Health & Wellness · Recovery

My Honest Take on Red Light Therapy

Q: What is red light therapy supposed to do?

It uses low levels of red and near-infrared light that cells absorb and use for energy. Fans and early research point to support for recovery, skin, mood, sleep, and everyday aches, though the science is still developing. It is a supportive wellness habit, not a medical treatment.

What it actually is, what a session feels like, and why I keep going back as a member.

By Janet
Updated August 2026 · 6 min read

Red light therapy is one of those wellness things I saw all over my feed before I ever tried it, and I was skeptical. Then I started going to Restore Hyper Wellness, and it quietly became one of my favorite parts of my week. Here is the honest, no-hype version of what it is, what a session is actually like, and how I think about it.

A little transparency: Restore comped my very first visit. I liked it enough that I became a paying member on my own, so everything here is my real experience as a member. This post is not sponsored, and nothing here is medical advice. Always check with your own doctor before starting anything new, especially if you are pregnant or managing a health condition.

So what is red light therapy?

The technical name is photobiomodulation, which sounds intense but the idea is simple. You stand in front of medical-grade panels that give off low levels of red and near-infrared light. Your cells absorb that light and use it to make more energy, and the theory is that giving your cells that little boost supports recovery and repair. It is not heat treatment and it is not tanning. There are no UV rays, so it does not burn or damage your skin the way a tanning bed would.

What a session at Restore is actually like

It is quickA session runs about ten minutes. You step into a private room, expose as much or as little skin as you are comfortable with, and stand between the panels. That is it.

It feels like a warm glowThe light is gentle and warm, a little like standing in soft sunlight, without the heat or the sunburn. It is genuinely relaxing, which surprised me.

It is private and low-pressureYou are on your own in the room, so there is no awkwardness. I use the ten minutes to just breathe and be off my phone, which honestly might be half the benefit for me.

No downtimeYou walk out and go on with your day. There is no recovery, no redness, nothing to plan around.

What people say it helps with (the honest version)

Here is where I want to be careful, because the internet loves to promise the world. What fans and some early research point to are things like supporting muscle and workout recovery, easing everyday aches, supporting skin by encouraging collagen, and helping with mood, energy, and sleep. The research is promising but still developing, so I think of red light as a supportive habit, not a miracle or a medical treatment. If something is genuinely wrong, that is a doctor conversation, not a light panel.

What I can tell you honestly is how it fits my life: on weeks I go consistently, I feel a little more recovered and a little more like myself, and the ten quiet minutes are a real reset. Your mileage may vary, and that is okay.

How often I go

The thing everyone says about red light is that consistency matters more than any single session, and that has been true for me. It is the reason I went from a one-time visitor to a member. A membership makes it easy to go often enough to actually notice a difference, which for me is the whole point.

My at-home red light and recovery picks

The at-home red light devices, recovery tools, and cozy extras I love for the in-between days, all on my Amazon storefront. For the full-body panels, I go to Restore.

See my recovery picks → As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Should you try it?

If you are curious, I think it is worth trying once and seeing how you feel, the same way I did. A lot of studios, Restore included, make a first visit easy. Pair it with whole-body cryotherapy if you really want the full recovery reset, which I wrote about in my honest cryotherapy post. And again, if you have any health conditions, start with your doctor.

Frequently asked questions

What is red light therapy supposed to do?

It uses low levels of red and near-infrared light that your cells absorb and use for energy. Fans and early research point to support for recovery, skin, mood, sleep, and everyday aches, though the science is still developing. It is a supportive wellness habit, not a medical treatment.

What is a red light session like at Restore?

About ten minutes standing between medical-grade panels in a private room, exposing as much skin as you are comfortable with. It feels like a warm, gentle glow, with no UV, no burning, and no downtime.

Does red light therapy hurt or tan you?

No. It is not a tanning bed and gives off no UV rays, so it will not burn or tan your skin. It uses very low heat and feels warm and comfortable.

How often should you do red light therapy?

Most people find consistency matters more than any single session, which is why memberships are popular. Go often enough to actually notice how you feel over a few weeks.

Is red light therapy safe for everyone?

Many people tolerate it well, but it is not medical advice and it is not for everyone. If you are pregnant, on certain medications, or managing a health condition, check with your doctor first.

Heads up: some links in this post are affiliate links, including my Amazon storefront, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. My first Restore visit was complimentary; I am now a paying member and this post is not sponsored. Nothing here is medical advice, and individual results vary, so please talk to your own healthcare provider before starting any new wellness routine.

Janet

Orlando mom of two and the creator behind Planet Janet TV. I share the real Orlando tips, trips, and mom-life finds I actually use. Come say hi on Instagram.

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