Find the published research most relevant to your wellness business. Curated by application area and grouped by the kind of space you run.
Explore the published research most relevant to your wellness business. Every study below is sourced from published journals — not MedWave-funded research.
A note on how to read this page: the research below is about red and near-infrared light in general. It was not conducted on MedWave devices, it does not describe results any individual should expect, and some of it is laboratory or mechanism research rather than studies in people. It is published here so you can read the source material and reach your own view.
Choose the kind of space you run to find the studies that matter most to your clients.
Research relevant to day spas, beauty salons, and skin studios — covering skin appearance, tone and glow, and graceful aging.
A narrative review of recent research on red and near-infrared light and the skin, covering the proposed mechanisms at cell level and how light sources and session protocols are developing.
Read the study →136 volunteers took part in this randomized, controlled study. After 30 sessions, the groups receiving light showed improvements in skin complexion, measured skin roughness and ultrasound-measured collagen density compared with the control group.
Read the study →76 adults with facial wrinkles received 633nm, 830nm, combined or sham LED light twice a week for four weeks. The light groups showed measured reductions in wrinkles and increases in skin elasticity compared with baseline.
Read the study →Explores the cellular mechanisms by which red-light photons interact with skin cells, and what happens next inside the cell.
Read the study →In 22 physically active young men, a 20-minute whole-body vibration session raised oxygen consumption by about 22% and estimated energy expenditure by about 20% compared with the same exercises without vibration.
Read the study →Research for gym owners, coaches, and fitness professionals — covering pre-workout readiness, muscle performance, fatigue and recovery after exercise.
A review of 46 studies (1,045 participants) of red and near-infrared light in trained and untrained volunteers and athletes, looking at muscle performance, fatigue and post-exercise recovery.
Read the study →Randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial in 12 high-level male rugby players. Light applied before a sprint test (laser and LED, 640–905nm) improved average sprint time and fatigue index compared with placebo.
Read the study →Systematic review and meta-analysis of 39 randomized trials (861 participants) of light used around exercise in healthy people. It reports some effect in favor of light on time to exhaustion, repetitions and peak torque, with very low to moderate quality of evidence.
Read the study →Randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in 22 high-level male soccer players, looking at infrared light applied before a progressive running test and measures including VO2 max and time to exhaustion.
Read the study →A narrative review of research published since 2014 on red and near-infrared light in sport, covering performance and recovery across 39 human studies and the reasons some studies found no effect.
Read the study →A review of how red and near-infrared light is absorbed in the mitochondria and the cell signaling that follows, including how light may interact with exercise in muscle.
Read the study →In 22 physically active young men, a 20-minute whole-body vibration session raised oxygen consumption by about 22% and estimated energy expenditure by about 20% compared with the same exercises without vibration.
Read the study →A broad overview of the science behind red light technology for wellness spaces, massage and bodywork studios — covering the core mechanisms, sleep and relaxation, and whole-body vibration.
A review of how red and near-infrared light is thought to work: light absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondria is proposed to release inhibitory nitric oxide, increasing electron transport and ATP production.
Read the study →In 22 physically active young men, a 20-minute whole-body vibration session raised oxygen consumption by about 22% and estimated energy expenditure by about 20% compared with the same exercises without vibration.
Read the study →A review of a National Institute on Aging workshop, covering the proposed mechanisms of red and near-infrared light and the research directions discussed by the scientists taking part.
Read the study →A short review exploring red and near-infrared light and sleep quality, including animal research on how the brain clears fluid and waste products at night.
Read the study →Documentaries, science deep dives, and expert discussions exploring red light technology across wellness applications.
MedWave Documentary — how red light technology is changing post-exercise recovery and everyday muscle comfort.
MedWave Documentary — the story of red light and its impact on everyday wellness.
A practical walkthrough of the MedWave session routine, start to finish.
Smart Talk — a discussion on building red light sessions into a wellness business.
Smart Talk — insights on client results and fitting red light into a busy studio.
Red light’s role in supporting focus, mental clarity, and relaxation.
How red light supports recovery after exercise and activity.
A complete walkthrough of the MedWave system and how wellness businesses are building red light sessions into their offering.
US PatentedDelivered by MedWave’s US patented panel design. U.S. Patent No. 12,766,335 B2.
Book a free, no-obligation experience and see how professional-grade red light technology could fit your wellness business.
Book a Free Experience