Red Light Therapy Conditions: A Comprehensive List Based on Clinical Studies
Finnish researcher Vladimir Heiskanen has compiled an extensive list of clinical studies on photobiomodulation, often known as red light therapy, in his popular Google Sheet. This article focuses on human studies and clinical trials for a wide variety of conditions. To add practical value, we've integrated data from 2,633 positive studies, including wavelength success rates and pre-built modes from our Total Spectrum devices, which are designed for targeted healing.
These modes adjust intensities to avoid issues like overheating (e.g., limiting the powerful 1064nm wavelength for skin treatments). For each relevant category, you'll find:
- A numbered list of conditions with a brief overview.
- Key wavelengths and their success percentages.
- Recommended Total Spectrum mode settings.
Note: Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new therapy. For specific protocols on using your at-home red light therapy panel, please refer to our official usage guide for detailed instructions.
Categories and Conditions
Skin & Dermatology (e.g., Rejuvenation, Acne, Psoriasis)
- Skin rejuvenation is a process focused on improving skin elasticity, reducing wrinkles, and enhancing overall texture through mechanisms like collagen production.
- Acne vulgaris is a prevalent inflammatory skin disorder characterized by pimples, blackheads, and cysts, often linked to hormonal changes.
- Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, involves chronic itchy and inflamed skin due to immune system overreactions.
- Erythema refers to redness of the skin caused by increased blood flow, commonly seen in conditions like sunburn or rosacea.
- Facial filler-related adverse reactions include swelling, bruising, or lumps that can occur after cosmetic injections.
- Facial vascular lesions are abnormal blood vessel formations on the face, such as spider veins or port-wine stains.
- Herpes labialis, or cold sores, are painful blisters around the mouth triggered by the herpes simplex virus.
- Herpes zoster, known as shingles, causes a painful rash with blisters due to reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus.
- Laser skin resurfacing wounds are post-procedure injuries from laser treatments aimed at skin renewal, which can involve redness and healing challenges.
- Melasma is a pigmentation disorder causing brown patches on the face, often hormone-related.
- Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition leading to rapid skin cell buildup and scaly plaques.
- Radiation dermatitis is skin irritation and damage from radiation therapy, including dryness and peeling.
- Scars are fibrous tissue formations from healed wounds, which can be hypertrophic or atrophic.
- UV skin damage and erythema involve harm from ultraviolet exposure, leading to premature aging and redness.
- Vitiligo is a condition where skin loses pigment in patches due to melanocyte destruction.
- Body contouring refers to non-invasive methods to reshape body areas by reducing fat or tightening skin.
Key Wavelength Insights (from 2,633 Positive Studies)
| Wavelength | Studies | Success % |
|---|---|---|
| 633 nm | 20 | 17.09% |
| 660 nm | 16 | 13.68% |
| 830 nm | 12 | 10.26% |
| 630 nm | 8 | 6.84% |
| 808 nm | 5 | 4.27% |
| 415 nm | 5 | 4.27% |
| 850 nm | 5 | 4.27% |
| 905 nm | 5 | 4.27% |
| 670 nm | 4 | 3.42% |
| 420 nm | 3 | 2.56% |
| 470 nm | 3 | 2.56% |
| 635 nm | 2 | 1.71% |
| 650 nm | 2 | 1.71% |
| 590 nm | 2 | 1.71% |
| Other | 35 | 29.91% |
Summary: Blue (15.37%), Red (44.45%), NIR (18.80%), 1064 nm (0%).
Recommended Total Spectrum Mode: Skin & Anti Aging
| Channel | Wavelengths | Intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Red | 633, 660 nm | 80% |
| 2: NIR | 810, 830, 850 nm | 20% |
| 3: Deep NIR | 1064 nm | 0% |
| 4: Blue | 480 nm | ON for first 4 mins |
Duration: 10 mins | Pulse: OFF | Beginner Distance: 3+ feet away.
Pain, Inflammation, Joints, Tendons, & Wound Healing
- Pain is a sensory experience signaling harm or potential injury, which can be acute from sudden damage or chronic from ongoing conditions.
