The Healing Power of Red Light

How Red Light Therapy Supports Whole-Body Health

Did you know the average American spends 93% of their time indoors (according to the EPA)?

Surrounded by artificial light, screens, and filtered air, many of us are missing out on one of nature’s most essential nutrients — light.

If you’ve been craving more energy, better focus, faster recovery, or glowing skin, this one’s for you.

As a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, I often talk about supporting the foundations of health — things like blood sugar balance, digestion, sleep, stress and a nutrient dense diet. But one foundational element that often gets overlooked is light.

Just as nutrient-dense food feeds your body from the inside out, light feeds your cells from the outside in.

☀️ Light: The Missing Nutrient

Unlike our ancestors, who spent hours outdoors each day, most of us get very little natural light exposure. You might be wondering “But isn’t sunlight without sunsceen bad for your skin?”

While too much UV can cause damage, sunlight also contains red and near-infrared light, two wavelengths that are incredibly beneficial for our health. These wavelengths help our cells repair, regenerate, and produce energy more efficiently, all without the harmful UV rays.

This is where red light therapy (also known as photobiomodulation) comes in. It delivers concentrated doses of these beneficial wavelengths directly to your cells.

🔋 Mitochondria: The Spark Behind Your Energy

Remember middle school biology? I'm going to take you back for one second...

At the core of every cell are mitochondria. Tiny yet mighty powerhouses responsible for creating your body’s main energy source, ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

Think of ATP as the currency of life. Every thought, step, heartbeat, and repair process requires a withdrawal from that energy bank. When your mitochondria are healthy, you feel strong, focused, and vibrant.

But when they’re under-nourished from stress, poor nutrition, toxins, or lack of natural light, energy production drops. The result? Fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, hormone imbalance, and slower tissue repair.

Red light therapy directly supports mitochondrial function. Mitochondria actually have receptors that absorb red and near-infrared light. When they do, it’s like flipping a biological “on” switch: energy production ramps up, oxidative stress decreases, and cellular repair accelerates.

In essence, red light therapy helps your cells make more energy so every system in your body can function better from your skin and joints to your digestion and hormones.

This concept is beautifully explored in Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means, which dives into how mitochondrial health is truly at the heart of feeling vibrant and well. Learning to support our health, down to the cellular level, is the key to reversing metabolic disease that is plaguing our population.

💡 Can You Overdo Red Light Therapy?

Like nutrients, balance matters. More isn’t always better. Most people benefit from 5–20 minutes per session, depending on the device’s strength and distance.

Think of red light as a cellular supplement, consistent, moderate use gives your body the best results over time.

⚡ Managing Pain & Inflammation

Inflammation is often at the root of pain and chronic conditions. Red light helps calm inflammation by improving circulation and cellular repair. It encourages the body to produce more ATP and less oxidative stress, allowing tissues to heal naturally, not just masking symptoms.

For those working on anti-inflammatory nutrition, hydration, and mineral balance, red light therapy can be a powerful complement to your wellness routine.

🌸 Red Light Therapy for Pimple-Prone Skin

Red light can reduce redness, calm inflammation, and support the healing of breakouts. Near-infrared wavelengths penetrate deeper to reduce bacteria and improve tissue repair.

For acne-prone skin, it also supports detoxification pathways and balanced oil production, both closely tied to foundational health.

✨ Red Light Therapy for Wrinkles: What the Science Says

Studies on photobiomodulation show red light can boost collagen, improve elasticity, and enhance circulation, resulting in smoother, brighter, more youthful-looking skin.

It stimulates fibroblast cells (which produce collagen), helping your skin rebuild and repair naturally. Think of it as feeding your skin nutrient-dense light.

🌙 Can Red Light Help You Sleep?

Yes! Red light doesn’t suppress melatonin the way blue light from screens does. Using it in the evening helps your body wind down and signals your brain that it’s time to rest.

Pairing red light with a balanced blood sugar dinner, hydration, and blue light blockers (or better yet turning off screens after dinner) sets you up for deeply restorative sleep (the best and most essential type).

💪 Joint Health & Red Light Therapy

Red light improves circulation, reduces inflammation, and supports joint tissue repair — easing stiffness and discomfort.

Combined with mineral-rich foods (like leafy greens, bone broth, and sea salt) and proper movement, it’s a gentle yet powerful tool for maintaining mobility.

🏃‍♀️ Reach Your Athletic Potential

Athletes use red light therapy to enhance recovery, reduce soreness, and improve endurance. By boosting mitochondrial efficiency, your muscles produce energy more effectively and recover faster post-workout.

Pair red light therapy with adequate protein, quality sleep, and hydrating minerals for optimal recovery.

💇‍♀️ Hair Loss: There’s a Red Light at the End of the Tunnel

Research shows red light can stimulate hair follicles by increasing blood flow and energy at the root. Over time, this may lead to thicker, stronger hair, especially when combined with nutritional support for thyroid and hormonal balance.

🌿 My RLT Pick: LUMEBOX

Not all red light devices are created equal. So before you head to Amazon to start looking for the best deal, I wanted to share the RLT device I have been using the past 2 years. I love LUMEBOX for its integrity, power, and quality.

What sets it apart:

• Powerful: 3rd-party lab tested for high irradiance

• Low EMF: Independently verified

• Certified & FDA Registered: Meets IEC and FDA safety standards

• High Quality: GMP & ISO 13485 manufacturing, every batch inspected by SGS

•  Customer Service: Top-notch support and trouble-shooting for any issues

With 1,200+ real testimonials, people are experiencing visible improvements in skin, recovery, sleep, and pain relief.

LUMEBOX is also HSA/FSA eligible for qualified customers, making it even easier to invest in your health.

🔥 Sale Alert:  A special LUMEBOX discount is launching later this week! Devices of this quality often cost $500+, but LUMEBOX delivers unmatched power and safety for $399, and soon, my community will get an even better deal.

Stay tuned to your inbox for your exclusive link! If you aren't already receiving my weekly newsletter, sign up here.

✨ The Takeaway

Red light therapy isn’t a magic fix. It’s foundational support for your body’s natural healing capacity.

When combined with real food, hydration, stress management, and quality sleep, red light therapy can amplify your energy, calm inflammation, and help you thrive from the cellular level up.

Because good energy starts from within and sometimes all you need is a little extra light. 💫