Should I apply skincare products before or after treatment?

Always after. Any product on your skin — moisturizer, serum, sunscreen, even water — creates a physical layer that scatters, reflects, and absorbs photons before they reach your cells. Studies show even thin lotion layers can reduce delivered dose by 15-30%. Treat on clean, dry, bare skin, then apply products afterward. The one exception: your post-treatment skin has enhanced circulation, which may improve absorption of active ingredients like vitamin C or retinoids applied after your session.

Can I treat multiple body areas in one session?

Yes — this is standard with full-body panels. With a panel large enough (like the RLPRO 1200 or 2000), you can treat your entire front in one 10-15 minute position, then turn around for the back. For targeted conditions, you can treat face, then scalp, then a painful joint in sequence — each area getting its own optimal dose. There's no interference between treatment zones. Total session time is typically 15-30 minutes for comprehensive multi-area treatment.

Do I need eye protection during treatment?

For face-distance treatment (treating your chest, arms, or legs while the panel is at torso height), no eye protection is generally needed — just avoid staring directly at the LEDs. For dedicated facial treatment at close range (under 8 inches), close your eyes during treatment or use light-blocking goggles. Most red and NIR light at therapeutic distances falls within IEC 62471 exempt or low-risk categories, meaning it doesn't pose retinal hazard at normal treatment distances. Some emerging research (Shinhmar 2020) actually suggests 670nm may benefit retinal mitochondria.

For existing Hale operatorsSee related content in Treatment Optimization.

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Guide•October 30, 2024•Updated 2026-04-17

How to Use Red Light Therapy: Complete Beginner Protocol (2026)

18 min read

•2,628 words•By Adriana Torres, BSc, Health Sciences

Guide — illustration for How to Use Red Light Therapy: Complete Beginner Protocol (2026)

Shipping to the US? Free US shipping, prices shown in USD, and the RLPRO panels are FDA-listed (21 CFR 890.5500).

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Quick answer: how to use red light therapy

For most goals, use red light therapy 3-5 sessions per week. Session duration: 10-15 minutes per area for high-power devices, 20-30 minutes for lower-power devices. Treatment distance: 6 inches for maximum intensity, 12-24 inches for larger coverage at lower intensity. Light cannot penetrate thick clothing - expose skin directly. Common timing options: morning for energy, pre-workout for performance, post-workout for recovery. Avoid placing makeup, sunscreen, or clothing between skin and the light. The most common mistakes are inconsistency, impatience (results take 8-12 weeks), treating through barriers, and using too much distance. Excessive exposure can reduce benefits due to biphasic dose response.

High-power session: 10-15 min
Low-power session: 20-30 min
Frequency: 3-5x/week
Close distance: 6 inches
Wider coverage distance: 12-24 inches
Results timeline: 8-12 weeks

You've got a red light therapy device. Now what? Getting results requires more than just turning it on occasionally. Here's how to use it effectively.

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