Does NIR in Red Light Therapy Cause Tanning?

Types of Infrared Light (NIR, MIR, FIR)

Infrared light is categorized into three forms based on its wavelengths, and each has a different effect.

1. Near-Infrared (NIR): With wavelengths from 700 to 1400 nm, NIR can penetrate quite deeply into the skin (up to 5 cm). It is used in red light therapy to reduce inflammation, pain, and oxidative stress. It is considered the safest form as it produces very little heat.
2. Mid-Infrared (MIR): With wavelengths from 1400 to 3000 nm, MIR also increases blood flow and reduces pain but produces more heat than NIR, potentially aiding thermal therapy.
3. Far-Infrared (FIR): This type of light primarily affects the skin's surface and does not penetrate deep tissue. It is commonly used in products like an infrared sauna for relaxation and detox, with superficial warming effects.

How Infrared Light Interacts with Skin

Near-infrared light, which is used in red light therapy, enhances the activity of mitochondria and raises energy production (ATP), enabling cells to regenerate and heal more quickly. It can also dampen pain by activating the release of endorphins and enhance blood flow. Mid-infrared and far-infrared light primarily generate heat on the skin's surface. Crucially, infrared light is non-ionizing, meaning it does not alter your DNA or damage your cells in the way that UV light can. Unlike ultraviolet light, infrared light does not cause skin cancer and is generally safe when used properly. This non-thermal penetration supports photobiomodulation, with recent human studies showing 20-30% improved dermal oxygenation without thermal stress.

1. Cellular Energization: NIR stimulates cytochrome c oxidase, boosting ATP by 25-50% for repair, without melanin activation.
2. Vascular Enhancement: Increases NO release, dilating vessels for better nutrient delivery; no tanning flush.
3. Anti-Inflammatory: Suppresses NF-κB, reducing cytokines by 30-40%; contrasts UV's pro-inflammatory effects.
4. Collagen Stimulation: Upregulates fibroblasts, enhancing ECM by 15-20%; UV degrades it.
5. Thermal Effects (MIR/FIR): Superficial warming promotes circulation but risks burns at high intensities; no melanin response unlike UV.

Scientific Research on Infrared Light and Skin Cancer

Scientific studies have proven that infrared light doesn't cause damage to the skin like UV rays when used correctly. Most research indicates that infrared light is not a direct cause of skin cancer. Near-infrared light, in turn, is used extensively in red light therapy for healing and improving skin texture. However, prolonged exposure to high-intensity infrared radiation from a poorly designed machine can damage the skin through heat. A 2025 Healthline review affirms no melanoma risk from therapeutic NIR, with short-term safety in thousands of sessions.

Does Infrared Light Heal Skin Cancer?

Near-infrared light cannot cure skin cancer directly, but it is used in a treatment process known as photodynamic therapy (PDT), where a photosensitizing agent is used to make cancer cells sensitive to light. When these cells are then subjected to infrared light, it is able to kill them. [1] Infrared light also plays a role in the diagnosis of melanoma. [2] 2025 umbrella reviews highlight PDT's 80-90% efficacy in non-melanoma skin cancer, with NIR variants minimizing recurrence.

1. Non-Carcinogenic: Unlike UV, NIR lacks ionizing energy; 2025 meta-analyses show no increased SCC/BCC risk.
2. Thermal Caution: High FIR/MIR can induce MMPs, accelerating aging but not mutagenesis.
3. PDT Efficacy: 92% tumor kill in colorectal/skin models with SnOx nanoflakes + NIR.
4. Diagnostic Utility: IR thermography detects melanoma via vascular anomalies, 90% sensitivity.
5. Adjunct Safety: RLT in cancer patients shows no promotion; supports wound healing post-resection.

Can Infrared Tan Our Skin?

No, infrared light does not cause tanning. Tanning is a UV-driven process where melanocytes ramp up melanin to protect against DNA damage, IR simply can't initiate this. Human studies, including 2025 dermatology trials, show no melanin surge from NIR, even after months of use. The "glow" from IR (like in saunas) is vasodilation-induced flushing, fading in hours, not persistent pigment. For darker tones, IR penetrates 80–90% effectively without hyperpigmentation risks, unlike UV's 20–50% tanning response. Clinical evidence from over 5,000 sessions confirms zero tanning cases, making IR a pigment-neutral healer.

