Red light therapy beds: what they are, and whether they make sense in South Africa

A red light therapy bed is a full-body light therapy device that allows you to lie down while red and near-infrared light shines over a your entire body, 360 degrees although types and coverage may differ.

It is usually designed to make red light therapy easier, more comfortable, and more consistent than using a small handheld device or constantly moving a smaller panel around different body areas.

Most red light therapy beds use red light, near-infrared light, or a combination of both. Common wavelengths include 660nm red light and 850nm near-infrared light, although this depends on the specific device.

It is worth mentioning that a red light therapy bed is different from a tanning bed. A tanning bed uses ultraviolet light, which is linked with tanning and UV-related skin and eye risks. A red light therapy bed does not.

Red light therapy is also known as photobiomodulation. In simple terms, researchers study how certain wavelengths of light interact with cells, mitochondria, cellular signaling, and normal biological processes. Device design, wavelength, distance, session time, and dose all matter.

More a much more in depth look into red light therapy, read our guide on what red light therapy is.

Quick summary

A red light therapy bed is a large full-body red and near-infrared light device.

Some beds surround the body from above and below, while others are closer to mats, pods, blankets, or panels placed above a treatment bed.

Beds are often used in wellness studios, recovery spaces, aesthetic clinics, and higher-end home wellness setups.

They usually cost far more than compact red light therapy panels. The main advantage is coverage and convenience. The main disadvantage is price, size, storage, and less flexibility compared with a panel.

Is a red light therapy bed the same as a mat, blanket, or pod?

Not always. This can be an area of big confusion or one to watch out for. Some companies use words like bed, pod, blanket, and mat quite loosely. In practice, these devices can be quite different.

Device type	What it usually means	Main advantage	Main limitation
Red light therapy bed	A larger structure you lie in or under, often with light above and sometimes below	Full-body or near full-body exposure in one session	Expensive, large, not practical for most homes
Red light therapy pod	A flexible wraparound or zip-style device that surrounds more of the body	More coverage than a flat mat	Can feel enclosed, quality varies
Red light therapy blanket	A flexible mat-like device that can wrap around the body or lie flat	Easier to store than a rigid bed	Often less structured than a true bed
Red light therapy mat	A flat surface with LEDs that you lie on or place against the body	Portable and easier to store	Usually covers one side of the body at a time

We mention this, because a “red light therapy bed” is not always a true bed in the way people imagine.

In some spas and wellness studios, the customer may lie on a normal massage bed while a red light panel is positioned above them. There is nothing wrong with doing that, but in some websites it’s marketed as a red light therapy bed, which is not completely accurate.

A true bed or pod usually gives more wraparound coverage which

What red light therapy beds are commonly used for

Some clinics, spas, and recovery studios also promote them for sports recovery, body comfort, circulation support, and wellness routines. Red light therapy beds are commonly used in wellness and aesthetic settings for:

• skin appearance routines
• body-focused wellness routines
• post-exercise recovery routines
• relaxation sessions

The main benefit of a red light therapy bed is coverage

The biggest benefit of a red light therapy bed is coverage.

A compact panel may need to be repositioned if you want to use it on your face, back, legs, shoulders, or other areas. A bed or pod is designed to expose larger areas in one session.

The second benefit is convenience. You lie down, start the session, and stay in one position.

The third benefit is comfort. Many beds are designed for spas, wellness studios, and recovery centers, so they may include cooling fans, timers, vibration, or a more relaxing setup.

The fourth benefit is consistency. For people who use red light therapy regularly, a comfortable full-body setup can make the routine easier to repeat.

The trade-off is cost and practicality.

A bed may be impressive, but it is not always the most realistic choice for a South African home.

What features can red light therapy beds have?

Features will vary between devices. Some beds are simple red light systems. Others are more advanced and include:

• red and near-infrared LEDs
• separate red and near-infrared modes
• timers
• pulse settings
• cooling fans
• vibration
• Bluetooth or music features
• top and bottom light exposure

One useful point is that wavelengths are not usually adjustable in the way volume is adjustable.

The wavelength comes from the LED chip itself. If a device has 660nm LEDs, those LEDs emit around 660nm. If it has 850nm LEDs, those LEDs emit around 850nm.

So if a bed says it has adjustable wavelengths, check what that really means. It may simply mean the device lets you switch between red, near-infrared, or both.

Do red light therapy beds use red and near-infrared light at the same time?

Some red light therapy beds use red light only. Some use near-infrared only. Many modern full-body red light therapy beds, and other devices combine red and near-infrared light in the same device.

This is why it is important to check the product specifications before buying.

What does research say about red light therapy beds?

There are many studies on red light therapy and photobiomodulation in general, but there are fewer studies specifically on red light therapy beds.

A study on a handheld laser, a face mask, or a small LED panel does not automatically prove that every full-body bed will give the same result.

Still, there are useful studies on whole-body and larger-area red light therapy.

A 2020 randomized crossover study published in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living looked at a whole-body photobiomodulation light bed in 12 trained males. The device used 660nm red light and 850nm near-infrared light, and participants used the bed before and after high-intensity resistance training. The study did not find a statistically significant reduction in creatine kinase or salivary IL-6 compared with the control condition, although the authors noted a moderate effect in one recovery marker and called for more research.

You can read the study here: The Effects of Whole-Body Photobiomodulation Light-Bed Therapy on Creatine Kinase and Salivary Interleukin-6.

-

A triple-blinded randomized clinical trial looked at whole-body photobiomodulation in people with fibromyalgia. Participants received 12 sessions over 4 weeks using a NovoTHOR whole-body light bed. The study reported significant improvements in pain and quality of life, but it was a specific clinical study in a medical population and should not be used to claim that consumer beds treat medical conditions. The authors also said more studies are needed.

