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Great question—because honestly, it does sound too simple! But red light therapy only works because your body is already built to respond to certain wavelengths of light. Inside your cells are special molecules called chromophores—basically “light receptors” that absorb specific kinds of light and trigger natural responses in your body.

Some of the most important chromophores that respond to red and near-infrared light are cytochrome c oxidase (found in mitochondria, helps make cellular energy/ATP), porphyrins (involved in oxygen transport and detox), flavins (important for cell energy and repair), hemoglobin (in your blood, helps with oxygen delivery), and even water molecules (which absorb NIR light and influence cell hydration and signaling).

When these chromophores absorb red or near-infrared light, they kick off a natural chain reaction—helping your cells make more energy, reducing inflammation, boosting circulation, and speeding up repair.

This is well-supported by research. For example, the NIH states:

“Photobiomodulation (red and near-infrared light) acts through light absorption by chromophores in the cells, leading to increased cellular energy, improved healing, and reduced inflammation.”

(See NIH-reviewed study here)

So, red light therapy would do absolutely nothing if your body wasn’t already engineered to work with these wavelengths. The light is just the spark—your body has the built-in tools to respond.

Red light therapy works by sending specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light into your skin, where they’re absorbed by natural “light receptors” in your cells called chromophores. One of the main chromophores, cytochrome c oxidase, helps boost energy production (ATP) in your mitochondria. This extra energy allows your cells to perform better and heal faster.

Beyond energy, red light therapy also helps release nitric oxide for improved blood flow, activates natural pathways to reduce inflammation, supports collagen and tissue repair, and can even help regulate cell signaling. These combined effects explain why people use it for everything from pain relief and skin health to recovery and overall wellness.

Red light therapy is also used for hair growth, since it can improve blood flow and energy in hair follicles, potentially “waking up” dormant follicles and supporting thicker, healthier hair. (See NIH study on red light and hair growth)

All of these benefits are supported by decades of scientific research. For more, see: Photobiomodulation: Mechanisms and applications and Photobiomodulation in human health and disease.

Yes, red light therapy is considered very safe when used as directed. It’s non-invasive, drug-free, and contains no UV light, so it won’t burn or damage your skin. Most people experience little to no side effects, and sessions are gentle and pain-free.

However, it’s important to understand that dosing matters. Different goals require different amounts of light and different session lengths. For surface-level issues—like improving skin quality or boosting collagen production—you usually only need a few minutes per area. There’s no need to blast your face or other sensitive areas with high doses of red light. Over-treating sensitive skin is unnecessary and could cause mild irritation, so always use a gentle approach if your goal is healthier skin or a brighter complexion.

For deeper cellular benefits, such as muscle recovery, joint support, or full-body effects, you may need longer sessions (often 10 to 15 minutes or more). Using the correct dose for your goal is important; too little light might not be effective, while too much doesn’t necessarily improve results. Always follow the recommended guidelines for your device and avoid overdoing it.

Please use eye protection or be cautious with your vision. Avoid staring directly into the LEDs, as the intense brightness can cause discomfort or strain. Use the supplied eye protection, especially during longer sessions or if you’re sensitive to light.

Everyone’s skin and body are different. Take care to understand which areas of your body are more sensitive, and adjust your session length and distance accordingly to achieve the best results without overexposure.

If you have a medical condition or take medications that make you more sensitive to light, check with your healthcare provider before starting.

For most people, red light therapy is a safe, easy way to support better health and recovery—as long as you use it correctly, protect your eyes, and don’t over-treat sensitive skin.

SECOTRA is built around honesty, quality, and real-world effectiveness—never hype or one-size-fits-all promises.

We don’t believe that red light therapy is a universal, one-solution-fits-all approach. That’s why we design our devices—like the Simple One and Simple Two panels—to provide the greatest benefit for the most people, using a balanced mix of proven wavelengths and high irradiance. We use equal numbers of high-quality LEDs and ensure even irradiance, so every session delivers consistent, reliable results. Our panels are engineered to last, with durable materials and straightforward controls that anyone can use.

But we also know that not everyone’s needs are the same. That’s why we’re actively developing new devices and panels—including both red and blue light therapy options—tailored for more specialized goals. Our philosophy is to target specific purposes, rather than just chasing the highest numbers or following trends. The right wavelength and device depends on your individual goals, and we are dedicated to helping customers find what truly works for them.

Transparency is one of our core values. We back up our performance claims with real-world testing, and third-party lab verification is underway and coming soon for our products—so you’ll know you’re getting true, effective irradiance, not just marketing numbers. Our guidance is evidence-based, and our customer support is always here for honest answers and practical help.

In short, SECOTRA is focused on building high-quality devices that last, providing straightforward and reliable results, and developing new solutions for evolving wellness needs. We’re here to support your journey with products and education you can genuinely trust.