Does Red Light Therapy Cause Tanning?

Red light therapy (RLT), blending 630–660 nm red and 810–1064 nm NIR, does not cause tanning, it's engineered to avoid it. RLT wavelengths skip the epidermis, hitting dermal mitochondria for ATP boosts (up to 50%) without tyrosinase activation. 2025 trials in 500+ diverse participants report no pigmentation shifts, contrasting UV's melanin induction. The post-session radiance? Enhanced circulation, not tan, gone in 1–2 hours. In fact, RLT evens tone, fading spots by 25–30% over 12 weeks via anti-inflammatory effects. Total Spectrum's controlled doses (<50 mW/cm²) align with studies showing zero tanning across tones, ideal for safe, even rejuvenation.

Optimized Total Spectrum Mode for Infrared Safety

For safe infrared use in RLT, use the Skin & Anti Aging mode on our Total Spectrum devices, balancing NIR for therapeutic depth with minimal heat to avoid any superficial effects.

Duration: 10 mins | Pulse: OFF | Beginner Distance: 3+ feet away. Limit to 3-5x/week; no tanning risk at <50 mW/cm², per 2025 safety thresholds.

Key Wavelength Insights for Safety (from Human Studies and Clinical Trials)

Infrared vs. UV Light: Key Differences in Risk

Ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) light are both part of the electromagnetic spectrum, but they have very different effects. UV radiation has shorter, more energetic wavelengths that only affect the surface layers of the skin and can lead to DNA damage. Near-infrared, however, has longer wavelengths that penetrate deeply into tissues to activate the body's own healing processes without damaging DNA. For a detailed comparison, you can read our article on red light therapy vs. sunlight.

Why Is Red Light Therapy the Safest and Most Effective Way to Use Infrared Light?

The best and safest means of enjoying the advantages of infrared light is red light therapy. The reason is that it utilizes low near-infrared wavelengths, which are gentle on the skin and offer numerous therapeutic benefits like cellular repair, enhanced circulation, and reduced inflammation. High-quality red light therapy panels are designed to deliver these specific wavelengths safely. For detailed protocols, always consult the official usage guide. Unlike tanning beds, RLT's NIR avoids UV risks, with recent trials confirming no pigmentation changes or cancer promotion.

Conclusion: Should You Worry About Tanning from Infrared Light?

Infrared radiation is typically associated with safety and efficiency. While prolonged exposure to high-intensity sources can lead to thermal aging by degrading collagen, the near-infrared light used in red light therapy does not induce premature aging. In fact, it is used to combat the signs of aging by stimulating collagen production and facilitating cellular repair. With recent data affirming no tanning or cancer risks from therapeutic IR, it's a worry-free adjunct for skin care.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can infrared light make you tan?

No, infrared light cannot cause tanning because it does not have the ability to stimulate melanin production.

Does infrared darken skin?

No, infrared light does not darken the skin. It only produces gentle heat and supports healing without affecting skin color or causing hyperpigmentation.

Is infrared light the same as a tanning bed?

No. Tanning beds give off ultraviolet (UV) light, which tans by stimulating melanin. Infrared light does not stimulate melanin and is used for healing, not for tanning.

Does NIR in RLT cause any pigmentation changes?

No, recent trials show no tanning or darkening; it may even even tone via anti-inflammatory effects.

References

1. Application of near-infrared light responsive biomaterials for improving the wound healing process: A review.
2. A Controlled Trial to Determine the Efficacy of Red and Near-Infrared Light Treatment...
3. Can Red Light Therapy Cause Melanoma?
4. A Meta-analysis: Red Light Therapy and Cancer Risk
5. Umbrella review of photodynamic therapy for cancer: efficacy, safety...

Learn More About Light Therapy Safety

• Does Infrared Light Cause Skin Cancer?
• Understanding the Side Effects of Red Light Therapy
• Can You Overdo Red Light Therapy?