What Is Infrared Therapy? The Science and Your Options at Elevate Med Spa

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Light-based wellness has moved well beyond the tanning salon. Red and infrared light are now used in dermatology offices, recovery studios, and med spas to support skin health and help the body bounce back. At Elevate Med Spa in Loveland, we offer three ways to experience this technology, and each one fits a different goal. Here’s what infrared therapy is, how it works, and how to choose the right option for you.

What Is Infrared Therapy?

Infrared therapy uses light just beyond the red end of the visible spectrum. It’s usually paired with visible red light, and together the two are known clinically as photobiomodulation (PBM), a treatment once called low-level light therapy. According to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, PBM uses red light in roughly the 620 to 700 nanometer range and near-infrared light from about 700 to 1,440 nanometers.

The two types of light complement each other. Visible red light acts closer to the skin’s surface, making it a natural fit for skin concerns, while near-infrared wavelengths travel deeper into tissue. Some treatments also add infrared heat, the soothing warmth you feel in an infrared sauna, which relaxes the body and encourages circulation.

The Science Behind the Treatment

A person lying down under red light therapy devices, with a calm expression. The setting is dimly lit, highlighting the red lights on both sides of the face.

The leading explanation for how PBM works centers on your mitochondria, the tiny energy centers inside every cell. Researchers have identified an enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase as a primary absorber of red and near-infrared light. When this enzyme takes in light, it influences the cell’s production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule that fuels nearly every biological process, along with other signals that guide repair.

Put simply, the light gives cells extra energy to do the work they already do, like building collagen and calming inflammation. That’s why red light therapy is associated with smoother, more radiant skin and faster recovery.

Red light therapy is also different from lasers and IPL. Those treatments create controlled micro-injury to trigger healing, while red light therapy stimulates repair without damaging the skin, so there’s no downtime. Its benefits are cumulative, building with consistent sessions rather than appearing all at once.

Three Ways to Experience Light Therapy at Elevate

Red Light Therapy Sauna Pod

A woman lying inside a tanning bed with red lights, relaxing with her arms folded under her chin. She has a ponytail and appears to be in a serene state, with the interior of the tanning bed softly illuminated around her.

Our Red Light Therapy Sauna Pod is our most comprehensive option. It combines therapeutic red light, gentle infrared heat, and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy in one session lasting 20 to 40 minutes. The warmth boosts circulation and relaxation, making the pod a favorite for muscle recovery, inflammation support, and skin rejuvenation. Many clients start with two to three sessions per week, then shift to a weekly or bi-weekly maintenance schedule.

Red Light Therapy Tanning Bed

Our Red Light Therapy Tanning Bed pairs traditional UV tanning with red light wavelengths. The UV builds your bronze glow, while red light supports collagen and skin texture for a more refined finish than tanning alone. Sessions last several minutes and are customized to your skin type. Red light supports skin health, but UV exposure still needs careful management, which is why every client starts with a skin assessment and precisely timed sessions.

Red Light Therapy Add-On

Already booked for a facial, head spa, hair service, injectable appointment, or IV therapy? Our Red Light Therapy Add-On delivers low-level red and near-infrared light alongside or after your primary treatment without adding significant time to your visit. It’s designed to amplify your results, calm redness, and, for head spa and hair clients, support scalp circulation.

Which Option Is Right for You?

All three treatments share the same foundation of red light energy, but they serve different purposes.

For full-body recovery and relaxation, choose the Sauna Pod. It’s the only option that adds infrared heat and PEMF, and it’s built for longer, restorative sessions.
For a tan with skin-supporting benefits, choose the Tanning Bed. It’s the only option that includes UV, so it’s ideal if a sun-kissed glow is your main goal.
For more from a treatment you already love, choose the Add-On. It targets the area you’re treating and fits into your existing appointment.

Not sure where to start? Our team will recommend the best fit based on your goals during a consultation. Call Elevate Med Spa in Loveland at (970) 612-8233 or book your visit online.