Red and Near-Infrared Light:
What the Research Is Exploring
By Dr. Zeeshan Siddiqui | Cryo SubZero Recovery & Longevity
The information shared in this article is for general educational and wellness purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding any health concerns. Results may vary between individuals. Cryo SubZero offers wellness services and does not provide medical treatment.
What Photobiomodulation Research Explores
Photobiomodulation research explores how red and near-infrared light interact with tissue. Outcomes depend on wavelength, dose, application site, device and study population. Laboratory mechanisms and results from specific clinical protocols do not establish cellular regeneration or healing from a Cryo SubZero session.
Research Areas and Their Limitations
Muscle Recovery & Athletic Performance
Studies have explored soreness and muscle function around exercise using particular light devices and doses. Findings vary and do not establish accelerated recovery from every red light session.
Skin Health & Anti-Ageing
Research has explored skin appearance and collagen-related measures under specific protocols. These findings do not establish cellular regeneration or wound healing from the sessions offered here.
Chronic Pain & Inflammation
Clinical studies have explored photobiomodulation for selected pain conditions. Results depend on the condition and treatment protocol and should not be generalised to routine wellness sessions. Persistent pain needs clinical assessment.
Hair Loss (Androgenetic Alopecia)
Some devices have been studied specifically for hair loss. Device-specific findings do not establish that a full-body red light session produces hair regrowth.
Cognitive Function & Mental Health
Studies applying light to the head use specialised protocols that differ from routine body-light sessions. Early findings do not establish treatment of cognitive or mental health conditions at Cryo SubZero.
Thyroid Function
Thyroid-related photobiomodulation research uses specific clinical protocols. It does not establish that wellness sessions treat thyroid disease or allow medication changes. Follow your treating clinician’s advice.
General Wellbeing Benefits
Some users describe a relaxing experience, but effects on sleep, energy and wellbeing remain uncertain. Proposed cellular mechanisms do not guarantee improvements in health or longevity.
Who Is Already Using It
Red light therapy has moved well beyond the clinic. Athletes, executives, and public figures with access to the best recovery tools in the world have integrated it as a non-negotiable part of their protocols.
Ben Greenfield
Biohacker, bestselling author of Boundless, and one Ben Greenfieldof the most prominent voices in longevity science. Greenfield has written and podcasted extensively about daily red light therapy use for testosterone optimisation, skin health, and cognitive enhancement, integrating full-body panels into his morning routine.
Dr. Andrew Huberman
Stanford neuroscientist and host of the Huberman Lab podcast. Huberman has discussed photobiomodulation across multiple episodes, particularly its application for eye health, cognitive performance, and testosterone. His framing of red light as a tool for "setting your circadian biology" has reached tens of millions of listeners.
Kourtney Kardashian
Has publicly documented red light therapy as a regular component of her wellness routine, specifically for skin health and recovery contributing significantly to mainstream consumer awareness of the therapy.
Novak Djokovic
One of the most analytically rigorous athletes in professional sport, Djokovic incorporates photobiomodulation alongside HBOT and other advanced recovery modalities as part of the protocol that has allowed him to compete at elite level into his late thirties.
Mark Zuckerberg
Reports indicate that Meta's CEO uses red light therapy and infrared saunas as part of his health and performance optimisation stack — a signal that high-performing executives are treating recovery with the same seriousness as peak performers in sport.
Tim Ferriss
Author of The 4-Hour Body and self-experimentation advocate, Ferriss has featured red light therapy as part of his personal biohacking toolkit and discussed it with researchers on his podcast, amplifying scientific conversations around photobiomodulation to a large entrepreneurial audience.
Who Should Exercise Caution
Red light therapy has an excellent safety profile. Unlike UV therapy, it carries no risk of DNA damage or carcinogenicity at therapeutic doses. Side effects, when reported, are typically mild and transient occasional headaches or temporary fatigue, particularly in the first few sessions. However, certain populations should consult a healthcare professional before commencing:
Active Malignancy
Because photobiomodulation stimulates cellular proliferation, individuals with active cancer particularly hormone-sensitive cancers should seek medical clearance before use. This is a precautionary position; current evidence does not demonstrate that red light therapy causes cancer, but the biological plausibility of stimulating existing tumour cells warrants caution.
Photosensitising Medications
Patients taking medications that increase photosensitivity including certain antibiotics (e.g., tetracyclines), lithium, or retinoids should discuss therapy with their prescribing physician.
Pregnancy
There is insufficient human trial data on photobiomodulation during pregnancy. Until better evidence exists, avoidance or medical consultation is recommended, particularly for near-infrared exposure over the abdominal area.
Active Haemorrhage or Acute Thrombosis
Red light therapy increases local blood flow and nitric oxide production. Application over sites of active bleeding or thrombosis is not recommended. At Cryo SubZero, all clients complete a pre-session health intake, and our team is trained to identify contraindications and escalate to clinical staff when required.