It is being hailed as the wellness hack that is cheaper than Botox, easier than hormone therapy, and requires no needles at all. 

For some, it is an anti-ageing tool. For others, it is about recovery and performance.

But for Melbourne couple Mick Owar and Holly Chang, red light therapy (RLT) has become something much more personal.

After years of unsuccessful attempts to conceive, Holly was astonished to find out she was pregnant after just a month of daily red light therapy.

Now, with their healthy baby in their arms, the couple say they are convinced this often-overlooked therapy has changed their lives.

Mick’s story

Mick, 42, has consistently aimed to maintain optimal health, beginning with conventional approaches such as taking supplements, hitting the gym, and eventually using peptides—amino acids in tablet form that aid in muscle growth, quicker recovery, and enhanced fat loss.

‘I found peptides good,’ he says.

‘However, due to my weight, just over 100kg [220lbs], the dosages added up quickly, and the expenses became enormous. I felt they were effective, but the benefits weren’t sustained in the long run.’

A friend from the beauty industry initially introduced him to red light therapy, which involves using low-level red and near-infrared light to activate cells, fostering healing and reducing inflammation and pain.

Intrigued, he began using the lights to address persistent rosacea. ‘After 20 minutes, my skin felt like it was buzzing. Within months, there was a visible improvement in my skin.’

He began experimenting more.

‘I tried it on sore muscles and applied it to my head when experiencing brain fog. I began to notice enhancements in various areas. My energy improved, recovery time shortened—my hair even started becoming thicker.’

He said hair regrowth was noticeable after six months of red light therapy, but added that he has done other things as well, such as applying oils to his scalp to keep the area clean of dead skin.

Encouraged by his results, Mick invested in a red light machine of his own.

Within a year, he had built a dedicated recovery centre, Primal Recovery, where clients use red light alongside saunas and ice baths.

For Mick, it is the accessibility that makes red light therapy so powerful.

‘It’s non-invasive, there are no side effects, and it doesn’t matter if you are 60kg or 120kg. The light just works with your body. The only risk is you might waste 20 minutes, if you don’t like it.’

Holly’s story: the surprise that changed everything

While Mick used red light for recovery and skin, his partner Holly, 38, turned to it for another reason.

After years of trying to conceive without success, including during two previous long-term relationships, she had begun to doubt pregnancy was possible.

‘I’ve always lived healthily, I exercised, ate well, did everything I could. But month after month nothing happened,’ Holly says.

After eight months of trying with Mick, she decided to try red light therapy seriously.

‘I had done my own research and it looked positive. I was also seeing a traditional Chinese medicine doctor. When I asked him about red light, he said it could even help. That gave me the confidence to try.’

The theory is that its ability to stimulate cells is extended to sperm and eggs, thus improving chances of fertilisation.

A month later, she was at the doctor’s for a check-up and expecting another period.

‘I had all the usual signs, I was moody, sore, emotional. I was certain my period was about to start. My doctor suggested a pregnancy test and I thought it was a waste of time. But we did one and it was positive. I couldn’t believe it. I cried the whole drive to tell Mick.’

Now their baby is one month old.

Holly continues to use the light in her post-natal recovery and says she has noticed her skin tightening faster than expected. ‘It’s relaxing, it’s easy, and for me it has been life-changing.’

So what is red light therapy?

Despite the glowing testimonials, red light therapy is not magic. It is a treatment that uses very specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to stimulate the body’s cells.

Scientists call it photobiomodulation.

Cells contain tiny structures called mitochondria that act like batteries. Research from Stanford University explains that these mitochondria can absorb red and near-infrared light, helping them produce more energy. The theory is that extra energy boosts repair, reduces inflammation, and supports collagen production in the skin.

The Australian Department of Health does not currently recommend red light therapy as a mainstream treatment, but it has been trialled in several fields including dermatology and eye health.

Insight News recently reported on red light being studied in children to slow the progression of short-sightedness, showing that researchers are taking its potential seriously.

What counts as red light therapy, and what doesn’t

Not every glowing lamp or sauna session delivers the same effect. Experts explain that red light therapy relies on narrow bands of light, usually in the range of 620 to 700 nanometres for red and 750 to 900 nanometres for near-infrared.

Red light works more on the surface, making it popular in skin clinics, while near-infrared penetrates deeper tissues like muscles and joints.

A simple heat lamp or infrared sauna may feel soothing but is not designed to deliver the same mitochondrial boost.

Equally important is dose. A weak red bulb across the room is unlikely to do much. Therapeutic devices sit close to the skin and use a controlled level of light intensity.

In other words, not all red light is created equal.

The science: hype or hope?

So far, the best evidence for red light therapy is in skin health.

Studies have shown improvements in fine lines, collagen density and wound healing. Early research also suggests it may help improve movement, mood and sleep.

There is also growing evidence for hair regrowth in certain types of thinning – something Mick noticed after just a few months.

Other areas are more experimental. Some small trials suggest red light may reduce muscle soreness after exercise, improve joint pain, and help wounds heal faster. Animal studies hint at benefits for brain health, but human data is thin.

When it comes to fertility, evidence is almost entirely anecdotal.

Some clinics overseas are beginning to investigate whether improving blood flow and reducing oxidative stress with light could help reproductive health, but no large, controlled trials have confirmed this.

‘Red light therapy shows promise but it is still early days for many of the claims,’ Stanford researchers caution.

‘We need rigorous trials before we can be confident about its role outside dermatology.’

Safety and accessibility

One reason red light therapy is spreading so fast is its safety profile.

Because it uses visible and near-infrared light, rather than ultraviolet or lasers, side effects are rare. The most common are temporary redness or mild irritation. People with photosensitive conditions or those on certain medications should seek advice before use.

Clinics around Australia now offer red light sessions, which can cost £50-£80. Home devices are also widely available, ranging from affordable masks for the face to full-body panels costing thousands of dollars.

Mick believes accessibility is the key. ‘You can start with something basic and still see benefits. Or if you are really into recovery and performance, you can invest in bigger panels. Either way it’s simple, safe and part of your daily routine.’

The bottom line

Red light therapy may not yet have the decades of data behind it that Botox or pharmaceuticals do, but its low risk and wide appeal mean more and more Australians are giving it a try.

For Mick and Holly, it has delivered more than they ever hoped.

‘I would tell anyone to give it a go,’ Mick says. ‘The worst that happens is you sit there for 20 minutes. The best is, well, look at us now.’

Their story is a reminder of why curiosity around wellness trends continues to grow. The science may take time to catch up, but for some the results are already here.

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