Is red light therapy the same as infrared?

No, red light therapy and infrared therapy are not the same, even though the terms are often used interchangeably. This is understandable: both are forms of light therapy and work via the electromagnetic spectrum. Nevertheless, there is a clear and important difference between the two, namely in wavelength and penetration depth.

Red light is visible to the eye and primarily affects the superficial layers of the skin. Infrared light is non-visible and penetrates deeper into the body. For those who want to know which therapy best suits their goals, it is good to understand how both forms of light therapy work and what they can mean for your skin or recovery.

What is red light therapy?

Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment in which the skin is exposed to light with a wavelength of roughly 620 to 700 nanometers. This light falls within the visible spectrum and has a characteristic red color. Because it is visible, you can see exactly which area is being treated during a session.

At a cellular level, red light therapy works through a process called photobiomodulation. The light stimulates the mitochondria in the skin cells, which increases cellular energy production. This cellular activity can contribute to improved skin condition and a visibly more even complexion. Scientific research describes that photobiomodulation with red light can influence cellular processes related to skin balance (Hamblin, 2017).

Red light therapy works primarily superficially, which makes it ideally suited for skin-focused goals. This includes supporting a more even skin tone, softening the appearance of fine lines, improving skin texture, and promoting a fresher skin appearance. Because the treatment is targeted and safe for home use, it is a popular choice for people who want to naturally enhance their skincare routine.

What does infrared therapy do?

Infrared therapy uses light with a wavelength above 700 nanometers. This light falls outside the visible spectrum: you feel the warmth, but you do not see the light itself. This is also one of the most striking characteristics of infrared. It is non-visible, yet noticeably present.

Within infrared therapy, a distinction is made between near-infrared (also called NIR, around 700 to 1400 nm) and far-infrared (above 1400 nm, such as in an infrared sauna). Near-infrared light penetrates deeper into the tissue than red light, reaching muscles, joints, and deeper cell layers. In therapeutic contexts such as physical therapy, infrared is being investigated for applications focused on muscles and joints (Wunsch & Matuschka, 2014).

Infrared therapy is widely used in therapeutic contexts, such as physical therapy and sports medicine, but also in wellness applications like infrared saunas. The warming effect and the relaxing effect on muscles are characteristics that many users experience. Infrared light affects cellular processes at a deeper level than red light, making it suitable for goals that go beyond just the outer skin layers.

What is the difference between red light therapy and infrared?

The core difference between red light therapy and infrared lies in the wavelength and the associated penetration depth. These two factors largely determine which tissues are reached and which therapeutic applications are appropriate. The table below summarizes the key differences.

Both forms of light therapy have their own therapeutic value and work on the same principle: light interacts with cellular processes via photobiomodulation. However, they clearly differ in application. Red light therapy focuses on the skin and is therefore the better choice for skin-focused goals. Infrared therapy targets deeper tissue layers and is used in professional contexts for muscle and joint-related applications. The choice therefore depends entirely on what you want to achieve.

What should you consider when choosing between red light and infrared?

If you want to consciously choose between red light therapy and infrared therapy, it helps to consider a number of specific points. Both treatment methods have their own effects and application areas, and the best choice depends on your personal goal and situation.

• Your goal: Do you want to improve your skin, achieve a more even complexion, or reduce fine lines? Then red light therapy is the most targeted choice. Is your goal muscle recovery, pain relief, or a deeper warming effect? Then infrared therapy better suits your needs.
• The wavelength of the device: Always check which wavelength a device uses. Red light operates around 630 nm, near-infrared around 850 nm. Some devices, such as certain LED masks, combine both wavelengths for a broader biostimulatory effect.
• Penetration depth: Do you need a treatment that superficially supports the skin, or do you want to work deeper into the tissue? Red light reaches the upper skin layers, while infrared penetrates into muscles and joints.
• Safety and suitability: Red light therapy via a certified LED mask is generally safe for home use. Infrared devices, especially in higher power classes, sometimes require more caution. Pay attention to CE and FDA certifications as an indication of quality and safety (Salamon, 2025).
• Consistency and ease of use: Results from light therapy are strongly related to consistent use. Choose a device and treatment method that you can easily integrate into your daily routine, so you can maintain the treatment long-term.
• Combination possibilities: Some LED masks combine red light with near-infrared light. This gives you the best of both worlds: superficial skin support and a deep-acting biostimulatory effect at the cellular level.

The choice between red light therapy and infrared doesn't have to be a complicated one. If your primary goal is skin improvement, then you already know enough: red light therapy is the most targeted choice for you. If you also want to support deeper recovery processes, then a device that combines both wavelengths is a smart investment.

LED masks with red light and infrared

Now that you know how red light therapy and infrared therapy differ, you also understand why a good LED mask is more than just a beautiful device. It's about the right wavelengths, the right intensity, and a consistent routine that supports your skin over time. At Maxi Meilleur, you'll find LED masks specially developed for effective home use, with red light for visible skin improvement and near-infrared for a deep-acting biostimulatory effect at the cellular level.

Maxi Meilleur stands for transparency, quality, and personalized guidance. Our masks are CE and FDA certified and designed to support long-term results, not as a quick fix, but as part of a well-considered skincare routine. Discover our range and take the first step towards healthier, radiant skin today.

Frequently asked questions about red light therapy and infrared

Is infrared the same as red light therapy?

No, infrared and red light therapy are not the same. Both fall under the broader category of light therapy and use photobiomodulation, but they differ in wavelength and action. Red light has a wavelength of 620 to 700 nm, is visible to the eye, and primarily acts on the superficial skin layers. Infrared light has a higher wavelength, is non-visible, and penetrates deeper into the tissue. They are related, but clearly distinct, treatment methods.

Should I choose red light or infrared?

That depends on what you want to achieve. If you want to work on skin improvement, support a firmer and more even appearance, or achieve a more radiant complexion, then red light therapy is the best choice. If your goal is muscle recovery, pain relief, or a deep-acting restorative effect, then infrared therapy is a better fit for your goal. Many LED masks for home use combine red light with near-infrared, so you can benefit from both effects in one treatment.

What is the difference between infrared and red light?

The main difference between infrared and red light lies in their wavelength and penetration depth. Red light (620 to 700 nm) is visible, acts superficially, and targets the skin and epidermis. Infrared light (700 nm and higher) is non-visible to the human eye, penetrates deeper into muscles and joints, and provides a noticeable sensation of warmth. Both forms of light therapy influence cellular processes, but at different levels in the body.

What is better, an infrared sauna or red light therapy?

An infrared sauna and red light therapy are difficult to compare one-on-one because they serve different purposes. An infrared sauna uses far-infrared radiation that deeply warms the body. This is relaxing, promotes circulation, and can contribute to muscle recovery. Red light therapy via an LED mask targets the skin and supports a firmer, more even appearance and complexion improvement (Couturaud et al., 2023). If you want to work on your skin, then red light therapy is the most targeted choice. For an overall relaxing and restorative effect on the body, an infrared sauna offers other benefits. Some people consciously combine both treatment methods as part of a broader wellness and skincare routine.

Sources:

Hamblin, M. R. (2017). Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophysics, 4(3), 337–361. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5523874/

Salamon, M. (2025, October 21). Red light therapy for skin care. Harvard Health Publishing.https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/red-light-therapy-for-skin-care

Couturaud, V., Le Fur, M., Pelletier, M., & Granotier, F. (2023). Reverse skin aging signs by red light photobiomodulation. Skin Research and Technology, 29, e13391. https://doi.org/10.1111/srt.13391

Wunsch, A., & Matuschka, K. (2014). A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 32(2), 93–100. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3926176/