Red Light Therapy & Photobiomodulation
Full-body light. Zero effort required. Red Light Therapy — also known as photobiomodulation (PBM) — uses specific wavelengths of visible red, amber and near-infrared LED light. Our full-body system delivers 589nm, 630nm, 660nm and 850nm wavelengths during a relaxing 20-minute session.
People commonly explore photobiomodulation for exercise recovery, muscle soreness, joint or muscular discomfort, skin-focused wellness and general recovery support.
Why people come to red light therapy
Maybe it's persistent joint or muscle pain that's worn you down. Maybe you're training hard and want your recovery to genuinely keep pace. Maybe you've heard about red light therapy for skin, energy or sleep and want to try it somewhere that treats it as real therapy, not just a trend. Whatever brought you here, this is a gentle, relaxing session with minimal to no expected downtime, and a genuine reason to come back consistently.
Red light therapy has drawn growing attention in recent years, including from voices in the biohacking and longevity space. We think that's worth acknowledging, but our own approach stays grounded in the actual mechanism and a real course of sessions, not any one person's endorsement.
What is photobiomodulation?
Red light therapy is the familiar name. Photobiomodulation is the science behind it. Photobiomodulation uses non-ionising light at specific wavelengths to interact with biological tissue. Red and near-infrared wavelengths have been studied for their effects on cellular signalling, mitochondrial activity, inflammation-related pathways and tissue responses.
Unlike ultraviolet light, PBM does not work by damaging or tanning the skin. It is a light-based modality delivered without needles, heat-based tissue destruction or physical compression. You simply lie or stand within the light while the LEDs do the work.
Why full body?
A small panel can expose one area at a time. A full-body LED system allows large areas of the body to be exposed during the same session. That can make it particularly practical for people who train multiple muscle groups, feel generally fatigued after exercise, want a broad recovery session, have more than one area they want exposed, prefer a passive modality, or want to combine recovery with skin-focused light exposure.
Whole-body PBM is now being studied specifically in exercise performance and recovery, although the evidence base is still smaller than the literature for local, targeted PBM.
Does this sound like you?
The wavelengths used in our bed
The My BioHealth bed uses amber, red and near-infrared wavelengths: 589nm amber or yellow light, 630nm red light, 660nm red light and 850nm near-infrared light.
589nm (amber): visible amber light, primarily relevant to more superficial tissue exposure. 630nm (red): a commonly used red-light wavelength studied in photobiomodulation and skin-focused applications. 660nm (red): one of the most commonly researched PBM wavelengths, frequently used in exercise, tissue and skin research. 850nm (near-infrared): able to penetrate more deeply than visible red light, and widely used in musculoskeletal and recovery PBM research.
Light does not stop at one exact depth. Its intensity gradually decreases as photons are absorbed and scattered by melanin, haemoglobin, water and other tissue components.
- 589nm amber: primarily superficial.
- 630nm red: superficial skin and dermal tissue.
- 660nm deep red: relatively deeper dermal penetration.
- 850nm near-infrared: the deepest relative penetration of these four wavelengths.
A direct human-skin study found that 850nm light lost considerable intensity within the first millimetre, showing why claims such as “penetrates exactly 5cm” are too simplistic. View the human-skin study. A clinical scoping review also illustrates red wavelengths acting more superficially than near-infrared in dermal tissue. View the scoping review.
The important point is not simply that the bed contains more wavelengths. Wavelength is only one part of photobiomodulation — treatment response also depends on irradiance, energy delivered, distance, exposure time, area treated, treatment frequency and individual tissue characteristics. We do not claim that four wavelengths automatically make a treatment better than every two-wavelength device.
Wavelength, irradiance and dose all shape what the research actually shows. We explain how that works, and why results do not transfer between devices, in . The cellular side is covered in .
What does red light actually do?
One of the primary mechanisms investigated in PBM research involves the mitochondria — the structures within cells involved in producing ATP, the body's cellular energy currency. Red and near-infrared light are thought to interact with cellular photoacceptors and influence downstream signalling. Research has explored effects involving mitochondrial activity, cellular signalling, oxidative balance, inflammatory pathways, tissue repair processes and blood-flow related responses. The exact response depends heavily on dose and treatment parameters.
For a closer look at the proposed photoacceptors and signalling pathway, see this photobiomodulation mechanism review. The principle that more exposure is not automatically better is discussed in this biphasic dose-response review.
