Short Answer: Red and near infrared light is absorbed by our cells, which increases cellular energy and blood circulation, removes waste, reduces inflammation, and thus, promotes healing. 

Long Answer: There are three main mechanisms that allow photobiomodulation to work: increased cellular energy, increased blood flow, and inflammation reduction. Each of these processes are discussed in depth below. 

Increased Cellular Energy: To understand the effects of light in our bodies, we must first look at how our cells produce energy. Within each cell, there are structures called mitochondria. Mitochondria use the food we eat and oxygen we breathe to produce energy so our cells can function. Cellular energy is produced in the form of a chemical called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Importantly, energy production can be inhibited by other processes in the cell. Specifically, the waste product from other cellular processes- called nitric oxide (NO)– disrupts an important enzyme- called cytochrome c oxidase (CCO)- so that it cannot absorb oxygen for energy production. Fortunately for us, red and near-infrared light is also absorbed by this enzyme, which stops the disruptive effects of these byproducts and makes oxygen more readily available. Finally, this increased oxygen uptake instructs our DNA to produce more healing factors to repair cellular damage. 

Thus, red/NIR light helps our cells to focus on healing and provides the additional energy needed to carry out the process. 

Increased Blood Flow: Red/NIR light increases blood flow to the exposed portion of your body. Importantly, blood delivers all of the essential health-promoting factors to our cells (e.g. oxygen, nutrients etc.) and removes all of the waste that can otherwise cause damage. This is especially true in the small, fragile blood vessels- called capillaries– that connect our main blood vessels to our organs. Thus, increased blood flow in these smaller vessels quickens the speed at which healing factors and waste are transported to and from our cells and organs. Cells that do not receive proper microcirculation cannot properly heal because the resources needed to repair damage or promote new cell growth are lacking. 

 Inflammation Reduction: When we are injured, our body produces substances that travel through the bloodstream to the site of injury to help the body recover and heal. These substances are called inflammatory cytokines. Importantly, there are two key types of cytokines: some promote inflammation- pro-inflammatory cytokines– and some reduce inflammation- anti-inflammatory cytokines. Although helpful in the initial stages of healing, inflammation is one of the main causes of pain, especially chronic pain. A reduction in inflammation reduces pain. By increasing blood flow, red/NIR light helps remove pro-inflammatory cytokines from and deliver anti-inflammatory cytokines to the site of injury, thus, reducing pain. 

With all this said, it is important to recognize that inflammation is our body’s natural response to injury and is beneficial and protective; they communicate to your body the presence of an injury or issue. Inflammation is not the culprit itself. 

​​Above is just a basic summary of the mechanisms behind light’s therapeutic benefit. At JustLight, we are dedicated to improving science communication and bringing information about light’s benefits to you! If you have other questions, please visit our website to learn more about the “Science of Sunflower” or contact us at [email protected] and we will add our answer to the FAQs! 

Yes, the light produced by Sunflower can only affect the tissues it reaches. Because of this we recommend placing the face of Sunflower to face directly at the target area. 

The suggested use of Sunflower per each routine in-app will give you the most optimal result. 

Photobiomodulation (PBM) or Light Therapy is regarded as safe, low-risk, painless, and without adverse effects. There have been thousands of studies completed on Light Therapy to demonstrate this high level of safety. You can read about the FDA’s stance on ‘General Wellness: Policy for Low Risk Devices” here. 

After a treatment to your face, you may experience green tinted vision. This sensation occurs because the cells in the back of our eyes get overtired from reacting to so much red light. As a result, those cells stop reacting as much, and the cells that process other colors (i.e. blue and green) become hypersensitive. This results in you seeing proportionally less red, but more blue and green. This is a completely normal response that is harmless to your eyes and will fade after several minutes. 

In rare cases, certain groups of people may be more photosensitive than others due to pre-existing conditions (ex. Porphyria) or due to the medication they are taking (ex. some acne medications). Any person meeting this definition should consult with a doctor before using any form of light therapy.  

Furthermore, you should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. 

No, your eyes have not experienced any damage. 

After a treatment to your face, you may experience green tinted vision. This sensation occurs because the cells in the back of our eyes get overtired from reacting to so much red light. As a result, those cells stop reacting as much, and the cells that process other colors (i.e. blue and green) become hypersensitive. This results in you seeing proportionally less red, but more blue and green. This is a completely normal response that is harmless to your eyes and will fade after several minutes. 

Light Therapy, at the dosages and wavelengths emitted by Sunflower, is completely safe for eyes [1]. However, in rare cases, certain groups of people may be more photosensitive than others due to pre-existing conditions (ex. Porphyria) or due to the medication they are taking (ex. some acne medications). Any person meeting this definition should consult with a doctor before using any form of light therapy.  

You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. 

No, when using Sunflower on your face, we do recommend using the provided protective eyewear, although it is not necessary to ensure safely. If you do not wear the provided protected eyewear, you should keep your eyes closed for the duration of the session and avoid looking at the LEDs. Light Therapy, at the dosages and wavelengths emitted by Sunflower, is completely safe for eyes [1]. 

It is also completely normal to feel a slightly uncomfortable sense of brightness during your first week of treatment. Recognize that this is our body adjusting to bright light exposure that our eyes previously did not receive. 

Additionally, you can wear sunglasses or full spectrum/LED blocking glasses during any face treatment to reduce this perceived discomfort. 

