Reference

Red Light Therapy Glossary

Understand the science behind photobiomodulation. Clear, concise definitions of the key terms you need to know.

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A

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the primary energy carrier molecule in all living cells. Red light therapy increases ATP production by stimulating mitochondrial function through photobiomodulation.

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B

Biphasic Dose Response

The biphasic dose response (Arndt-Schulz curve) is a fundamental principle in photobiomodulation where low doses of light stimulate biological activity, but excessive doses inhibit it, creating an optimal therapeutic window.

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C

Cytochrome C Oxidase

Cytochrome c oxidase is an enzyme (Complex IV) in the mitochondrial electron transport chain that acts as the primary photoacceptor for red and near-infrared light, making it the key molecular target in photobiomodulation.

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E

Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are invisible areas of energy produced by electrically charged objects. In red light therapy, EMF refers to the non-optical electromagnetic radiation emitted by device electronics that should be minimized for safety.

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F

Fluence (J/cm²)

Fluence is the measure of light energy delivered per unit area, expressed in joules per square centimeter (J/cm²). It is the standard dosimetric parameter used in photobiomodulation research to define treatment protocols.

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I

Irradiance (mW/cm²)

Irradiance is the measure of optical power density delivered to a surface, expressed in milliwatts per square centimeter (mW/cm²). It determines how much light energy reaches your tissue at a given distance.

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J

Joules (Energy Dose)

A joule is the standard unit of energy used to quantify the total light energy delivered during a red light therapy session. Dose in joules determines whether a treatment falls within the effective therapeutic range.

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L

LED Therapy

LED therapy is a form of photobiomodulation that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to deliver specific wavelengths of light to the body for therapeutic purposes, including skin health, pain relief, and tissue repair.

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N

Near-Infrared Light (NIR)

Near-infrared light (NIR) refers to wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum between approximately 700nm and 1400nm, invisible to the human eye, that penetrate deeper into tissue than visible red light.

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P

Photobiomodulation (PBM)

Photobiomodulation is the use of non-ionizing light sources, including lasers and LEDs, to stimulate cellular function and promote tissue repair through photochemical reactions in the mitochondria.

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R

Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to promote cellular repair, reduce inflammation, and support overall health through photobiomodulation.

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W

Wavelength (nm)

Wavelength is the distance between successive peaks of a light wave, measured in nanometers (nm). In red light therapy, wavelength determines how deeply light penetrates tissue and which cellular targets it activates.

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