Are Red and Infrared Lights Both Used for Pets?

Yes, many veterinary red light therapy treatments use both red light and near-infrared light. Each type of light penetrates the body differently and can support different therapeutic goals.

Understanding how these two types of light work can help pet owners better understand how red light therapy devices are designed.

Red Light vs Near-Infrared Light

Although both types of light fall within the therapeutic range used in photobiomodulation, they have different penetration depths.

Red light

Typically ranges from 620 to 660 nanometers and primarily affects the skin and superficial tissues.

Near-infrared light

Typically ranges from 800 to 900 nanometers and penetrates deeper into muscles and joints.

Because of these differences, both wavelengths are often used together.

Benefits of Using Both Wavelengths

Combining red and near-infrared light allows therapy devices to target multiple layers of tissue during the same treatment session.

For example:

• red light may support skin healing

• near-infrared light may support muscle recovery

This combination makes treatment more versatile for different conditions.

Veterinary Applications

Veterinarians commonly use combined light therapy for conditions such as:

• arthritis in dogs

• muscle injuries in working animals

• tendon recovery in horses

• wound healing

The combination of wavelengths helps ensure that both surface tissues and deeper structures receive therapeutic light exposure.

Why Many Devices Use Dual Wavelengths

Many modern red light therapy devices are designed with dual-chip LEDs, meaning that each light source emits both red and near-infrared wavelengths.

This allows the device to deliver multiple therapeutic wavelengths simultaneously without requiring separate treatments.

Conclusion

Yes, veterinary red light therapy commonly uses both red and near-infrared light. Red light primarily affects surface tissues, while near-infrared light penetrates deeper structures such as muscles and joints.