Red Light Therapy Usage Guidelines and Dosage Calculator

For General Guidelines for using light therapy to address common health concerns, click here. We recommend following the manufacturer's guidelines and usage instructions. As your body adapts, you will be able to adjust your usage. Use these handy light therapy dosage calculators to determine approximately how long you should spend under your light therapy panel to deliver the desired dose! Please note, if you are using a wrap or pad, these calculators are going to overstate your Joules because there is spacing between the LEDs and light is being applied directly to the skin versus a panel, which is giving off ambient light from a distance.

You should find the output (irradiance) of the device in the manufacturer's manual.







If you know the area you will be illuminating and it is larger than the area of the device you are using, use this red light therapy dosage calculator for a more precise estimation of dosage. To measure the Device Total Surface Area by simply measuring the height and the width (in centimeters) of the lit area of the device and multiply the two numbers. Similarly, to measure the Total Treatment Area, measure the height and width of area of the body you are treating and multiply the two numbers.

Red Light Therapy Dose Calculator

Calculating the appropriate dosage for a light therapy session can be a bit complex because it depends on various factors, including the specific condition you are treating, the type of light therapy device you are using, the wavelength of light, and the intensity of the light. Here are some general guidelines for calculating a light therapy dosage:

  1. Wavelength: First, you need to know the wavelength (in nanometers) and the power output (in milliwatts) of the light therapy device you're using. Different wavelengths may have different effects, so choose a wavelength that is appropriate for your intended use.
  2. Light Intensity: You must also know the power output (in milliwatts per square meter (mW/cm²).
  3. Treatment Area: Determine the size of the area you plan to treat with light therapy. This could be the size of your skin or the specific body part you're targeting. It takes different amounts of light and often different wavelengths to affect the skin versus penetrating bone or deep muscles.
  4. Pulsing: If the device is pulsing, you will need to know the duty cycle (the amount of time the device is "on" versus "off". The duty cycle of most typical devices is 50%, which means the device emits light for 50% of the the session time. Therefore, if calculating the dosage using pulsed light, reduce the output by 50%.
  5. Type of Device: Depending upon the type of device you are using, total dosage time will vary. For example, ambient light loses strength (approximately 1/2 of the light is lost for every inch you are away from the light source) with distance whereas direct therapy devices provide the most accurate dosing of light as no light is lost during delivery.
  6. Dosage Units: Light therapy dosage is typically measured in joules (J) per square centimeter (cm²).
Please note that these are general guidelines, and the ideal dosage for your specific needs may vary. It's essential to consult with a healthcare professional or follow the recommendations provided by the manufacturer of your red light therapy device for more precise guidance on dosage and treatment duration. Additionally, individual tolerance to red light therapy may vary, so it's a good idea to start with lower dosages and gradually increase them if needed.