Will Red Light Therapy Work Through Clothes?
Red light therapy (RLT) has gained quite attention for boosting skin health, accelerating muscle recovery, easing pain, and a whole lot of other uses. When you are at home, ready to use the red light therapy devices, one idea pops into your mind: Can I wear clothes when doing red light therapy?
This is what we are here for today. Does red light therapy work through clothes? Long story short, most near-infrared (NIR) light used in red light therapy can work through clothes, but the effect varies depending largely on the fabric of what you’re wearing. Most of all, it’s best to do RLT without clothes on. Let’s break down why.
Does Red Light Penetrate Fabric
Red and near-infrared light (NIR) behave differently when it comes to penetrating fabric. While visible red light (around 630–660 nm) can pass through very thin or loosely woven materials, it is significantly attenuated by most fabrics due to absorption and scattering.
On the other hand, near-infrared light, especially in the longer range (≈ 800-850 nm), is better able to penetrate many common garments. In fact, one study showed that six layers of clothes were nearly 100× more transparent at 850 nm compared to visible light[1]. This is why high-output, NIR-backed red light devices, like our EmberPRO 100, are able to deliver effective irradiance even with clothes on.
Apart from that, the type of clothing you wear plays a major role in how much light ultimately reaches your skin. So if you prefer to keep clothes on during a red light session, what fabrics work best?
Best & Worst Clothes to Wear for Red Light Therapy
Laboratory and textile studies show that fabric properties (thickness, weave, color, fiber type, and number of layers) control how much NIR is transmitted[2]. Overall, light, loose-knit, pale cotton or mesh may allow substantial transmission, while dense weaves, dark dyes, and multiple layers greatly reduce it.
Based on that, here’s a list of what to wear and what to avoid when having red light therapy at home:
| Common Fabric / Clothing Example | Recommended for RLT? | Typical Single-Layer NIR Transmission (Approx %) |
|---|---|---|
| No clothes / direct skin exposure | ✔️ Best | 100% (no attenuation) |
| Thin cotton T-shirt (light color, thin knit) | ✔️ Acceptable, but not optimal | ~50–80% |
| Thin polyester activewear (light color) | ✔️ Acceptable / good transmission | ~60–90% |
| Mesh or very loose-knit sportswear | ✔️ Generally good | ~70–95% |
| Light cotton shorts / thin pajama shorts | ✔️ Acceptable for lower body | ~50–80% |
| Thick cotton sweatshirt | ❌ Not recommended | ~10–30% |
| Dark-colored hoodie (thick, multiple plies) | ❌ Not recommended | ~0–20% |
| Denim (jeans, jacket — thick woven twill) | ❌ Blocks most NIR | ~0–10% |
| Thick leggings / compression wear (dark) | ❌ / Borderline (often too thick) | ~10–40% |
| Multiple layers of any fabric | ❌ Avoid | Drops to near 0% |
Choosing the Right Red Light Device for Home Use
If you’re looking for a home device that delivers validated wavelengths (630nm, 660nm, 810–850nm) with high irradiance, our dual-chip EmberTouch Red Light Therapy Panel is engineered for effective use at common treatment distances.
With an irradiance of around 134 mW/cm² at 6 inches, it provides enough power for users who prefer a bit of coverage during sessions without losing much light intensity. For users who prefer optimal results, EmberTouch also supports direct-skin sessions with adjustable intensity from 0–100%, ensuring you get maximized full body enhancement.
Explore EmberTouch for everyday recovery, relaxation, and renewal – right at home.
FAQs about How Red Light Therapy Works
- Can I use my phone during red light therapy?
Yes, you can use your phone during a red light therapy session. Red and near-infrared light are non-ionizing and don’t interfere with electronic devices.
- Does red light therapy work through makeup?
Not effectively. Most makeup products contain pigments, minerals, or reflective particles that block or scatter red and near-infrared light. To get the best results, it’s recommended to cleanse your skin before your red light therapy session so that light can reach the deeper skin layers.
- Does red light therapy work through hair?
Yes, red light therapy can work through hair, especially when using near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths. Its light can penetrate the scalp to stimulate hair follicles by boosting cellular energy (ATP) and improving blood flow to the follicles, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients essential for growth.
- Does red light therapy work through bandages?
It depends on the material. Transparent or thin medical films may allow some light transmission, but opaque or multilayered bandages block most wavelengths. If you’re using red light therapy for wound healing, it’s best to expose the area directly unless a healthcare professional advises otherwise.
References
[1] Saleem, A., Canal, C., Davis, L. A. J., Green, R. J., & Hutchins, D. A. (2013). Near infrared transmission through various clothing fabrics. Journal of Textile Science & Engineering, 3(2), 1000129. https://doi.org/10.4172/2165-8064.1000129
[2] PubMed Central. (2024). Long wavelength light penetration through clothing and human tissue (PMC12238558). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12238558