The dose matters
Photobiomodulation has a recognised biphasic dose-response relationship in the scientific literature. In simple terms: too little light may not create enough stimulus, while excessive dosing may reduce the desired biological response. That is one reason reputable PBM should not be reduced to "stand in front of red lights for as long as possible." Wavelength, irradiance, energy dose, treatment duration and frequency all matter.
Tailoring a session toward skin, not just recovery
If your goal is genuinely skin focused — tone, texture, fine lines, an overall glow, rather than muscle or joint recovery — your practitioner can tailor your session accordingly. This means positioning you so your face and skin concern areas get focused exposure to the shorter 589nm and 630nm wavelengths specifically, since these interact closest to the skin's surface. The deeper 850nm near-infrared wavelength keeps supporting tissue recovery in the background regardless, so a skin-focused session isn't a trade-off, it's simply a shift in emphasis toward what matters most for your specific goal.
Recovery-focused session: usually chosen by clients interested in exercise recovery, muscular soreness, physical workload, or joint or muscular comfort. Skin-focused session: usually chosen by clients interested in overall skin appearance, skin-quality support, visible tone or fine-line concerns. This is exactly why we also offer Photobiomodulation for Skin as its own option on our Skin & Aesthetics side, for anyone whose primary goal is skin rather than recovery. Your practitioner can explain which pathway makes more sense for your goal.
Can Red Light Therapy be combined with mild hyperbaric?
Mild hyperbaric at 1.3 ATA and photobiomodulation do not do the same thing. PBM involves light-tissue interaction. Mild hyperbaric involves breathing oxygen while exposed to mild increased atmospheric pressure. Some clients include both modalities in the same recovery routine because they operate through different physiological mechanisms. Evidence specifically demonstrating an additional benefit from combining My BioHealth's mild hyperbaric protocol with full-body PBM is limited, so we do not claim a synergistic outcome. They may be booked on the same day by suitable clients as two complementary parts of a broader recovery routine.
What to expect during your session
You simply stand or lie within the light for 20 minutes. There's nothing invasive about the process, most people describe it as bright light and gentle warmth. Many clients pair a session with another therapy on the same visit, most commonly mild hyperbaric, float or sauna.
What should I wear?
Clothing blocks or reduces light reaching covered skin, so exposure depends on the area and purpose of your session. Clients may choose appropriate levels of clothing or underwear according to comfort, privacy and the areas being exposed. Your session takes place in a private treatment space.
Your session
- 01 — We establish your goal. Recovery? Training? Muscular comfort? Skin? That helps determine how PBM fits into your visit.
- 02 — Prepare for light exposure. Remove products or clothing from areas where direct light exposure is desired, according to your treatment goal and comfort.
- 03 — Eye protection. Protective eyewear is provided and must be worn.
- 04 — Full-body LED exposure. Lie comfortably in the bed for 20 minutes.
- 05 — Continue your day. PBM is non-invasive and generally does not require a traditional post-procedure recovery period.
Why consistency matters more than a single session
Benefits build with consistency, which is one reason it features in several of our Recovery Programs rather than being offered as an occasional add-on. The research uses a wide range of dosing schedules, and there isn't one universal frequency that suits every goal. Depending on the indication, studies may use PBM before exercise, after exercise, several times per week, or as a treatment course over multiple weeks. Frequency should depend on your goal, device dose, treatment area, training schedule, response, other recovery modalities you use, and whether PBM is being used for recovery or skin-focused purposes.
Before or after training?
Timing depends on what you're trying to achieve. There is meaningful research investigating pre-exercise PBM: a 2024 meta-analysis of 34 randomised controlled trials found evidence suggesting pre-exercise PBM may support muscle endurance and some recovery measures in athletes and sedentary populations, though the same review found the benefit was less consistent in moderately physically active individuals. PBM is also used post-exercise in recovery research. Rather than one timing strategy being universally best, this can be considered around your training routine and reason for using the modality.
For athletes
Photobiomodulation has received significant attention in sports science because it can be applied without increasing physical workload.
A 2024 meta-analysis of 34 randomised controlled trials reported improvements in muscle endurance and recovery of muscle strength in athletes and sedentary populations when PBM was applied before exercise, but did not find the same benefit in moderately physically active populations. A separate 2025 meta-analysis examining photobiomodulation, intermittent pneumatic compression and neuromuscular electrical stimulation found low-certainty evidence that pre-exercise PBM reduced muscle soreness, while IPC specifically showed no significant reduction in soreness at 24 hours.
