With the increasing rise of treatments for skincare and longevity, we are seeing a growth in the market of photobiomodulation devices. Facilities that provide wellness treatments to clients can benefit from promoting photobiomodulation therapy to enhance their health and wellness offerings.
What is Photobiomodulation Therapy?
Photobiomodulation (PBM) was discovered over 50 years ago [1] and is a form of low level laser therapy treatment. It is an effective, non-invasive solution that has been extensively studied for its ability to enhance energy production at the cellular level and promote healing in a variety of applications, from pain relief to cognitive enhancement.
It works by targeting the mitochondria to improve the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the body’s primary energy source. By optimising cellular energy, PBM helps accelerate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and enhance overall well-being. PBM also increases localised blood circulation, further supporting recovery and regeneration.
PBM is gaining popularity across various fields, including sports recovery, pain management, cognitive health, and skin rejuvenation. Whether used in medical settings, wellness centers, or at-home treatments, PBM provides a cutting-edge approach to enhancing health and longevity naturally.
5 Benefits of Photobiomodulation
Fitness, wellness and beauty centres can majorly benefit from providing photobiomodulation therapy to customers. There are a number of advantages of using this type of laser therapy treatment, including skin and health care.
Let’s take a closer look at how your customers can benefit from PBM.
1. Reduces inflammation
One of the greatest effects of PBM is an overall reduction in inflammation, which is particularly important for disorders of the joints, muscle injuries, and chronic conditions [2].
More specifically, there have been many studies to prove that PBM reduces inflammation and can help with diseases such as arthritis [3]. By using red and near-infrared light, PBM penetrates deep into tissues. This modulates inflammatory pathways at a cellular level.
2. Reduces pain in joints and muscles
PBM can be effectively used to target muscles. A huge benefit is that it can help to heal muscle injuries, while reducing muscle pain and soreness after excessive exercise. This is particularly useful for athletes or those who exercise regularly.
PBM is used to reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), as well as to aid muscle damage after intense or prolonged exercise and muscle strains or trauma.
We can find evidence of this from several clinical trials that were carried out in Brazil in athletes including elite runners, volleyball players and rugby players.
3. Promotes tissue repair & healing
Another benefit of PBM is that it is used as a non-invasive approach to enhancing tissue regeneration [4].
PBM delivers wavelengths of light (typically 600-1100 nm) that penetrate the skin and reach the mitochondria inside cells. The light is absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase, which enhances the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
With more ATP available, cells can perform their functions more efficiently, including repair, growth, and regeneration. This energy boost is particularly beneficial for damaged tissues that require extra assistance to heal.
4. Improves focus
As previously mentioned, PBM increases ATP production. ATP also happens to be the primary energy source for brain cells. PBM can then effectively be used to help improve mental clarity, memory, and concentration and is especially beneficial for people experiencing brain fog, fatigue, or cognitive decline.
PBM also helps to enhance blood flow to the brain. It works to increase the release of nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels and improves cerebral circulation [5]. Better blood flow means more oxygen and nutrients reach brain cells, supporting sustained focus, mental stamina, and quicker thinking.
5. Promotes skin health
Another benefit provided by photobiomodulation is that it can be used to promote skin health. More specifically, it stimulates collagen production and reduces acne. This makes it an excellent option for beauty and wellness spas, where customers are looking for ways to enhance their skin health.
PBM works by activating fibroblasts. These are the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin, which keep skin firm and youthful. This process ultimately helps to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, leading to smoother, plumper, and more radiant skin.
Not only does PBM create healthier skin, it can also be used to wound heals and reduce scars. By stimulating blood circulation and cell growth, PBM works to soften existing scars. This makes PBM useful for reducing scars such as acne and stretch marks.
How Photobiomodulation can enhance your facility
By promoting PBM in your facility, you’re able to offer a highly valuable wellness treatment to customers. This allows you to set yourself apart with cutting-edge health and wellness options that very few in the industry currently have.
At Alchemy Wellbeing Award, our Photobiomodulation systems come with adjustable settings for light intensity and time periods. There are eight treatment levels to choose from, allowing users to select a level that is going to be most beneficial to them.
Our PBM technology has an infrared range of 810 – 940nm, making it effective for all uses. It also features a touch screen display to make it simple to use.
For more information, visit our photobiomodulation product page.
1. Hamblin MR. History of Low-Level Laser (Light) Therapy. In: Hamblin MR, de Sousa MVP, Agrawal T, editors. Handbook of Low-Level Laser Therapy. Singapore: Pan Stanford Publishing; 2017. [Google Scholar]
2. Hamblin MR. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophys. 2017;4(3):337-361
3. Zhang, Q., Dehaini, D., Zhang, Y. et al. Neutrophil membrane-coated nanoparticles inhibit synovial inflammation and alleviate joint damage in inflammatory arthritis. Nature Nanotech 13, 1182–1190 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-018-0254-4
4. Iruthayapandi Selestin Raja et al, Tailoring photobiomodulation to enhance tissue regeneration, Biomaterials, Volume 309, 2024, 122623, ISSN 0142-9612.
5. Baik JS, Lee TY, Kim NG, et al. Effects of Photobiomodulation on Changes in Cognitive Function and Regional Cerebral Blood Flow in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Uncontrolled Trial. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. 2021;83(4):1513-1519. doi:10.3233/JAD-210386