- Inflammation is the body's immune response to injury or infection, involving swelling, redness, and heat to promote healing.
- Wound healing involves the repair of damaged tissue through stages like hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling.
- Ulcers are open sores on the skin or mucous membranes that fail to heal properly, often due to poor circulation.
- Burns are injuries from heat, chemicals, or radiation, classified by depth and leading to pain and scarring.
- Tendons are fibrous tissues connecting muscles to bones, and tendon injuries like tendinitis involve inflammation from overuse.
- Arthritis is joint inflammation causing pain and stiffness, with types including rheumatoid and psoriatic.
- Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease where cartilage breaks down, leading to bone-on-bone friction.
- Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tender points.
- Back pain often stems from muscle strain, disc issues, or spinal misalignment, affecting mobility.
- Neck pain can result from poor posture, whiplash, or degenerative changes in the cervical spine.
- Shoulder pain may arise from rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder, or impingement syndromes.
- Knee pain is common in conditions like patellofemoral syndrome or meniscus tears.
- Heel pain, such as in plantar fasciitis, involves inflammation of the foot's connective tissue.
- Neuropathy is nerve damage causing tingling, numbness, or pain, often peripheral in diabetes.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome compresses the median nerve in the wrist, leading to hand pain and weakness.
- Tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis from repetitive arm motions.
- Plantar fasciitis causes stabbing heel pain from inflammation of the foot's arch-supporting band.
- Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) affect the jaw joint, causing pain and dysfunction in chewing.
- Muscle strains are tears in muscle fibers from overexertion.
- Joint sprains involve ligament stretches or tears around joints.
- Strains refer to muscle or tendon overstretching.
- Fractures are breaks in bones requiring immobilization for healing.
- Edema is fluid accumulation causing swelling, often in limbs.
- Swelling is the enlargement of body parts due to fluid or inflammation.
Key Wavelength Insights (from 2,633 Positive Studies)
| Wavelength | Studies | Success % |
|---|---|---|
| 830 nm | 37 | 15.23% |
| 633 nm | 23 | 9.48% |
| 1064 nm | 22 | 9.05% |
| 660 nm | 20 | 8.23% |
| 808 nm | 19 | 7.82% |
| 810 nm | 16 | 6.58% |
| 850 nm | 15 | 6.17% |
| 904 nm | 10 | 4.12% |
| 670 nm | 8 | 3.29% |
| 635 nm | 7 | 2.88% |
| 640 nm | 7 | 2.88% |
| 650 nm | 7 | 2.88% |
| 905 nm | 5 | 2.06% |
| 980 nm | 5 | 2.06% |
| 880 nm | 4 | 1.65% |
| 875 nm | 3 | 1.23% |
| 820 nm | 3 | 1.23% |
| 890 nm | 3 | 1.23% |
| Other (various) | ~22 | ~9.05% |
Summary: Red (29.64%), NIR (36.03%), Deep NIR (9.05%), Blue (10%).
Recommended Total Spectrum Mode: Pain, Inflammation and Wound Healing
| Channel | Wavelengths | Intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Red | 633, 660 nm | 80% |
| 2: NIR | 810, 830, 850 nm | 100% |
| 3: Deep NIR | 1064 nm | 30% |
| 4: Blue | 480 nm | Off for 2 mins, On for 1 min - Repeat |
Duration: 15 mins | Pulse: OFF | Beginner Distance: 2-3 feet.
Fat Burn, Workout, Athletic Performance, & Muscle
- Weight loss involves reducing body mass through diet, exercise, or therapies targeting fat metabolism.
- Fat reduction focuses on decreasing adipose tissue stores in specific areas.
- Adipose tissue is body fat that stores energy and can contribute to obesity when excessive.
- Lipoplasty is a surgical procedure to remove fat deposits for body shaping.
- Body contouring encompasses non-surgical methods to sculpt the body by targeting fat cells.
- Exercise refers to physical activity that improves health, strength, and endurance.
- Athletic performance measures an individual's ability in sports, including speed, power, and recovery.
