Will Red Light Therapy Hurt Your Eyes? Red light therapy is becoming a favorite in wellness circles, gyms, spas, and even home routines. Many people use red light therapy panels...
Red light therapy is becoming a favorite in wellness circles, gyms, spas, and even home routines. Many people use red light therapy panels or combine them with infrared panels for a relaxing, rejuvenating experience.
The benefits are talked about everywhere — from glowing skin to faster muscle recovery. But there’s one question people ask right away: Will red light therapy hurt my eyes?
Since the therapy involves bright light directed at your face or body, it’s a fair question. The short answer: If used properly, it won’t damage your eyes — but there are important safety steps you should follow.
Let’s unpack how red light therapy works, what the light actually does to your eyes, and how to use it comfortably and safely.
Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths of visible red light and near-infrared light — typically between 600 and 900 nanometers.
Red light: Visible to the human eye; gives off that warm, glowing look.
Near-infrared light: Invisible to the naked eye but penetrates deeper into tissues.
When you stand in front of red light therapy panels, these wavelengths are absorbed by your cells, stimulating energy production and promoting repair. When paired with infrared panels, you also get gentle, penetrating heat for relaxation and circulation.
Importantly, this light is non-ionizing — it doesn’t have the damaging energy of UV rays from the sun, so it won’t cause sunburn or DNA damage.
The concern is understandable. If you’ve ever looked at a bright flashlight or accidentally stared at the sun, you know intense light can be uncomfortable or even harmful.
Some people also confuse red light therapy with laser treatments, which use much more concentrated beams. While both may use light in similar wavelength ranges, red light therapy panels emit light at much lower intensities than medical lasers.
The good news is, when used as intended, red light therapy is not known to cause eye damage in healthy individuals. In fact, some early research has explored red light’s potential to support eye health in certain cases.
That said, the light can still feel very bright if directed at your eyes. Prolonged, direct staring into the LEDs may cause temporary discomfort, such as:
Eye strain
Headaches
Temporary light sensitivity
These effects are typically short-lived and resolve quickly after exposure ends.
If you’re using a device on your face or near your eyes, follow these guidelines:
Wear Protective Eyewear
Most quality devices include goggles or recommend using them. Even though the light isn’t harmful in the UV sense, goggles make the experience more comfortable and reduce strain.
Close Your Eyes
If you’re lying in front of a panel, simply keeping your eyes closed can be enough for short sessions.
Follow Session Guidelines
Don’t push session times beyond what the manufacturer recommends. For most people, that’s about 10–20 minutes per area.
Adjust Your Distance
The closer you are to the panel, the brighter the light will feel. Start a little farther away if you’re sensitive to brightness.
Infrared light is invisible, so infrared panels alone won’t cause visible brightness discomfort. However, because most modern devices combine red and near-infrared LEDs, you’ll still see bright red light from the visible portion.
High-quality systems — like those from Elite Sauna Direct — are designed with user comfort in mind, offering the right balance of brightness and safe output.
While there’s no evidence of long-term eye damage from standard red light therapy, some people should be cautious:
Those with photosensitive eyes or conditions like macular degeneration
People taking medications that increase light sensitivity
Anyone recovering from recent eye surgery
In these cases, it’s wise to check with an eye care professional before starting.
Studies on red light therapy and the eyes are still ongoing, but so far:
No reports of permanent eye injury from using devices as directed
Some studies even suggest low-level red light may support retinal function in certain age-related conditions (though this is still experimental)
Temporary visual changes, such as afterimages, may occur if you stare directly into LEDs — but these fade quickly
If you find the light too intense, you can:
Use darker-tinted goggles
Keep your eyes closed for the entire session
Angle the device slightly so it’s not shining straight into your line of sight
Start with shorter sessions and gradually build up
One reason people get nervous is that the term “light therapy” sometimes gets lumped together with laser treatments used in dermatology or eye surgery.
Here’s the difference:
Red light therapy panels = multiple LEDs, low intensity, safe for wellness use
Lasers = single, concentrated beams, high intensity, medical applications only
They may share similar wavelengths, but the energy delivery is completely different.
When you use red light therapy panels along with infrared panels, you get a dual benefit:
Gentle light for skin and surface-level wellness effects
Soothing heat that penetrates deeper into muscles
Many people find this combination not only more effective for their wellness goals but also more comfortable on the eyes, because they can focus on the relaxing warmth instead of the brightness alone.
Systems like those offered by Elite Sauna Direct make it easy to experience both at home or in a wellness setting.
Myth: “Red light therapy will burn your eyes.”
Fact: The light is non-ionizing and does not cause burns; any discomfort is usually from brightness, not damage.
Myth: " Never use red light therapy on your face.”
Fact: Many people safely use it for facial rejuvenation — just wear goggles or keep eyes closed.
Myth: “Infrared panels are worse for your eyes.”
Fact: Infrared light is invisible and less likely to cause brightness discomfort than red light.
If you’re wondering whether red light therapy will hurt your eyes, the answer is simple: When used correctly, it’s safe and comfortable for most people.
A little common sense — like wearing goggles, keeping sessions reasonable, and avoiding direct staring — goes a long way. And if you combine red light therapy panels with the soothing warmth of infrared panels, you can enjoy the benefits with an even more relaxing, spa-like experience.
Elite Sauna Direct offers elite red light therapy panels for consistent output and benefits. Get in touch today!
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