South African red light therapy studies: what researchers have discovered so far

Red light therapy is often discussed online as a wellness trend, but the science behind it has been studied for many years.

The scientific term is photobiomodulation, often called PBM, low-level light therapy, laser therapy, or LED light therapy, depending on the device and setting.

Photobiomodulation uses specific wavelengths of red or near-infrared light to influence biological processes in cells. Researchers study how this light may affect cellular energy, inflammation pathways, cell movement, collagen production, wound repair, and other processes.

Most red light therapy content online comes from the United States, Europe, or Australia. But South Africa has also contributed meaningful research to this field, especially through the University of Johannesburg Laser Research Center.

This article looks at some of the more interesting South African red light therapy and photobiomodulation studies, what they found, and what the results actually mean.

Quick summary

South African red light therapy research has focused strongly on diabetic wound healing.

Much of the work comes from the University of Johannesburg Laser Research Center.

Researchers have studied red and near-infrared wavelengths such as 632.8nm, 660nm, 830nm, 880nm, 980nm, and 1064nm in laboratory and clinical settings.

Several studies suggest that photobiomodulation may influence cell migration, cell survival, inflammation pathways, and wound-healing processes.

A South African clinical paper on diabetic ulcers reported improved wound regeneration when photo therapy was combined with conventional podiatric care.

Why South African research matters

South African research is important because our healthcare challenges are not always the same as those in other countries.

Diabetes, chronic wounds, limited healthcare access, skin tone diversity, and the risk of lower-limb complications are all relevant in South Africa.

The University of Johannesburg has been one of the main local institutions involved in this area. Its Laser Research Center has studied photobiomodulation in diabetic wound models, wound repair cells, inflammation pathways, and clinical diabetic ulcer care.

South African researchers are not just following a global trend, they are contributing to the actual science behind it.

UJ’s work on diabetic wound healing

One of the most important South African research areas is diabetic wound healing.

In diabetes, high blood sugar and poor oxygen conditions can affect skin repair cells. This can make wounds harder to heal and may increase the risk of chronic ulcers.

A 2026 University of Johannesburg article, New versatile option for diabetic wound care, UJ study finds, explains recent work from the UJ Laser Research Center using 830nm near-infrared light in laboratory cell models.

The researchers looked at hyperglycaemic and wounded skin-repair cells called fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are important because they help with wound repair, collagen production, and tissue rebuilding.

The study found that 830nm light increased fibroblast migration, viability, and proliferation. In simple terms, the cells moved better, stayed alive better, and multiplied more.

That is promising because cell migration and survival are important parts of wound healing.

However, the study also found something more complicated: the 830nm light did not appear to activate the expected PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in that model. That pathway has been linked to healing responses in some red light studies, especially around 660nm.

This is one of the reasons the study is interesting. It suggests that different wavelengths may influence cells through different pathways.

It also shows why red light therapy research is not as simple as saying that red light heals wounds. Wavelength, dose, timing, cell type, oxygen level, and biological pathways all matter.

Red light and near-infrared light may work differently

One useful lesson from South African research is that red light and near-infrared light are not exactly the same. Red light, such as 660nm, is visible. Near-infrared light, such as 830nm or 850nm, is mostly invisible to the eye.

In the UJ article, Prof Nicolette Houreld explains that near-infrared light can reach deeper into tissue than red light, although penetration depends on tissue type, skin tone, wavelength, and other factors. A 660nm red light study may not produce the same result as an 830nm near-infrared light study.

For home users, this is why it helps to understand wavelengths before buying a device. Many red light therapy panels use 660nm red light and 850nm near-infrared light, but other wavelengths may also be used in clinical or research settings.

You can read more about what wavelengths a red light therapy panel should have.

South African clinical work on diabetic ulcers

South African researchers have also looked at photo therapy in people with diabetic ulcers.

A peer-reviewed paper listed by the University of Johannesburg, Conventional podiatric intervention and phototherapy in the treatment of diabetic ulcers, involved patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic lower-limb ulcers.

The patients were divided into three groups:

• podiatric management with placebo photo therapy
• podiatric management plus photo therapy on the ulcer
• podiatric management plus photo therapy on the ulcer and regional lymphatic nodes

The study reported that healing rates increased across the groups. It also reported that 67% of managed ulcers received some form of photo therapeutic intervention, and 40% of those ulcers resolved completely in less than 8 weeks, with no adverse effects reported by participants.

That is encouraging, especially because diabetic ulcers can be difficult to manage. However, this should be understood as clinical wound care research, not a reason for someone to use a home red light therapy panel on a diabetic wound without medical supervision.

Diabetic ulcers are serious medical conditions. Anyone with a diabetic wound, poor circulation, infection risk, or loss of sensation should work with qualified healthcare professionals.