- Sport involves competitive physical activities requiring skill and training.
- Muscle building aims to increase muscle mass and strength through resistance training.
- Workout sessions are structured exercises for fitness goals like toning or endurance.
- Fitness is the state of being physically healthy and capable of sustained activity.
- Performance enhancement seeks to optimize physical output in activities.
- Endurance is the ability to sustain prolonged physical effort without fatigue.
- Strength is the capacity to exert force against resistance.
- Recovery is the process of restoring energy and repairing tissues after exertion.
- Fatigue is physical or mental exhaustion reducing performance.
- Metabolism is the body's chemical processes converting food to energy.
- Mitochondrial function involves energy production in cells, crucial for athletic output.
- Energy levels refer to available bodily resources for activity.
- Aerobic exercise uses oxygen for sustained activities like running.
- Anaerobic exercise involves short, intense bursts without oxygen reliance, like sprinting.
- Cycling is a cardiovascular exercise on bicycles for endurance.
- Running is a high-impact aerobic activity for cardiovascular health.
- Swimming is a low-impact full-body workout improving lung capacity.
Key Wavelength Insights (from 2,633 Positive Studies)
| Wavelength | Studies | Success % |
|---|---|---|
| 850 nm | 22 | 19.13% |
| 810 nm | 10 | 8.70% |
| 905 nm | 10 | 8.70% |
| 660 nm | 8 | 6.96% |
| 875 nm | 8 | 6.96% |
| 808 nm | 7 | 6.09% |
| 635 nm | 7 | 6.09% |
| 640 nm | 7 | 6.09% |
| 630 nm | 6 | 5.22% |
| 670 nm | 6 | 5.22% |
| 880 nm | 6 | 5.22% |
| 950 nm | 5 | 4.35% |
| 980 nm | 2 | 1.74% |
| 633 nm | 2 | 1.74% |
| Other (various) | ~4 | ~3.48% |
Summary: Red (30.32%), NIR (33.92%), Deep NIR (0.87%).
Recommended Total Spectrum Mode: Fat Burn + Workout + Athletic
| Channel | Wavelengths | Intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Red | 633, 660 nm | 90% |
| 2: NIR | 810, 830, 850 nm | 100% |
| 3: Deep NIR | 1064 nm | 20% |
| 4: Blue | 480 nm | OFF |
Duration: 20 mins | Pulse: OFF | Beginner Distance: 2-3 feet.
Mental Health, Brain, & Neurology
- Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder causing memory loss and cognitive decline due to brain cell death.
- Anxiety is a mental health condition involving excessive worry and fear, often with physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat.
- Autism spectrum disorder affects social interaction, communication, and behavior with varying degrees of severity.
- Bipolar disorder features extreme mood swings from manic highs to depressive lows.
- Brain injuries result from trauma, leading to impairments in cognition, movement, or emotion.
- Cerebral conditions involve disorders affecting the brain's structure or function.
- Cognitive impairments hinder thinking, learning, and memory processes.
- Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries from impacts, causing temporary dysfunction.
- Depression is a mood disorder marked by persistent sadness and loss of interest.
- EEG measures brain electrical activity to assess neurological health.
- fMRI uses magnetic fields to map brain activity during tasks.
- Functional connectivity examines how brain regions interact and communicate.
- Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
- Neurology studies disorders of the nervous system.
- Neurological conditions affect nerves, brain, or spinal cord.
- Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder with tremors and stiffness from dopamine loss.
- Psychiatric conditions involve mental illnesses treated by psychiatry.
- Psychology explores behavior and mind processes.
- Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, causing cell death.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from violent blows, leading to long-term effects.
- Memory issues involve difficulties in retaining or recalling information.
- Attention deficits make focusing or sustaining concentration challenging.
- Focus problems hinder task completion due to distractions.
- Mood disorders disrupt emotional states, affecting daily life.
- Sleep disturbances interfere with rest, impacting health.
- Insomnia is difficulty falling or staying asleep.
- Dementia is a decline in cognitive function interfering with daily activities.
