyewear. The light is warm but never hot.
After
You’re done — get dressed and carry on. No downtime, no aftercare. Skin sometimes looks a little flushed for a few minutes.
Over time
Most people run sessions three to five times a week when working toward a specific goal, then drop back to once or twice weekly to maintain it.
Who it’s often used for
People come to us about all sorts of things. These are the ones that come up most often with this treatment — if yours isn’t listed, ask us.
Contraindications
Red light therapy is not recommended during pregnancy, or for anyone with epilepsy.
If you take medication that increases light sensitivity — some antibiotics, acne treatments and diuretics do — please tell us before your session.
Red Light Therapy FAQs
Is it the same as a sunbed?
No, and this is the most common thing people ask. Sunbeds emit UV light, which damages skin. Red light therapy uses red and near infrared wavelengths, which contain no UV at all. You will not tan or burn.
How soon will I see a difference?
Recovery and sleep effects are often noticed within the first week or two. Skin changes take longer — collagen turnover is slow, so give it eight to twelve weeks of regular sessions before judging it.
Do I need to take my clothes off?
Light only works on skin it reaches. Most people use the panel in underwear. If you’re targeting one specific area — a knee or a shoulder — just expose that area.
Can I combine it with other treatments?
Yes, it pairs well with almost everything we offer. PEMF and red light in the same visit is a very common combination.
The treatments described here are complementary therapies intended to support general health and wellbeing. They are not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment, and nothing here should be taken as a promise of a particular outcome. If you have a health concern, please speak to your GP, and never stop or change prescribed medication without their advice.