It's based on years of scientific research by NASA
NASA's research into light therapy began in the late 1980s to early 1990s. The agency initially investigated LEDs as an energy-efficient light source to grow plants on long-duration space missions. While working with this LED technology in 1993, scientists at NASA discovered that the lights accidentally accelerated wound healing on their hands. This led the agency to launch its first red and near-infrared light therapy devices into orbit in 1995 to help cells grow and tissue repair in the microgravity environment of space.
This scientific background forms the basis of modern wellness, offering clinically proven light therapy that aids cellular recovery and promotes long-term health.
Light Therapy powers activity at a cellular level
Blue Wavelengths (460nm - 490nm)
Blue light stays right at the surface of the skin. It helps by slowing down tiny bacteria that can cause breakouts and skin problems. Because it doesn’t go very deep, it’s mostly used for skin care and not muscles or joints.
Yellow Wavelengths (570nm - 600nm)
Yellow light goes a little deeper into the skin. It helps calm the skin, supports blood flow, and can help skin look healthier and more even. Think of it as a gentle helper that supports the skin’s natural repair process.
Red Wavelengths (630-680nm)
Red light travels deeper into the body, reaching muscles and soft tissue. Inside your cells are tiny power plants called mitochondria. Red light helps them make more energy, which can support healing, reduce soreness, and help muscles recover after activity.
Near-Infrared Wavelengths (850nm - 1000nm)
Near-infrared light goes the deepest of all. You can’t see it, but your body can feel its effects. It reaches joints, bones, and deep tissue, helping cells work better, improving circulation, and supporting comfort and movement.
Not all devices are made the same
LED's
Many manufacturers use cheap red light LED's that emit little light.. usually these are extremely cheap, and lack the mirrors, lenses, and power to get deep into the body.
KIVO DEVICES USE QUALITY COMPONENTS THAT ARE DESIGNED PRECISELY USING MIRRORED HOLDERS, CORRECT POWER, AND 30 DEGREE ANGLED OUTPUTS FOR EFFECTIVE LIGHT THERAPY
Wavelengths
Cheap panels, cheap led's, cheap devices - beware. There are many companies that sell red light panels and masks that don't actually use clinical-grade and measured wavelengths
KIVO DEVICES ARE CERTIFIED WORLDWIDE TO MEET DEMANDING SPECIFICATIONS SUCH AS HEALTH CANADA CLASS 2 MEDICAL DEVICE, GERMANY'S TÜV CERTIFICATION, AND ISO9001
Flicker
budget options often use unshielded power drivers. This results in high electromagnetic fields (EMF) right near your body and high-frequency LED flicker (often at 100-120 Hz). While this flicker is invisible to the naked eye, the nervous system can still respond to it, causing eye strain or headaches during longer sessions.
KIVO DEVICES USE HIGH QUALITY SHIELDED POWER UNITS FOR GUARANTEED FLICKER-FREE LED OUTPUT
Components
Heat is a major performance killer for LEDs. Cheap panels use thin aluminum backing or small, loud fans. Over a few months of use, accumulated heat degrades the LED efficiency, causing the light output to drop drastically.
Most manufacturers use plastic or cheap rolled steel, unshielded power supplies, in-effective heat sinks, and cheap components - all to maximize profits.
KIVO USES BEST-IN-CLASS COMPONENTS THAT ARE BACKED BY UP TO A 5 YEAR WARRANTY AND GUARANTEED 0 EMF OUTPUT (AT 10CM)
How to get the right Light Wavelengths?
Getting the right wavelengths, for the right time, and the right power level is essential for your Light Therapy journey. Not all panels and masks are built the same, Kivo devices are clinically proven with the right wavelengths, adjustable power outputs, timers, and useful features to help you explore Light Therapy in a way that works with you
Hand-Held Light Therapy Devices
Ideal for travel, work, or occasional home-use Kivo portable small hand-held devices provide great on-the-go Light Therapy. Use with straps, stands, or bases to help target the areas you need. Great for the face, joints, or small targeted areas of the body
Light Therapy Masks
For busy people, Light Therapy masks are great to allow you to multi-task AND get your Light Therapy fix. Battery powered, masks sit close to your face and provide just the right amount of Light Therapy to help you deal with anti-aging, acne and spots, wellness, fine lines, and wrinkles. All in a medical grade silicone mask that is easy to maintain, and use daily.
Light Therapy Panels
Kivo panels are high power Light Therapy devices with a range of functionality. Whether its our value packed Vital line of panels that are reliable and functional, our Elite panels that are our mid-range that allow you to adjust brightness and pulse modes, or our top of the line Pro panels that touch-screens, blue wavelengths, wireless connectivity, and are the ultimate panel in todays market - all backed by an industry leading 5 year warranty.
Study the Science
Light Therapy isn't new, and has been studied for decades - over 2,000 published studies prove that Light Therapy is highly effective
Broad Clinical Applications of Light Therapy
A broad review of clinical research shows red/near-infrared light (photobiomodulation) is safe and effective for skin rejuvenation, acne, and hair loss, among other applications
LED Phototherapy for Acne and Skin Care
Meta-analysis shows red and blue LED lights significantly reduce acne symptoms and suggest effectiveness in dermatologic applications including improved skin healing.
Clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of home LED & IRED phototherapies
16-week LED and near-infrared therapy significantly improved wrinkle grading and skin appearance compared with control, supporting safety and effectiveness for skin rejuvenation.
Safety of light-emitting diode-red light on human skin
LED red light is safe at clinically relevant doses and has beneficial effects on skin physiology including wound healing and hair regrowth.
