Photobiomodulation (Red & Near-Infrared Light)

Photobiomodulation is the practice of applying red and near-infrared light to skin or muscle in short sessions — the method behind consumer red light panels.

What published research reports

A systematic review and meta-analysis in Lasers in Medical Science (2018) reported that photobiomodulation applied before exercise improved measures of muscular performance and reduced markers of exercise-induced fatigue in healthy people across pooled trials, while noting wide variation in wavelength, dose and device parameters between studies and describing optimal dosing as unresolved. A clinical review in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal (2021) summarises published dermatological applications — including wound healing and some skin conditions — and likewise reports that dose standardisation remains the field's main limitation. Research devices deliver measured doses at set distances, parameters that consumer panels do not always publish equivalently; the device side is covered under Biohacking Equipment.

References

• Vanin AA, et al. Photobiomodulation therapy for the improvement of muscular performance and reduction of muscular fatigue associated with exercise in healthy people: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lasers Med Sci. 2018;33:181–214. PubMed
• Glass GE. Photobiomodulation: The Clinical Applications of Low-Level Light Therapy. Aesthet Surg J. 2021;41(6):723–738. PubMed