Did you know you might be missing out on some amazing benefits if you’re not using the “contact method” for red light therapy?
In this post I’ll explain how to use the contact method with a very affordable (~$40) light to achieve some surprising health benefits you may not know about!
(Click to skip to purchasing info — I’m not an Amazon affiliate)
First, if you’re new to red light therapy, here are some of the commonly discussed health effects:
People typically use high intensity light panels and / or lower intensity topical devices (face masks, belts and caps).
But you can also reach deeper into the body to heal many additional health issues by placing high intensity light against the skin for a shorter duration.
I’ll show you what device we use and for how long to obtain the most benefits without overheating!
Note: when referring to “red light therapy” most people (myself included) mean a combination of red and infared.
Why the Contact method?
The article True Medical Grade Red Light Therapy: Skin Contact, Deep Penetration, and Accurate Measurements reviews how, “Most studies, clinicians, researchers, and experts are all biased towards using skin contact with red light therapy devices.”
Researchers find that skin contact delivers 5 times more penetration than non-contact treatment.
If you don’t hold it on the skin, there is no length of treatment that will make the light able to reach the deeper tissues.
Our observations – with skin contact and high intensity device
Note: Results are seen during and directly following the treatments
- Complete cure of sinus allergies without medication (regulated histamine levels)
- Eliminated asthma and coughing from lung inflammation
- Relief from POTS vestibular issues – dizziness, lightheadedness (treating inner ear)
- Decreased brain fog and inflammation in a child with PANS (reducing tics and OCD) and adult with post viral inflammation. Improved brain processing.
- Cleared sinus and head congestion during a cold & shortened the cold (regulated immune system)
- Calming of Vagus nerve / nervous system
- Drastic reduction in chronic fatigue from Long COVID
- Decreased Gut inflammation
- Treating deeper body aches and pains and surprisingly fast wound healing – head, neck and back
- All of the other benefits people typically report from the non-contact method including improved sleep and mood!
How it Works
A short explanation for anyone new to red light therapy.
When red and infrared light penetrates the skin, the light energy promotes the production of energy for our cells, ATP.
This increased energy leads to the wide array of health benefits.
Which light is best?
There are a plethora of combination red & infared lights to choose from, ranging from huge panels to small flashlights.
We tried several, but for the contact method and best combination of performance and value, the Hooga HG24 at just $40 was the clear winner for us! (Links & code: THERAPY for 12% off at their site are at end of this article)
It’s important that the irradiance levels are disclosed and significant for any light you purchase.
It will be measured in mW/cm2:
Also the brand is very committed to low/ no EMF levels
*Note: While red light masks, belts and caps are “contact method” their irradiance levels are too low to penetrate as deeply.
Treatment time calculation
It’s very important to treat with the correct amount of light energy. This might look complicated, but it’s not and I’ll guide you through it!
For red lights, energy is measured in Joules (J / cm2)
1. Determine how many Joules are ideal for your specific treatment.
This article recommends:
2-10 J = healing surface tissue
up to 50 J = targeting deeper tissue
2. Enter the irradiance level of your device along with desired Joules into a dosage calculator
Here are two examples:
10 of our specific protocols – head to toe!
The following is a listing of the amount of time and times per day we treat the below issues, of course everyone must decide their own usage.
* We discovered that darker skin tones may absorb more light and feel warmer so treatment times may be less.
1. Brain inflammation & processing
With the light directly against the scalp, we move it from one area to the next as it gets warm. Entire head can take from 3- 5 minutes, twice a day.
Red light on my daughter’s head quickly healed her from a recent post viral flare of PANS, OCD & tics.
2. Asthma & Allergies (or any sinus congestion issues)
This is the most remarkable treatment we found.
Seasonal allergies and allergic asthma are completely gone when directed at the nose for approximately 1 minute per side / 3x a day. (For asthma see also lung treatment below)
*As a few weeks passed and my lungs have healed more, twice a day is enough and I could possibly space them out more.
This article Treatment of allergies and asthma with intranasal light therapy explains why it works.
TIP: Placing your free hand on the opposite side of your nose blocks light from the opposite eye.
I also tried a device that inserts into your nose but it was awkward, uncomfortable, underpowered and didn’t include infrared light. I will not be sharing a demonstration photo! 😁
I read this about why treatment of the nose works:
Note: if you’re only using redlight for nasal allergies and need a battery powered device for on the go, you might be interested in this red & infared flashlight – but it is not powerful enough to be used like the hooga light nor is it as effective. It is however, great for keeping in your car for small spot treatments!
