Understanding Red Light Therapy in Our mPulse Infrared Sauna: Why "Low Level" Means Optimal Results

If you've been enjoying sessions in our mPulse infrared sauna, you might have noticed the gentle red glow emanating from the LED panels integrated into the walls. This isn't just ambient lighting—it's a sophisticated therapeutic technology called red light therapy, and it's working at the cellular level to enhance your wellness experience. Today, let's dive into how this feature works and why the approach Sunlighten has taken is actually backed by cutting-edge research.

What Is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation (PBM), uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular function. The therapy involves exposing the body to therapeutic levels of red and near-infrared light through specially-designed LEDs, which penetrates the skin and stimulates circulation while being absorbed by mitochondria in cells, activating cellular energy production to promote healing, reduce inflammation, and improve skin health.

Think of it as photosynthesis for your body—just as plants use light to create energy, your cells use specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to optimize their function and repair processes.

The "Low Level" Advantage: Why Less Can Be More

Here's where things get interesting, and where Sunlighten's approach shows real scientific sophistication. The mPulse saunas use "low levels of red light" blended with near-infrared light because research shows that low levels of light have a much better effect on stimulating and repairing tissues than higher levels.

This might seem counterintuitive at first. Wouldn't more powerful light be better? Not necessarily.

The Science Behind Optimal Dosing

Clinical research indicates that typical photobiomodulation irradiance ranges from 5 mW/cm² to 50 mW/cm², with treatment sessions typically lasting about 30 seconds to several minutes. While Sunlighten hasn't publicly disclosed the exact power density of their integrated sauna panels, based on their "low level" designation and the principles of optimal PBM therapy, the integrated red light likely operates in this 5-50 mW/cm² therapeutic range.

This is precisely the sweet spot identified in research. Studies show that lower irradiance below 50mW/cm² is less likely to induce skin hyperthermia and potential deleterious effects, while still delivering powerful cellular benefits.

Why the Sauna Environment Is Perfect for Red Light Therapy

The integration of red light therapy into the sauna environment is brilliant for several reasons:

• Extended Exposure Time

  • During a typical sauna session, you're sitting comfortably for 20-60 minutes. This extended exposure time allows for optimal energy dose accumulation. Even though the light intensity is lower, the total therapeutic dose your cells receive over the full session falls well within the effective range.

  • Think of it like this: you can get the same amount of water by turning on a fire hose for 10 seconds or a gentle stream for several minutes. The mPulse approach is the gentle stream—comfortable, controlled, and effective.

• Avoiding Thermal Overload

  • Using high-intensity red light devices in an already heated environment could cause excessive thermal stress. Higher irradiances above 100mW/cm² can initiate significant risks of overheating the skin and triggering biphasic dose response. The mPulse's lower intensity approach ensures you get the therapeutic benefits without compounding heat stress.

• Whole-Body Coverage

  • Unlike standalone red light panels that typically treat one area at a time, the integrated LED panels in the mPulse sauna surround you, providing simultaneous whole-body exposure. This means every session is treating your entire body—not just targeted areas.

    
    

The Dual Wavelength Advantage

The mPulse system combines red light at 660nm with near-infrared light at 850nm. Here's why both matter:

• Red Light (660nm): Primarily benefits the skin surface, creating microcirculation increases and stimulating collagen and elastin production

• Near-Infrared (850nm): Penetrates deeper into the body, reaching mitochondria in cells and tissues beyond the skin level

  
  

This combination means you're addressing both surface-level concerns (skin health, appearance) and deeper therapeutic benefits (muscle recovery, cellular repair, inflammation reduction) simultaneously.

What This Means for Your Wellness Journey

Every time you step into our mPulse sauna, you're not just experiencing the well-documented benefits of infrared heat therapy—you're also receiving a full-body photobiomodulation treatment that:

• Supports cellular energy production

• Promotes natural healing processes

• Enhances skin health and appearance

• Aids in muscle recovery

• Reduces inflammation at the cellular level

• Complements the detoxification benefits of infrared heat

  
  

The beauty of this integrated approach is its efficiency. You're maximizing your wellness time by combining two evidence-based therapies in a single, relaxing session.

The Bottom Line

When Sunlighten describes their red light therapy as "low level," they're not underselling it—they're highlighting a research-backed approach that prioritizes cellular optimization over raw power. The lower intensity, extended exposure model aligns perfectly with what the science tells us works best for photobiomodulation.

In the sauna environment, this approach makes even more sense. You get consistent, whole-body red light therapy exposure throughout your session without the risk of thermal overload, all while your body is already in an optimal state for healing and recovery thanks to the infrared heat.

So the next time you're relaxing in the mPulse sauna and see that gentle red glow, know that it's not just creating ambiance—it's delivering scientifically optimized light therapy that's working at the cellular level to support your health and wellness goals.

Ready to experience the synergistic benefits of infrared heat and red light therapy? Book your next mPulse sauna session with us today.

References

1. Sunlighten. "RED Light Therapy Panel." Sunlighten Shop. Accessed October 10, 2025. https://shop-us.sunlighten.com/products/red-light-panel

2. Sunlighten. "mPulse 3in1." Sunlighten Hungary. Accessed October 10, 2025. https://sunlighten.hu/saunas/mpulse/

3. Sunlighten. "mPulse Saunas." Sunlighten Europe. Accessed October 10, 2025. https://www.sunlighten.eu/en/mpulse-saunas

4. GembaRed. "Universal Dosage Calculator for Red Light Therapy! Find your optimal time per session!" GembaRed Blog. Published January 20, 2020. https://gembared.com/blogs/musings/universal-dosage-calculatior-for-red-light-therapy-find-your-optimal-time-per-session

5. GembaRed. "The Best Intensity 100 mW/cm^2 for Red Light Therapy: Where is the Data?" GembaRed Blog. Accessed October 10, 2025. https://gembared.com/blogs/musings/100mw-cm-2-best-intensity-red-light-therapy-data