Light therapy, Photobiomodulation, LLLT, phototherapy, infrared therapy, red light therapy and so on, are different names for similar things – applying light in the 600nm-1000nm range to the body. Many people swear by light therapy from LEDs, while others will use low level lasers. Whatever the light source, some people notice tremendous results, while others might not notice much at all.
The most common reason for this discrepancy is a lack of knowledge about dose. To be successful with light therapy, you first need to know how strong your light is (at different distances), and then how long to use it for.
How can I know the strength of my light?
The power density of light from any LED or laser therapy device can be tested with a ‘solar power meter’ – a product that is usually sensitive to light in the 400nm – 1100nm range – giving a reading in mW/cm² or W/m² (100W/m² = 10mW/cm²).
How to calculate light therapy dose
Light therapy dose is calculated with this formula:
Dose = Power Density x Time x 0.001
Fortunately, most recent studies use standardized units to describe their protocol:
· Power Density in mW/cm² (milliwatts per centimeter squared)
· Time in s (seconds)
· Dose in J/cm² (Joules per centimeter squared)