LED vs Red Light vs NIR: Which Wavelength Is Best for Skin?

Understanding the science behind the world’s most effective light therapies.

LED light therapy has become one of the most trusted, research-supported ways to rejuvenate the skin - but not all wavelengths work the same. Terms like Red Light, LED, Amber, NIR (Near-Infrared) and multi-wavelength therapy can feel confusing, especially when you’re trying to choose the right at-home device.

This guide breaks down exactly what each wavelength does, how deeply it penetrates, and which skin concerns it supports - so you can confidently choose the technology that aligns with your goals.

What Are LED Wavelengths? (Quick Breakdown)

Light therapy uses specific wavelengths (measured in nanometres, or “nm”) to trigger biological changes in the skin. The wavelength determines:

  • how deep the light travels

  • which cells it influences

  • the results you can expect

Different wavelengths = different effects.

Let’s break down the major players.

Red Light (620-660nm)

Best for: Brightening, fine lines, texture, healing

Red Light is one of the most famous skincare wavelengths. It penetrates the mid-layers of the skin, where fibroblasts live - the cells responsible for collagen and elastin.

What Red Light Does

✔ Supports collagen production
✔ Improves overall radiance
✔ Reduces redness & sensitivity
✔ Helps smooth texture & fine lines
✔ Speeds skin recovery after irritation
✔ Supports more even skin tone

This wavelength is a staple in LED masks like Luma9™, and is also included in LiftXR™ & Mango+ Pro™.

Near-Infrared Light (NIR: 780-850nm)

Best for: Firmness, elasticity, deeper rejuvenation

NIR penetrates deeper than Red Light - reaching muscles, connective tissue and deeper dermal layers.

What NIR Does

✔ Supports elasticity at deeper layers
✔ Helps improve firmness over time
✔ Reduces inflammation & aids recovery
✔ Supports circulation and cell repair
✔ Enhances resilience beneath the surface
✔ Often used in medical & rehabilitation settings

NIR is one of the most powerful wavelengths for noticeable anti-aging results especially in devices like Luma9™, LiftXR™ and Mango+ Pro™.

LED Light (The Umbrella Term)

“LED” simply refers to Light Emitting Diodes - the carriers that deliver red, blue, green, yellow or NIR wavelengths.

LED = the delivery system.
Red Light / NIR = the specific wavelengths.

Think of it like this:

LED = the machine
Red Light/NIR = the ingredients

Blue Light (Speed note)

Included for completeness.

Best for: breakout-prone or oily skin

✔ Targets breakout-causing bacteria
✔ Helps reduce surface inflammation

Used frequently in scalp devices like your Nano Comb (Blue + Red LED).

Green (560-570nm) & Yellow Light (580-600nm)

These wavelengths support brightness, pigmentation, and overall tone.

Green Light

✔ Helps reduce appearance of pigmentation
✔ Balances overall tone

Yellow Light

✔ Calms redness
✔ Brightens dull, uneven skin
✔ Supports lymphatic drainage

These wavelengths appear in some multi-colour LED masks or professional devices.

How Deep Does Each Wavelength Go? (Science Snapshot)

This is where things get interesting:

  • Blue Light: Shallow (epidermis)

  • Red Light: Mid-dermis

  • NIR: Deepest (connective tissue, muscles, healing layers)

This is why multi-wavelength devices, like Luma9™, LiftXR™ and Mango+ Pro™, create broader, more layered results.

Which Wavelength Is Best for Your Skin Concern?

For fine lines + collagen

Red Light (625-660nm)
Re-energises fibroblasts to support smoother, plumper skin.

For firmness + elasticity

NIR (780-850nm)
Reaches deeper structural layers.

For overall rejuvenation

Red Light + NIR combo
Targets both surface + deeper layers.

For radiance + brightness

Red Light or Yellow Light

For sensitive or irritated skin

Red or Yellow Light

For pigmentation

Green

For breakouts

Blue Light

Why Multi-Wavelength Devices Work Better

Devices like Luma9™ LED Mask use multiple targeted wavelengths to work at different depths of the skin.

This creates a layered rejuvenation effect:

Surface: calming, brightening, redness reduction
Mid-layer: collagen support, wrinkle reduction
Deep layer: elasticity, firmness, recovery

Single-wavelength devices are effective - but multi-wavelength systems offer the most comprehensive results.

Where Your Liorae Devices Fit In

Luma9™ LED + NIR Mask

✔ Flexible silicone for full-face coverage
✔ Deep rejuvenation (NIR)
✔ Brightening + collagen support (Red Light)
✔ Great for mature, dull, or uneven skin

LiftXR™

✔ EMS + Red Light + NIR
✔ Rejuvenates and lifts
✔ Precision head for small areas

Ideal for users wanting one device to address muscles + collagen + deeper layers.

Mango+ Pro™

✔ EMS + RF + Red Light + NIR
✔ Strongest full-spectrum rejuvenation
✔ Supports firmness, lift, brightness & texture

Your most advanced multi-modal tool.

Nano Comb™ (Scalp & Hair Health)

✔ Red Light (hair follicle support)
✔ Blue Light (scalp bacteria & inflammation)

So… which wavelength is best?

There isn’t one “winner” - each wavelength addresses a different depth and concern.

But for anti-aging, firmness and overall skin rejuvenation, research consistently shows the strongest results from:

✔ Red Light (625-660nm)

✔ Near-Infrared (780-850nm)

✔ The combination of both

This is why your Liorae devices were designed around these two powerhouse wavelengths.

Final Thoughts

LED light therapy is one of the few at-home technologies backed by decades of research. Whether you're targeting brightness, fine lines, firmness or deep rejuvenation, wavelengths like Red Light and NIR offer safe, gentle and effective support - especially when combined.

Multi-wavelength devices such as Luma9™, LiftXR™ and Mango+ Pro™ allow you to work through multiple layers of the skin, creating a more lifted, glowing and resilient complexion over time.

Shop LED & Brightening Collections

Select devices by wavelength to target firmness, clarity and overall skin vitality.

LED & Light Therapy → Brightening & Tone Correction →