Today we will talk about wavelengths for optimal effects during Red Light therapy, the power needed to achieve optimal results, and what are the differences between the Bio range and OptiBio range at lighttherapy.no.
Is there an optimal wavelength range of red light that people should look for in a device?
The general range of light used in red light therapy is between 600 and 900 nm, sometimes higher. You can get benefits from any wavelength between those values.
Going by the studies on wavelength effectiveness (T. Karu et al.), our cells absorb and use 4 "peaks" of light better than the others: 620 nm, 670 nm, 760 nm and 830 nm, +/- 15 nm. Those are the wavelengths you should try to get - those are the wavelengths Lighttherapy.no uses in the OptiBio range.
Values in between those peak values, such as 645 nm or 720 nm, may be less than 50 percent as effective, although still useful.
Close but not perfect wavelengths such as 660 nm, 810 nm, 850nm and others are proven useful for specific ailments and treatments.
We use a combination of 660nm and 850nm in our "Bio" range of bigger devices. We understand that these wavelengths might not be "peak absorption", but they are very well researched wavelengths and provide benefits including increased healing, Increased Performance and recovery and many others
How important is the intensity of the light?
The range that seems effective in studies is between 20 to 200 mW/cm², with 100 to 200 mW/cm² being more for infrared light treatment on deeper tissue, and 20 to 100 mW/cm² for red light on the skin.
Are most light devices on the market delivering these values?
Most other light therapy products on the market just use the most readily available wavelengths, such as 660 nm or 850 nm. As discussed earlier, these wavelengths work, and provide a different entry point for those people wanting to try Red Light therapy without spending the extra on OptiBio range. The frequencies to avoid are the less effective wavelengths like 650 nm or 880 nm.
A lot of devices I have seen are also extremely weak, with maximum power densities around the 10 mW/cm² mark or worse—meaning they might never be effective, or you have to use them for very long session times, even when pressed directly onto the skin. Unless you are using these devices for "beauty/skin" purposes like the beauty panel, then these strengths will not work for deeper issues.
What makes your Home light therapy devices better?
Home light therapy doesn't just take the cheapest LED's. Home light therapy tries to use the exact wavelengths found to be the most effective at stimulating our cells: 620 nm, 670 nm, 760 nm and 830nm. In our OptiBio
Our devices all output up to at least 200 mW/cm², so you can just adjust the distance to vary your treatment times—further away for lower light intensity and longer sessions (covering a larger surface area).
Devices - Which devices?
Which of your devices would you recommend for someone who is just getting started with light therapy?
I think the combination lights we offer, including both red and near-infrared LEDs, are the best choice to get started.
You can use them on pretty much any condition, be it deep in the body or only skin-deep.
The Combo Handheld Micro is our most popular product.