Please read through this guide before using your device for the first time. It covers everything you need to know to use your device safely and get the best possible results. This guide applies to all StreamShop red light therapy devices.
Red light therapy (RLT), also known as photobiomodulation (PBM), is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to stimulate cellular activity at a mitochondrial level. It is widely used for skin health, muscle recovery, joint support, and general wellbeing, and is backed by thousands of peer-reviewed studies published since its first documented clinical use in the late 1960s.
StreamShop devices cover a wavelength range of 630nm to 1060nm depending on the specific device. Red wavelengths in the 630-700nm range primarily target the surface layers of the skin and are most effective for skin health, rejuvenation, and superficial inflammation. Near-infrared wavelengths from 800nm and above penetrate more deeply into muscle, joint, and connective tissue, making them better suited for recovery, pain relief, and deeper therapeutic work.
Our range includes LED devices, laser light therapy devices, and combinations of both. While LED and laser devices work through the same underlying biological mechanism, there are some important differences in how they are used safely, which are covered in the sections below. For more detail on specific devices and how to get the most from them, visit our health and wellness blog.
-Panels - a range of panel sizes suited to different treatment areas and goals, with a recommended treatment distance of 15-30cm from the skin
-Handheld devices - smaller targeted devices for focused treatment of specific areas, used at 0-15cm from the skin depending on output intensity
-Wearables and wraps - flexible devices designed for direct contact against the skin, suited to joint and muscle treatment during rest
-LED facial devices - masks and wands optimised for skin rejuvenation
-Hair regrowth devices - laser or LED devices designed to stimulate scalp follicle activity
-Laser light therapy devices - including red light laser beds and mats, covered in detail below
-Class IIa medical grade devices - higher-powered devices with specific safety requirements
Both LED and laser devices in our range work through the same photobiomodulation mechanism. Light absorbed by the mitochondria in your cells stimulates ATP production, reduces inflammation, and promotes tissue repair. The therapeutic outcomes are similar, but the nature of the light source is different and this matters for how you use each type safely.
LED devices emit non-coherent, diffuse light that spreads across a treatment area. This makes them well suited to home use, forgiving to operate, and effective for covering large areas of the body in a single session. The light from an LED device does not focus to a point and therefore carries a much lower risk of causing concentrated damage to eyes or skin.
Laser devices emit coherent, focused, collimated light. This gives laser light a higher power density at the treatment site and makes it particularly effective for targeted, localised treatment of specific points such as trigger points, small joints, or precise areas of pain. For devices such as our red light laser beds and mats where you are not directly facing or looking at the laser source, protective eyewear is not required. However please always be cautious and avoid looking directly at any laser beam at any time. For handheld laser devices or any situation where the beam may be directed toward the face or eyes, wear the protective goggles provided with your device. Never point a laser device at a reflective surface such as a mirror or shiny metal.
If you are ever unsure whether your device is LED or laser, or which safety precautions apply to your specific device, please contact us before use.
Before using any StreamShop device for the first time, we strongly recommend performing a spot test to check your skin's response. This is especially important if you have sensitive skin, a history of skin conditions, or are currently using any topical medications on the area you plan to treat.
To perform a spot test, choose a small inconspicuous area of skin such as the inside of your wrist or forearm. Use your device for the shortest recommended duration at the correct distance for your device type. After the session, leave the area uncovered and monitor it for 24 hours. If you notice no unusual redness, irritation, itching, or discomfort, you can proceed with regular use. If you do experience any reaction, please stop and contact us before continuing.
A mild sensation of warmth during or after a session is completely normal. This is simply light energy being absorbed by the tissue.
For panel devices, the recommended treatment distance is 15-30cm from the skin depending on the panel and your comfort. For handheld devices, you can use them anywhere from direct proximity up to 15cm depending on the intensity of your specific device. Wearable and wrap devices are designed for direct contact on the skin. Maintaining the correct distance matters because it directly affects how much energy your skin receives. Being too close to a high-powered device can cause skin sensitivity, while being too far reduces the therapeutic benefit.
For most devices, sessions of 10 to 20 minutes per treatment area are a good starting point. If you are new to red light therapy, begin with shorter sessions of around 5 to 10 minutes and build up gradually over your first few weeks. Most users benefit from 3 to 5 sessions per week and daily use is safe for the majority of people.
As a general rule, keeping your total red light therapy exposure under one hour per day is ideal for most people. The reason for this comes down to something researchers call the biphasic dose response, which is technically measured in joules of energy delivered to the tissue. Put simply, the right amount of light produces the best results, but consistently overdoing it can reduce or even inhibit those results. You do not need to calculate joules yourself - staying under one hour of total daily exposure and following the recommended distances for your device is a sensible and practical guide for the vast majority of users.
If you use multiple devices, combine sessions across different body areas, or want to understand your dosage in more detail, we have written a full guide on our blog at Red Light Therapy Dosage. You are also welcome to reach out to us directly and we can advise based on your specific device and goals.
For best results, ensure your skin is clean and free of any lotions, serums, sunscreens, or oils before your session. These products can act as a barrier and reduce how effectively the light penetrates the skin. You can apply your usual skincare routine after your session has finished.
