Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

** Disclaimer: Answers on this page are for informational and educational use only. Use of this product or information on this website does not constitute medical advice or treatment, and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Please consult your doctor or wellness practitioner if you have questions about Red Light Therapy for your health. 

 

When should I expect results when using the GembaRed Red Light Therapy products?

We encourage consistent use of our product to aid in a healthy lifestyle. Like any new supplement or exercise routine that you introduce to your lifestyle, the effects may be subtle or take weeks to notice. The effects work the best when combined with proper diet, sleep, and exercise.

How do I know it is making an improvement?

Here at GembaRed we provide you with a high-quality product and as much information about the product as possible. We encourage the consumer to do their research and due-diligence to ensure that our product is right for their needs and can promote an active lifestyle.

If you would like to quantify your improvements, remember the philosophy of “That which is measured, improves. That which is measured and reported, improves exponentially.” attributed to Karl Pearson. We encourage you to utilize your sleep trackers, health markers, and any other self-quantification tools to measure your improvements, and then share your results!

Your doctor and biohacking coach can also help you outline your health goals and see if red light therapy is a good fit.

Do I have to use Red Light Therapy in darkness?

No, you can use Red Light Therapy in any ambient light setting from bright lights to darkness! Feel free to use Red Light Therapy at any time or lighting situation that is comfortable and convenient.

Can I use my Red Light Panel in my sauna?

No, GembaRed Panels are not rated for the heat or humidity inside of a sauna and doing so may diminish their usable life. We also believe that red light therapy is best used in a non-thermal setting per the definition of Photobiomodulation.

How often can I use my Red Light Panel?

You can use your Red Light Panel as often as needed or recommended by your doctor. We generally recommend using it up to 2 times per day for 20min per session. However you could do red light therapy only a couple times a week and still get some benefits.

Are the GembaRed products approved by the FDA?

No, the GembaRed LED Light Therapy products falls under the low risk and general wellness categories, which do not require FDA registration as described in the “General Wellness Policy on Low Risk Devices” issued by the FDA on July 29, 2016.

Is Red Light Therapy safe during Pregnancy, Breastfeeding?

While red light therapy is generally considered safe and low-risk - certain categories of people have not been clinically studied for safety for effectiveness. We recommend consulting with a doctor to make sure they approve of any new health products such as Red Light Therapy. 

Is Red Light Therapy safe for infants and children?

Similarly, we recommend consulting with a doctor to make sure they approve of any new health protocols such as Red Light Therapy. 

If approved by the doctor, then infants and children must always be supervised by a cognizant adult.

Is Red Light Therapy safe for anyone?

Our general rule of thumb is that if it is safe and tolerable for a person to be outside in the sun for 20 minutes, then it is probably also safe for a 20 minute exposure to Red Light Therapy. 

For preexisting conditions, light sensitivities, use of photosensitizers, or photosenstizing drugs, then it is always best to consult with a doctor before starting a new health activity like red light therapy.

What is the difference between the GembaRed Groove and GembaRed Rex panels?

The GembaRed Groove was our first product launched January 2018 and took the industry by storm by introducing the first affordable red light panel on the market! It is still our top seller and offers 3 LED Wavelengths. It has 2 Red wavelengths, and 1 Near-Infrared (invisible) wavelength.

Our GembaRed Rex has 4 wavelengths, so 1 more than the Groove. Two of the wavelengths are Red, and 2 are Near-Infrared (invisible). The Rex having more Near-Infrared LEDs makes it generally better for deeper penetration, while the Groove having more Red LEDs makes it better to focus on skin and superficial usage.

Both are fantastic options no matter which one you choose, it is just a matter of preference for wavelengths!

I have a GembaRed Groove, Rex, or Beam LED Panel, how should I use it?

Our guidelines offer a “typical use” of 10-45 minutes per session up to 2 times a day on your desired area.**

If you are new to using red light therapy, we suggest starting at the lowest time (10 minutes) per day for the first two weeks. Then increase as needed.