Photobiomodulation in human muscle tissue
Clinical trials show red/NIR light stimulation improves muscle performance, increases ATP production, and reduces inflammation and muscle damage after exercise.
Effectiveness of LED Light Therapy for Sleep Problems
A randomized controlled trial found low-level red and near-infrared LED therapy improved sleep quality and reduced depression, anxiety, and stress among shift-work nurses.
Effects of Near-Infrared Light on Well-Being and Health
A clinical study found that consistent near-infrared photobiomodulation improved mood and subjective well-being in healthy adults, particularly during low sunlight periods.
Effectiveness of Using LED Light Therapy on Acne
LED light therapy (blue, red, and NIR) significantly reduced acne severity, reduced inflammation and sebum, and improved skin hydration and scar volume.
Give me more Science...
What is Light Therapy and how does it work with your body?
Red light therapy (RLT), also known as photobiomodulation, works primarily by "charging" your cells at a molecular level. The process centers on the relationship between specific wavelengths of light and the engine of your cells: the mitochondria.
The Biological Mechanism
At the heart of this process is a specific enzyme within the mitochondria called Cytochrome c Oxidase (CCO). This enzyme is part of the electron transport chain, which is responsible for creating cellular energy.
1. Light Absorption
When you expose your skin to red (600nm - 700nm) or near-infrared (850nm+) light, the photons penetrate the tissue and are absorbed by CCO. Think of CCO as a tiny solar panel inside your cells that is tuned specifically to these wavelengths.
2. The Nitric Oxide "Plug"
In stressed or aging cells, Nitric Oxide (NO) often binds to CCO. This is problematic because NO competes with oxygen. When NO is stuck to the enzyme, it effectively "plugs" the engine, slowing down the production of energy and increasing oxidative stress.
3. Dissociation and Oxygen Flow
The energy from the red light photons causes the Nitric Oxide to detach from the Cytochrome c Oxidase. Once the "plug" is removed, oxygen can bind to the enzyme freely again.
The Production of ATP
With the blockage cleared, the mitochondria can resume their primary function more efficiently. This leads to a significant boost in the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)
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What is ATP? It is the universal energy currency of the body. Every muscle contraction, thought, and healing process requires ATP.
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The Result: By increasing ATP, RLT provides the cell with the surplus energy it needs to repair damage, reduce inflammation, and replicate faster.
C10H16N5O13P3 (ATP)+H2O→ADP+Pi+Energy
Secondary Benefits: Hormesis
Beyond just ATP, this process triggers a mild form of metabolic stress (hormesis) that activates the cell's antioxidant defense systems. This helps "clean up" the cellular environment, making the mitochondria more resilient to future stress.
Summary of the "Mito-Boost"
| Step | Action | Result |
| Exposure | Red/NIR light hits the cell | Photons reach the mitochondria |
| Activation | CCO absorbs light | Nitric Oxide is released |
| Oxygenation | Oxygen binds to CCO | Electron transport chain speeds up |
| Energy | ATP production spikes | Enhanced cellular repair and function |
To reach the mitochondria effectively, the "dose" (measured in Joules) depends heavily on whether you are targeting the surface or deep tissue.
The core principle in photobiomodulation is the Biphasic Dose Response (the "Goldilocks Rule"): too little light does nothing, but too much can actually inhibit mitochondrial function by causing excessive oxidative stress.
Target Dosage by Body Depth
Clinical research generally suggests the following ranges for a single session:
| Target Area | Primary Wavelength | Recommended Dose (J/cm2) | Purpose |
| Superficial (Skin) | Red (630 - 660nm) | 3 – 15 J/cm² | Wrinkles, acne, surface collagen |
| Moderate (Muscle/Joint) | Near-Infrared (850nm) | 10 – 40 J/cm² | Muscle recovery, inflammation |
| Deep (Bone/Deep Organ) | Near-Infrared (850nm+) | 40 – 70+ J/cm² | Deep pain, bone density, systemic |
Note: Deep tissue requires a higher dose at the skin surface because much of the energy is scattered or absorbed by the layers of fat and blood before it reaches the target mitochondria.
2. The Dosing Formula
If you know your device's irradiance (measured in mW/cm2), you can calculate how many minutes you need to reach your Joule target:
Practical Example:
If your panel provides 50 mW/cm2 at a 6-inch distance and you want a 15 J/cm2 dose for skin health:
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Multiply Target Joules (15) by 1000 = 15,000.
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Divide by Irradiance (50) = 300 seconds.
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Result: 5 minutes.
To easily calculate your specific dosing minutes.. use the Kivo Red Light Dosage Calculator
Distance and Penetration
Distance is the most common reason for "failed" sessions. Because light follows the Inverse Square Law, moving just a few inches back can cut the energy reaching your mitochondria in half.
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For Mitochondria/ATP (Deep): Keep the device close (3–6 inches). Use Near-Infrared (NIR) as it penetrates up to 2–3 cm deep.
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For Collagen (Surface): You can stand further away (12–18 inches) to get more uniform coverage, provided you increase your session time to compensate for the drop in irradiance.
Tips for Maximizing Mitochondrial Uptake
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Clean Skin: Remove skincare products, especially those with zinc or heavy oils, can reflect the light.
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Hydration: Mitochondria require water to complete the electron transport chain. Being well-hydrated makes the ATP production process more efficient.
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Frequency over Intensity: It is generally better to do 10 minutes daily than 60 minutes once a week. Frequent "charging" keeps mitochondrial CCO enzymes clear of Nitric Oxide more consistently.
