Why it is considered low risk
Red light therapy, also called photobiomodulation, uses visible red light at around 660 nm and near-infrared light at around 850 nm. Neither wavelength is ultraviolet, so there is no sunburn or DNA damage of the kind caused by sunbeds, and the energy levels used in clinical devices are far below the threshold that heats or burns tissue. Reviews covering thousands of treatment sessions across sports medicine, dermatology and rehabilitation report side effects that are rare, mild and short-lived: slight warmth, temporary redness, occasionally a mild headache after a long session.
Who should take care
Tell your practitioner if you take photosensitising medication such as certain antibiotics, acne treatments, diuretics or St John's Wort, as these can make skin react to light. If you are pregnant, treatment over the abdomen is avoided as a precaution rather than because harm has been shown. Light is not applied directly over a known active tumour, over the thyroid at high doses, or over a tattoo that is fresh. People with epilepsy triggered by light should discuss the flicker-free LED arrays used in clinical devices before booking.
Eye protection
Red light is bright and near-infrared is invisible, so goggles are worn in full-body sessions. This is about comfort and precaution rather than proven damage at clinical doses, but it is not something to skip.
Clinic devices compared with home devices
The safety profile is similar, but clinic-grade systems such as NovoTHOR deliver a measured dose at a fixed distance and time. Home devices vary widely in output, and problems usually come from unregulated products or unrealistic use rather than from the light itself.
At Omnia
Every new client at our Chiswick clinic completes a health screen before a first NovoTHOR or THOR Laser session, and we adjust or decline treatment where a precaution applies. Sessions are 20 minutes and supervised.