- ADHD is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
- Schizophrenia involves hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.
- OCD features obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
- PTSD develops after trauma, with flashbacks and hypervigilance.
- Addiction is a dependency on substances or behaviors despite harm.
Key Wavelength Insights (from 2,633 Positive Studies)
| Wavelength | Studies | Success % |
|---|---|---|
| 810 nm | 23 | 28.75% |
| 1064 nm | 17 | 21.25% |
| 830 nm | 9 | 11.25% |
| 850 nm | 8 | 10.00% |
| 633 nm | 6 | 7.50% |
| 870 nm | 4 | 5.00% |
| 660 nm | 3 | 3.75% |
| 820 nm | 3 | 3.75% |
| 635 nm | 2 | 2.50% |
| 980 nm | 2 | 2.50% |
| Other (various) | ~3 | ~3.75% |
Summary: Red (15.00%), NIR (53.75%), Deep NIR (21.25%), Other (10.00%).
Recommended Total Spectrum Mode: Mental Health & Brain
| Channel | Wavelengths | Intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Red | 633, 660 nm | 15% |
| 2: NIR | 810, 830, 850 nm | 90% |
| 3: Deep NIR | 1064 nm | 100% |
| 4: Blue | 480 nm | OFF |
Duration: 15 mins | Pulse: OFF | Beginner Distance: 1-2 feet.
Sleep & Related Disorders
- Sleep is a vital restorative state where the body repairs and the mind consolidates memories.
- Insomnia is a disorder making it hard to initiate or maintain sleep, leading to daytime fatigue.
- Circadian rhythm is the body's internal clock regulating sleep-wake cycles over 24 hours.
- Melatonin is a hormone promoting sleep, often disrupted in shift workers.
- Jet lag occurs when travel disrupts circadian rhythms, causing fatigue and disorientation.
- Sleep apnea involves repeated breathing pauses during sleep, leading to poor rest.
- Sleep disorders encompass various issues affecting sleep quality or duration.
- Sleep quality measures how restful and uninterrupted sleep is.
- Sleep latency is the time taken to fall asleep after going to bed.
- REM sleep is a stage with rapid eye movements, vivid dreams, and brain activity.
- Deep sleep, or slow-wave sleep, is crucial for physical restoration and growth.
- Narcolepsy causes excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks.
- Restless leg syndrome involves uncomfortable urges to move legs, disrupting sleep.
- Sleep paralysis is a temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking.
- Kleine-Levin syndrome is a rare disorder with episodes of excessive sleep and altered behavior.
Key Wavelength Insights (from 2,633 Positive Studies)
| Wavelength | Success % |
|---|---|
| 830 nm | 50.00% |
| 850 nm | 50.00% |
Recommended Total Spectrum Mode: Sleep
| Channel | Wavelengths | Intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Red | 633, 660 nm | 20% |
| 2: NIR | 810, 830, 850 nm | 80% |
| 3: Deep NIR | 1064 nm | 20% |
| 4: Blue | 480 nm | OFF |
Duration: 20 mins | Pulse: OFF | Beginner Distance: 3+ feet away.
Other Categories (General Studies, No Specific Mode)
Due to the extensive number of additional conditions studied, they are summarized here in a numbered list with brief descriptions. For full details, refer to Heiskanen's Google Sheet. Use Full Power Mode for general or experimental applications.
- Lipolytic activity is the breakdown of fats in the body for energy release.
- Lipoplasty is a cosmetic surgery to suction out fat deposits.
- Liposuction complications include infections, uneven contours, or fluid imbalances post-procedure.
- Mitochondrial function refers to cellular energy production, vital for overall health.
- Subcutaneous adipose tissue is the fat layer beneath the skin.
- Cerebral palsy patients experience motor disabilities from early brain damage.
- Fractures are bone breaks that require time to heal and regain strength.
- Osteoporosis is bone density loss making bones fragile and prone to breaks.
- Addiction to alcohol involves compulsive drinking despite negative consequences.
- Addiction to opioids is dependency on pain-relieving drugs leading to tolerance.
