Dear Dr. Aaron: When DIY Red Light Therapy Goes Wrong!

I noticed you’re offering Red Light Therapy! My husband and I were talking about all the benefits—except he’s a die-hard DIY guy who swears he can get the same results by putting a red plastic notebook cover over his shop light.

Well… after melting the cover (and a few other things in the garage), he’s now sporting a nice burn in addition to his original bad knees. 😅

Please, settle this once and for all—can you explain why Red Light Therapy from your office is not the same as his “garage science experiment”

Melted in Osage Beach

Oh no! 🔥 Please tell your husband to retire from the Red Light DIY Department!

While I admire the creativity, Red Light Therapy is a bit more advanced than a red plastic notebook over a shop lamp. Medical-grade red light therapy devices use specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light, such as 660 nm and 850 nm. These wavelengths have been studied for potential effects on cellular activity, inflammation, and tissue recovery, although results vary depending on the condition and treatment used.

A regular shop light with a red plastic cover isn't equivalent to a purpose-built red light therapy device—and as your husband discovered, it can create a serious burn hazard!

A regular light or colored plastic filter just can’t deliver those therapeutic wavelengths — and as you’ve found out, they can deliver a nice side of melted plastic and burns

Always here for you,

Dr. Aaron