Red light therapy is a form of photobiomodulation that uses low-level red and/or near-infrared light to stimulate cellular processes and thereby increase cellular energy production. The light is delivered by devices such as LED panels, lamps, or handheld probes that emit wavelengths ranging from 600 to 1200 nanometers.

The light penetrates the skin and reaches the mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles of the cells. There, it activates a protein called cytochrome c oxidase, which increases the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule that fuels cellular activities. Red light therapy also modulates the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell signaling. By increasing ATP and reducing ROS, red light therapy can improve various aspects of health and wellness, such as wound healing, skin rejuvenation, pain relief, muscle recovery, cognitive function and more.