What the research supports
Photobiomodulation has been studied in thousands of published papers and hundreds of randomised trials. The most consistent evidence is for some kinds of long-term pain in the back, neck, joints and tendons, where several systematic reviews report short-term reductions in pain compared with sham light, although other reviews judge the effect too small to matter. It is recommended in international guidelines for preventing oral mucositis in patients having chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and NICE says the evidence for this use is adequate. There is some evidence for wound healing and for muscle soreness after exercise. For knee osteoarthritis the results are mixed, and NICE advises against laser therapy for osteoarthritis.
Where the evidence is moderate
Skin: several trials show improvement in fine lines, skin texture and redness after a course of treatment, though effects are gradual and modest. Hair: devices delivering red light to the scalp have moderate evidence for androgenetic alopecia over four to six months. Mood, sleep and recovery in athletes show promising but smaller studies.
Where it is not supported
Weight loss, cellulite reduction, detoxification and cures for chronic disease are marketing claims, not findings. Any provider promising those is overselling.
How it works
Light at these wavelengths is absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria, increasing ATP production and triggering signalling that reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, improves local blood flow and supports cell repair. Dose matters: too little does nothing and too much reduces the effect, which is why calibrated devices and timed sessions are used.
What that means for you
In the UK, THOR devices are approved for tendinopathies, chronic joint pain, back and neck pain, and oral mucositis. For those uses the evidence is reasonable, though mixed. Other uses are not approved uses of THOR devices in the UK, and we make no treatment claims for them. At Omnia in Chiswick we use NovoTHOR for whole-body sessions and THOR Laser for targeted treatment, and we will tell you plainly where the evidence for your particular goal is strong and where it is not. See red light therapy in London for prices and booking.
Read more about red light therapy for sleep.
To see the individual trials behind this answer, including those that found no benefit over a sham device, visit our red light therapy research library, where every study links to PubMed.
Book NovoTHOR red light therapy in Chiswick: your first session is £79 for 45 minutes, including a consultation, then £70, or about £28 a session with Omnia Red membership. You pay at the clinic, with no deposit. Book online, call 020 4515 0000 or enquire on WhatsApp. Our clinic is at 8 to 9 Bedford Corner, The Avenue, Chiswick W4 1LZ, close to Turnham Green station, on bus routes 94, E3 and 272. Limited parking is available on request when booking.