In this article, I'll explain why red light therapy has become so popular lately:
Why Red Light Therapy Is Exploding in Popularity
So what’s the deal with red light therapy? It’s everywhere. TikTok. Instagram. Facebook. It’s popping up in mainstream news. Your friends are probably talking about it. There is a good chance someone you know already owns a red light therapy mask, a panel, or a torch.
This stuff isn’t just trending — it’s taking off. And in this article, I’ve got six reasons why red light therapy is exploding in popularity. Stick around for the last one — it’s excellent news for you as a consumer, and I’ve got something that’ll make it even better.
1. Mainstream Media Is Catching On
Let’s start with the most significant shift — media coverage. In the first week of February 2025, at least ten mainstream news outlets covered red light therapy. CBS News even brought on a dermatologist, who confirmed what we’ve known for years: red light therapy is legit, especially for skin health.
That’s a welcome change. Just last year, I critiqued a New Zealand breakfast TV interview in which the dermatologist not only dismissed red light therapy but called it dangerous. It’s encouraging to see more balanced, informed reporting now.
Woman & Home magazine has a section on the best red light therapy products. The Daily Beast tested a $2,000 red light therapy blanket and said it was worth every penny. CNET, a tech giant, covered red light therapy masks. Men’s Health magazine featured red light therapy, too. The momentum is undeniable.
Sure, most mainstream reviews are only scratching the surface. But if you want a real deep dive, check out the Light Therapy Insiders blogs or my YouTube channel. That’s where we go deep — the science, the products, the real results.
2. The Science Is Booming — And It’s Not Slowing Down
Now, here’s where it gets even more exciting. The peer-reviewed science behind red light therapy—or photobiomodulation—is growing exponentially. Researchers Vladimir Heiskanen manage a public database that, as of February 2025, includes nearly 8,500 studies.
When I started covering this field in 2017, there were just 3,000 to 4,000 studies. That’s still a lot, but we’ve more than doubled that number in less than a decade. Now, we see around 500 new studies yearly—10 new studies a week. Vladimir himself has said it’s getting tough to keep up.
So what does this mean for you? We’re learning what works, what doesn’t, how to apply it properly, and what benefits we can expect. Head over to our Facebook group to see transformation stories and real-world results. Even if we don’t have all the answers, we know one thing: this stuff works.
3. It Works — Even If It Sounds Too Good to Be True
Let’s be honest — red light therapy seems almost magical. How can shining light on your body, especially light you sometimes can’t even see (near-infrared), improve your health?
I had the same skepticism at first. Even after reading the science and understanding the mechanisms, I still thought, “This sounds too good to be true.” It wasn’t until I started using it myself that things clicked. For me, the first noticeable benefit was reduced dental sensitivity. I’ve got some exposed gum line, and red light therapy made a real difference.
Fast-forward a few years, and red light therapy is now a daily staple in my routine. It’s helped me heal faster, recover from workouts, ease old injuries, reduce pain, and feel better overall.
Look — 80–90% of the 8,500 studies show positive results. Most of the rest are neutral. Very few are negative. It’s no coincidence. We need light. Our cells need it. Scientists have zeroed in on specific wavelengths — mostly red and near-infrared — that we respond to incredibly well.
Sure, the sun provides red and near-infrared light, too. However, red light therapy gives us a targeted dose without the UV or blue light, which can be harmful at the wrong times of day. Plus, you can soak your whole body with it, boost a healing joint, or focus on specific problem areas like your skin or gut without leaving your home.
If you're still skeptical, check out my red light therapy case study video or one of my monthly news updates. We cover new science and show how it’s being used to treat everything from pain, joint health, and arthritis to sleep, blood sugar, and hair growth.
4. The Shift Toward Natural, Drug-Free Solutions
People are done with side effects. They’re over pills. They’re looking for alternatives; red light therapy is meeting that need. No prescriptions. No clinics. Just light.
That’s not to say traditional medicine doesn’t have a place — it does. I’ve got family members who owe their lives to it. But more and more people are trying to reduce their reliance on medication, and the stats back it up.
Between 2000 and 2022, sales of organic food jumped 800%. Wellness tourism is growing by 12% year over year. And personal wellness spending is expected to grow by 50% in the next three years.
