You Are Using Red Light Wrong?
- grovehiggins
- Dec 5
- 3 min read
Why More Light Isn’t Always Better for Healing
Red light therapy is powerful—but only when used correctly. If you're blasting yourself with high-powered red light panels, skipping instructions, or expecting a miracle after one session... this article is for you.
⚠️ The Surprising Problem with Red Light Therapy
Photobiomodulation (PBM) has exploded in popularity, and for good reason—it has been touted to help reduce pain, boost energy, and speed up recovery. The research back it up to.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth:
Many people are doing it wrong.
It’s not your fault. Most companies aren’t giving you the full story. They’re selling big lights and bigger promises. But more doesn’t mean better when it comes to PBM.
Just like medication, there’s a therapeutic dose. And going beyond it may not help—it could even slow your progress.
🧬 Let’s Talk Mitochondria
Remember from Article 1 that mitochondria are your cell’s energy factories. They absorb red and near-infrared light through a receptor called cytochrome c oxidase. When activated, it helps the mitochondria produce more ATP, which is cellular energy.
But here’s the key: Your mitochondria are sensitive.
They don’t need a spotlight—they need sunrise, not spotlight. Gentle, consistent light in the right range encourages healing. But if you overwhelm them with too much intensity or exposure, they can:
Generate too many reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to injury to your cells
Trigger cellular stress
Or just shut down the mitochondria's response entirely
Imagine flooding a thirsty plant with a firehose. Same water, wrong method. Drinking too much water drowns you. Over-exercising can injure you and set you way back. So getting just the right amount gets you results.
📏 Dosage: The Missing Piece
Most red light devices don’t tell you how much energy they’re delivering. And that’s a problem.
According to research, the ideal therapeutic dose for most tissues is:
3 to 15 joules/cm² for skin or surface treatment
10 to 40 joules/cm² for deeper tissues like joints and muscles
But large LED panels often deliver way more (we’re talking ~10 to 20 times more powerful). This can be made worse by sitting too close to the light source or using it for too long.
More Light = More Heat = More Risk of Overdosing
🧠 Common Mistakes in Red Light Therapy
Let’s bust a few myths:
❌ “I’ll sit closer to the light for faster results.”
✅ Closer = more intensity = risk of overdose.
❌ “I’ll do it every day for an hour.”
✅ Daily is good—but duration and frequency need balance.
❌ “If I don’t feel anything, it’s not working.”
✅ Red light therapy is subtle—often cumulative over weeks.
❌ “This panel is 5,000mW! That must be better!”
✅ Intensity without control is like a microwave without a timer.
🌿 A Better Way: Think Like Nature
Your body was designed to respond to light—but in a gentle, rhythmic way. Sunrise and sunset. Flickering firelight. Dappled sunshine.
Not floodlights.Not lasers.Not “maximum output” every day.
Photobiomodulation is about cooperating with the natural design of the body, not hacking it.
🎯 So What’s the Right Approach?
Here’s how to do it right:
✅ Use devices with wavelengths in the 650–850nm range
✅ Aim for 10–30 minutes per session, depending on dose and device
✅ Use lower intensity, longer exposure
✅ Focus on consistency over power
✅ Look for devices that are wearable, comfortable, and non-overheating
🔍 Coming Up Next: What I Recommend
In Article 3, I’ll show you exactly why I recommend the DNA Vibe Jazz Band for daily photobiomodulation.
It:
Delivers the right light at the right dose
Uses low-intensity pulsed signals
Adds gentle vibration and magnetics for deeper tissue benefits
Doesn’t overwhelm your mitochondria
Can be used daily without concern
🙌 Final Thought
Healing isn’t about intensity. It’s about harmony.
Just like your breath, your heartbeat, and your sleep rhythms, your body heals best when it’s supported—not forced.
Photobiomodulation is a beautiful example of what happens when we honor that design.
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