Photobiomodulation: unlocking inflammation relief with red and infrared light
What is photobiomodulation (red/infrared light therapy) and how does it work
How red/infrared light therapy boosts cell energy
The biphasic power of infrared/red light therapy
Red/infrared light therapy’s role in inflammation control
Infrared and red light therapy in animal studies
Clinical benefits of red and infrared light therapy for humans
Why high-power density LEDs are essential for red and essential infrared light therapy, when it comes to inflammation
Advanced, infrared / blue / red light therapy treatments in London at LipoTherapeia
Have a skin tightening/cellulite treatment in London with the cellulite experts
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What is photobiomodulation and how does it work
This scientific paper, written by Michael R Hamblin (one of the most important scientists in this field) and published in 2017, explores photobiomodulation (PBM), also known as low-level light therapy, and its ability to reduce inflammation in the body.
PBM uses red and near-infrared light to promote healing, ease pain, and lower inflammation, which is when part of the body becomes swollen and painful due to injury or illness.
The paper explains how PBM works, its effects on cells, and its use in treating various health conditions in animals and humans.
How red and infrared light therapy boosts cell energy
Red/infrared light therapy works by shining light on the body, where it’s absorbed by specific molecules called chromophores.
One key chromophore is cytochrome c oxidase, found in the mitochondria—the powerhouses of cells that produce energy.
When red (about 630nm) or infrared light (about 830nm) hits this molecule, it boosts energy production by increasing ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the cell’s energy currency. It also causes a small burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are molecules that can signal changes in the cell.
Other chromophores include calcium ion channels, which might respond to blue or green light, and water molecules, which absorb infrared light.
All these interactions lead to a chain reaction: ATP rises, ROS briefly spikes, and nitric oxide increases, all helping cells function better and reducing inflammation.
The biphasic power of infrared/red light therapy
A fascinating aspect of PBM is its biphasic dose response. This means that low doses of light stimulate healing, while too much light can stop or even reverse these benefits.
The right amount of light energy, called power density and measured in joules per square centimetre (J/cm²), is crucial for success.
Red/infrared light therapy’s role in inflammation control
The paper highlights how PBM affects inflammation.
In healthy cells, it slightly increases ROS, activating a molecule called NF-kB, which can kickstart repair processes.
However, in cells already stressed by inflammation, PBM lowers ROS and oxidative stress - a harmful state where ROS damages cells.
This dual action makes PBM versatile: it can both spark beneficial changes in normal cells and calm overactive inflammation in damaged ones.
Infrared and red light therapy in animal studies
In animal studies, PBM has shown impressive results:
For example, it speeds up wound healing in rats by reducing inflammation markers like TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor-alpha), a protein linked to swelling
In arthritis models, it eases joint swelling and lowers prostaglandin E2, another inflammation signal
It also helps muscles recover after injury or exercise by cutting down oxidative stress and cytokines - molecules that drive inflammation
Conditions like lung inflammation, brain injury, and spinal cord damage in animals also improve with PBM, showing its wide-reaching potential
Clinical benefits of red light therapy for humans
For humans, red/infrared light therapy is gaining ground as a treatment.
In Achilles tendinopathy (tendon inflammation), it reduces pain and prostaglandin E2 levels
For chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, it lowers antibody levels that attack the thyroid, improving function
Athletes use it to boost muscle performance and reduce soreness, with studies showing less creatine kinase (a damage marker) after exercise
Skin conditions like psoriasis, driven by inflammation, see improvement, as does arthritis, with less pain and better movement
Even hair loss from alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition, responds to PBM by regrowing hair
Hamblin concludes that PBM’s anti-inflammatory effects are real and promising, though the exact pathways aren’t fully understood yet. It’s safe, with few side effects, making it appealing compared to drugs.
The paper suggests future research into autoimmune diseases, brain inflammation, and chronic conditions like diabetes or Alzheimer’s, where inflammation plays a big role. This blend of science and practical application shows why PBM is an exciting field to watch.