Red light therapy is well known for its impressive effects on skin health and appearance. When you use red light in the 630, 660, and 670 nanometer (nm) wavelengths, your skin cells absorb this energy directly. These wavelengths are part of the visible red light spectrum, and they’re especially effective for skin because they deliver energy to the layers where your skin’s cells, collagen, and repair processes are most active.

Most of the proven skin benefits come specifically from this red light range (630–670 nm). Near-infrared wavelengths penetrate deeper, but it’s the actual red light that primarily affects the skin’s surface, helping to boost cellular energy (ATP), stimulate collagen and elastin, and reduce inflammation. The result is often brighter, firmer, and healthier-looking skin.

Red light therapy at these wavelengths also increases circulation, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to your skin and helping it renew and repair naturally. People use this therapy to target fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation, acne, redness (such as rosacea), scars, stretch marks, wounds, sun damage, and dull or tired-looking skin. It also supports faster healing after skin treatments or minor injuries.

Clinical studies and reviews support these benefits, showing that red light (630, 660, and 670 nm) can speed up healing, reduce chronic inflammation, and visibly improve skin tone and texture. Whether you’re looking for anti-aging results, help with breakouts, or just want healthier, more radiant skin, red light therapy provides a natural, drug-free option.

If you’d like to learn more, here are some NIH-reviewed articles and clinical studies on red light therapy for skin:

Light-Emitting Diodes in Dermatology: A Review

Photobiomodulation: Mechanisms and applications

Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring

Effects of photobiomodulation on skin rejuvenation: a review

Red light therapy in the 630–670 nm range helps your skin by directly supporting the body’s natural repair systems—proven by science and trusted by clinics worldwide.

How often you use red light therapy depends on your specific goals, the area being treated, and how your body responds. Most people get the best results by doing red light therapy three to five times per week. A simple, effective approach is to use red light therapy every other day—using it one day, skipping the next, and repeating that cycle. Alternating days allows your body time to process and adapt to the benefits.

For some goals like basic skin health or minor aches, just a few sessions per week are enough. For deeper benefits such as muscle recovery, joint support, or whole-body wellness, more frequent but still moderate, consistent sessions (usually 10 to 15 minutes per area) tend to work best.

It’s important to know that red light therapy follows a biphasic dose response—meaning there’s an optimal range of light exposure that gives you the best results. If you go far beyond this range and overdo it with much longer or more frequent sessions, you might actually reduce the benefits you experience. Most of the time, “overdosing” on red light therapy won’t harm you, but it can make the therapy less effective or slow your progress.

So, more is not always better. Focus on finding the sweet spot: consistent, moderate use. As you notice results, you may even reduce your sessions to a maintenance schedule—like once or twice a week.

Everyone is different, so adjust your routine based on your results and comfort. If you’re new to red light therapy or have medical concerns, it’s always wise to consult your healthcare provider or follow your device’s instructions for the safest and most effective results.

Yes, there’s strong scientific evidence that red light therapy can support hair growth and help with certain types of hair loss, especially early-stage androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) and thinning.

Red light therapy works through a process called photobiomodulation. When specific wavelengths of red light (typically 630, 660, or 670 nm) reach the scalp, they are absorbed by chromophores inside the mitochondria of your hair follicle cells. This absorption triggers several key biological responses:

First, it increases cellular energy production (ATP), giving follicle cells more fuel to function and grow. This energy boost can help dormant or miniaturized hair follicles “wake up” and re-enter the active growth (anagen) phase, where new hair is produced.

Second, red light therapy improves local blood flow to the scalp by promoting the release of nitric oxide from cells. Enhanced circulation brings more oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles and helps remove waste products, all of which are crucial for healthy hair growth and maintenance.

Third, red light reduces local inflammation and oxidative stress. Inflammation around hair follicles can disrupt normal hair cycling, while oxidative stress can damage follicle cells. By calming these effects, red light therapy creates a more favorable environment for hair growth.

Some research also suggests that red light can increase the expression of growth factors (such as IGF-1 and VEGF), which help signal follicles to grow and support thicker, healthier hair shafts.

Clinical results:

Consistent use of red light therapy over several weeks to months has been shown to increase hair count, hair thickness, and scalp coverage in both men and women. It is safe, painless, and drug-free, and can be combined with other hair loss treatments.

If you’d like to review the science, check out these NIH-reviewed sources for more detail:

Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Hair Growth

Low-Level Laser (Light) Therapy for Hair Loss: Mechanism and Clinical Effects

While red light therapy is not a miracle cure or a solution for all types of hair loss, it is an evidence-based, non-invasive option that can support healthier hair and a thicker scalp, especially when started early and used consistently.