The Benefits of Full-Body Red Light Therapy No One Talks About

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Confession: I still jumpscare myself when I walk past the mirror wearing my red light mask. But I’ve learned to romanticize the ritual—and take whimsical pleasure in the silliness of wearing my HigherDOSE red light mask as I do my nighttime routine. Why do I put up with the minor inconvenience of wearing the mask? The results are undeniable. From zapping hormonal acne as it appears to helping me fade my hyperpigmentation and giving me an overall energized glow—seriously, the compliments I get on my skin now are insane—red light has earned its place in my routine.

Now, as our favorite skincare ingredients and routines get a bodycare makeover, full-body red light therapy is finally making its way to the mainstream. From saunas to red light panels in wellness centers and high-tech spas, full-body red light therapy is in demand. And thankfully, a new suite of at-home devices is making it more accessible to use this targeted treatment for pain relief, scar healing, and a whole body glow. To find out more, I spoke to experts about how to make the most of full-body red light therapy in your routine.

Featured image from our interview with Janessa Leoné by Teal Thomsen.

What does full-body red light therapy do?

Lauren Berlingeri, co-founder and co-CEO of HigherDOSE, explains that “red light energizes your cells, helping them function at their best.”

If your high school biology is a little rusty, here’s a refresher: the mitochondria—yes, the “powerhouse of the cell”—are what red light therapy activates. This jump-starts cellular repair and regeneration, which means more collagen production.

“This boost in energy improves circulation, reduces inflammation, supports lymphatic detoxification, and speeds up muscle recovery and tissue healing—from the inside out,” Berlingeri adds.

Different wavelengths deliver different benefits:

Red Light (630–650nm): Energizes skin cells to boost collagen production and circulation, promoting a radiant, even-toned complexion.
Red Light (810–850nm): Targets deeper layers to aid muscle repair and reduce inflammation.

Benefits of Full-Body Red Light Therapy

Double Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Morayo Adisa, MD, notes that red light therapy is a gentle, non-invasive treatment—safe for all skin types, all year round, with little to no downtime.

So, what can full-body red light therapy do for you? Dr. Adisa says the benefits include reducing inflammation, treating acne and breakouts, speeding up wound healing, stimulating hair growth, and improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and loose skin.

To get the most bang for your buck, Dr. Adisa advises choosing “a red-light device that is created for what you want to treat.”

How to Incorporate Full-Body Red Light Therapy Into Your Routine

Red light therapy is a long game. While you won’t see results overnight, there are things you can do to boost the effectiveness of your full-body red light therapy.

First of all, says Berlingeri, “consistency is key! Doing red light 3-4x a week is the gold standard for results after a month.”

She also recommends combining red light with “lymphatic drainage and microcurrent” for the full detox treatment.

For example, the new HigherDOSE Microcurrent Body Sculptor “helps detox lymphatic fluid, releases fascia tension, tone muscles with microcurrent, and ignites radiant skin with red light.”

The Best Full-Body Red Light Devices

To optimize your red light routine, start by getting clear on your goals. Are you addressing pain? Are you trying to boost hair growth on the scalp? Are you looking for a full body glow? Different devices deliver different results.