How Red Light Therapy Works
The Science of Activating Your Body’s Natural Healing
At Austin Red Light Therapy, we use medical-grade light therapy technology to activate the body’s natural healing and regulatory mechanisms—non-invasively and without pharmaceuticals. This cutting-edge approach works by delivering specific wavelengths of light that stimulate your body’s innate regenerative processes. By enhancing cellular function, red light therapy helps reduce inflammation, support pain relief, and accelerate recovery, providing a powerful, drug-free solution for a wide range of conditions.
The Science Behind the Light
Red light therapy works by delivering specific wavelengths of light into the body. These wavelengths penetrate the skin and underlying tissues, reaching the mitochondria—the part of the cell responsible for producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body’s primary energy source. By increasing ATP production, red light therapy enhances the energy available for cellular repair, regeneration, and overall function.
What Happens in the Body?
Improved Circulation
Red light therapy promotes the formation of new capillaries, improving microcirculation. This delivers more oxygen and nutrients to tissues while accelerating waste removal—crucial for repair and recovery.
Increased Cellular Energy
Red and near-infrared light increase ATP production in the mitochondria, giving cells more energy to heal, regulate, and function optimally throughout the body.
Collagen Production
Red light stimulates fibroblast activity, encouraging these cells to produce more collagen—a vital protein that provides structure and strength to skin, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues.
Tissue Repair and Healing
Enhanced cellular energy and collagen production work together to accelerate wound healing, reduce scar formation, and support the body’s natural repair processes for faster recovery.
Reduced Inflammation and Edema
The therapy enhances lymphatic activity, helping the body clear inflammatory proteins and excess fluid more effectively, reducing swelling and tissue pressure for improved comfort.
Pain Reduction
By modulating nerve activity and improving circulation, red light therapy helps relieve both acute and chronic pain without drugs or side effects, offering natural relief.
A Versatile, Medical-Grade System
We use FDA-cleared LightMD™ equipment—an advanced, clinical-grade system used in hospitals and medical settings. The superior results come from the design and technology of the treatment delivery:
Optimal Light Delivery
Optimal Light Delivery: Treatments are delivered through soft, flexible silicone pads that conform directly to the body. This is a critical advantage because light that hits the skin at an angle will bounce off (reflect), significantly reducing the energy that gets into the tissue. By ensuring the pads maintain direct contact, we maximize light absorption and allow for the deepest possible penetration to reach the underlying cells.
Maximizing Energy Absorption
The intensity of light diminishes quickly the further it travels from the source. Scientifically, light follows the inverse-square law, which means the energy your cells receive drops exponentially (specifically, with the square of the distance) with every small increase in space between you and the light source. Therefore, having the therapeutic light source in direct contact with the skin via our flexible pads is essential. This ensures you absorb the maximum dose of photon energy for effective cellular stimulation, providing a significant advantage over rigid, stand-away light panels and beds.
Pulsing Technology
Our system utilizes pulsing light frequencies (instead of just continuous light). This modulation is crucial because different tissues and conditions respond best to specific pulse rates, allowing us to accurately target and stimulate various cellular processes for more effective results.
This system allows for both targeted treatments—such as a knee, shoulder, or wrist—and systemic applications through the spine or chest, which we use when addressing broader issues like inflammation, immune function, or hormonal regulation.
A Safe and Restorative Experience
Every session is non-invasive, pain-free, and requires no downtime. You simply relax while the light does its work. Most clients describe the experience as calming and restorative. Results vary depending on the condition, but many notice improvements within a few sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is red light therapy?
Red light therapy—also called photobiomodulation (PBM)—is a non-invasive, pain-free treatment that uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to activate the body’s natural healing abilities. It works deep beneath the skin to improve cell function, reduce pain, and support overall wellness.
How is your machine different from what I see online?
Many online devices—like home-use panels or red light masks—use low-power LEDs that sit a few inches from the skin, reducing effectiveness. Our medical-grade, FDA-cleared Mark II system uses direct contact with the skin, which minimizes light loss and delivers deeper, more powerful results.
Is red light therapy backed by science?
Yes—there are over 7,000 published studies supporting the safety and effectiveness of red and near-infrared light therapy. Clinical research shows it can help with everything from arthritis pain and acne to muscle recovery, sleep, and even anxiety.
Is red light therapy safe?
Yes. When administered correctly, red light therapy is extremely safe. It’s non-invasive, drug-free, and has no known long-term side effects. We avoid sensitive areas like the eyes, and every session is supervised by trained professionals.
Does red light therapy hurt, and is there any downtime?
Not at all. Most clients feel a gentle, soothing warmth on the skin. It’s completely painless and deeply relaxing. There is absolutely no downtime after treatment, and you can get back to your normal day immediately.
How soon can I expect to feel results?
Most people start to feel some degree of relief within one to three sessions, depending on the severity and timing of their symptoms. For ongoing or chronic inflammatory conditions, we typically recommend starting with 2 to 3 sessions per week for the first two weeks to gain momentum.
How long does a session last?
We offer 20, 40, and 60-minute sessions. The appropriate duration depends on the specific area being addressed (e.g., face, joints, spine) and the chronicity of the issue—a long-standing, chronic condition may require longer sessions or a more extensive treatment area. If you’re unsure what you need, please contact us for a free phone consultation and we’ll help you come up with a session plan that works best for you.
Get in Touch
Want to book an session? Have a question? Fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you ASAP!
Austin Red Light Therapy is appointment only. We schedule sessions out of Atomic Athlete gym in East Austin. We also offer mobile service and have partners around Austin, so let us know if Atomic Athlete doesn’t work for you.
Please contact us any time by phone, email, or text to ask questions or set up an appointment. You can also book appointments directly by clicking the Book Now button throughout the site.
The staff at Austin Red Light Therapy are not licensed medical professionals. We do not diagnose, treat, cure, prescribe for, or prevent any illness or disease. Our services are not intended to replace medical care. We strongly encourage all clients to seek and continue care from licensed healthcare providers for any health concerns.