Use and dosing
How much light you receive depends on the light mode, the distance and the time. Below you first get the short answer. Want to know where it comes from? Use the calculator.
The short answer
30–45 cm
Distance
Start at 30 to 45 cm. Closer is more intense, further away is milder.
10 min
Time
Use the 10-minute preset, for example 5 minutes front and 5 minutes back.
Daily
How often
Take a short moment every day. Short and regular counts for more than long and now and then.
Goggles on
Safe
Wear the protective goggles and do not look into the LEDs. Do you have epilepsy, are you pregnant, do you take medication that makes you more sensitive to light, or are you unsure? Check with your doctor first.
This is a summary. The manual for your panel always comes first.
The calculator
Choose your panel, mode, distance and goal. The calculator shows how long you need to reach the range used in research. It does not say which dose is best for you personally.
Think of it as a bucket under a tap. The light output (mW/cm²) is how far the tap is open. The time is how long. The dose (J/cm²) is how much is in the bucket.
30 cm
3½ to 9½ minutes
per zone · at 30 cm · combined mode
This is a guideline, not exact science. The ideal dose differs from person to person.
See the calculation
At 30 cm the Pro in combined mode gives 17.0 mW/cm² red and 51.1 mW/cm² NIR. That is 1.0 and 3.1 J/cm² per minute.
- Dose after 1 min
- 1.0 / 3.1 J/cm²
- Dose after 2.5 min
- 2.6 / 7.7 J/cm²
- Dose after 5 min
- 5.1 / 15.3 J/cm²
- Dose after 10 min
- 10.2 / 30.7 J/cm²
How we calculate
Light output was measured with a spectrometer, at the centre of the panel. In combined mode this was done at 15, 30 and 45 cm, red + amber and near-infrared separately at 15 cm. The separate modes at 30 and 45 cm follow from the measured fall-off. The dose follows from that: light output (mW/cm²) × time (seconds) ÷ 1000.
We calculate with 3 to 10 J/cm² of red for the skin Mota 2023 → Wunsch & Matuschka 2014 → and 10 to 30 J/cm² of near-infrared for muscles and deeper tissue. More is not automatically better: above a certain dose the effect can decrease Huang 2009 →. So stick to the 10-minute preset.
Research into red and near-infrared light uses many different devices, wavelengths and doses. A result from one study does not simply apply to every panel, ours included. That is why we turn research into a range, not a promise.
Sources
The sources below give background on light dose. They are not a clinical validation of RedLab panels. See the measurements page for the status of the product data.
- Mota LR, Duarte IDS, Galache TR, et al. Photobiomodulation Reduces Periocular Wrinkle Volume by 30%: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2023;41(2):48-56.
- Huang YY, Chen AC-H, Carroll JD, Hamblin MR. Biphasic Dose Response in Low Level Light Therapy. Dose-Response. 2009;7(4):358-383.
- Huang YY, Sharma SK, Carroll JD, Hamblin MR. Biphasic Dose Response in Low Level Light Therapy, An Update. Dose-Response. 2011;9(4):602-618.
- de Freitas LF, Hamblin MR. Proposed Mechanisms of Photobiomodulation or Low-Level Light Therapy. IEEE J Sel Top Quantum Electron. 2016;22(3):7000417.
- Salehpour F, et al. Penetration Profiles of Visible and Near-Infrared Light Through Head Tissues. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2019;37(10):581-595.
- World Association for Laser Therapy (WALT). Dose recommendations for low-level laser therapy, 780-860 nm. 2010, revised 2017-2022.
- Wunsch A, Matuschka K. A Controlled Trial to Determine the Efficacy of Red and Near-Infrared Light Treatment in Patient Satisfaction, Reduction of Fine Lines, Wrinkles, Skin Roughness, and Intradermal Collagen Density Increase. Photomed Laser Surg. 2014;32(2):93-100.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I stand in front of the panel?
Use the 10-minute preset, for example 5 minutes front and 5 minutes back. At 30 to 45 cm that falls within the range used in research for all three panels. Want to know exactly per zone? Then check the calculator.
At what distance do I place the panel?
Start at 30 to 45 cm. Closer is more intense, further away is milder and lights a larger part of your body. The calculator shows how long you need at each distance.
How often do I use it?
Take a short moment every day. Short and regular counts for more than long and now and then.
Is longer better?
No. More light is not automatically better: above a certain dose the effect can decrease. So stick to the 10-minute preset and follow the manual for your panel.
When during the day do I use it?
Whenever it suits you. A fixed moment makes it easy to keep up. Do you exercise? Then it fits well just before or after training. Research has used both. Using it in the evening? Unlike blue light, red light does not keep you awake.
Do I use it on bare skin?
Yes. Clothing blocks most of the light. Use it on clean skin, because make-up and sunscreen can block part of the light.
Do I always have to wear the goggles?
Yes. You cannot see near-infrared, so your eyes do not squint shut by themselves. Wear the goggles, even with your eyes closed, and do not look straight into the LEDs.
RedLab panels are wellness products. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or medical condition. Consult your GP if you are pregnant, take medication that causes light sensitivity, or have existing complaints.
