Photobiomodulation
A 15 to 20 minute full-body session of red and near-infrared light, after a check for photosensitising medicines and eye conditions.
Photobiomodulation (PBM), commonly known as red light therapy, uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to influence how cells work. There is a large research literature, but its quality is uneven: the evidence is strongest for some skin and musculoskeletal uses, and early or mixed for many others.
The proposed mechanism is straightforward. Red light (630-660nm) and near-infrared light (810-850nm) penetrate skin and soft tissue. Inside cells, the light is absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase (Complex IV of the mitochondrial electron transport chain). The leading theory is that this displaces nitric oxide bound to the enzyme, allowing electron transport and ATP production to increase. Much of the evidence for these mitochondrial effects comes from cell and animal studies, so the size of the effect in human tissue is not well established.
The downstream effects described in the laboratory include changes in cellular energy metabolism, local release of nitric oxide (a vasodilator) and changes in growth factors and inflammatory signalling. In people, the outcomes that have been measured most often are skin appearance, collagen, pain and muscle soreness.
The uses with the most human trial data are skin texture and some musculoskeletal conditions. In one controlled trial, 30 twice-weekly sessions improved skin roughness and ultrasound-measured collagen density compared with untreated controls (Wunsch A, Matuschka K, Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 2014). Evidence for exercise recovery and joint pain is mixed. Evidence for brain health and mood is early. Most evidence for hair loss comes from laser devices rather than full-body panels.
At Genoryx, we use medical-grade, full-body LED panels with measured output at the wavelengths used in research. Power density, wavelength and treatment time all affect whether light has any effect, and many low-powered consumer devices deliver far less. Our sessions use doses within the ranges reported in published studies. Book a consultation with our longevity physician to discuss whether red light therapy suits your recovery or skin goals.
Plausible biology and early human data. We tell you what is and is not known. How we grade evidence
What it shows
A controlled trial found better skin texture and collagen density after 30 sessions, and trials in athletes show modest effects on muscle performance.
What it does not show
The muscle evidence is of very low to moderate quality, and claims beyond skin and recovery rest mostly on laboratory studies.
In 136 people, 30 sessions improved skin complexion, roughness and ultrasound collagen density compared with controls.
Across 28 trials, some improvement in muscle performance, on very low to moderate quality evidence.
Numbers in brackets point to the studies above. Medical review: a physician who did not write this page checks each line against the source it cites, and checks that nothing reads as a promised result. How we review
A good fit
Talk to us first
Your physician confirms at screening whether this is right for you. If anything above applies, tell us when you book.
Screening
Photosensitising medicines, eye conditions and skin history are checked.
The session
Eye protection on, then a full-body session in the device: 15-20 minutes per session.
Course review
Your physician reviews progress across the course and adjusts the schedule.
Sessions are prescribed by a physician after a contraindication check and delivered by trained clinical staff. Your physician reviews progress across the course.
Meet the clinical teamFor some uses, the evidence is reasonable; for others, it is early. The most trial data are for skin texture, including one controlled trial of 30 sessions that measured skin roughness and collagen density. Evidence for recovery and joint pain is mixed. Much of the mitochondrial science comes from cell and animal studies, so we are careful not to promise more than the human trials show.
Trials have typically used 3-5 sessions per week for 4-8 weeks. Each session is 15-20 minutes, and your physician reviews whether to continue at all. Your physician will recommend a protocol based on your specific goal, such as skin, recovery or pain.
Clinical panels usually deliver higher irradiance (power density) at defined wavelengths, with measured doses. Many consumer devices deliver much less, so a given session time may not reach the doses used in research. Whether any device works for you also depends on your goal, and the evidence varies by goal.
Evidence · Established
The fasting blood panel in the 400+ parameter entry assessment: heart, metabolic, hormone, liver, kidney and inflammatory health, read with a physician.
30-45 minutes (blood draw) + 60-minute physician consultation
Evidence · Strong & indicated
A 60-second bioelectrical impedance scan of muscle, fat, visceral fat and body water by body segment, reviewed with a physician.
60 seconds (scan) + 15-minute physician review
Evidence · Established
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, a reference method for measuring fat, lean mass, visceral fat and bone density region by region.
10-15 minutes (scan) + 30-minute physician review
Start with the 400+ parameter entry assessment and a 60-minute physician consultation at either Hyderabad clinic. Open seven days, 11 AM to 9 PM.
Book a consultation