Red Light Therapy Not Working? A Step-by-Step Fix

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Bestqool R&D Team:
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With an expected annual market worth of $802.7 million and a CAGR of 4.4% by 2031, red light therapy remains one of the most popular treatment methods for various skin conditions worldwide. Moreover, red LED light therapy nowadays has a proven track record of helping in improving sleep quality, weight loss, boosting energy, and more. Yet, in some cases, you might not receive the expected results. So, let’s try to figure out together why your RLT device doesn’t work as well as youyou’d like and how you can try to improve the outcomes.

A person exercises on a red yoga mat after red light therapy in a sunlit room with sheer curtains

Understanding Why Your Red Light Therapy Might Not Be Delivering Results

The main thing you need to know about RLT is that it’s entirely safe if applied according to the manual [1]. Yet, if you didn’t receive the expected results for a long time, you should try to find a reason for possible failure by yourself. In some cases, the cause of failure might be misusing your device. In others, the main reason might be related to a condition or health issue you are trying to resolve.

Common Mistakes in Red Light Therapy Usage That Hinder Effectiveness

In most cases, various RLT devices are self-applied. So, for starters, every user must ensure they follow the whole procedure correctly during their treatment sessions. The most common reason for poor results is related to the misuse of devices. So, let’s dig into that category of issues more deeply.

Inconsistent Application: Frequency, Duration, and Timing Matters

Duration, frequency, and proper timing are key factors that prognostically might lead to a significant improvement of the red light applications. For example, studies show that applying red light twice a day helps to suppress the growth of Candida albicans biofilm [2]. Yet, various conditions require altering application parameters. That’s why you always need to adjust the frequency, duration, and timing of RLT procedures to meet your individual requirements.

Incorrect Device Usage: Distance, Coverage, and Settings

Distance, coverage, and settings also play a significant role in achieving better outcomes. Treating a wound with a 630 nm red-light laser at distances of 3 and 5 cm shows slightly varying results [3]. Also, depending on the condition, you should cover a larger body area for a better effect. This is especially important for such skin conditions as acne and psoriasis. Ideally, the coverage must be up to 2-5 inches larger than a skin lesion. Last but not least, varying device settings (predominantly different wavelengths) also have a variable impact on different aspects of your health.

Meditator in a modern room while beiging on red mat and receiving red light therapy

Key Device and Environmental Factors Affecting Red Light Therapy Outcomes

RLT devices by Bestqool can generate 630 nm, 660 nm, 850 nm, and 940 nm wavelength lights. Other technical specifications of our apparatuses, including power output, also vary considerably. Naturally, the effectiveness of any individual case might alter due to those specifications. In addition, environmental and users’ biological factors also considerably impact the results.

The Importance of Wavelength and Power Output in Red Light Therapy Devices

Wavelength is believed to be one of the most crucial factors in the effectiveness of red light therapy. For example, applying 650 nm light stimulates the process of new blood vessel development (angiogenesis) way more effectively than using 800+ nm light [4]. A combination of the wrong wavelength with low power output also often results in poor results. So, always read the device manual carefully to understand if the specifications of your device are enough to treat your condition or achieve the expected effects.

External And Biological Factors: Light Interference, Skin Conditions, and Others

Sometimes, a combination of RLT and sunlight might lead to worse results. For example, blue light, which is a part of the ultraviolet spectrum, affects mitochondrial functions in a different way compared to red light [5]. As a result, your RTL procedures might be inefficient when applied in sunlight. Other biological factors, e.g, your skin tone, skin type, pigmentation, age, gender, metabolic activity, also might require individual adjustment. Ideally, you need to get an appointment with your dermatologist if you don’t achieve the desired outcome, so that they can help you set up your red light therapy device properly.

Troubleshooting Your Red Light Therapy Routine for Improved Results

Routine use of red light therapy can help you resolve a wide variety of health-related issues. To get a general understanding of the benefits that RLT brings, you can check one of Bestqool's previous blog posts. Yet, poor outcomes and mediocre results can bring severe frustration. So, we’d like to share a few advice that will help you troubleshoot your red light therapy routine.

