Quick answer: Red light therapy works by delivering red and near-infrared wavelengths that your cells’ mitochondria absorb, prompting them to produce more energy (ATP). With more energy, cells repair tissue, calm inflammation, and recover faster. It is non-invasive, painless, and uses no heat. Backed by more than 500 human trials, it is used for skin, muscle recovery, joint pain relief, sleep, and mood.
Key takeaways
Red light therapy involves exposing your body to a lamp, device, or laser that emits red light. When red and near-infrared light are delivered at the right wavelength, intensity, and duration, the mitochondria in your body’s cells react by producing more energy. It is also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation (PBM), and it is non-invasive, painless, and uses no heat.
With more energy, your cells can do their work more efficiently: repairing skin, supporting new cell growth, reducing inflammation, and aiding recovery. When cells absorb red and near-infrared light, production of ATP (the energy-carrying molecule in cells), oxygen, and protein increases, which helps create anti-inflammatory agents and supports faster recovery, as documented in research by Dr Michael Hamblin of Harvard Medical School.
Here is red light therapy at a glance:
| Also known as | Photobiomodulation (PBM), low-level laser therapy (LLLT) |
| Wavelengths used | Red (660 nm) and near-infrared (850 nm), the wavelengths used by the NovoTHOR pod |
| How it works | Mitochondria absorb the light and produce more ATP (cellular energy) |
| What it feels like | Non-invasive, painless, no heat, no downtime |
| Evidence base | More than 500 human trials and 4,000 laboratory studies |
| Common uses | Skin and ageing, muscle recovery, joint pain relief, sleep, mood |
| Whole-body session (NovoTHOR) | About 20 minutes |
So, does red light therapy really work, and does research support it? Red light therapy has been studied in over 500 human trials and 4,000 lab studies. Here are a few of the ways it can benefit you.
According to a study in The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, red light therapy can support tissue repair, promote regeneration and skin rejuvenation, and boost the production of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin. Studies also report improvements in skin texture and complexion, help with acne, and a reduction in signs of ageing such as wrinkles and age spots.
Red light therapy is popular among athletes and trainers for supporting performance and recovery after injury, thanks to increased energy production, better blood circulation, and faster cell regeneration. A study in the journal Laser Therapy followed university athletes and found that those who used red light therapy returned to play faster after a sports injury than those who did not.
If you have been struggling with knee pain, several studies point to red light therapy for pain relief and improved quality of life in people with knee osteoarthritis. Research by Dr Hamblin of Harvard Medical School also documented reduced inflammation across several tissues.
Red light therapy has been shown to support your natural melatonin output, which helps with sleep. A 2019 study reported improved anxiety symptoms in people with generalised anxiety disorder, with better sleep after treatment, and a study in Behavioral and Brain Functions reported improvements in mood within two weeks of a single treatment.
If thinning hair has been worrying you, studies show that people who received red light therapy saw improved hair density.
Red light therapy has also been shown to help relieve a range of oral problems, including pain associated with TMD, inflammation, and ulcers.
Red light therapy is a non-invasive procedure with low risks. It uses no heat, no needles, and no medication. If you experience any irritation, discontinue use and consult a healthcare provider. As with any wellness therapy, it is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, so speak with your physician about your individual needs.
Pain is a common reason people in Singapore look for non-invasive, drug-free options. In a study of Singapore adults published in Scientific Reports, 8.1% reported chronic low back pain lasting more than three months, and most of them had sought treatment for it. Red light therapy is one option people use to support joint pain relief and recovery.
You can experience the restorative and rejuvenating benefits of red light therapy here in Singapore. Avantir Wellness is the only studio in Asia that houses the NovoTHOR Whole-Body Light Pod. What makes the NovoTHOR unique is that it uses red and near-infrared light to support recovery, ease pain, relax muscles and joints, and increase blood circulation, treating the whole body from head to toe in just 20 minutes.
Light therapy is not new. In the 1890s, Danish physician Dr Niels Ryberg Finsen pioneered medical phototherapy, work recognised with the 1903 Nobel Prize in Medicine for treating the skin condition lupus vulgaris with concentrated light. Today, NovoTHOR red light therapy is in demand worldwide, with institutions such as Shepherd University in the United States adding the NovoTHOR lightbed to their wellness centre.
You can also enjoy red light therapy at home. We sell red light therapy devices for home use that can help support recovery time, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and lift your energy and mood.
To learn more, walk into our centre at 451 Joo Chiat Rd, #02-13/14 Katong Point, Singapore 427664. Our wellness consultants will be happy to answer your questions and guide you on your journey towards better health. You can also email team@avantirwellness.com or WhatsApp (+65) 8852 0279 to book a slot for the NovoTHOR Whole-Body Light Pod.
Red light therapy works by delivering specific red and near-infrared wavelengths that are absorbed by the mitochondria inside your cells. This is where cells produce energy, and the light may support that process, which is associated with healthy recovery and circulation. The effect is gradual and works with your body's own biology rather than forcing a change, which is why consistency matters.
Red light therapy generally uses red light in roughly the 600 to 700 nanometre range and near-infrared light above that, into the 800s. Red wavelengths are absorbed nearer the surface of the skin, while near-infrared reaches deeper tissue. Professional devices such as the NovoTHOR pod are designed to deliver these wavelengths at a controlled dose, which is part of what makes the experience consistent.
Photobiomodulation is the scientific term for what red light therapy does: using specific wavelengths of light to influence activity at a cellular level. You may see the two terms used interchangeably. The word simply describes light modulating biological processes, particularly in the mitochondria, and is the language researchers use when studying how red and near-infrared light interact with the body.
This varies from person to person, so there is no fixed timeline. Because red light therapy works gradually with your body's natural processes, many people approach it as a regular routine over several weeks rather than expecting an immediate change. Consistency tends to matter more than intensity, and an Avantir coach can help you set realistic expectations for your goals.
Red and near-infrared light has been studied across a range of wellbeing applications, and research in the field is ongoing. Findings are encouraging in several areas, though individual responses vary and it is not a guaranteed outcome. It is best understood as something that may support your body's natural processes, used as one consistent part of a broader wellness routine.
