How Close Should You Be to Your Red Light Device?
If you’re following most vloggers they only cover panels and how far you should be from your red light panel. This is a very common question when it comes to red light therapy so let’s investigate what’s the best distance for your sessions, based on what your goals are.
How Close Should You Be to Your Device?
Panels: When it comes to red light therapy, many companies recommend staying about 6 inches away from the panel. Some even say 4 inches, while others suggest up to 12 inches.
Wrap/Pad: Directly applied on to skin
Torch/Wand: Directly applied on to skin
What does the science say?
The Experts Agree
When asked how close you should be to a red light therapy device, PBM expert Dr. Michael Hamblin, said: "It doesn't have to be on the skin. I put it on my skin because it's more efficient. The LEDs touching your skin allow more light to penetrate rather than being diffusely reflected."
But if all you have is a panel or device such as a pad there are still significant benefits due to the presence of free mitochondria in the bloodstream and the systemic effects of photobiomodulation..
Conflicting Recommendations from Brands
It's interesting to see that some brands recommend standing even further away from their newer panels, despite Dr. Hamblin advising the opposite. So, what's the best way to use your device?
Do I need An Expensive Laser or are LEDs Effective?
This blog is essential for anyone using red light for fertility.
Why Distance Matters with Red Light Therapy
There are three major reasons why the distance between you and your red light panel is important:
Avoiding EMF Exposure: Many full-body panels emit non-natural EMFs (Electromagnetic Fields). Experts often recommend staying at least 4+ inches away to minimize EMF exposure.
Intensity Claims: Some brands claim their panels emit a magical "100mW/cm²" at 6 inches away, but these claims are often based on improper measurements or inaccurate light measuring tools. The truth is, light intensity decreases with distance due to the inverse square law. Being too close can lead to overheating the skin and losing the benefits, while being too far reduces the light’s effectiveness.
Compression: Greater efficiency with skin contact.
Skin Reflection and Scattering: A significant amount of red light can reflect off your skin if you’re not in contact with the LEDs. Studies show that up to 60% of light in the red and near-infrared range is reflected by the skin, drastically reducing the treatment’s effectiveness if you’re standing too far away. Even the curves of your body will reflect light in different ways when you’re standing in front of a panel. In one study the authors mention how up to 7% of most wavelengths pass through the first layer of skin, but through internal reflection and scattering, light will exit the body through what is called remittance. Their remittance spectrum shows similar to the NIST data, with white skin having over 60% remittance between 600nm to 900nm. That’s a LOT of light to be gained by using a device that can be applied directly to the skin.
The Real Science of Red Light Therapy
Most clinical studies use skin contact with laser or LED devices to ensure minimal light reflection. Standing even a small distance away can lead to massive losses due to skin reflection. For example, if your panel supposedly emits 100mW/cm² at 6 inches, skin reflection can reduce the effective intensity significantly.
Optimal Distance for Different Treatments
For sensitive areas like the skin, face, and genitals, lower-intensity treatments (5 to 20 mW/cm²) are usually more suitable for regular use. This means being further away from the device. For deeper treatments, such as muscles and bones, higher intensities (25-35 mW/cm²) are beneficial especially for wound healing and pain management.
In a Nutshell
Here are some general guidelines:
If you’re using a pad/wrap/torch blanching the skin to displace adipose tissue and superficial blood flow helps.
Stay far enough away (usually 6+ inches) to be outside the magnetic field IF you are using a panel.
Get as close as possible to minimize beam angle and skin reflection losses for targeted devices.
If you feel significant warmth or heat, move further away until it’s just a subtle warmth.
For sensitive areas, stay further away; for deeper treatments and for acute pain, get closer.
Always refer to the guidelines from the brand you purchased your device from, as their recommendations may include important design or safety considerations.
Learn more about the devices I recommend and why - here
