Red Light vs Infrared vs Deep Infrared LED Light therapy

IN THIS ARTICLE:

• 01 What is Infrared Light Therapy?
• 02 What Are the Benefits of 850nm Infrared and 1072nm Deep Infrared LED Light Therapy?
• 03 Inflammation
• 04 Boost Blood Circulation
• 05 Advanced Phase Collagen Production
• 06 Beyond Skin Enhancement
• 07 Who Can Use Infrared and Deep Infrared LED Light Therapy?
• 08 The Takeaway: Do I Need An LED Light Therapy Mask with Infrared?

4-minute read

Red light therapy devices are increasingly accompanied by infrared (850nm) and deep infrared (1072nm) wavelengths to accelerate results and enhance tissue regeneration and healing. But, do infrared light therapy mask benefits outweigh those of a traditional LED mask? Let’s find out. 

What is Infrared Light Therapy?

Infrared and deep infrared light therapy are types of near-infrared light. Similar to red light therapy these wavelengths fall under the definition of ‘photobiomodulation’ ie the changing of cells or tissue in response to a stimulus - in this case light energy.

The difference with near-infrared light is that the wavelength is much longer and can penetrate deeper into the cells and beyond reaching surrounding tissue, nerves, and muscle. Red light penetrates approximately 2mm into the skin whereas infrared light penetrates up to 5mm and deep infrared up to 10mm. As a general rule ‘deeper’ does not always mean more effective with red light therapy, but in this case, precise 850nm and 1072nm wavelengths are proven to have a deep impact on the skin cells leading to powerful skin restoration and healing.

What Are the Benefits of 850nm Infrared and 1072nm Deep Infrared LED Light Therapy?

At the core, LED light therapy is about promoting DNA repair and healing to boost key skin building blocks such as collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. While infrared and deep infrared don’t replace red light therapy, they bolster its effects by targeting a different skin layer. Using deep infrared LED light therapy for collagen production supports more intense skin regeneration and drastically improves skin elasticity.

Inflammation

Infrared light is linked to an overall reduction in inflammation in the skin and surrounding muscles, nerves, and subcutaneous fat. Regulating inflammatory markers will have a significant impact on the skin’s appearance by reducing redness and swelling, speeding up DNA repair, preventing breakouts, and accelerating the production of collagen.

Boost Blood Circulation

Infrared and deep infrared have been linked to improved blood circulation and have been proven to boost the production of a free radical called nitric oxide. Increased level of nitric oxide is closely linked with enhanced skin rejuvenation. It enhances skin oxygenation and nutrient delivery, boosts tissue repair, and protects the skin against oxidative stress. Boosting nitric oxide has applications beyond skin health and has also been associated with improved immune function, neurotransmission, muscle function, and endurance.

Advanced Phase Collagen Production

Red and infrared light work together to boost collagen production, each playing a distinct role in skin healing. Red light is most effective in the early stages of healing. It triggers the release of immune cells, helps cells multiply, and supports fibroblast growth. It also helps form the extracellular matrix, which provides structural support to skin cells.

Infrared light aids in the later or ‘maturation phase’ of healing, where tissue becomes stronger and collagen remodeling begins. It helps fibroblasts mature into myofibroblasts, which produce Type I and Type III collagen, key for tissue strength and healing. Combining both wavelengths is the most effective way to enhance collagen production.

Beyond Skin Enhancement

The power of infrared and deep infrared wavelengths lies in their power to treat beyond the dermal matrix to target surrounding tissue. They therefore have extensive applications beyond aesthetic treatments. Infrared light has been scientifically proven to reduce pain and inflammation, with one study even indicating a 56.6% reduction in chronic low back pain from infrared and red light therapy. Infrared light has also been linked to improved cognitive function with one study reporting a 40-45% improvement in cognitive function in patients with dementia compared to normal visible light exposure.

Who Can Use Infrared and Deep Infrared LED Light Therapy? 

1072nm deep infrared light therapy masks have been directly marketed to men in recent years but these 1072nm infrared light is perfectly safe and suitable for female skin. It can effectively target more severe signs of aging such as static wrinkles. Infrared light therapy is also an excellent option for addressing skin aging as well as pain, inflammation, and muscle soreness. Simply place the mask on various parts of the body, use an LED device with a neck attachment or invest in a full body LED light panel with infrared. 

The Takeaway: Do I Need An LED Light Therapy Mask with Infrared?

LumaLux Face | Pro LED Light Therapy Mask

Our most advanced LED mask for deeper skin renewal - fine lines, acne, hyperpigmentation, skin texture

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Incorporating infrared and deep infrared light therapy for anti-aging can significantly enhance your results, offering deeper skin penetration and boosting the healing process in ways red light alone cannot. By promoting DNA repair, reducing inflammation, and stimulating collagen production, these wavelengths support skin regeneration, improve blood circulation, and can even help alleviate pain and inflammation in surrounding tissues. Whether you're looking to reduce signs of aging, accelerate tissue healing, or address muscle soreness, combining red, infrared, and deep infrared LED light therapy is a powerful strategy for overall skin health and well-being.

   written by Olivia Khader