A 2025 systematic review looking specifically at whole-body PBM identified only five eligible studies with 105 participants. Two reported better sleep quality, but none of the five found a benefit for exercise-recovery or performance biomarkers — a more limited and mixed picture than local, targeted PBM research, and a genuine gap the review itself calls out.
That is promising in places, and clearly limited in others. It is not the same as saying "red light guarantees faster recovery." We don't make that claim.
Pain & musculoskeletal comfort
This is one of the more established areas of PBM research. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis involving injured recreational and competitive athletes found a significant reduction in pain with PBM compared with controls. However, the limited evidence examining time to return to sport did not show that PBM got athletes back to play faster.
That distinction matters. PBM may support pain management in particular settings without automatically accelerating every part of injury recovery. At My BioHealth, our full-body service remains a wellness and recovery modality rather than a substitute for diagnosis, physiotherapy or medical injury management.
What about skin?
Photobiomodulation is also widely researched in dermatology and skin biology. Red and near-infrared wavelengths have been studied in relation to skin appearance, collagen-related pathways, tissue repair, wound-healing biology and inflammatory signalling. At My BioHealth, clients whose primary focus is skin rather than recovery can also access our dedicated Red Light Therapy for Skin pathway through Skin & Aesthetics. This recovery-focused page is not positioned as treating wounds.
Red Light + Recovery Boots
Recovery Boots use intermittent pneumatic compression. Red Light Therapy uses photobiomodulation. One mechanically compresses the lower limbs. The other exposes tissue to selected wavelengths of light. Some clients enjoy combining them in a broader recovery routine, but we don't suggest that combining the two guarantees better results.
What does the research actually say?
PBM has a substantial evidence base, but not every claim is equally supported.
For exercise and recovery: a 2024 meta-analysis of 34 RCTs reported benefits in muscle endurance and some recovery outcomes, with the benefit not holding across every population studied. A 2025 meta-analysis found low-certainty evidence for reduced muscle soreness when PBM was applied before exercise. A 2025 systematic review specifically examining whole-body PBM found no evidence of benefit for exercise recovery or performance biomarkers across its five eligible studies, only a possible sleep-quality signal — a reminder that whole-body bed results shouldn't be assumed to match smaller, localised PBM devices.
For injured athletes: a 2024 review found evidence for pain reduction, but did not find evidence that PBM shortened return-to-play time.
Our position: outcomes depend on wavelength, dose, device, treatment area, timing, condition and individual response. We would rather explain that properly than tell you red light "does everything."
Who it may suit
- You're dealing with persistent joint or muscle pain or stiffness
- You're training seriously and want your recovery to keep pace with your effort
- You're interested in the skin, sleep or energy benefits associated with red and near infrared light
- You want a relaxing session with minimal to no expected downtime that pairs easily with mild hyperbaric, float or sauna
- You would like to understand the mechanism behind a session rather than rely on wellness language alone
- You're a gym-goer, runner, endurance or combat-sports athlete managing training soreness
- You're building a broader wellness or longevity-focused routine
This is general information, not a diagnosis. If you're unsure whether this is right for you, our team is happy to talk it through before you book.
Sessions and pricing
$59 per session. Ask about our 5 session pack ($266) or 10 session pack ($502) for better value if you're planning to make this a regular part of your Recovery Pathway rather than an occasional visit.
Common questions
Red Light Therapy is the familiar consumer term. Photobiomodulation, or PBM, is the broader scientific term used for light-based biological modulation using red and/or near-infrared light.
Yes. Our system uses LEDs across a full-body bed, so full-body LED light therapy accurately describes the delivery format. Photobiomodulation remains the more technical term.
No. Red and near-infrared PBM wavelengths are different from ultraviolet light and are not used to create a tan.
Our system delivers 589nm, 630nm, 660nm and 850nm. Each interacts with tissue differently, and near-infrared light generally reaches further than visible red light, though delivery still depends on the individual, area treated, device output, positioning and dose — not wavelength alone.
Not automatically. Wavelength is only one component of PBM dosing. Irradiance, energy, exposure time, positioning and frequency also influence biological response.
Around 20 minutes.
