Red & NIR Light Therapy
Medical-grade red and near-infrared light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses controlled wavelengths of light to support cellular repair, help manage inflammation and assist the body’s natural recovery processes.
It may be used as part of a treatment plan for joint and muscular discomfort, selected injuries, bruising, swelling and post-procedure recovery. Clinical light therapy can also support skin health, collagen production, scalp health and hair-restoration programmes.
Treatment may be available following a procedure performed at Relax Med or elsewhere, once our medical team has assessed the area and confirmed that light therapy is appropriate.
- Medical-grade technology
- Pain & inflammation support
- Injury recovery
- Post-procedure care
- Red + near-infrared light
- Selected according to the area and treatment goal
- Targeted treatment areas
- Including the knees, back, muscles, scalp and recovering tissue
- No needles or incisions
- Light is delivered externally over the treatment area
- Procedures done elsewhere
- Post-procedure support available following medical assessment
Clinical treatment vs. at-home red light
| Feature | Medical-grade treatment at Relax Med | At-home masks, panels & wands |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment planning | Selected according to the area, concern and stage of recovery | Usually follows a standard consumer-use programme |
| Light delivery | Controlled wavelengths, energy dose and exposure time | Wavelengths and output vary considerably between devices |
| Application | Targeted to a specific joint, muscle, injury, bruise, scalp area or post-procedure concern | Generally designed for broad skincare or maintenance use |
| Clinical oversight | Suitability assessed and response monitored by our team | Self-directed, without an in-person assessment |
| Role in your care | Can be incorporated into pain, injury, hair-restoration and post-procedure plans | Best suited to general home use within the device’s instructions |
Medical-grade treatment is not simply a brighter version of an at-home mask. The wavelength, dose, exposure time and treatment protocol all influence how light interacts with the tissue. Clinical treatment allows these factors to be selected for a specific purpose and adjusted according to your response.
How it works
Supporting cellular repair with light
Red and near-infrared light are absorbed by light-sensitive components within the cells, influencing processes involved in cellular activity, inflammation and tissue repair. This process is known as photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy.
Red light acts closer to the skin’s surface, while near-infrared light can reach deeper tissue. The treatment does not cut, remove or deliberately injure the skin.
The effect depends on the wavelength, treatment dose, area and condition being addressed. This is why we select a treatment protocol rather than using one general setting for every concern.
What it supports
Knee, joint & muscular discomfort
Clinical light therapy may be used as an adjunct for selected areas of joint or muscular discomfort, including the knees and back. Its role is to help manage pain and inflammation while supporting recovery.
Persistent, severe or unexplained pain requires proper medical assessment. Light therapy does not replace investigation, rehabilitation or other necessary treatment.
Sports injuries, strains & overuse
Red and near-infrared light may be included within a recovery plan for selected soft-tissue injuries, muscle soreness and areas affected by physical overuse.
We first assess the injury and determine whether light therapy is appropriate or whether further medical evaluation is required.
Bruising, swelling & tissue recovery
Photobiomodulation may be used to support tissue healing and help manage inflammation following an injury or procedure. It may also be included when bruising, tenderness or swelling forms part of the expected recovery process.
Bruising and swelling still need time to resolve. Light therapy supports the body’s natural recovery process rather than promising an immediate change.
Swelling & lymphatic support
Red and near-infrared light may assist the body’s lymphatic recovery and management of swelling by supporting inflammation reduction and tissue repair.
It may be included after selected aesthetic or surgical procedures where bruising, tenderness and fluid retention form part of the expected recovery process.
This is a light-based treatment rather than manual lymphatic drainage. Depending on the procedure and level of swelling, additional recovery measures may also be recommended.
Post-procedure support
Clinical red and near-infrared light may be used following selected aesthetic or surgical procedures to support healing, inflammation management and tissue recovery.
This service is not limited to procedures performed at Relax Med. If your treatment was completed elsewhere, bring the name and date of the procedure, your aftercare instructions and any relevant medical information.
We will assess the area before beginning treatment and may request clearance from the practitioner who performed your procedure.
Skin repair & collagen support
Red light may support collagen production and gradual improvements in skin quality. It may be used alongside selected facial and skin treatments where appropriate.
Scalp & hair restoration
Red and near-infrared light form part of our Hair Restoration Programme, where they may be combined with medical assessment, bloodwork, PRF and scalp microneedling to support follicle activity over time.
