It is easy to be curious about something that feels gentle, takes only a few minutes, and has people talking about healthier-looking skin and recovery. Here is a friendly guide to what red light therapy is, what research has found, and what a session at Serenus Float & Wellness in Bloomington, Indiana is like.
What is red light therapy?
Red light therapy uses particular wavelengths of red light, sometimes together with near-infrared light. Scientists call the approach photobiomodulation, and they study how light absorbed by the body may influence the way cells produce and use energy.1
Unlike an infrared sauna, red light therapy doesn’t rely on heat. It is simply a few quiet minutes standing in a soft red glow.
Smoother-looking skin
Skin appearance is one of the most popular reasons people try red light therapy.
In a 2014 study, 136 volunteers completed a series of 30 light sessions. Afterward, they showed improvements in skin roughness and overall appearance, along with increased collagen density measured by ultrasound.2 The American Academy of Dermatology describes red light as a possible complement to a broader skin-care routine.3
Like most skin care, any changes come gradually, with regular sessions over time rather than a single visit.3
Research into comfort and wellbeing
Photobiomodulation is also being studied for comfort in specific conditions. In a small 2023 trial, people with fibromyalgia who completed 12 whole-body light sessions reported less pain and a better quality of life.4
A 2025 review of many randomized trials found support for red light therapy on some health outcomes, and researchers continue to study which approaches work best.5
What about recovery?
Recovery is a common reason active people look into red light therapy. So far, whole-body studies of athletes have mostly looked for changes in performance and fatigue, with limited findings. Two studies did report better sleep, which researchers are now looking into further.6
If you enjoy the experience, a session can simply be a calm few minutes in your week, before a workout or after a long day.
What the research can and can’t tell us
Red light studies use many different devices, light settings, and schedules, so results from one study won’t necessarily match every booth or every person.5 That is also why there is no single “right” schedule. If you are hoping to address a specific skin or health concern, your dermatologist or doctor can help you decide what is best for you.
Your red light session at Serenus
Our red light booth is open and standing, so there’s nothing to climb into. Choose a 10- or 20-minute session, and add the optional vibration plate if you’d like rhythmic movement beneath your feet. Visit our red light therapy page for session details and pricing.
If you are pregnant, sensitive to light, have a seizure disorder, or take medication that increases light sensitivity, please check with your doctor before your first session.3 Your host will walk you through the booth and its instructions before you begin, and you are always welcome to bring questions.
Sources
- de Freitas LF, Hamblin MR. (2016). Proposed Mechanisms of Photobiomodulation or Low-Level Light Therapy. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 22(3). ↩
- Wunsch A, Matuschka K. (2014). Controlled trial of red and near-infrared light for skin appearance and collagen density. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 32(2), 93–100. DOI: 10.1089/pho.2013.3616. Industry-funded study. ↩
- American Academy of Dermatology. Is red light therapy right for your skin? ↩1 ↩2 ↩3
- Navarro-Ledesma S, Carroll J, Burton P, et al. (2023; online 2022). Placebo-controlled trial of whole-body photobiomodulation for fibromyalgia. Pain and Therapy, 12, 225–239. Some authors reported manufacturer affiliations. ↩
- Son Y, Lee H, Yu S, et al. (2025). Effects of photobiomodulation on multiple health outcomes: an umbrella review of randomized clinical trials. Systematic Reviews, 14, 160. ↩1 ↩2
- Álvarez-Martínez M, Borden G. (2025). A systematic review on whole-body photobiomodulation for exercise performance and recovery. Lasers in Medical Science, 40, 55. ↩