What is red light therapy? Benefits, safety & what to expect at your first session.
Whether you're searching for medical-grade red light therapy in Calgary or you've heard friends rave about its benefits, it's normal to have questions before your first session. Is medical-grade red light therapy different from the devices you can buy for home? Does it get hot? How long does a treatment take? How many sessions do I need? And what can it actually help with?
At Barre West, we offer FDA-cleared, medical-grade LightStim® red light therapy in a relaxing, spa-like setting designed to help support skin health, muscle recovery, pain relief, and overall wellness. Whether your goal is to recover faster after a workout, improve your skin, or simply invest in your well-being, we want your first visit to feel comfortable, informative, and stress-free.
Here's everything you need to know before your first red light therapy session at Barre West.
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light that penetrate the skin and are absorbed by your cells. These wavelengths support your body's natural processes by helping your cells produce energy more efficiently. Think of it as giving your cells a little extra fuel to do what they already do best.
Many people choose red light therapy to support:
Healthy skin and collagen production
Muscle recovery after exercise
Joint comfort
Relaxation and overall wellness
Recovery from an active lifestyle
While many clients notice improvements over time, red light therapy isn't a quick fix. Like strength training or healthy nutrition, consistency tends to produce the best results.
Why We Chose LightStim Pro at Barre West
Not all red light therapy devices are created equal, which is why Barre West invested in LightStim's professional-grade ProPanel and LED Pro Bed. technology trusted by medical spas, wellness clinics, and healthcare professionals across North America.
Unlike many consumer devices, the LightStim ProPanel and LED Bed are FDA-cleared medical devices for specific indications. Depending on the treatment mode, LightStim devices are FDA-cleared to:
Treat full-face wrinkles (anti-aging)
Treat mild to moderate inflammatory acne, ezcema and psoriasis
Relieve muscle and joint aches and pains
Reduce arthritis pain
Relax muscles
Increase local blood circulation
Advanced MultiWave® Technology
One of the reasons we chose LightStim is its patented MultiWave® Technology, which combines multiple therapeutic wavelengths during a single treatment rather than relying on just one colour of light.
Our LightStim systems utilize clinically researched wavelengths, including:
630 nm red light to support healthy skin and circulation
660 nm deep red light for deeper tissue penetration
850–855 nm near-infrared light to reach deeper muscles and connective tissue
940 nm near-infrared light for deeper tissue support on the LED Bed
Because these wavelengths penetrate to different depths, they work together to support your body's natural recovery processes.
Professional-Grade, Full-Body Treatment
The LightStim LED Bed features up to 18,000 medical-grade LEDs, delivering full-body treatment in one relaxing session. The ProPanel uses 1,400 medical-grade LEDs arranged across four adjustable panels, allowing targeted treatment for areas like the face, neck, shoulders, back, or joints.
A Wellness Tool, Not a Tanning Bed
One of the most common questions we hear is whether red light therapy is like tanning. It isn't.
LightStim devices use red and near-infrared LED light and do not emit ultraviolet (UV) light, so treatments won't tan your skin or expose you to the UV radiation associated with tanning beds. Instead, the experience is designed to be comfortable, relaxing, and non-invasive, with no downtime afterward.
What Does Red Light Therapy Feel Like?
One of the biggest surprises for first-time clients is how... relaxing it is. Unlike a tanning bed, red light therapy does not use UV rays, so it won't tan your skin or cause sunburn. Instead, you'll experience a gentle warmth from the lights. Most people describe it as peaceful, calming, and a welcome excuse to unplug for a few minutes.
Many clients use their session as a chance to simply breathe, listen to music, meditate, or enjoy a few quiet moments before heading back into a busy day.
How Long Is a Session?
40 minutes. This is the optimal time frame to get maximum light penetration to every part of your body.
You’ll start lying on your back for the first 20 minutes with the Pro Panel set above your face. Halfway through the session, the bed will chime and tell you to flip over to your front for the final 20 minutes
It’s a great way to set aside some relaxing you time into a lunch break, before or after a workout class, or while running errands.
Do I Need Eye Protection?
Your Barre West team will explain any recommendations based on the equipment you're using. While the light isn't ultraviolet like tanning beds, some people prefer to wear protective eyewear (we’ll provide it for you) simply because the lights are very bright.
We'll walk you through everything before your first session so you feel completely comfortable.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Red light therapy works best when it's part of a consistent wellness routine. For best results we reccomend 3-5 sessions per week for a minimum of 8 weeks.
Some clients come for recovery after workouts. Others incorporate sessions several times per week to support their skin, recovery, or overall wellness goals. While many people enjoy how relaxed they feel after a single visit, the benefits are generally cumulative, meaning regular sessions often produce the best long-term results.
Your First Visit
When you arrive at Barre West, our team will walk you through the entire process. We'll answer your questions, explain how the equipment works, and make sure you feel confident before your session begins.
Arrive with clean, dry skin (no makeup, lotion, oils or spray tans) as this allows the light to properly penetrate into your skin.
A Few Minutes That Are Just for You
Life gets busy. Between work, family, workouts, and endless to-do lists, finding even fifteen uninterrupted minutes for yourself can feel impossible. That's one of the reasons our clients love red light therapy. It isn't just about recovery or skin health. It's about creating a small pocket of calm in your day. A chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and give your body a little extra support.
Whether you're coming in after a workout, between meetings, or simply because you deserve a moment to yourself, we're here to help you make the most of it.
Red light therapy is intended to support overall wellness and recovery and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. Individual experiences vary. If you are pregnant, have a medical condition, or are taking medications that increase light sensitivity, please consult your healthcare provider before beginning treatment