- Binswanger's disease is a form of vascular dementia affecting white matter.
- Brain injury can impair cognitive or physical functions.
- Circulation issues involve blood flow problems in the body.
- Cognitive impairment affects thinking and reasoning.
- Cognitive performance measures mental sharpness and efficiency.
- Down syndrome impacts cognitive abilities and physical development.
- Excitability refers to neural responsiveness in the brain.
- Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder weakening muscles.
- Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitors brain oxygenation.
- Stroke complications include paralysis or speech difficulties.
- Wrist pain (chronic) persists from overuse or injury.
- Fibroblast function involves cells producing connective tissue.
- Nitric oxide is a molecule aiding blood vessel dilation.
- Signalling pathways are cellular communication routes.
- Arterial restenosis is narrowing of arteries after treatment.
- Blood flow in feet can be impaired in diabetes.
- Digital ischemia is reduced blood flow to fingers or toes.
- Endothelium is the inner lining of blood vessels.
- Hypertension is high blood pressure straining the heart.
- Microcirculation is small vessel blood flow.
- Nasal LLLT treats nasal conditions with light.
- Raynaud syndrome causes cold-induced vessel spasms.
- Serum inflammatory markers indicate body-wide inflammation.
- Stem cells in blood aid regeneration.
- Thrombophlebitis is vein inflammation with clots.
- Breast augmentation is surgery to enhance breast size.
- Cellulite is dimpled skin from fat deposits.
- Spina bifida is a neural tube defect affecting the spine.
- Glycemia is blood sugar level management in diabetes.
- Intravenous irradiation delivers light therapy via veins.
- Limb ulcer is a chronic sore on arms or legs.
- Age-related macular degeneration causes central vision loss.
- Amblyopia is lazy eye from unequal vision development.
- Chalazia are eyelid lumps from blocked glands.
- Colour contrast sensitivity affects visual distinction.
- Conjunctival sac stenosis narrows eye drainage.
- Corneal injury damages the eye's outer layer.
- Diabetic macular edema swells the retina in diabetes.
- Dry eyes lack sufficient lubrication.
- Glaucoma damages the optic nerve from pressure.
- Iridocyclitis inflames the iris and ciliary body.
- Myopia is nearsightedness.
- Ocular hypertension raises eye pressure.
- Orbital implants replace eye structures.
- Oxygen-induced retinopathy affects premature infants' eyes.
- Reticular pseudodrusen are retinal deposits.
- Retinal blood flow supplies eye nutrition.
- Retinitis pigmentosa progressively loses vision.
- Stargardt disease is inherited macular dystrophy.
- Colonic motility dysfunction impairs bowel movement.
- Diarrhea & Constipation is loose stools from various causes.
- Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing.
- Microbiome is gut bacteria balance.
- Perianal abscess is a painful pus collection near anus.
- Ulcerative colitis inflames the colon lining.
- Alopecia areata & Androgenetic alopecia causes patchy hair loss.
- Chemotherapy-induced alopecia is hair loss from cancer treatment.
- Eyebrow loss can be from overplucking or conditions.
- Hair follicle transplantation relocates hair roots.
- Lichen planopilaris scars hair follicles.
- Scarring alopecia & CCCA cause permanent hair loss.
- Hearing loss impairs sound perception.
- Meniere's disease affects inner ear balance.
- Tinnitus is ringing in ears.
- Arrhythmia is irregular heartbeat.
- Baroreflex sensitivity regulates blood pressure.
- CABG surgery bypasses blocked heart arteries.
- Myocardial infarction is a heart attack from blocked flow.
- Sarcoidosis inflames organs like lungs.
- Heart failure weakens pumping ability.
- Injection-site reaction is local irritation from shots.
- Lymphocytes are immune cells fighting infection.
- Mast cells release histamine in allergies.
- Systemic inflammation affects the whole body.
- Aeromonas is a bacterial infection from water.
- Chikungunya virus causes fever and joint pain.
- COVID-19 post-symptoms linger after infection.
- Leishmaniasis is parasite-caused skin sores.
