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In the last decade, light therapy has gained serious momentum—red light panels, blue light masks, full-spectrum lamps, and near-infrared helmets have made their way into homes, clinics, and wellness routines everywhere. But with so many colors and claims, the landscape can feel confusing. What’s the actual difference between red, white, and blue light therapies?
Let’s break down the unique properties of these wavelengths, their evidence-backed benefits, and where each one fits into the broader conversation about photobiomodulation (PBM) and brain-body wellness.
🔴 Red Light: The Power of Regeneration
Red (620-700nm) and near infrared light (700-2500 nm) are one of the most well-researched forms of light in photobiomodulation therapy. This light penetrates the skin’s surface and interacts with mitochondria, the energy-producing engines of your cells. When exposed to these forms of light, mitochondria produce more adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the fuel cells need to repair and function properly (Hamblin, 2019).
Therapeutic uses of red light include:
- Supporting recovery of traumatic brain injury, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases (Lee, Ding & Chan, 2023).
- Relieving joint and muscle pain (Retameiro et al., 2023; Malik et al., 2023)
- Accelerating wound healing (Mokoena et al., 2019)
⚪ White Light: Mood and Circadian Rhythm Support
White light is what we see when all visible wavelengths combine. In light therapy, full-spectrum white light plays a major role in supporting mental health and sleep cycles.
White light therapy is most commonly used to:
- Treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) (Meesters et al., 1999)
- Regulate circadian rhythms and improve sleep when shone in the morning (Boubekri et al., 2014)
- Improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (Chan et al., 2022)
🔵 Blue Light: Cleansing Power
Blue light therapy, usually around 405–470 nm, offers many health benefits. While we hear warnings about excessive blue light from screens, targeted therapeutic blue light can be incredibly helpful when used intentionally.
Blue light is used to:
- Kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce breakouts (Li et al., 2022)
- Treat certain skin conditions like eczema (Keemss et al., 2016)
- Help treat jaundice in newborns (Ebbesen, Vreman, & Hansen, 2022)
Red, White, Blue—and Backed by Evidence
As light-based wellness tools continue to evolve, it’s important to understand that not all wavelengths work the same. Red and near-infrared light support mitochondrial energy and cellular repair. White light is a key player in mood regulation and circadian health. Blue light, when used intentionally, offers targeted benefits for skin and microbial balance.
Each form of light therapy has its place and its limitations. Like any wellness tool, it should be used thoughtfully, in line with both the evidence and your individual needs. Whether you're managing symptoms, optimizing performance, or simply exploring what works for your body, understanding the why behind each wavelength is the first step.
As always, consult with a knowledgeable provider and prioritize consistency, safety, and science in your light therapy journey.
Have a happy and safe Independence Day, and may your celebration be filled with joy, light, and lasting well-being!
From your friends at Neuronic.
References
Bhutani, V. K., & American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Fetus and Newborn. (2011). Phototherapy to prevent severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn infant 35 or more weeks of gestation (Pediatrics, 128(4), e1046–e1052). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-1494 europepmc.org+4
Boubekri, M., Cheung, I. N., Reid, K. J., Wang, C.-H., & Zee, P. C. (2014). Impact of windows and daylight exposure on overall health and sleep quality of office workers: A case-control pilot study. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 10(6), 603–611. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.3780 tandfonline.com+7sciencedaily.com+7jsr.org+7
Chan, D., Suk, H.-J., Jackson, B. L., Milman, N. P., Stark, D., Klerman, E. B., ... Boyden, E. S. (2022). Gamma frequency sensory stimulation in mild probable Alzheimer’s dementia patients: Results of feasibility and pilot studies. PLoS ONE, 17(12), e0278412. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278412 onlinelibrary.wiley.com+7journals.plos.org+7synthneuro.org+7
Ebbesen, F., Madsen, P. H., Rodrigo‑Domingo, M., Donneborg, M. L., & Vreman, H. J. (2023). Blue‑Green (~480 nm) versus Blue (~460 nm) light for newborn jaundice phototherapy: Efficacy and side‑effect implications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(1), Article 10461. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24010461
Guedes, D., et al. (2020). Photobiomodulation at 660 nm stimulates fibroblast differentiation and collagen synthesis. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.23204 europepmc.org+2a-z.lu+2app-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg+2
Hamblin, M. R. (2019). Photobiomodulation for Alzheimer’s disease: Has the light dawned? Photonics, 6(3), 77. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6030077 europepmc.org+2pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+2sricert.org+2
Lee, T.-L., Ding, Z., & Chan, A. S. (2023). Can transcranial photobiomodulation improve cognitive function? A systematic review of human studies. Ageing Research Reviews, 83, Article 101786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2022.101786
Li, J., Li, J., Zhang, L., Liu, X., Cao, Y., Wang, P., ... Gollnick, H. (2022). Comparison of red light and blue light therapies for mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris: A randomized controlled clinical study. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 38(5), 459–464. https://doi.org/10.1111/phpp.12769
Meesters, Y., Beersma, D. G., Bouhuys, A. L., & van den Hoofdakker, R. H. (1999). Prophylactic treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) by using light visors: Bright white or infrared light? Biological Psychiatry, 45(12), 1594–1600. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3223(98)00252-2 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Pfaff, S., Liebmann, J., Born, M., Merk, H. F., & von Felbert, V. (2015). Prospective randomized long-term study on the efficacy and safety of UV-free blue light for treating mild psoriasis vulgaris. Dermatology, 231(1), 24–34. https://doi.org/10.1159/000430495 researchprotocols.org+1access.archive-ouverte.unige.ch+1
Zare, F., Moradi, A., Fallahnezhad, S., Ghoreishi, S. K., Amini, A., Chien, S., & Bayat, M. (2019). Photobiomodulation with 630- plus 810-nm wavelengths induces more in vitro cell viability of human adipose stem cells than human bone marrow‑derived stem cells. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 201, 111658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2019.111658