3. Vestibular issues – we found red light can treat dizziness, lightheadedness and fatigue from POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome).
I place it over the ears and back of head for about 1-2 minutes each area or more as needed.
Inner ear dysregulation can cause far ranging issues. I had POTS symptoms with long Covid and the redlight made a huge difference in how I felt.
Adding salt and potassium ( or an electrolyte blend) can also help a lot.
4. Throat & Neck
We’ve found it helpful to treat a sore throat or the calm the vagus nerve by using it for about 2 minutes per area on the front or back of the neck. 2x a day or as needed
5. Circulation – to increase circulation, it’s recommended to treat the blood by holding redlight on the wrists for a few minutes, a few times a day.
I read that using it on the nasal cavity has the same effect due to the large quantity of veins.
6. Asthma, Inflammed Lungs, and Coughing –
By treating the chest and upper back, we’ve achieved some astonishing results including eliminating all allergic asthma.
Approximately 1 minute per location, moving the light to cover all lung area. 2-3 x a day
It’s incredible to be able to breathe again..
no inhaler required!
If the light becomes too warm, keep moving, the effects are cumulative so you can go back over the area several times to add up to a minute.
7. GI issues
We use it on the stomach, moving it around as it gets warm, approximately 3-5 minutes in total treatment. Twice a day or as needed.
8. Systemic, Spine, and Vagus nerve
Many benefits can be found by experimenting placing the light along the spine and the vagus nerve.
For example, against the base of my spine for 1 minute, my sinuses spontaneously cleared!
Upon researching, I learned that there are nerve endings for the sinuses in the same spot I placed the light.
9. Deep Body aches & pains and Stellate Ganglion treatments
I use it for about 5 minutes to reduce hip pain, or any other deep pain in the body where non-contact lights can’t reach.
For neuropathic pain, it has been used in the Stellare Ganglion region.
This is a group of nerves that regulates involuntary sympathetic nervous functions, such as blood flow and pain in the head, neck, upper chest, and upper arms.
This Study found, “Pain associated with sympathetic overactivity can be effectively relieved by light irradiating the region near stellate ganglion (SGI), applied as an alternative to a conventional sympathetic blockade.”
They performed the treatment for 10 minute sessions.
10. Fatigue / Mood / Sleep – This group of benefits come from contact or non contact method.
They are achieved simply by using red light anywhere. The light recharges the mitochondria and provides you with energy.
It’s not a wired energy, just a peaceful sense of motivation, positive outlook, and no fatigue. 🍃
Because it’s so calming and regulates the circadian rhythm, it leads to better sleep. So we use both day and evening.
Endless options
Chances are there’s a red light treatment for your health needs that we haven’t listed here.
Vision, migraine, and thyroid treatment are a few I hear of commonly – as well as help for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and just about any neurological condition.
My best advice is search for ideas but also to remember the contact method is the only way to reach deep tissue and don’t be afraid to think outside the box!
When do we find time to do this?
I keep the light on my nightstand and use it early morning and at bedtime.
We treat my daughter throughout the day as time permits.
When you incorporate it into daily routines, it becomes second nature and is easier than many other things we do for good health!
Where to buy
Hooga makes and sells the HG24 Red light bulb that we use. It’s $42 and you can use the link for 12% off.
It comes with the cord and eye goggles. Note: we only use the goggles when treating the face and sometimes don’t use them at all.
It’s also sometimes available on Amazon: Hooga Red light bulb
When it’s not available, I have located a substitute product:
It has similar irradiance levels to the hooga and should perform the same. It comes with a clamp and cord for $39
Happy healing to everyone 🙏🏼
Update: Good news! Initial reports from readers of this post who have just received their lights are coming in.
They’re also witnessing the same relief we have 🥰
I couldn’t be happier to hear the exciting stories and can’t wait for more – keep them coming!
Other ideas for healing even more! 🍃
For more ways to support the mitochondria, please see our blog post or video for an easy way to get affordable NAD+
You can also consider safe and effective short-chain peptides! 🧬
We’ve had amazing success and you can find much more about them at our Peptide Diary – Resources page.
To read any of our other posts – please visit our homepage
Thank you for stopping by! 🤍
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Diary of Recovery 
Fabulous info and details! I cannot thank you enough! We have an infrared sauna and red light but I’m looking at what you recommend.
You are very welcome! I hope you see amazing benefits too!