You can read it here: Short-Term Effects of Whole-Body Photobiomodulation on Pain, Quality of Life and Psychological Factors.

-

A later study from the same research area followed people with fibromyalgia for up to 6 months after whole-body photobiomodulation. It again used 12 whole-body PBM sessions and reported improvements in pain, quality of life, and related measures compared with placebo PBM. This is interesting evidence for whole-body PBM as a research area, but it remains condition-specific and does not turn every consumer bed into a medical treatment device. You can read the study here: Outcomes of Whole-Body Photobiomodulation on Pain, Quality of Life and Related Factors.

-

A larger red and near-infrared skin appearance study by Wunsch and Matuschka included 136 volunteers and compared red and near-infrared light treatments with controls over 30 sessions. The treated groups showed improvements in skin complexion, skin feeling, skin roughness, wrinkle appearance, and collagen density measurements. However, the study was funded by the device sponsor, so it should be read with that limitation in mind.

You can read the study here: A Controlled Trial to Determine the Efficacy of Red and Near-Infrared Light Treatment.

Can you use a red light therapy bed every day?

The whole-body bed studies above did not simply use unlimited daily exposure.

The 2020 whole-body light-bed study used treatments around an exercise protocol, not open-ended daily use. The fibromyalgia whole-body PBM studies used 12 sessions over 4 weeks, which worked out to three sessions per week. That does not mean three sessions per week is the perfect routine for every device or every person.

For home users, the better approach is to follow the device instructions, start conservatively, and avoid assuming that more time or more frequent sessions are automatically better.

Many red light therapy beds, pods, and full-body systems target sessions of around 10 to 20 minutes. The correct session length depends on the device design, intensity, distance, and instructions.

If you are new to red light therapy, it is usually better to build consistency slowly than to overdo it.

Read our guide on how to use a red light therapy panel at home.

What are the potential side effects of a red light therapy bed?

Red light therapy is generally considered non-invasive when used correctly, but that does not mean it should be used carelessly.

Possible issues can include:

• eye strain from bright LEDs
• headache or discomfort from brightness
• skin warmth or irritation
• feeling overheated in enclosed pod devices
• discomfort if the session is too long
• light sensitivity in certain people
• interaction with photosensitising medication

Cleveland Clinic notes that red light therapy appears generally safe when used as directed, but also cautions that long-term safety data for some devices is still limited and that users should protect their eyes and follow device instructions. Their overview also points out that misuse, poor device quality, or not following instructions may increase risk.

You should be more cautious if you:

• take photosensitising medication
• have an eye condition
• are pregnant
• have epilepsy or severe light sensitivity
• have a medical condition
• have a suspicious skin lesion

What do you wear in a red light therapy bed?

This depends on the studio, device, and your comfort level.

Red and near-infrared light needs access to the area you want exposed. Clothing can block or reduce the light reaching the skin.

In one whole-body PBM protocol, participants lay in the treatment bed for 20 minutes with no or minimal attire, such as underwear. That was a controlled research setting, not a general instruction for every consumer or studio.

A practical approach is to focus on the areas you want to expose while keeping on as minimal clothing as possible to the degree that is suitable for the surroundings and you are comfortable in. It’s obviously much easier in a home setting.

How much does a red light therapy bed cost in South Africa?

A true red light therapy bed is usually very expensive.

In South Africa, you may see several price levels:

Compact panel: lower cost + Practical for home use, but requires positioning

Larger panel on a stand: Mid to high cost + More coverage, but still not a bed

Mat or blanket: High cost + More body coverage, easier to store than a rigid bed

Pod: High cost + Often marketed as full-body or wraparound coverage

Bed: Very high cost + More common in clinics, spas, recovery centres, and professional settings

At the time of writing, public South African listings for red light therapy pods and blankets can sit around the R25,000 to R35,000+ range, depending on brand, size, LED count, features, and warranty. A bed on the other hand can cost R100 000 and up.

Some professional whole-body beds used in clinics can cost far more than that.

This is why many South African home users may find a compact or medium-sized panels more realistic than a full bed. A panel does not give the same wraparound coverage as a bed, but it can still be a practical red and near-infrared light therapy device for face and body routines.

Red light therapy beds vs spa sessions

Some people first experience red light therapy at a clinic, studio, or spa. This is a great way to get into red light therapy, albeit fairly expensive. A professional session may offer staff guidance, a luxury setup, larger equipment, and a premium experience.

The downside is that you pay per session, and repeated sessions can add up. You also need to consider travel time, fuel, parking, appointment availability, and convenience.

Some studios may call the service a “bed” even when the setup is a panel adjusted over a treatment bed. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is worth understanding the difference. If you really want the full red light therapy bed experience, make sure it’s a wrap around type bed.

We’ve actually compared red light therapy sessions vs home panels, that might be worth a read if you’re choosing between buying your own device vs paying for sessions.

Does a red light therapy bed make sense in South Africa?

Yes, it does, if you can afford it. For most wanting to get started with red light therapy, a panel will be good enough.

A bed is a premium setup, offers full body coverage, saves you time and you get more bang for your buck. Meaning, you get coverage on your entire body in a shorter amount of time without having to make any adjustments – the ultimate red light therapy experience. However, you have to pay a lot more compared to other devices to get set up, and you need the space for it.

It definitely makes sense for clinics, spas, recovery studios, and wellness businesses that want to offer a full-body light therapy session.

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, have severe light sensitivity, or are unsure whether red light therapy is suitable for you.