Why high-power density LEDs are essential for red and essential infrared light therapy, when it comes to inflammation
Low-power LED devices lack the strength to penetrate skin deeply, limiting their effectiveness for deeper tissues.
Higher power density LED devices deliver sufficient light energy, measured in mW/cm², to reach deeper layers, ensuring photobiomodulation works effectively for healing and inflammation relief, as most target tissues lie below the skin’s epidermis.
Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation
Research paper link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5523874/
Abstract: Photobiomodulation (PBM) also known as low-level level laser therapy is the use of red and near-infrared light to stimulate healing, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation. The primary chromophores have been identified as cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria, and calcium ion channels (possibly mediated by light absorption by opsins). Secondary effects of photon absorption include increases in ATP, a brief burst of reactive oxygen species, an increase in nitric oxide, and modulation of calcium levels. Tertiary effects include activation of a wide range of transcription factors leading to improved cell survival, increased proliferation and migration, and new protein synthesis. There is a pronounced biphasic dose response whereby low levels of light have stimulating effects, while high levels of light have inhibitory effects. It has been found that PBM can produce ROS in normal cells, but when used in oxidatively stressed cells or in animal models of disease, ROS levels are lowered. PBM is able to up-regulate anti-oxidant defenses and reduce oxidative stress. It was shown that PBM can activate NF-kB in normal quiescent cells, however in activated inflammatory cells, inflammatory markers were decreased. One of the most reproducible effects of PBM is an overall reduction in inflammation, which is particularly important for disorders of the joints, traumatic injuries, lung disorders, and in the brain. PBM has been shown to reduce markers of M1 phenotype in activated macrophages. Many reports have shown reductions in reactive nitrogen species and prostaglandins in various animal models. PBM can reduce inflammation in the brain, abdominal fat, wounds, lungs, spinal cord.
Advanced, infrared / blue / red light therapy treatments in London at LipoTherapeia
At LipoTherapeia we are passionate about phototherapy (also known as photobiomodulation/PBM, red light therapy, infrared light therapy, blue light therapy, LED light therapy etc) and we use the most powerful equipment available today (up to 200mW/cm2), for best results and treatment of large body areas.
We use specialised therapy protocols for skin rejuvenation / anti-ageing, pigmentation / post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), moderate/severe acne, skin redness, sensitive/inflamed/irritated skin, wound healing, sports injuries / musculoskeletal pain and overall wellness / well-being.
Our LED phototherapy sessions are comfortable, deeply relaxing and super-safe and are great to enhance our radiofrequency/ultrasound treatments for skin tightening / cellulite reduction.
On our booking page you can book stand-alone phototherapy sessions or combine them with our other treatments, as an add-on.
Learn more or check prices and book an expert LED phototherapy treatment at our London clinic.
Have a skin tightening/cellulite treatment in London with the experts
At LipoTherapeia we have specialised 100% in skin tightening and cellulite reduction for more than two decades and 20,000+ sessions.
This is all we study and practise every day and have researched and tried hands-on all the important skin tightening equipment and their manufacturers.
As strong, deep acting radiofrequency and deep-acting, high-power ultrasound cavitation are the technologies of choice for skin tightening and cellulite reduction, we have invested in the best RF/ultrasound technologies in the world.
Furthermore, over the last two decades we have developed advanced RF and cavitation treatment protocols in order to make the most of our technologies, for maximum results, naturally and safely.
And for even better, faster results, we now combine our RF/ultrasound treatments with high-power red/infrared light LED treatment.
Our radiofrequency/ultrasound/LED treatments are comfortable, pain-free, downtime-free, injection-free, microneedling-free, 99.5%+ safe and always non-invasive.
And our focus is on honest, realistic, science-based treatment, combined with caring, professional service, with a smile.
We will be pleased to see you, assess your cellulite, skin laxity or fibrosis, listen to your story, discuss your case and offer you the best possible treatment.
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Do you want to deeply understand radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, LED phototherapy, cellulite and skin tightening?
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