A review on diabetic foot ulcers and skin color

Another important South African-authored paper is Clinical Effect of Photobiomodulation on Wound Healing of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Does Skin Color Needs to Be Considered?, written by researchers from the University of Johannesburg Laser Research Center.

This was a review, not a single new treatment trial. The authors looked at existing studies on photobiomodulation for diabetic foot ulcers, including cell studies, animal studies, clinical trials, and case studies.

The review found that the clinical trials included in the paper showed evidence that PBM used together with conventional treatment resulted in increased healing rates for diabetic foot ulcers.

The important South African angle is skin color. The authors noted that skin tone and melanin can affect how light interacts with tissue. Despite that, only one study in the review adjusted its protocol according to skin color.

Their conclusion was cautious: more randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials are needed, especially studies that properly consider different skin colors and ethnic groups.

Laboratory studies on wounded fibroblast cells

A lot of South African photobiomodulation research has focused on fibroblasts.

Fibroblasts are skin repair cells involved in collagen production, wound closure, and tissue repair.

One UJ-linked study, Effect of photobiomodulation on cellular migration and survival in diabetic and hypoxic diabetic wounded fibroblast cells, investigated 660nm red light at an energy density of 5 J/cm².

The researchers studied diabetic wounded and hypoxic diabetic wounded fibroblast cells. Hypoxia means low oxygen, which is relevant because poor oxygen supply can be part of the wound healing problem in diabetes.

The study looked at whether 660nm PBM could regulate wound repair by improving cell migration and survival. This type of research is useful because it helps explain possible mechanisms. It does not prove that every red light therapy device will heal wounds, but it helps researchers understand how certain wavelengths and doses may influence cells under controlled conditions.

Another study, Photobiomodulation at 830nm stimulates migration, survival and proliferation of fibroblast cells, looked at 830nm near-infrared light and fibroblast behavior in a diabetic wound context.

The study reported increased migration, survival, and proliferation of fibroblast cells.

When you look at these studies together, the pattern is clear: South African researchers are especially interested in how red and near-infrared light may influence the cellular steps needed for wound repair.

Research on inflammation pathways

Inflammation is another repeated theme in South African PBM research.

Inflammation is part of normal healing, but chronic or poorly regulated inflammation can contribute to delayed wound repair.

A South African study titled Modulatory Effects of 830 nm on Diabetic Wounded Fibroblast Cells: An In Vitro Study on Inflammatory Cytokines explored how 830nm near-infrared PBM affected inflammation-related markers in diabetic wounded fibroblast cells.

The study focused on inflammatory cytokines and cell viability, which are important in the wound-healing environment.

Researchers were not only asking whether light works, they were trying to understand which biological pathways get affected, at which wavelength, and under which conditions.

That is useful because better understanding can lead to better protocols. It also explains why studies may not always produce the same results. A different wavelength, dose, cell type, or treatment time can change the response.

Newer research into regenerative medicine

South African researchers are also exploring how photobiomodulation may fit into broader regenerative medicine.

A 2026 review, The impact of stem cell secretome, exosomes, and photobiomodulation on enhancing diabetic wound recovery, discusses chronic diabetic wounds, stem cell secretome, exosomes, and PBM as part of future regenerative approaches.

This is more advanced biomedical research looking at how cell-free stem-cell approaches, such as secretome and exosomes, may work alongside photobiomodulation to support future diabetic wound-recovery strategies.

The reason it is worth mentioning is that it shows where the science is heading. South African researchers are not only studying basic light exposure. They are looking at how PBM may combine with newer regenerative tools in difficult wound healing cases.

Keep in mind, this is still a developing research area.

What South African researchers have discovered so far

Across the South African studies reviewed, a few themes stand out.

• Diabetic wound healing is a major focus.
• Both red and near-infrared wavelengths are being studied, especially around 660nm and 830nm.
• PBM may influence important wound processes such as cell migration, survival, proliferation, inflammation signaling, and collagen activity.
• Results depend heavily on the treatment parameters.
• South African researchers are paying attention to issues that matter locally, including skin tone and the need for better clinical protocols.

The research is promising, but it is also careful. Many studies are laboratory based. Some are reviews. Some are small clinical studies. Larger, well designed clinical trials are still needed for a definitive conclusion.

Conclusion

Overall, South African red light therapy research is most developed in diabetic wound healing and photobiomodulation science. The findings are promising, especially around how red and near-infrared light may influence cellular processes linked with wound repair.

These studies support red light therapy as a real field of research, not as proof that every home device can treat medical conditions. For South African consumers, the practical takeaway is simple: red light therapy is worth taking seriously, but product quality, wavelength information, device instructions, safety, and realistic expectations still matter.

Disclaimer

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Red light therapy products are intended for general wellness and lifestyle use unless specifically cleared for a particular medical purpose. Always follow your device instructions and consult a qualified healthcare professional if you have a medical condition, take photosensitising medication, have an eye condition, are pregnant, or are unsure whether red light therapy is suitable for you.