Pain is a signal sent to our brain to alert the body that there is something wrong. This pain signal could be due to an injury, an infection, a disease, bone scraping against bone, or more. Light therapy, or photobiomodulation, is proven to reduce pain quickly and effectively without side effects. How? 

Short Answer: Red and near infrared light is absorbed by our cells, which increases cellular energy and blood circulation, removes waste, and reduces inflammation, all of which provide pain relief. 

Long Answer: There are three main mechanisms that allow photobiomodulation to relieve pain: increased cellular energy, increased blood flow, and inflammation reduction. Each of these processes are discussed in depth below. 

Increased Cellular Energy: To understand the effects of light in our bodies, we must first look at how our cells produce energy. Within each cell, there are structures called mitochondria. Mitochondria use the food we eat and oxygen we breathe to produce energy so our cells can function. Cellular energy is produced in the form of a chemical called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Importantly, energy production can be inhibited by other processes in the cell. Specifically, the waste product from other cellular processes- called nitric oxide (NO)– disrupts an important enzyme- called cytochrome c oxidase (CCO)- so that it cannot absorb oxygen for energy production. Fortunately for us, red and near-infrared light is also absorbed by this enzyme, which stops the disruptive effects of these byproducts and makes oxygen more readily available. Finally, this increased oxygen uptake instructs our DNA to produce more healing factors to repair cellular damage. 

Thus, red/NIR light helps our cells to focus on healing and provides the additional energy needed to carry out the process. 

Increased Blood Flow: Red/NIR light increases blood flow to the exposed portion of your body. Importantly, blood delivers all of the essential health-promoting factors to our cells (e.g. oxygen, nutrients etc.) and removes all of the waste that can otherwise cause damage. This is especially true in the small, fragile blood vessels- called capillaries– that connect our main blood vessels to our organs. Thus, increased blood flow in these smaller vessels quickens the speed at which healing factors and waste are transported to and from our cells and organs. Cells that do not receive proper microcirculation cannot properly heal because the resources needed to repair damage or promote new cell growth are lacking. 

Inflammation Reduction: When we are injured, our body produces substances that travel through the bloodstream to the site of injury to help the body recover and heal. These substances are called inflammatory cytokines. Importantly, there are two key types of cytokines: some promote inflammation- pro-inflammatory cytokines– and some reduce inflammation- anti-inflammatory cytokines. Although helpful in the initial stages of healing, inflammation is one of the main causes of pain, especially chronic pain. A reduction in inflammation reduces pain. By increasing blood flow, red/NIR light helps remove pro-inflammatory cytokines from and deliver anti-inflammatory cytokines to the site of injury, thus, reducing pain. 

With all this said, it is important to recognize that inflammation is our body’s natural response to injury and is beneficial and protective; they communicate to your body the presence of an injury or issue. Inflammation is not the culprit itself. 

These 3 processes together are how photobiomodulation has an effect on pain. 

Short Answer: NIR Light is a longer wavelength of light that is invisible to the human eye. It is able to penetrate deeper into tissues than Red light, and has similar therapeutic benefits. 

The Science: Light travels in waves, and the length of these waves- measured in nanometers (nm)– determines the type of light. The full light spectrum includes many types of light, like radio waves and X-rays. However, the human eye can only perceive a small portion of the light spectrum- called visible light. As you may recall, the visible light spectrum is made up of Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet (or ‘ROY-G-BIV’) light. Violet light is shortest in wavelength in the visible spectrum of light (~400nm), whereas Red light is the longest (~760nm).  

Near infrared light exists just outside the boundary of Red visible light in the 800-1400 nm wavelength. NIR is used in light therapy because it has a similar mechanism of action as Red light does, but it penetrates deeper into the body. This is because the longer the wavelength, the longer the distance light can travel and take action.  

Although our device will not raise your body temperature, NIR and infrared light can often be felt as heat, which is why you may feel warmth coming from your Sunflower during and for a few minutes after use.

Although a small amount of light can penetrate through clothing, we recommend that all sessions be performed onto bare skin. The calculations that govern Sunflower’s automated light sessions are operating on the assumption that you are pointing the device at bare, exposed, skin. As a result, we cannot guarantee that Sunflower will provide the expected benefits of Red light therapy if it’s used through clothing.

For best results the max recommended use is twice per routine, per day- with at least six hours between sessions. While you cannot damage yourself from overuse, you can minimize the positive benefit by overusing Sunflower. 

Sunflower can be safely used immediately before and after surgery. The light emitted by Sunflower supports our body’s natural healing process following a surgical procedure, injury, and other forms of damage. There is no risk of damage to the incision site with use of the Sunflower device. You can use Sunflower post-surgery.

Yes! You can download the Sunflower app on your iPad with the same process as downloading the app on your mobile phone. 

Light Therapy reduces inflammation, boosts blood flow, and increases cellular energy in cells from all animals- humans and pets included! This supports the body’s healing for various conditions! Therefore, Light Therapy is safe and effective for mammalian pets. 🌻 

For pets, we would suggest the ‘Daily Dose of Light’ routine. Allow your pet to position itself comfortably within the light, aiming to maintain a distance of 6-12 inches. 

End : We love questions! Sunflower utilizes a lot of complex science, and at JustLight, we strive to improve science communication and bring the science of light to you! Please email any questions to [email protected] and we will add our answer to the FAQ!