For LED devices, avoid staring directly into the light source during use. If your device came with goggles, use them where appropriate. Not all LED devices in our range include goggles, so simply closing your eyes or looking away is appropriate where none are provided.
For laser devices such as beds and mats where you are not looking directly at the laser source, protective eyewear is not required. Please however always remain cautious and avoid direct eye exposure to any laser beam. For handheld laser devices or any scenario where the beam is directed near the face, wear the goggles provided with your device.
Red light therapy is considered safe for the vast majority of people. However there are certain conditions and circumstances where you should consult your doctor or healthcare provider before use. The following is general guidance only and not a substitute for personalised medical advice.
There is currently insufficient clinical research on the effects of red light therapy during pregnancy. Out of caution, we recommend consulting your midwife or obstetrician before use if you are pregnant or actively trying to conceive.
Red light therapy stimulates cellular activity. If you have active cancer or a recent history of cancer (within the last 2 years), please consult your oncologist before using any red light therapy device.
Certain medications increase the skin's sensitivity to light, including some antibiotics, antifungals, diuretics, antidepressants, and chemotherapy drugs. If you are taking any medication that your prescriber has noted may cause photosensitivity, speak with them before use.
If you have a history of epilepsy or light-triggered seizures, please consult your neurologist before use as a precaution.
Avoid directing light therapy at areas of active skin infection, open wounds, recent surgical sites, or severely inflamed skin until the area has healed. If you have a diagnosed skin condition such as lupus or active psoriasis in the area you wish to treat, consult your dermatologist before use.
If you have hyperthyroidism or Graves' disease, please consult your endocrinologist before directing light at the neck area. It is worth noting that the evidence on red light therapy and the thyroid is more nuanced than many guides suggest. A clinical study specifically assessing the safety of home-use red and near-infrared LED devices applied daily to the neck over 16 weeks found no significant changes to thyroid or parathyroid function. Separate research has also indicated that photobiomodulation may actually benefit people with Hashimoto's disease and autoimmune hypothyroidism. That said, if you have any known thyroid condition, checking with your doctor first is always the right approach.
Our devices are designed for adult use and should not be used on children without guidance from a paediatric healthcare professional.
Red light therapy is generally very well tolerated and most people complete sessions without any discomfort at all. A gentle warmth during or after a session is completely normal, as is a mild and temporary pinkness of the skin in the treated area, which typically resolves within 30 to 60 minutes. Some users feel a mild increase in energy after daytime sessions, while others find evening sessions help them relax and sleep better. Both are normal responses.
Headaches and unusual fatigue after sessions are less common but can occur, particularly when you are new to the therapy or using a high-intensity device. In most cases this simply means your body needs a little more time to adjust. Reducing the brightness setting if your device has one, shortening session length, or leaving a day between sessions is usually enough to resolve it. Please reach out to us and we can give you specific advice for your device and situation - it is almost always a simple fix.
If you experience persistent redness, itching, a rash, blistering, or any unexpected skin reaction, stop use and contact us before continuing. If you experience any side effects and are unsure whether they are normal, please get in touch. We would much rather help you find the right approach than have you push through discomfort or uncertainty. You can reach us at hello@streamshopau.com or on 0467 816 375.
Always switch off and unplug your device before cleaning. Wipe the surface gently with a soft, dry or lightly damp microfibre cloth. Do not use chemical sprays, alcohol-based cleaners, or abrasive materials directly on the LED panel or laser aperture as these can damage the diodes or optics and affect performance.
Store your device in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Avoid areas of extreme heat such as cars in summer or unventilated rooms. For flexible wrap devices, avoid folding tightly or placing heavy objects on top when stored.
Inspect the power cable regularly for signs of damage or fraying. Do not use the device if the cable is damaged and never use any device near water or in wet conditions. If your device becomes damaged, behaves unexpectedly, or a laser device's beam appears to change in any way, discontinue use and contact us.
Red light therapy is a cumulative treatment. The benefits develop over consistent, repeated use rather than after a single session. Most users begin to notice improvements in their target area within 4 to 8 weeks of regular use, with continued improvement over the following months. Skin health improvements are often visible within 4 to 6 weeks. Recovery and pain-related benefits may come sooner for some people, particularly with more frequent use.
The key factors that influence your results are consistency of use, the correct distance and session duration for your specific device, and ensuring the treatment area is clean and free of barriers before each session. Using your device as part of a broader healthy routine will always yield better outcomes.
If after 8 weeks of consistent use you are not noticing any improvement, please reach out to us. We are happy to review how you are using your device and offer personalised guidance. Our health and wellness blog also covers specific use cases, device tips, and deeper insight into the research behind the therapy.
Red light therapy and photobiomodulation is one of the most thoroughly researched areas of non-invasive wellness therapy, with thousands of peer-reviewed studies indexed on PubMed. Below are some of the key studies relevant to the most common applications of our devices.
A randomised controlled trial of 136 volunteers found that red light treatment produced significant improvements in skin complexion, roughness, and ultrasonographically measured collagen density compared to a control group. Blinded evaluation of clinical photography confirmed meaningful improvement across the intervention groups.
