Red Light Inflammation: How Light Therapy Calms the Body Naturally

Red Light Therapy For Inflammation — An abstract visualization of chronic inflammation in the body

Why Inflammation Matters

Inflammation is your body’s natural response to injury, infection, or stress. In small, short-term doses, it’s healing. But when it lingers—what we call chronic inflammation—it becomes a root cause of many modern health issues, from arthritis to brain fog to skin conditions.

Reducing inflammation without drugs or invasive treatments is the dream for many. And red light therapy might offer a science-backed way to help the body find balance.

How Red Light Affects Inflammation (The Science)

Red and NIR light interact with your body’s cells at the mitochondrial level. Here’s how it helps regulate inflammation:

1. Reduces Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines

Red light exposure has been shown to downregulate inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6—proteins involved in triggering and sustaining inflammation.

In other words. Red light helps your body dial down the chemicals that cause swelling and pain. These chemicals, called inflammatory messengers, are often overactive in chronic conditions — and calming them down may ease inflammation.

A cellular close-up showing mitochondria inside a glowing red-lit cell, ATP energy symbols, and arrows depicting reduced inflammation (fading redness). — A representation of cellular close-up showing mitochondria inside a glowing red-lit cell.

2. Increases Circulation

Light therapy enhances vasodilation by stimulating nitric oxide (NO) release. Better blood flow helps clear out inflammatory substances and brings oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissues.

3. Improves Cellular Energy (ATP)

Light stimulates cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria, leading to increased ATP production. More energy = better cellular repair = less inflammation over time.

4. Reduces Oxidative Stress

Chronic inflammation is often linked to oxidative stress. Red light boosts antioxidant defenses and reduces markers of oxidative damage.

How Red Light Reduces Inflammation
Include 5 labeled sections with simple icons:

Downregulates Cytokines

Boosts Blood Flow

Increases ATP

Reduces Oxidative Stress

Modulates Immune Response

5. Modulates Immune Cells

PBM influences the behavior of macrophages, mast cells, and other immune system components that either escalate or calm inflammation.

Conditions That May Benefit

Here are a few examples of conditions where inflammation plays a major role—and where red light therapy shows promise:

Joint Pain and Arthritis (especially osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
Muscle Recovery after intense exercise
Skin Inflammation like rosacea, acne, and eczema
Autoimmune Flare-Ups with localized pain and swelling
Tendonitis and Bursitis
Neuropathic Inflammation (e.g. nerve-related pain or brain fog)

A relaxed home scene showing a person using a red light therapy panel, sitting comfortably with red glow illuminating their skin. — A relaxed home scene showing a person using a red light therapy panel

While red light therapy isn’t a cure, it may serve as a supportive therapy to help the body reduce inflammatory burden naturally.

Want to Support Inflammation Reduction from the Inside, Too?

While red light therapy works externally, you can also support your body’s natural inflammation response from within.
Cyactiv® by Cerule is a natural, science-backed supplement that helps regulate inflammatory signals and supports tissue recovery.

In other words: red light works on the outside — Cyactiv works on the inside.

✨ Learn more about how this blue-green algae extract supports healthy inflammation balance → Read about Cyactiv

BALANCE AND CALM WHOLE-BODY INFLAMMATION Cyactiv®

What the Research Says

Several studies and reviews support the anti-inflammatory effects of red light therapy:

A 2017 review in AIMS Biophysics reported that red and NIR light reduces inflammation in both acute and chronic conditions through mitochondrial stimulation. research gate
Clinical studies have shown improved pain and reduced inflammation in arthritis patients after regular red light exposure.
A 2020 paper in Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery found that PBM reduced oxidative markers and increased antioxidant enzyme levels.

More high-quality trials are needed, but the existing body of research is promising—especially for non-invasive symptom support.

Safe Use and Limitations

Red light therapy is generally considered safe for home use when used properly:

Use eye protection when treating near the face.
Start with short sessions (5–10 mins) and build up.
Follow manufacturer guidelines for distance and frequency.
Avoid overuse—more is not always better.
Do not use on suspicious moles or active cancers without medical supervision.

Red light is not a replacement for medical care. Always consult a health professional for chronic conditions.

Deep Dive Podcast – Inflammation

FAQ Red Light Therapy For Inflammation

How does red and near-infrared light interact with the body at a cellular level to reduce inflammation?

