Red Light vs. Deep Infrared Light: What’s the Difference - and Why Your Skin Needs Both

 

Written by an independent, certified dermatologist

 

Light therapy has become one of the most powerful non-invasive treatments for skin ageing, offering real, visible results for women looking to maintain firmer, smoother skin after 40. Among the most popular wavelengths are red light and infrared light - but not all infrared is the same, and not all devices are created equal.

In today's blog, we'll explore the science behind red light and deep infrared light, the differences between them, the unique benefits they each offer, and why combining them - as seen in the Dermaglow LED & EMS Mask - delivers superior results compared to many other devices on the market.

What Is Red Light Therapy?

Wavelength:

Typically around 640 nm (nanometres)

Penetration Depth:

Red light penetrates into the epidermis and upper dermis — exactly where collagen-producing fibroblast cells reside.

Key Benefits of Red Light Therapy:

• Boosts collagen and elastin production: Stimulates fibroblasts to repair and rebuild skin structure.
• Improves skin texture and tone: Smooths the surface of the skin and enhances radiance.
• Enhances blood circulation: More oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the skin cells.
• Reduces inflammation: Helps calm irritation and support skin recovery.

Limitations:

While red light is excellent for surface-level rejuvenation, it does not reach the deeper connective tissues where structural ageing (such as sagging) originates. For deeper skin firming and tightening, an additional wavelength is needed.

What Is Deep Infrared Light Therapy?

Wavelength:

Approximately 700–780 nm, sometimes even higher.

Penetration Depth:

Deep infrared light penetrates through the epidermis, dermis, and into the hypodermis — the deepest layers of the skin, reaching muscles and connective tissue.

Key Benefits of Deep Infrared Therapy:

• Stimulates deep collagen and elastin repair: Activates fibroblasts in the deeper dermis to restore skin structure from the inside out.
• Improves firmness and elasticity: Especially effective for treating sagging around the cheeks, jawline, and neck ("turkey neck").
• Promotes healing and regeneration: Deep infrared accelerates tissue repair, making it ideal for ageing and stressed skin.
• Enhances lymphatic drainage and detoxification: Reduces puffiness and fluid retention for a healthier, more contoured appearance.

Limitations:

Deep infrared doesn't act as quickly on surface texture and tone as red light does. It works more slowly, building results over time by strengthening the skin’s foundational structure.

Why "Near-Infrared" Isn't the Same as Deep Infrared

Many LED masks on the market today advertise "infrared" capabilities, but in reality, most offer only near-infrared light—wavelengths around 700–750 nm.

Near-infrared penetrates deeper than red light but does not reach the depths that true deep infrared (up to 780 nm) can. This difference matters because:

• Near-infrared light primarily improves circulation and mild collagen stimulation, but
• Deep infrared light targets deeper layers of skin and connective tissue, promoting real structural improvements like skin tightening and reduced sagging.

Devices that focus only on near-infrared may improve surface hydration and glow, but they often fall short when it comes to lifting, firmness, and long-term skin resilience—the concerns most women over 40 are looking to address.

How the Dermaglow Combines Red and Deep Infrared for Maximum Results

The Dermaglow LED & EMS Mask was designed with an understanding of how ageing affects both the surface and deeper layers of the skin.

By combining:

• 640 nm Red Light (for surface collagen stimulation and texture improvement)
• 780 nm Deep Infrared Light (for deep collagen remodeling, elastin repair, and lifting)

The Dermaglow ensures that both early signs of ageing (like fine lines and dullness) and deeper structural concerns (like sagging and loss of elasticity) are addressed at once.

This dual approach helps users achieve:

• Smoother, firmer skin
• Reduced appearance of wrinkles
• Improved jawline and neck definition
• A healthier, more youthful complexion from the inside out

In addition, the built-in EMS technology tones and lifts the facial muscles, enhancing the lifting effects of deep infrared light and restoring youthful contours over time.

Why Wavelength (nm) Matters in Skin Therapy

The nanometre (nm) value tells you how deeply the light penetrates into the skin:

• Shorter wavelengths (e.g., blue light at 415 nm) stay at the surface to treat acne.
• Medium wavelengths (e.g., red light at 640 nm) stimulate collagen just below the surface.
• Longer wavelengths (e.g., deep infrared light at 780 nm) reach into deeper tissues for profound firming and regeneration.

When shopping for a device, checking the specific wavelengths offered is crucial. Devices like the Dermaglow that deliver both 640 nm and 780 nm wavelengths provide a complete solution - working on both immediate skin appearance and long-term structural rejuvenation.

Key Takeaways

	Red Light	Deep Infrared Light
Main Action	Surface collagen stimulation, texture improvement	Deep collagen and elastin repair, tissue regeneration
Penetration Depth	Epidermis to upper dermis	Dermis to hypodermis
Best For	Fine lines, early ageing signs, surface glow	Sagging, skin laxity, deep structural ageing
Speed of Results	Faster visible improvements	Slower, long-term improvements

 

Using both light types together leads to the best of both worlds - smoother, firmer, stronger skin at every level.

Final Thoughts

While many LED devices today offer near-infrared capabilities, true deep infrared therapy is essential if you’re serious about improving skin firmness and reversing deeper signs of ageing.

The Dermaglow LED & EMS Mask was engineered to deliver both powerful red light for surface rejuvenation and deep infrared light for advanced firming and tissue repair - all while adding EMS muscle toning for even better results.

If you’re looking for a complete, science-backed solution to support collagen, elastin, and youthful skin structure after 40, make sure you’re choosing a device that truly works below the surface, not just on it.