Even red light therapy is projected to grow by 5% annually, though based on what I’ve seen (channel growth, product sales, consumer interest), that number is too low.
5. More Products = More Choice (and Innovation)
When I started my red light panel comparison series in 2017, just five panels were on the market. I tested them all—power output, EMF levels, sound, and price—and shared my thoughts and findings.
Fast-forward to today: I tested 17 panels last year. That’s a huge jump, and it means you now have more options, better tech, and more localized availability. There are panels with up to 8 wavelengths, touchscreens, apps, remote controls, intensity settings, preset modes, timers, and more.
I can’t keep up: Every week, a new company asks for a review. They're flooding TikTok and Facebook with ads. They're pumping out newsletters and launching sleek new designs. It’s intense — but it’s also great news for you.
Innovation is exploding, too. Companies like Kineon are launching joint health and gut therapy devices, while Vielight is focused on brain health. We’ve got handhelds like the Ironforge by Chroma, beauty masks, wraps, oral devices, and more. If there’s a problem, there’s likely a red light therapy product.
My interview with Kineon's researcher discussing the science.
6. It’s Affordable Now — And That Changes Everything
This last point is the game-changer. Red light therapy is no longer expensive. You can buy a high-quality, compact panel for just a couple of hundred bucks — and that one device can treat your shoulder, your back, your skin, or whatever issue you’re facing.
In its early days, red light therapy relied on lasers. These were expensive, clinical, and could only treat small areas. The science was solid, but access was limited.
Then LEDs came along — cheap to make, cheap to run, long-lasting, and super efficient. That’s when things blew wide open. Think about it: Stadiums used to be lit with clunky halogens. Now they use sleek LEDs. Same idea here.
Now, anyone — your parents, my parents — can own a powerful, clinically backed red light therapy device in their own home. No maintenance. No special setup. Just results. That’s why red light therapy isn’t just a trend — it’s a movement.
People hear about it, try a $200 device, feel the difference, and are suddenly hooked. That leads them to upgrade to larger panels, masks, or wraps—they dive into the science, watch videos, and tell their friends. And the cycle continues.
Conclusion: A Special Offer for You
Over at Light Therapy Insiders, we’ve put together a page with all the best deals and discounts from the top red light therapy brands. If you’re ready to experience the benefits firsthand, don’t miss this resource.
Items Mentioned In This Article:
✅ Kineon, use discount code AFERGUSMOVE+ for 10% off and the following link: https://aferg.co/kineon
✅ Grab a Vielight product here and use discount code ALEX10 for 10% off: https://aferg.co/vielight
✅ Get a Chroma Ironforge here: https://aferg.co/chroma-ironforge - discount code ALEX saves
✅ To get a Lightpath LED Torch, use code ALEX and get 5% off with the following link: https://aferg.co/lightpathled
Consider These YouTube Videos As Well:
⭐ Red Light Therapy EXPLAINED: Basic Terms Guide!!!
⭐ Red Light Therapy Panel Size: What You NEED To Know!
⭐ Red Light Therapy For Face Before And After: UNBELIEVABLE!
⭐ Do You Get Vitamin D From Red Light Therapy? Know THIS!
⭐ Red Light Therapy Results: How Long Until You See Changes?
Found This Interesting? Look At These Articles:
⭐ Is Red Light Therapy Science-Based? An Introduction
⭐ Red Light Therapy For Migraines 101: Why The Research Is Super Promising!
⭐ Sunlight Vs Red Light Therapy: Exciting Experiment!
⭐ Red Light Therapy For Skin: Beauty Benefits, Potential Complications, And More
⭐ How to Choose A Red Light Therapy Device: Complete Guide
Alex Fergus wrote this blog post. Alex is an ISSN Sports Nutrition Specialist, Fitness Professional, and certified Superhuman Coach who continues to expand his knowledge base and help people worldwide with their health and wellness. Alex is recognized as the National Record Holder in Powerlifting and Indoor Rowing and has earned the title of the Australian National Natural Bodybuilding Champion. Having worked as a health coach and personal trainer for over a decade, Alex now researches all things health and wellness and shares his findings on this blog.
