Topical vs Systemic Effects of Near-Infrared and Red Light Therapy
When we talk about topical versus systemic effects of any type of health treatment, what we are referring to is the area of the body for which a particular treatment will be effective.
Topical effects refer to the effects of a treatment pertaining to a particular surface area (for example, a hand wound or facial wrinkles).
On the other hand, systemic effects refer to the effects of a treatment that affect the body as a whole, rather than one particular area (for example, blood circulation or hormone levels).
In this article, we are going to address the difference between specific topical and systemic effects of near-infrared and red light therapy.
What Is Near-Infrared and Red Light Therapy?
Though it has become more popular and talked about in recent years, red light and near-infrared light therapy is nothing new. In fact, it has been around in one form or another for more than a hundred years, gaining NASA’s attention in the mid-90s after a happy accident made NASA engineers realize this type of treatment could be used to speed up healing of astronauts’ wounds and help prevent their muscles and bones from atrophying.
Red light therapy goes by many different names: photobiomodulation, red and near-infrared light therapy, red LED light therapy, low-power laser therapy or low-level laser therapy.
All of these terms refer to a type of therapy treatment that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in the visible and the invisible light spectrum to help provide a whole range of health benefits, both topical and systemic. They imitate the healing effects of natural sunlight at dusk and dawn but without the harmful UV rays that can cause skin damage and skin cancer.
Red light belongs to the visible light spectrum and its wavelengths typically reach between 630 and 700 nanometers in length. Due to its length, red light is primarily effective on the surface of the skin, which means that red light therapy benefits are mainly though not exclusively topical.
On the other hand, near-infrared light belongs to the invisible light spectrum and its wavelengths are much longer than the red light ones, reaching from 700 all the way to 2,500 nanometers, with those between 810 and 850 nanometers being the most effective. Near-infrared rays reach approximately 2 inches beyond the surface of the skin, which means near-infrared light benefits can be both topical and systemic.
Topical Effects of Near-Infrared and Red Light Therapy
Red and near-infrared light therapy has been widely studied for its ability to heal, restore, and improve skin health, all without pain, downtime, or side effects.
- Improves skin tone and texture:
Light therapy helps reduce wrinkles, acne scars, and uneven skin tone. It’s often used for facial rejuvenation and gives skin a smoother, more youthful appearance over time. - Speeds up wound healing:
Originally proven by NASA, red and NIR light help heal cuts, burns, and other skin injuries. They reduce inflammation, increase collagen production, and promote new tissue and blood vessel growth. - Protects against UV damage:
Regular use may help prevent or repair sun damage, making it a supportive tool for skin exposed to harsh environments. - Supports treatment of inflammatory skin conditions:
Light therapy has shown positive results for psoriasis, acne, eczema, and vitiligo, helping calm redness, irritation, and uneven pigmentation. - Treats certain precancerous and cancerous skin conditions:
Studies show red and NIR light can support treatment for actinic keratosis, Bowen’s disease, and basal cell carcinoma—when used under medical guidance. - Promotes hair growth:
It can also be effective in managing hair loss conditions, such as alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia, by stimulating blood flow and reviving dormant hair follicles.
How to choose the best portable red light therapy device
Systemic Effects of Near-Infrared and Red Light Therapy
Red and near-infrared light don’t just help where you shine them. They can trigger a chain reaction that supports your entire body, from circulation and brain health to hormone balance and sleep.
- Boosts circulation and lowers blood pressure:
Light therapy helps your body release nitric oxide, a natural compound that relaxes blood vessels. This improves blood flow, enhances oxygen delivery, and may help reduce high blood pressure. - Reduces oxidative stress and supports cellular health:
It helps regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS), free radicals your body produces during normal metabolism. Keeping ROS in check supports healthy cells, protects your heart, and strengthens your immune system. - Improves gut health and the gut-brain connection:
Light therapy has been shown to positively influence the gut microbiome, the ecosystem of bacteria in your digestive tract. A healthy gut supports digestion, immunity, and even brain function, helping prevent issues like heart disease, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. - Protects and restores brain tissue:
Research shows benefits for people recovering from brain injuries or stroke. It can reduce swelling, calm inflammation, improve blood flow in the brain, and protect brain cells from damage. - Supports hormone balance and emotional well-being:
Regular use may help your body produce more beta-endorphins, which naturally boost your mood. It can also regulate melatonin, the hormone that controls your sleep-wake cycle—leading to better sleep and more balanced energy. - Promotes healthy cell recycling:
Light therapy encourages autophagy, your body’s natural process of cleaning up old or damaged cells. This helps cells function better and has shown promise in slowing the spread of some types of cancer. - Helps reduce fatigue in cancer survivors:
Low-level light therapy can ease cancer-related fatigue and has been shown not to worsen tumor growth. That makes it a supportive, non-invasive option, even when active or past cancer is present.
FlexBeam vs. Red Light Panels: How Targeted Therapy Produces Systemic Effects
When most people think about systemic effects from red light therapy, they imagine broad surface exposure, like lying in front of a full-body panel. But science tells a different story: systemic effects are not about how much of your body is lit up, they're about how deep, precise, and efficient the treatment is.
FlexBeam's approach: Deep, targeted, and wearable
FlexBeam is a portable, direct-contact device that delivers red and near-infrared light exactly where your body needs it. Despite its compact size, FlexBeam triggers powerful whole-body effects through localized red light therapy mechanisms of action like:
- ATP production – boosting cellular energy
- Nitric oxide release – improving circulation and nutrient delivery
- Melatonin regulation – enhancing sleep and hormonal balance
These processes work like a chain reaction: starting locally, then spreading throughout the body to promote system-wide recovery, resilience, and performance.
Learn Why FlexBeam Is the Smartest Choice
Why Systemic Effects Don’t Require Full-Body Exposure
When applied to key areas, such as the lower back, abdomen, chest, or neck, FlexBeam creates a ripple effect throughout the entire body. Clinical and user-reported benefits include:
- Enhanced circulation and nutrient delivery
- Improved immune response and reduced inflammation
- Deeper sleep and better stress regulation
- Faster muscle recovery and energy restoration
- Gut microbiome support and improved digestion
- Hormonal balance and mood regulation
All without needing to lie in front of a panel or dedicate space in your home. Here’s how this powerful portable red light therapy device compares to panels.
| Feature | FlexBeam | Panels |
|---|---|---|
| Targeted therapy | ✅ Direct application with deeper penetration | ❌ Broad exposure with shallow impact |
| Energy absorption | ✅ High efficiency, minimal light loss | ❌ Light lost due to reflection and distance |
| Power density | ✅ Concentrated dose at site of treatment | ❌ Power decreases with distance from skin |
| Systemic benefits | ✅ Triggers whole-body responses through local activation | ✅ Possible, but slower and less targeted |
| Portability | ✅ Compact, wearable, travel-friendly | ❌ Requires a fixed space and setup |
| Ease of use | ✅ Hands-free, no setup needed | ❌ Requires positioning and consistent distance |
| nnEMF exposure | ✅ Extremely low or none | ❌ Varies by model; may emit low-level EMFs |
| Convenience | ✅ Can be used while moving, traveling, or multitasking | ❌ Must remain still in a dedicated space |
The bottom line
Systemic effects aren’t about size, they’re about precision. FlexBeam proves that targeted, wearable red light therapy can deliver whole-body benefits with none of the hassle of traditional panels.
References
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