Wunsch A, Matuschka K. A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 2014. View study
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that low-level red (640nm) and near-infrared (830nm) LED light significantly increased the expression of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in human dermal fibroblasts and skin tissue samples within one week of daily treatment.
Li W et al. Low-level red and infrared light increases expression of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in skin. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2021. View study
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 controlled studies found that photomodulation therapy produced a statistically significant reduction in delayed onset muscle soreness at 72 and 96 hours post-exercise, alongside significant improvements in muscle strength at 24 and 48 hours. Wavelengths used across the included studies ranged from 660nm to 950nm.
Effects of Photomodulation Therapy for Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 2025. View study
A comprehensive review published in AIMS Biophysics examined the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of photobiomodulation and summarised clinical evidence across multiple conditions including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane systematic reviews cited within found good evidence for effectiveness in rheumatoid arthritis and some evidence in osteoarthritis, with reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, improved mitochondrial function, and increased circulation identified as the key mechanisms.
Hamblin MR. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophysics, 2017. View study
A foundational paper from Harvard Medical School's Wellman Centre for Photomedicine documents the biphasic dose response in low-level light therapy, demonstrating that lower doses of light produce better stimulatory effects than higher doses, and that excessive doses can inhibit the very effects being sought. This is the primary scientific basis for the one hour daily guideline and the importance of following recommended distances.
Huang YY, Chen AC, Carroll JD, Hamblin MR. Biphasic dose response in low level light therapy. Dose Response, 2009. View study
A prospective clinical study assessed the safety of home-use red and near-infrared LED devices applied daily to the neck for skin rejuvenation over 16 weeks. Thyroid function tests and ultrasonographic analysis showed no significant changes to thyroid or parathyroid function throughout the entire study period.
The Use of a Light-Emitting Diode Device for Neck Rejuvenation and Its Safety on Thyroid Glands. PMC / NCBI, 2021. View study
A peer-reviewed paper published in Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences examined the differences between laser and LED light sources in photobiomodulation, finding that both produce equivalent therapeutic outcomes through the same cellular mechanisms, while noting that LED devices carry no laser safety considerations and are ideally suited to home use.
Heiskanen V, Hamblin MR. Photobiomodulation: lasers vs. light emitting diodes? Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, 2018. View study
Yes, daily use is safe for most people. Starting with 3 to 5 sessions per week and building up gradually is the sensible approach, particularly in your first few weeks. When you do move to daily use, keep your total exposure under one hour per day across all devices and treatment areas. For more detail on dosage, visit our Red Light Therapy Dosage guide or reach out to us directly.
Wavelengths are measured in nanometres (nm) and describe the colour and penetration depth of the light. Red light in the 630-700nm range targets the skin's surface layers and is most effective for skin health. Near-infrared light from 800nm to 1060nm penetrates more deeply into muscle and joint tissue and is better suited for recovery and pain relief. Many StreamShop devices combine multiple wavelengths to offer a broader range of benefits in a single session.
No - light cannot penetrate fabric effectively. The treatment area needs to be bare skin for the therapy to have any meaningful effect.
Yes, when used correctly. Keep your device at the appropriate distance, avoid staring directly into the light source, and close your eyes or use protective eyewear where appropriate. Facial-specific devices in our range are designed with intensities suited to facial skin.
You should be able to see red light emitting from your device. Near-infrared wavelengths above around 800nm are largely invisible to the naked eye - this is completely normal and does not mean the device is not functioning. If you are ever unsure whether your device is operating correctly, please contact us.
For laser beds, mats, and other devices where you are not looking directly at the laser source, protective eyewear is not required. Please however always remain cautious and avoid looking directly at any laser beam. For handheld laser devices or any situation where the beam may be directed near the face or eyes, wear the goggles provided with your device.
Please reach out to us. In most cases there is a straightforward adjustment to make - whether that is distance, session length, frequency, or skin preparation. We are always happy to help you get the most from your device.
The information contained in this guide is provided for general informational and safety purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, particularly where any of the contraindications listed above apply to you.
StreamShop Australia has made every reasonable effort to provide accurate, clear, and thorough safety guidance for the use of our devices. We strongly recommend that all customers perform a spot test prior to their first full session as described in this guide. Where a customer has not followed the spot test procedure outlined above, or has not disclosed a relevant contraindication or medical condition prior to use, StreamShop Australia accepts no responsibility for any adverse reactions that may occur.
If you believe you have experienced an adverse reaction caused by one of our devices, please contact us immediately at hello@streamshopau.com before drawing any conclusions. We ask that any formal claim of device-related harm be supported by documentation from a registered medical practitioner confirming that the device was the cause of the reaction. This is consistent with our obligations under Australian Consumer Law and our commitment to handling concerns fairly and transparently.
Nothing in this notice is intended to limit any rights you may have under the Australian Consumer Law, including consumer guarantees that cannot be excluded.
If you have any questions, are experiencing side effects, or just want some guidance, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are a small business based in Perth, WA, and we genuinely care about your experience.