For those who are new to Red Light Therapy, it can be a daunting task to understand and research the numerous options available. In this article, we will break down the most important factors to consider so that you can make an informed decision when selecting the best red light therapy device for you. We'll look at what it takes to get a high-quality LED light treatment device that you can use in your own home.
We'll also go over exactly what you should look for in Red Light Therapy devices, such as:
- Dimensions
- Coverage
- Power
- Design
- Safety
- Service
The Fundamentals of Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy is a treatment that has been shown in thousands of peer-reviewed studies to be safe and effective. Clinical studies have shown that it is not only safe, but also very effective in treating a wide range of symptoms.
If you want to learn more about red light therapy and how it works, you can find a detailed explanation here.
Light therapy, in a nutshell, delivers safe, concentrated wavelengths of natural light to skin cells without the use of UV radiation or excessive heat. Red and near-infrared light stimulates cell mitochondria (similar to natural sunlight) to reduce oxidative stress and increase blood flow, allowing the body to produce more natural energy.
Red light is also a natural anti-inflammatory agent that aids in the regeneration and repair of cells.
This is why cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists favour red light therapy. Hundreds of studies have also shown that the therapy improves blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugar levels, muscle recovery, and pain relief.
What You Should Know About Size and Coverage Area
For the best results, devices that can cover a larger area of the body are far more effective than those that can only treat a small portion of the body. More cells in the same area can be exposed to natural light by increasing total energy transmission.
The Lumitter™ Full Body device, for example, provides full body coverage, which provides the consistency and reach required to recognise the benefits of clinical red light therapy.
Dr. Michael Hamblin, a photomedicine professor at Harvard Medical School, says this about measuring power:
“Total light energy is the most accurate and comprehensive way to measure the power of light therapy devices and treatments. If you only account for irradiance—versus how much total energy a device delivers—you miss the larger picture of how light therapy positively benefits the person using it.”
Many brands market their products as a full-body treatment, but they do not provide full-body coverage. Shower heads and belts, for example, are frequently too small and clumsily shaped, necessitating constant adjustment of the device's body to ensure even treatment.
Our devices at Lumitter™ Red Therapy Lights have a modular design that allows you to start with one panel and add more devices as needed to increase the size and reach of your treatments and, as a result, achieve better health outcomes.
The Best Devices for Smaller, More Targeted Treatments
Although larger devices perform best, smaller devices with high power output can be very effective in targeted treatments.
A small portable device with sufficient power can be used to treat facial skin, combat wrinkles and fine lines, improve thyroid function, increase testosterone, and treat a variety of other conditions.
If you choose a smaller, less expensive device, make sure it has an irradiance of more than 100 mW/cm2 in order to get effective results.
The Lumitter™ Handheld is our most popular small device, with 27 medical grade LEDs and an irradiance of more than 86 mW/cm2. More information about the Lumitter™ Handheld can be found here.
Why Is Device Power So Important?
Measuring the power of natural light is difficult, and it doesn't help that many light therapy brands make lofty claims about the power and irradiance of their devices without providing any independent test results as proof.
Here are some basic terms to be aware of:
Irradiance is defined as the power per unit area in milliwatts per square centimetre (mW/cm2). This specifies the rate at which energy is delivered from the device to the body. During a light therapy treatment, the total amount of energy delivered per area is measured in Joules/cm2.
The most important metric is total energy delivered. Irradiance alone can be deceptive because it does not take into account how a treatment affects the person who is using the device. What matters most is the total amount of energy delivered to the body during each treatment.
To calculate the total energy delivered for a treatment, do the following:
During treatment, the total amount of energy delivered per area is measured in Joules/cm2. This is calculated by multiplying the device's irradiance by the treatment time in seconds, then dividing by 1000.
Example: The irradiance of an Lumitter™ device at 15cm distance from the body is 212 mW/cm2, and the recommended treatment time is 10 minutes, so the calculation is as follows:
212 mW/cm2 x 600 seconds / 1000 mW/watt = 127 joules/cm2.
As a result, the total energy output in a 10-minute session is 127,000 joules.
Unfortunately, many of the companies that provide red light therapy do not support their claims with independent diagnostic data. You should not purchase a device from a company that is not transparent about its performance measurements, nor should you rely on a company's specifications if they have not been independently tested. Lumitter™ employs independent testing companies to ensure that all of our devices provide the power and irradiance levels stated on our website.
In conclusion, do not purchase small, low-cost devices that claim high performance and irradiance levels but do not back up these claims with independent testing.
Light Therapy Devices with a Modular Design Offer the Best Solution
Many devices on the market are available in a variety of styles, ranging from lamps to portable belts with handles. Smaller devices do not have the same power as larger, more powerful devices such as the Lumitter™ line.
These less expensive, more targeted devices can provide some results in specific areas, but they are frequently underpowered and require a significant amount of time to achieve clinically relevant benefits.
The most effective devices employ a modular, flat design to provide consistent treatment across the body's surface area.
They also have the advantage of allowing beginners to start with a single device and then expand into a larger, full-body system by connecting multiple devices together. This enables you to create the ideal setup for your requirements.
When it comes to setting up Lumitter™ devices in your home, you have a number of options. They can be easily attached to any door using a door hook and pulley system, and you can adjust the height to suit us. They can also be wall-mounted for a more permanent solution, or connected to a floor stand with wheels if the device needs to be moved around frequently.