- Monkeypox is a viral rash illness.
- Ankylosing spondylitis stiffens the spine.
- Juvenile arthritis affects children’s joints.
- Cartilage protects joint ends.
- Chondromalacia patellae softens knee cartilage.
- Crystal arthropathy deposits crystals in joints.
- Haemophilic arthropathy damages joints in bleeders.
- Meniscus is knee shock absorber.
- Osteoarticular pain is bone-joint discomfort.
- Scleroderma hardens skin and organs.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus auto-affects multiple systems.
- Acute kidney injury suddenly impairs filtration.
- Chronic kidney disease progressively loses function.
- Laser acupuncture stimulates points with light.
- Fatty liver accumulates fat in hepatic cells.
- Hepatocellular insufficiency reduces liver function.
- Lymphedema swells limbs from lymph blockage.
- Exercise-related conditions involve performance and recovery.
- Muscle fatigue limits sustained effort.
- Nerve injuries damage signal transmission.
- Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy tingles from cancer drugs.
- Oral health includes dental and mucosal issues.
- Pancreatitis inflames the pancreas.
- Acute pain is short-term from injury.
- Chronic pain persists beyond healing.
- Brain penetration delivers therapy deep.
- X-rays are ionizing radiation.
- Reproductive issues include menstrual pain and dysfunction.
- Allergic rhinitis is hay fever sneezing.
- Asthma constricts airways.
- COPD damages lungs long-term.
- Dyspnea is shortness of breath.
- Nasal polyposis grows benign nasal tumors.
- Nosebleed (epistaxis) is nasal bleeding.
- Olfactory dysfunction impairs smell.
- Pneumonia infects lung air sacs.
- Rhinosinusitis inflames sinuses.
- Systemic sclerosis thickens connective tissue.
- Eye safety protects from light damage.
- Bruxism is teeth grinding.
- Guillain-Barré syndrome attacks nerves.
- Restless legs syndrome urges movement.
- Sleep quality affects restfulness.
- Axial spondyloarthritis inflames spine.
- Lumbar disc degeneration wears back discs.
- Spinal disk herniation bulges discs.
- Adipose-derived stem cells regenerate tissue.
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome reacts severely to drugs.
- Post-surgery healing repairs incisions.
- Gulf War Illness causes unexplained symptoms.
- Metabolic health balances energy.
- Achilles tendon connects calf to heel.
- de Quervain's tenosynovitis inflames thumb tendons.
- Patellar tendinopathy is jumper's knee.
- Tendinitis inflames tendons.
- Tenosynovitis sheaths tendons.
- Hypothyroidism slows metabolism.
- Overactive bladder urges frequent urination.
- Urinary incontinence leaks urine.
- Vocal fatigue strains voice.
- Plantar warts grow on feet soles.
- Thermal effects heat tissues.
- Tissue oxygenation supplies oxygen.
- Abrasion scrapes skin.
- Accident injuries vary from trauma.
- Buerger disease clogs small vessels.
- Chronic wounds heal slowly.
- Diabetic foot ulcer forms from poor healing.
- Digital ulcers open on fingers in sclerosis.
- Flowable wound matrix aids closure.
- Laser-induced wound tests healing.
- Leprosy damages nerves and skin.
- Pressure ulcer beds from immobility.
- Skin wounds cut or tear epidermis.
- Suction blister wound models healing.
- Surgical wounds close incisions.
- Venous ulcer stems from poor leg veins.
Recommended Total Spectrum Mode: Full Power Mode
| Channel | Wavelengths | Intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Red | 630, 635, 640, 650, 670 nm | 100% |
| 2: NIR | 808, 820 nm | 100% |
| 3: Deep NIR | 1060 nm | 100% |
| 4: Blue | 480 nm | OFF |
Duration: 20 mins | Pulse: OFF | Beginner Distance: Depends on condition.
For more details on studies, visit Heiskanen's sheet. Our Total Spectrum modes are bio-equivalent to effective wavelengths (e.g., Red: 630-670 nm, NIR: 808-820 nm, Deep NIR: 1060 nm).