As Red Light Therapy (RLT) gains popularity in tanning salons, on internet forums, and especially on TikTok, so does the amount of misinformation floating around. Misinformation can be dangerous and also just a major disservice to clients.
That’s exactly why I’m committed to making sure everything I teach, write, and share is rooted in real science, published research, and years of hands-on experience. I’ve worked in this space long enough to see fads come and go. What sticks is truth and transparency.
An Educational Group For All
As a Certified Light Therapist, I understand the importance of being honest about RLT. We owe it to ourselves and our clients to remain educated on the topic. To support others on that same mission, I’ve started a Facebook group called All Things Light (UV, Red Light, Infrared).
Whether you’re a salon owner, employee, client, or someone who just wants to learn more, I’d love for you to join the conversation. I’m inviting everyone to ask questions, share your experiences, and help grow a community where education always comes first.
What Is Light Therapy?
Light therapy, also called photobiomodulation (PBM), uses specific wavelengths of light, typically 630 to 660 nm for visible red and 810 to 850 nm for near-infrared (NIR), to stimulate biological processes at the cellular level.
These wavelengths penetrate different layers of the skin and interact with mitochondria, enhancing the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of the cell. More ATP means more efficient cellular repair, communication, and overall function.
One of red light’s most impactful effects involves nitric oxide (NO). When red or near-infrared light hits the skin, it helps release nitric oxide that’s temporarily bound to enzymes like cytochrome c oxidase (COX). This unbinding reduces oxidative stress and allows mitochondria to produce ATP more efficiently.
NO also widens blood vessels (vasodilation), which improves oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues. This is key for skin rejuvenation, wound healing, and athletic recovery. Simply put, red light helps your cells breathe, feed, and repair more effectively.
But Why Tanning?
Now let’s talk about tanning and the ties it has to RLT. Red Light Therapy isn’t just linked to tanning by the light factor. It also can enhance the way that people experience their tans and the overall effectiveness of a tanning booth session.
Red Light Therapy calms inflammation, reduces oxidative stress, and gives your skin a stronger biological foundation before, during, and after UV exposure. It increases circulation and hydration, which preps the skin for a deeper, more even, and longer-lasting tan.
It goes deeper, too. Red light can also help regulate pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), which are messengers that influence how the skin reacts to UV stress.
While IL-6 and TNF-α are part of the normal immune response, excessive levels can lead to chronic inflammation. When properly modulated, these cytokines may enhance melanocyte activity and melanin production. Red light helps optimize this balance, creating healthier skin that tans more evenly and looks more vibrant.
Repairing Skin With RLT
When properly administered, Red Light Therapy can be a great tool for skin health. Red light also promotes the release of growth factors such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), which supports collagen production and skin repair.
When UV light hits the skin, it stimulates keratinocytes to release α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), which binds to MC1R receptors on melanocytes and signals melanin production.
Red light doesn’t initiate this process, so you don’t get darker by just having an RLT session. Instead, it supports the system behind it by improving intercellular communication and energy availability.
It also helps protect your collagen. UV exposure activates matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-1 and MMP-9, which degrade collagen and elastin. These are two critical proteins that maintain skin firmness and elasticity.
Red light has been shown to suppress excessive MMP activity while boosting collagen types I and III, helping preserve a smoother, firmer appearance. Many tanning salon owners notice it in their clients—that healthy glow!
A Hybrid Experience?
Here’s something important to know. Most hybrid tanning beds offer low red light output, often just 1 to 3 joules per session, we are lucky if we get a tiny skincare dose of 5. While that’s a nice bonus, it’s far below the therapeutic doses seen in clinical studies, which typically use 25 to 60 or more J/cm².
In other words, those hybrid tanning beds are not going to be able to deliver the level of light that will actually give you visible results. It might give a small boost to your tan, but it’s not going to be very noticeable. For true skin rejuvenation or anti-inflammatory effects, high-output LED systems are usually required.
However, even low-dose red light can stimulate circulation, improve comfort, and reduce redness when paired with UV exposure. This subtle synergy can enhance tanning results and post-tan skin feel.
Promote Truthfully
To be accurate in what you promote, always measure your light output. Specifically, measure at the body’s resting area, not just at the lamp. Use a calibrated light meter to measure irradiance (mW/cm²) and calculate joules (J/cm²) using this formula:
Joules/cm² = (Irradiance × Time in seconds) ÷ 1000
For example, if your light delivers 10 mW/cm² and your session is 10 minutes (600 seconds), the total dose is 6 J/cm².
Compliance Matters
Compliance isn’t a maybe. It’s a legal obligation. Stick with FDA-cleared or 510(k)-registered wellness claims. This protects your business and builds trust with clients. Hybrid tanning beds are not cleared for medical claims.
If your red light system isn’t cleared for clinical indications, you must stick to general wellness claims, such as promoting circulation, reducing inflammation, or supporting recovery. These are valid only if your system delivers enough energy, generally 30 or more J/cm², to support those effects.
It’s also important to understand skin variability.
Just like UV tanning, Red Light Therapy results vary by Fitzpatrick skin type.
- Types I and II may benefit from 10 to 15 J/cm² for skin prep and inflammation control.
- Type III may respond best around 20 to 30 J/cm².
- Type IV, which is more melanin-rich, benefits from deeper penetration. Adding near-infrared light is ideal.
- Types V and VI often require higher doses, up to 50 to 60 J/cm², and longer sessions to achieve cellular effects due to increased melanin and skin thickness.
To wrap it up:
- Before tanning, red light hydrates skin and boosts energy.
- During tanning, it enhances pigment efficiency and limits UV-induced inflammation.
- After tanning, it supports skin recovery, reduces dryness, and prolongs your glow.
Fair skin needs less energy. Darker skin benefits from longer, deeper-penetrating sessions. Measure your output, adjust based on skin type, and stay consistent.
Here To Stay
Red Light Therapy isn’t a fad. It’s evidence-based, widely loved, and a smart addition to any tanning or wellness business when done right. As more salons offer it, we owe it to our clients to lead with education, not empty marketing promises.
Track your data. Stay compliant. Invest in quality. And if you’re ready to connect with others passionate about light therapy and tanning, come join me in the All Things Light Facebook group.
Here’s to smarter skin care, better tans, and brighter businesses, one wavelength at a time!