Use a Safe Light Therapy Device that has been approved by the FDA.
A large body of clinical light therapy research has demonstrated that treatment with natural light is safe and virtually risk-free. Choose high-quality, FDA-registered devices, such as the Lumitter™ range. Many cheaper brands are not registered with the FDA and do not adhere to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices).
High-Quality and Trusted Brands Provide Assistance and Support If Something Goes Wrong
If a brand offers high-quality support, a money-back guarantee, and a warranty, you can tell if it is legitimate. If they don't come with a warranty, it's a sign that they don't believe in their own products, and you should avoid them.
The Lumitter™ line of devices has a two-year warranty and a lifespan of 50,000 hours or more. If anything goes wrong with the device during the warranty period, we will replace it with no questions asked. We also offer quick customer service via our website's live chat, so you can ask questions as frequently as you like and receive a quick, expert response from our team.
Common Questions When Looking for a Red Light Therapy Device
Along with everything you've just learned in this article, we wanted to answer some of the most common questions people have when looking for the best red light therapy device.
How do I use a handheld red light therapy device?
To use a handheld red light therapy device, such as the Lumitter™ Handheld we recommend first ensuring that it is powerful enough to provide effective results. Ascertain that the device has an irradiance of 50 mw/2 or higher. To use a handheld device, simply hold it 10-15 centimetres away from the target area, such as the face.
What are the top 10 red light therapy devices?
We believe that the top ten red light therapy devices on the market offer the best value for money, the most powerful treatments, and the most time effective therapy times for the customer.
Our top picks are as follows:
- Lumitter™ PRO Full Body - this is our largest and most powerful device, with a large coverage area that is suitable for most body types and conditions.
- Lumitter™ PRO Targeted - our most popular device, offering the ideal balance of size, power output, device quality, and coverage area.
- Lumitter™ Handheld - our smallest device, with the same power output as our larger devices but the added benefit of being light and portable. This device is ideal for delivering precise treatments.
- Joovv Mini - Joovv offers high-quality devices and excellent customer service. The only disadvantage is that it is the most expensive red light therapy company on the market.
- Joovv Solo - This is a high-quality device that is similar in size, coverage area, and power output to our Lumitter™ PRO Full body, but not as many features and more expensive.
- Joovv Go - The Joovv Go is the best solution for small handheld devices. This device fits in your handbag and is battery powered, so you can use it wherever you want
- PlatinumLED Biomax 900 - The PlatinumLED device line is also high quality and offers effective treatments. This device, like the Lumitter™ and Joovv ranges, has a large coverage area and powerful medical grade LEDs. They are a less expensive alternative to Joovv, but they are still more expensive than the Lumitter™ range, and shipping to Australia and New Zealand will be extra.
- PlatinumLED Biomax 300 - Another high-quality device that provides an effective treatment. It is smaller than its larger sibling, the Biomax 900, and is better suited to targeted treatments.
- Mito Red Light MitoMega - This device provides high power and effective treatments, and it is backed up by third-party testing. However, shipping and import taxes will be extra.
- Mito Red Light MitoMin - This device, like our Lumitter™ Handheld, provides a high-quality treatment. However, because it does not have the same coverage area as some competing devices, treatment times may be longer and less effective.
What distinguishes some red light therapy devices from others?
As stated earlier in this article, the most important thing to understand about a device's strength is the total amount of energy delivered per area during treatment, measured in Joules/cm2. This is calculated by multiplying the device's irradiance by the treatment time in seconds, then dividing by 1000.
When selecting a device, compare the irradiance AND the Joules/cm2 and choose the device with the most energy delivered per treatment time.
All of the red light therapy devices available on the Lumitter™ website are built to the highest standards and adhere to safe treatment times for high energy devices.
In conclusion, here is the most important information you need to know when deciding between Red Light Therapy Devices.
Large Size and Coverage Area - The larger the device, the greater the coverage area and the more energy delivered per treatment. Larger is always better, but smaller devices, such as the Lumitter™ Handheld, can be powerful enough to provide effective treatments.
High Power Output & Irradiance - To ensure an effective treatment, make sure the device's irradiance is greater than 100 mW/cm2. Remember that the total amount of energy delivered to the body per treatment is the most important metric.
Modular Design - Devices with a flat, modular design provide the best long-term solution because they provide consistent treatment across the body's surface area and also provide the benefits of being able to start with a single device for beginners and then transform into a larger, full body system by connecting more devices.
Safety - Ensure that the device you select is FDA approved and that the certificate of approval is provided as proof. The goal of Red Light Therapy is to improve your health, not to endanger it with low-quality knock-offs. Remember that while this therapy has been shown to be safe in thousands of clinical trials, the device you use has a significant impact on its effectiveness.
Customer Service - Your Red Light Therapy device will last you for years, make sure it comes with excellent support and customer service. The best way to determine whether a company provides a great, legitimate service is to visit their website and see if they have live chat functionality, educational blog posts, a money-back guarantee, a full warranty, and certificates of safety and quality.
Get in touch with our experienced team to learn more about the Lumitter™ range of devices and determine which device is best for you. We are currently experiencing minor shipping delays due to Covid-19, but our expert staff is currently working full-time from home and ready to assist you in finding the device that best suits your lifestyle.
As always, if you have any further questions or require assistance in selecting the best device for you and your family, please send us a message via live chat and our team will assist you.
