Red Light Therapy.
The benefits.

Red light therapy — also called photobiomodulation or low-level laser therapy (LLLT) — has moved from specialist sports clinics and dermatology practices into the mainstream. With good reason. The research behind it is substantial, the mechanism is well understood, and the results for consistent users are hard to ignore.

At Bronze & Glow, we use clinical-grade LED panels delivering wavelengths of 630–850nm — the specific range that decades of research identifies as therapeutically active. Here's what that means in practice.

How It Works

When specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light reach your skin, they're absorbed by photoreceptors inside your cells — primarily by a molecule called cytochrome c oxidase, a key enzyme in your mitochondria. This absorption triggers a cascade of biological responses: increased ATP production (cellular energy), reduced oxidative stress, and enhanced cellular repair and regeneration.

Think of it as giving your cells a recharge. They work more efficiently, repair faster, and produce the building blocks of healthy, youthful-looking skin more readily.

What the Research Shows

Over 1,000 peer-reviewed studies have examined the effects of red and near-infrared light therapy. The evidence is particularly strong in three areas:

Skin health and collagen: Multiple randomised controlled trials have demonstrated statistically significant improvements in skin tone, texture, fine lines and overall complexion following consistent sessions. Wavelengths around 630–660nm are most effective for dermal fibroblast stimulation — the process driving collagen and elastin production.

Inflammation and recovery: Near-infrared light at 850nm penetrates deeper, reaching muscle tissue, joints, and bone. Research in sports science has shown measurable reductions in delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and inflammation markers following sessions both before and after exercise.

Mood and circadian support: Light exposure has a well-established relationship with serotonin production and circadian rhythm regulation. In darker climates — and Belfast qualifies — consistent light therapy sessions support mood, sleep quality, and energy levels through the autumn and winter months.

How to Get the Best Results

Consistency is the single most important factor. Red light therapy is not a one-session fix — it's a protocol. Most people begin to notice visible skin improvements after four to six weeks of regular sessions, with the most significant results seen at the 8–12 week mark.

Recommended protocol: Two to three sessions per week for the first month, then one to two sessions per week as maintenance. Each session at Bronze & Glow is 15 minutes — short enough to fit into any schedule, effective enough to make a genuine difference.

The spray tan advantage: One of the most unique aspects of Bronze & Glow is our ability to combine red light therapy with a VersaSpa Pro spray tan in the same visit. Booking a red light session before your tan primes the skin — improving hydration, smoothing the surface, boosting circulation — which means a more even, deeper colour that lasts genuinely longer. No other studio in Belfast offers this combination.

Is It Safe?

Red light therapy delivers zero UV radiation. It uses only the beneficial wavelengths of the light spectrum without any of the harmful ultraviolet that causes sunburn or long-term skin damage. It is non-invasive, painless, and suitable for almost all skin types. Sessions feel gently warming at most.

Those who are pregnant, have active photosensitive skin conditions, or take photosensitising medications should consult their GP before beginning. For the vast majority of people, it's one of the safest and most evidence-backed wellness treatments available today.