What Is Near Infrared Light Therapy?
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Time to read 5 min
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Time to read 5 min
LED-SCIENCE [10-21-2025]
BY MADISON CARTER
Skin tools come and go, but a few technologies earn their reputation because they work below the surface, where real repair happens. Near infrared light therapy is one of them. It’s the “invisible” part of many advanced LED devices, used in clinics and at home to support healing, reduce inflammation, and improve the way skin functions over time.
If you’ve been seeing terms like NIR light therapy, infrared LED therapy, or photobiomodulation and wondering what’s real versus marketing, this guide breaks it down in a practical way: what near infrared light is, what it’s used for, how it differs from red light therapy, and what to look for in an effective at-home device.
Near infrared light therapy is a form of LED light therapy that uses invisible wavelengths, most commonly in the 800–880nm range, to deliver light energy deeper into tissue than visible light can reach. You won’t “see” the light the way you do with red or blue LEDs, but your body still absorbs it.
You’ll often hear near infrared light therapy described under the umbrella term photobiomodulation. That simply means specific wavelengths are used to influence cellular processes, especially those tied to repair and recovery, without damaging the surface of the skin.
Because it penetrates deeper, near infrared is often included in advanced LED masks and panels designed for more than surface glow. It’s used for skin resilience, post-treatment recovery, inflammation support, and even body-focused recovery routines.
Red light and near infrared light are often paired in the same device like seen with LED Esthetics’ LED face mask and red light neck mask, but they’re not identical.
Red light therapy (commonly around 630–660nm) is visible and tends to focus more on skin-level changes like tone, texture, redness, and collagen support in the dermis.
Near infrared (commonly around 800–880nm) goes deeper and is more associated with recovery support, tissue repair, and calming inflammation beneath the surface.
A simple way to think about it:
Red light is often chosen for visible skin refinement, while near infrared is added when the goal includes deeper repair support. That pairing is why many high-quality LED devices such as those from LED Esthetics’ combine both.
Near infrared light is absorbed by molecules inside cells that play a role in energy production. Much of the research centers on the mitochondria, where cells produce ATP—an essential fuel source for repair processes.
When cells have more available energy, the body can support recovery pathways more efficiently. That’s why near infrared light therapy shows up in discussions around inflammation control, wound recovery, and improving how skin and tissue “bounce back” after stress.
It’s also worth clearing up a common misconception: near infrared LED therapy isn’t the same as heat-based infrared treatments. A quality LED light therapy device is designed to deliver light energy without relying on heat to create results.
The benefits of near-infrared light are seen across both skincare and recovery applications because of its direct role in supporting tissue health. Many people notice the most improvement in areas affected by inflammation, irritation, or slow healing.
Two broad categories where it’s most relevant:
Skin-focused benefits
Near infrared is often used to support:
Recovery-focused benefits
Near infrared is also used on the body for:
It’s not a “one-session transformation” type of tool. It’s skin support technology used when you want skin and tissue to function better, not just look temporarily brighter.
Near infrared light therapy is most commonly used for:
Inflammation-prone skin
If your skin tends to look red, irritated, or slow to settle after breakouts, near infrared is often used alongside red wavelengths for a more comprehensive approach.
Aging support beyond the surface
Near infrared is frequently included in anti-aging routines because it supports deeper tissue health, while red light targets collagen-related changes closer to the dermis.
Post-procedure recovery
Many clinical protocols include near infrared light after treatments because it supports calmer skin and recovery pathways.
Body recovery routines
Panels and larger devices are commonly used on shoulders, back, knees, and other areas where people want recovery support.
If your main goal is acne bacteria control, blue light is the more direct tool. Near infrared and red light are more about the environment underneath, supporting repair and inflammation control.
A simple at-home approach is to treat on clean skin before heavier products. Light energy penetrates better when it isn’t competing with thick layers.
A practical routine looks like:
If you use strong actives (retinoids, exfoliating acids), keep them away from immediately irritated skin and avoid stacking too many intense steps in one routine. Most people find that LED + hydration is the easiest pairing when they want skin to stay calm.
The most popular LED Esthetics devices include near infrared light therapy, Glotech LED face mask and red light neck mask, effective for recovery and visible skin support, especially when paired with red light in the same treatment mode.
Near infrared LED therapy is widely considered safe when used as directed. It does not involve UV light, and it’s designed to support cellular function without damaging skin tissue.
That said, certain situations deserve extra caution:
For most people, the main “side effects” are mild and practical: temporary warmth, brief redness, or mild dryness if skin is already compromised. If that happens, reduce session length and focus on barrier support afterward.
Not all “infrared” devices are built the same. If you want results you can actually trust, look for specifics, not vague claims.
Key things that matter:
If a product only says “infrared technology” with no numbers, it’s hard to evaluate what you’re actually getting.
For those incorporating LED into a long-term skin or recovery routine, near-infrared light provides the kind of deep support that surface-level treatments cannot. With regular use, it supports tissue recovery, resilience, and overall skin function.
At-home solutions such as LED Esthetics’ Glotech LED devices, designed with clearly defined wavelengths and consistent full-area coverage, integrate seamlessly into a complete LED routine, often alongside red light therapy for broader, more sustained results.