Red and near-infrared light interact with the body’s cells primarily at the mitochondrial level. The key mechanisms involve:
Chromophore Absorption: Primary light-absorbing molecules (chromophores) include cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria and calcium ion channels. This absorption initiates a cascade of cellular responses.
Increased ATP Production: Stimulation of cytochrome c oxidase leads to increased production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), which is the primary energy currency of cells. More energy supports better cellular repair and reduces inflammation.
Modulation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and Nitric Oxide (NO): Photon absorption results in a brief burst of ROS and an increase in nitric oxide. While PBM can produce ROS in normal cells, it lowers ROS levels in oxidatively stressed cells or diseased models, up-regulating antioxidant defenses and reducing oxidative stress.
Influence on Transcription Factors and Gene Expression: These secondary effects lead to the activation of various transcription factors, promoting improved cell survival, increased proliferation and migration, and new protein synthesis.
Reduced Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines: Red light exposure has been shown to downregulate inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, which are critical in triggering and sustaining inflammation.
Modulation of Immune Cells: PBM influences the behavior of immune cells such as macrophages, shifting them from a pro-inflammatory (M1 phenotype) to an anti-inflammatory state. It can also reduce reactive nitrogen species and prostaglandins.
Increased Circulation: PBM enhances vasodilation by stimulating nitric oxide release, which improves blood flow, helping to clear inflammatory substances and deliver oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissues.

What are the main benefits of LLLT for rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?

For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), LLLT has been shown to provide short-term relief from pain and reduce morning stiffness. Specifically, studies indicate a 70% reduction in pain relative to placebo and a decrease in morning stiffness by approximately 27.5 minutes. It also increased tip-to-palm flexibility by 1.3 cm. These benefits are particularly noteworthy due to the few reported side effects of LLLT. However, other outcomes such as functional assessment, range of motion, and local swelling did not show significant differences between treated and control groups.

What are the findings regarding LLLT for osteoarthritis (OA)?

For osteoarthritis (OA), the results from studies are conflicting. While some clinical studies have shown improved pain and reduced inflammation, a meta-analysis of 197 patients found no significant effect on pain, with statistically significant heterogeneity across studies. This suggests that the effectiveness for OA may heavily depend on the specific method of application and other characteristics of the LLLT device, such as dosage, wavelength, site of application, and treatment duration. Further research is needed to standardize these parameters for consistent outcomes in OA treatment.

What is the “biphasic dose response” observed with PBM?

The “biphasic dose response” in photobiomodulation refers to the phenomenon where low levels of light tend to have stimulating and beneficial effects, while higher levels of light can have inhibitory or less effective outcomes. This highlights the importance of precise dosing (fluence, power, and duration) in PBM to achieve optimal therapeutic results. More is not always better with light therapy.

What types of inflammatory conditions and areas of the body may benefit from PBM?

PBM has demonstrated an overall reduction in inflammation across various conditions and body parts. It shows promise for:
Joint Disorders: Particularly osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but also tendonitis and bursitis.
Traumatic Injuries: Including wound healing, muscle recovery after intense exercise, and conditions like Achilles tendinopathy.
Neuropathic Inflammation: Such as nerve-related pain, brain fog, and in models of spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury.
Skin Conditions: Like rosacea, acne, and eczema, as well as psoriasis.
Lung Disorders: Reducing lung inflammation and tracheal hyperresponsiveness in experimental models.
Autoimmune Conditions: Such as autoimmune thyroiditis, where it may help regulate inflammatory signals.
Other Areas: Including abdominal fat inflammation.

What are the safety guidelines and limitations for using red light therapy?

Red light therapy is generally considered safe for home use when applied correctly. Key safety guidelines include:
Using eye protection, especially when treating areas near the face.
Starting with short sessions (e.g., 5-10 minutes) and gradually increasing duration.
Following manufacturer guidelines for device distance and frequency of use.
Avoiding overuse, as “more is not always better” due to the biphasic dose response.
Consulting a healthcare professional before use on suspicious moles or active cancers.
It is crucial to understand that red light therapy is a supportive treatment and not a replacement for professional medical care, especially for chronic conditions.

What are some key areas that still require further research in LLLT/PBM?

Despite positive findings, further research is needed to fully understand and optimize LLLT/PBM’s effectiveness. Key areas of investigation include:
Optimal Dosage: The effect of different light dosages (fluence) on treatment outcomes.
Wavelength: How varying wavelengths of light impact efficacy for different conditions.
Treatment Duration: Determining the ideal length of treatment courses for sustained relief.
Site of Application: Investigating whether applying light over nerves versus directly on joints yields different results.
Standardized Outcomes: New trials should utilize standardized and validated outcome measures for consistent data collection and comparison.
Long-term Follow-up: More data is needed on the long-term effects and sustained benefits of LLLT.

Explore Further

Curious how red light affects your body at the cellular level?
👉 Check out our article on Light and Mitochondrial Health

New to red light therapy?
👉 Read our Beginner’s Guide to Safe Red Light Therapy at Home

Share this article if you know someone dealing with inflammation who’s curious about natural ways to support healing!

Red Light for Inflammation: How Light Therapy Calms the Body Naturally