Blue light therapy
Blue light has a different purpose from red and near-infrared light. It may be used to help reduce selected surface bacteria and forms part of our scalp-preparation protocol before PRF and microneedling.
Blue light does not sterilise the skin and does not replace clinical cleansing or sterile technique.
Sessions & results
What a session involves
The selected area is exposed to controlled red or near-infrared light for a prescribed period. Eye protection is used where required.
Treatment is non-invasive, and most people experience little sensation or gentle warmth. Appointment length depends on the size of the treatment area and the reason for therapy.
How many sessions will I need?
Some people use clinical light therapy for short-term recovery support, while chronic discomfort, hair restoration and skin-quality concerns may require a planned course.
We recommend the frequency after assessing the condition, treatment goal and any other care you are receiving.
When to expect a difference
The timeline depends on what is being treated. Pain, swelling or inflammation may be reviewed across several sessions, while changes in skin quality or hair density take longer to assess.
Response varies according to the condition, treatment protocol and individual healing process. Clinical light therapy is generally used as an adjunct rather than presented as a cure or replacement for necessary medical care.
Preparation & aftercare
Before your appointment
Tell our team about your medical conditions, medications, supplements, recent procedures and anything that makes you sensitive to light.
If you are attending after a procedure performed elsewhere, bring your aftercare instructions and confirm whether your treating practitioner has placed any restrictions on additional treatments.
For pain or an injury, let us know how the concern began, how long it has been present and whether it has already been medically assessed.
After your session
Light therapy alone generally does not require a recovery period. Temporary warmth, redness or irritation can occur.
Continue following the aftercare instructions for the underlying procedure or injury. Our team will advise whether you need to modify exercise, skincare, heat exposure or other treatments.
When to contact us
Contact our team if treatment is followed by worsening pain, increasing swelling, persistent redness, blistering or another unexpected reaction.
New or severe pain, loss of movement, unexplained swelling, signs of infection or symptoms following a significant injury require medical assessment rather than light therapy alone.
Frequently asked questions
What makes this medical-grade red light therapy?
Treatment is delivered using professional clinical equipment and a protocol selected for the area and concern. The wavelength, dose, exposure time and treatment schedule are considered rather than relying on a single consumer setting.
Is this the same as a home red-light mask?
No. At-home and clinical devices vary in wavelength, output and treatment protocols. Home devices may support general skincare or maintenance, while clinical treatment allows us to assess the concern, target a specific area and monitor your response.
Does it use UV light or tan the skin?
No. Red and near-infrared light are different from ultraviolet light. The treatment does not tan the skin or intentionally damage its surface.
Can red light help with knee or back pain?
It may help manage pain and inflammation in selected musculoskeletal conditions, but results vary and the evidence is not equally strong for every cause of pain. We assess the concern before recommending treatment.
Can red light assist with lymphatic drainage?
It may assist lymphatic recovery and the body’s management of post-procedure swelling by supporting inflammation reduction and tissue repair. It does not manually massage or redirect fluid, so it is different from manual lymphatic drainage.
Can I attend after a procedure performed elsewhere?
Yes, following assessment. Bring the procedure details and aftercare instructions. Depending on the treatment and stage of healing, we may request clearance from the practitioner who performed it.
Can it remove bruises immediately?
No. Bruises still need time to resolve. Light therapy may be used to support the natural recovery process, but it cannot guarantee how quickly a bruise will clear.
Can it replace physiotherapy or medical treatment?
No. It may complement rehabilitation or medical care when appropriate, but it does not replace diagnosis, exercise-based rehabilitation, medication, wound care or surgery when these are needed.
Does treatment hurt?
Most people find it comfortable and experience little sensation or gentle warmth. Tell us immediately if the area becomes uncomfortably hot or painful.
Is it suitable for everyone?
Suitability depends on the condition being treated, the treatment area and your medical history. Tell our team if you are pregnant, have a condition that causes light sensitivity, an active infection, an undiagnosed skin lesion, an eye condition or take medication that may increase sensitivity to light. We’ll determine whether treatment is appropriate or whether medical clearance is needed.
Support recovery with the right treatment plan.
Whether you are managing discomfort, recovering from an injury or looking for additional support after a procedure, we’ll assess the area and determine where medical-grade red and near-infrared light therapy may fit.