Clients often ask us how our 360 red light therapy differs from the red light panels they have seen online or in a gym. Both use red and near-infrared light, so on paper they can sound like the same thing. The main difference is how much of your body the light reaches at once, and what the session feels like.
Here is how we explain it to clients at Simply Contoured Wellness, our studio in Cardiff Bay.
First, what red light therapy is
Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. The light penetrates the skin and tissues, and it is used to support the body at a cellular level, including cellular energy production and the body's natural repair and recovery processes.
It is pain-free and needs no downtime, so you can get dressed and carry on with your day.
What a panel does
A red light panel is a flat unit of lights. You sit or stand in front of it, and the light reaches whichever part of you is facing it. To cover another area, you turn round, move the panel or use it again on that area.
Panels can suit people who want to focus on one area, and plenty of people like having one at home. It is simply a different way of using the light.
What 360 means
Our 360 full-body system lets you experience red light therapy across the whole body in one relaxing treatment. Rather than working on the front, then the back, then the sides, the whole body is covered in a single session.
In practice, that means:
- One session covers the whole body, not one area at a time
- You do not need to reposition yourself partway through
- The treatment itself is 20 minutes, which makes it easier to fit into a busy week
- It feels like time out for yourself rather than a task
That last point matters more than people expect. Red light therapy works best as part of a regular routine, and a treatment you enjoy is one you are more likely to keep up.
What happens at your appointment
Appointments are 30 minutes. The red light therapy itself is 20 minutes, and the remaining time allows for consultation, preparation, changing and any aftercare advice. Please allow the full 30 minutes.
Your comfort, safety and wellbeing are always our priority. Everyone's needs are different, so we will talk through what you would like to get from your sessions and help you choose a treatment schedule that works for you.
Red light therapy is part of Simply Contoured Wellness, our recovery studio, and is booked separately from our aesthetics clinic treatments.
What clients come to us for
Red light therapy is commonly used to support overall wellbeing, skin health, muscle recovery and general recovery, including as part of post-operative aftercare. Clients come to us looking for things like:
- Supporting skin health and the appearance of skin tone and texture
- Supporting muscle recovery and reducing feelings of soreness
- Helping to ease feelings of joint stiffness and discomfort
- Relaxation, better sleep and general wellbeing
- Supporting their recovery after cosmetic surgery
Because the 360 system works across the whole body, it lends itself well to these whole-body goals. If someone is only interested in one small area, a panel may be all they need.
What it cannot do
We would rather you came to us with the right expectations. Red light therapy does not burn fat and it is not a weight loss treatment. It is not a treatment for any medical condition, and it does not replace advice from your GP or surgeon.
You will see a lot of bold claims about red light online. The evidence varies depending on what it is being used for, and everyone responds differently. We see it as one supportive part of a wider wellness routine, alongside staying well hydrated, a balanced diet, keeping active and prioritising rest and recovery.
If you are pregnant, take any regular medication, have a medical condition, or notice a new or unexplained swelling or skin change, please check with your GP before booking.
How many sessions will I need?
Consistency is key. Red light therapy works best when it is part of a regular routine rather than viewed as a one-off treatment.
For optimum results, we recommend an initial course of 10 treatments, with consistent sessions over several weeks. Once your initial course is complete, monthly maintenance sessions help support your ongoing results and wellbeing.
If you would like red light to become a long-term part of your self-care, our membership packages make consistency easier and can be cancelled at any time.
Red light after surgery
We recommend 360 red light therapy as part of post-operative recovery, alongside post-operative lymphatic drainage massage at our aesthetics clinic. Because it is gentle, non-invasive and has no downtime, it can be a convenient addition to your recovery plan.
The important part: only start once your surgeon or medical professional has cleared you for treatment. If you would like to read more about the massage side of things, we have written about whether lymphatic drainage massage actually works.
Red Light and Lymphatic Flow
If you would like more than red light on its own, our Red Light and Lymphatic Flow experience is a 60 minute treatment combining 20 minutes of 360 full-body red light therapy with 30 minutes of vibration plate therapy. The vibration plate complements the red light by supporting circulation and encouraging lymphatic flow.
It is not suitable for post-op clients in the early stages of recovery, so if you have had surgery recently, red light on its own is the place to start.
Prices
- Single session, 30 minutes: £40
- Course of 5 sessions: £150
- Course of 10 sessions: £280
- Membership, 4 sessions a month: £120 a month
- Membership, 8 sessions a month: £220 a month
- Membership, 12 sessions a month: £320 a month
- Red Light and Lymphatic Flow, 60 minutes: £70
You can see all of our prices on our pricing page.