What is Near-Infrared (NIR) Therapy?Updated 7 hours ago
Near-Infrared light is invisible to the human eye and typically ranges from 700nm to 1100nm, with 810nm, 850nm, and 940nm being common wellness wavelengths.
NIR penetrates deeper into the body than red light.
Common Uses of Near-Infrared
NIR is commonly used for:
- Muscle recovery
- Exercise performance recovery
- Joint support
- Tendon and ligament recovery
- Deep tissue support
- Circulation support
- Reducing exercise-induced soreness
- General wellness and recovery
Penetration depths vary depending on wavelength and tissue type, but NIR generally reaches significantly deeper than visible red light.
Why Use Red Light + Near-Infrared Together?
A combined system gives you the benefits of both superficial and deeper tissue treatment simultaneously.
Think of it as:
Light Type | Main Target |
Red Light (660nm) | Skin and surface tissues |
Near-Infrared (850nm) | Muscles, joints and deeper tissues |
A combined treatment may:
- Support skin health and recovery simultaneously
- Support muscle recovery after exercise
- Support joint comfort
- Improve circulation throughout different tissue depths
- Provide a more comprehensive treatment than either wavelength alone
This is why most premium light therapy panels use a combination such as:
- 660nm Red Light
- 850nm Near-Infrared
Simple Summary
Feature | Red Light | Near-Infrared |
Visible? | Yes | No |
Typical Wavelength | 630–660nm | 810–850nm |
Penetration | Surface tissues | Deeper tissues |
Best For | Skin, collagen, healing | Muscles, joints, recovery |
Combined Use | Comprehensive treatment from skin to deep tissue | |