Reassessing Treatment Parameters: Adjusting Time, Distance, and Frequency for Personalized Results

First, you can prolong the application time, decrease the distance from the source of red light to your body, and increase the treatment frequency to enhance the results. Most sources recommend 3-5 weekly treatment sessions, each 15-30 minutes long. The distance between the red light source and the user’s body might vary depending on the initial condition and expected effects. Yet, you can freely change the treatment time, distance from your body to the RLT device, and treatment frequency to try to achieve better results. The main rule is to stick to a range of parameters that are mentioned in the user’s manual.

Seeking Professional Guidance: Establishing a Consistent and Appropriate Treatment Protocol

Always remember that red light therapy can be used for both treatment and general health improvement purposes. For example, some medical studies show a significant positive impact of RLT on severe medical conditions, e.g., childhood myopia [6]. But remember that it is always better to ask for guidance from medical practitioners when it comes to treating any disease. So, consider making an appointment with a doctor who will help you pick an appropriate treatment protocol to fix any poor treatment results.

Technical Fixes to Maximize Red Light Therapy Results

Remember that your red light therapy device is mainly a sort of machinery. Like any mechanism, it might have some malfunctions just for a technical reason. That’s why it’s crucial to double-check if it’s working correctly and ask for technological guidance or maintenance in case of prolonged and consistently poor application results.

Calibrating Your Device Correctly

Some medical studies represent RLT devices’ calibration as a pretty crafty and complex process [7]. Yet, most red light therapy products intended for home use can be calibrated by users themselves. Just follow the instructions in the manual, and you will easily calibrate the device. Also, you can always contact Bestqool’s customer support service to get professional help during the calibration process.

Maintaining Your Equipment

Most Bestqool products have a 2-year warranty and an expected lifespan of 50,000+ hours. Yet, sometimes, your device might malfunction due to a manufacturing defect. As a result, you are less likely to get suitable results even after using a consistent and appropriate treatment protocol. So, don’t hesitate to contact Bestqool customer support service if the entire range of previous solutions doesn’t help to improve the applications’ outcomes.

Realistic Expectations and Long-Term Commitment: Understanding the Journey to Results

Remember, red light therapy is mostly not about results, which are both fast and notable after the first few applications. For example, medical studies reported that 87% of participants experienced slight wrinkle depth reduction only after 12-20 LED treatments [8]. So, considering most protocols suggest 3-5 treatment sessions a week, it might take approximately one month until you notice the first results.

Setting Achievable Goals: Recognizing That Red Light Therapy Requires Patience and Consistency

Don’t compare the results of invasive and expensive treatment and appearance enhancement procedures, like cosmetic surgeries and applying fillers, with red light therapy. They might genuinely provide fast and noticeable outcomes, but they also have lots of side effects and are often not very long-lasting. On the other hand, consistent application of red light therapy will grant you a slow, cumulative improvement, which also takes time to get fully noticed.

Monitoring Progress and Adapting: The Importance of Tracking and Adjusting Your Routine

If you still feel like RLT doesn’t provide as much impact as you’d like, you might consider adding an everyday results monitoring routine to your routine life. For example, if your primary goal of red light therapy treatment is to decrease the size and number of acne, you might start to take photos of your problematic skin zones. Then, you can retrospectively compare the images to get a better understanding of the achieved results.

References:

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da Silveira PV, Panariello BHD, de Araújo Costa CAG, Maule SM, Maule SM, Janal MN, Zanin ICJ, Duarte S. Twice-daily red and blue light treatment for Candida albicans biofilm matrix development control. Lasers Med Sci. 2019 Apr;34(3):441-447. doi: 10.1007/s10103-018-2610-x. Epub 2018 Aug 10. PMID: 30097756.
Kuppa SS, Kang JY, Kim JY, Sa G, Park JH, Kim JH, Ha TS, Seon JK, Kim HK, Lee JB. Red-light LED therapy promotes wound regeneration by upregulating COL1A1, COL2A1, VEGF and reducing IL-1β for anti-inflammation. Lasers Med Sci. 2025 Apr 3;40(1):171. doi: 10.1007/s10103-025-04432-9. PMID: 40175683.
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Jiang Y, Zhu Z, Tan X, Kong X, Zhong H, Zhang J, Xiong R, Yuan Y, Zeng J, Morgan IG, He M. Effect of Repeated Low-Level Red-Light Therapy for Myopia Control in Children: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial. Ophthalmology. 2022 May;129(5):509-519. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.11.023. Epub 2021 Dec 1. PMID: 34863776.
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