Direct skin exposure allows the intended area to receive the light without clothing blocking it. The level of clothing depends on your goals and comfort, and sessions take place privately.
No invasive procedure is involved. Most clients simply notice bright light and mild warmth.
PBM has been studied for exercise-related soreness and recovery. Some systematic reviews report benefit, although results vary and certainty is not uniformly high.
That claim is too broad. Research suggests possible benefits for some recovery measures in some populations, but a systematic review of whole-body PBM specifically found no benefit for exercise performance or recovery biomarkers across its available studies.
PBM has evidence across several pain-related applications. A 2024 review of injured athletes found significant pain reduction compared with controls, although PBM did not demonstrate faster return to sport in the limited studies measuring that outcome.
Yes. We also offer a skin-focused PBM pathway through My BioHealth Skin & Aesthetics.
Both timings appear in research. Pre-exercise PBM has been studied particularly for performance and muscle recovery. Your timing can be considered around your training goals.
There is no universal schedule. Frequency depends on the goal, dose, device and individual response. Your nurse can help you find the right frequency for you.
Potentially. They are different modalities and can fit into the same recovery routine for suitable clients.
Potentially, but we do not claim that combining the two produces a proven synergistic benefit.
PBM is non-invasive and does not normally require the type of recovery period associated with ablative or invasive procedures. Temporary redness or sensitivity can occasionally occur.
PBM does not rely on targeting melanin in the same way as many aesthetic lasers, but suitability and dosing still matter and are confirmed as part of your consultation. If you have any specific skin concerns or conditions, mention them to your nurse before your first session.
My BioHealth is not an NDIS-registered provider. Self-managed or plan-managed participants should confirm with their plan manager or relevant provider whether a service is claimable under their individual plan before booking. We can provide invoices and receipts on request.
What people commonly explore it for
- Full-body exposure rather than treating one small area at a time
- A short session that fits either side of work or training
- Amber, red and near-infrared wavelengths in a single session
These are reasons people book. Evidence varies by wavelength, dose and device.
Preparing for your session
- For effective light exposure, the intended treatment area should be uncovered. Underwear may remain on, and your privacy is maintained throughout.
- Arrive with clean skin. No makeup, lotion, oil or sunscreen on the areas being treated.
- Remove jewellery and watches.
- Protective eyewear is provided and must be worn.
- Hydrate well before and after your session.
Good to know
- Sessions run around 20 minutes, using amber (589nm), red (630nm and 660nm) and near-infrared (850nm) light.
- Minimal to no expected downtime. Most people return to normal activity straight away, though temporary redness or sensitivity can occur.
Why My BioHealth
We tell you which wavelengths our bed uses and we do not claim that more wavelengths automatically means a better result. What matters is whether the session suits what you are trying to do.
Safety and precautions
This service may not be suitable if:
- You take medication known to increase light sensitivity. Examples sometimes raised include certain antibiotics, isotretinoin or St John's Wort, though this isn't an exhaustive list — disclose any medication you're taking before treatment.
- You have skin cancer, melanoma or an undiagnosed lesion in the treatment area.
- You have photosensitive epilepsy.
- You are pregnant. Please discuss with your practitioner first.
- You have had a corticosteroid injection in the area within the last week.
- You have significant eye disease where bright-light exposure requires specialist advice.
Full-Body Red Light Therapy in Campbellfield
My BioHealth provides Red Light Therapy and full-body photobiomodulation in Campbellfield, supporting clients from Melbourne's northern suburbs including Broadmeadows, Coolaroo, Roxburgh Park, Craigieburn, Glenroy, Fawkner, Thomastown, Lalor and surrounding areas.
Our full-body LED bed combines amber, red and near-infrared wavelengths in a private 20-minute recovery session. Whether you're training, managing a demanding workload or simply exploring photobiomodulation as part of your wellness routine, you can book it as a standalone session or combine it with other suitable My BioHealth recovery modalities.
Can't find what you're looking for? Ask us directly and our team will get back to you.
This page is reviewed on a quarterly cycle. My BioHealth services are delivered within nursing scope of practice. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed. This page is general information only and does not replace individual medical advice.
Recovery doesn't always need more effort. Twenty minutes, no workout, no needles, no compression — just full-body exposure to selected wavelengths while you rest.
$59 per session, or ask about our 5 ($266) and 10 ($502) session packs for better value.