This article explains how it works, and why CONTOURLIGHT devices are on the cutting-edge of fitness and recovery technology.

What is Recovery with Red Light Therapy?

The CONTOURLIGHT optimizes the natural recovery, healing, and regeneration processes of the body. When you use a CONTOURLIGHT device, you automatically have a combination of both waves of red light, and near infrared (NIR) light. When using a CONTOURLIGHT, it will deliver both continuous waves of red light and pulsed waves of NIR light.

Keep in mind that NIR light is invisible to the human eye, so treatments with CONTOURLIGHT won’t look any different. But with the power of pulsed NIR light, you can have an even bigger impact on deep tissue regeneration and recovery, so your body and cells will feel the difference. At GENESIS, we include eye protection for treatments using NIR wavelengths of light; learn more in our treatment guidelines.

What is Pulsed NIR Light

Continuous light shines at the same frequency at all times. This is how CONTOURLIGHT red light works. “Pulsed” simply means that a CONTOURLIGHT device delivers NIR light using rapid on and off cycles at different frequencies. It’s like the difference between leaving a light on in a room versus quickly turning the light on and off again and again. You won’t see the difference during a treatment session, but pulsed NIR light has been shown to work even better for recovery and cellular regeneration than continuous NIR light. [1,2]

Check out GENESIS Science Page to learn more about light therapy.

Why to Use CONTOURLIGHT for Recovery

CONTOURLIGHT therapy is the best to enhance the body’s recovery process after a workout or injury. It’s also an ideal way to use light therapy to support the body's natural inflammation process.

CONTOURLIGHT builds on emerging science that shows the major positive effects of pulsed NIR light on the body’s cellular functions. [1,2] Research points to a brief “quench period” that takes place in the cells when NIR light is pulsed, rather than continuous. This quench period is only a few milliseconds, but it makes a big difference, allowing cells that are under oxidative stress to respond even better to light. [2]

Cells are under more stress after tough workouts, injuries, and other inflammatory events. Pulsed NIR light with CONTOURLIGHT gives those strained and damaged cells the most effective form of light.

To understand why pulsed light and a cellular quench period are important, think about working out. If you do multiple strenuous workouts every single day, you’re more likely to get worn down and suffer an injury because you aren’t giving your body and cells the time they need to recover and regenerate. It’s a similar principle with pulsed light: short intervals between wavelengths gives your cells and tissues the time they need to adapt and respond better to the next interval of NIR light.

The Difference Between Red and NIR Light

Red light (in the mid-600nm range) and NIR light (in the mid-800nm range) are the wavelengths in the light spectrum that have been found to be the most beneficial to human health. [3] Generally, red light is most effective for surface concerns like skin health, while NIR light penetrates deeper into body tissue and bone. CONTOURLIGHT devices give you the power to use both, and gives you the added advantage of pulsed NIR light that has an even greater positive impact on the body’s recovery process.

For a basic overview of how light and wavelengths work, check out this post.

CONTOURLIGHT and the Bright Future of Light Therapy

CONTOURLIGHT devices are on the cutting-edge of recovery technology, and CONTOURLIGHT is the new industry standard for using light to enhance cellular performance and overall health.

Sources and References:

[1] Hashmi J, Huang Y. Effect of Pulsing in Low-Level Light Therapy. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2010 Aug.

[2] Gavish L, Houreld N. Therapeutic Efficacy of Home-Use Photobiomodulation Devices: A Systematic Literature Review. 2019 Jan.

[3] Chung H, Dai T, et al. The Nuts and Bolts of Low-Level laser Light) Therapy. Annals of Biomedical Engineering. 2012 Feb.