For best results we recommend exposing bare skin to the light within 6 inches of the panel. It can be used up-close to the skin, and it can even be left resting on bare skin.

Typical areas could be focused on the chest, back, stomach, thighs, wrists/arms, head, feet/ankles, or face. These are the locations that utilize our large surface area the best and promote efficient use for your healthy lifestyle. Please note that our guidelines are for informational purposes only, please consult your doctor or biohacking coach to determine the best use for your personal needs as everyone's biology is different.

How do I calculate the dosage time based on distance to the light?

Standardized units are of J/cm^2 (Joules per centimeter squared). If you are seeking a particular dose based on distance from the panel and time, lookup the Irradiance provided on the product page, and follow the formula below.

Target Dose (J/cm^2) * 1000 / Irradiance (mW/cm^2) / 60 (sec/min) = Time (min)

Here is a handy chart to help select some standard doses and distances.

 

Does red and infrared light have any contraindications?

The GembaRed panels with red and near-infrared LEDs offer wavelengths that are common in everyday life such as from the sun or incandescent light bulbs. As such this is a low risk device that has minimal contraindications. However, as with introducing any new wellness activity such as exercise or supplementation, we encourage you to work with your doctor to ensure there are no contraindications with your current condition or prescriptions.

Can I overdose on red and near-infrared light?

Like most supplements or fitness routines, more isn’t necessarily better!  We encourage responsible use of our product, utilizing our basic information and following instructions from your wellness practitioner. While a high-dose is typically safe, it may not be as effective or efficient.

Do I need to wear sunglasses or tanning goggles?

Our products do not produce any UV light, so it is not harmful to the eyes. Red light is generally fine to look at, however be aware if you have any light sensitivities specific to you. We recommend initially using the product in a well-lit room to allow your eyes to become accustomed to the light. Keeping your eyes closed or looking away from the light while it is near the face is another good option. Please feel free to use goggles or sunglasses as you see fit or if your doctor recommends it.

Do GembaRed Lights Flicker?

Nearly all lights including incandescent flicker from being powered by the AC mains. LEDs can be particularly troublesome if they are designed with low quality components. Our GembaRed lights use high quality power drivers to ensure practically no flicker.

We had our lights tested by a professional 3rd party, and they found the flicker was so low that it had negligible flicker rate. The table below shows that our flicker rate is better than most generic incandescent bulbs.

 Light Type Flicker Rate (Hz)

Percent Flicker

(0 to 100)

0 means no flicker

Flicker Index (0.00 to 1.00)

0 means no flicker

Generic Incandescent 120 13.4% 0.04
GembaRed Rex LED Panel 120 1.2% 0.002
GembaRed Rave and Crane w/ Samsung phone charger NA 0.5% 0.001
GembaRed Beam 120 1% 0.001

 

What are the exact wavelength ranges of the GembaRed Groove?

Great question! You clearly know that unlike lasers which emit a single-wavelength of coherent light, LEDs emit a narrow range of wavelengths which is why LED light is incoherent. The wavelengths listed on your LED studies and products are typically the peak or center of the range. The primary wavelength ranges are listed below for the LEDs in our products.

GembaRed Groove:

630nm: range 610nm - 650nm

660nm: range 640nm - 680nm

850nm: range 830nm - 880nm

Has the light spectrum been verified?

Yes! We have had our color spectrum verified by a certified and calibrated 3rd party (and we prove that those invisible LEDs are indeed emitting near-infrared!). See below for the full spectrum graph output from the GembaRed Groove panel, as well as a convenient breakdown of notable wavelength ranges contained in the Groove panel.

Do the GembaRed products produce EMFs?

Yes, similar to most household electronics the GembaRed Groove does emit Low Frequency (LF) electromagnetic fields. However, this is very different than the Microwave and Radio Frequency (RF) EMFs commonly reported to be of concern from devices such as WiFi, cellphone cellular signals and towers, and other wireless transmitters. We detected no RF emissions in our testing of GembaRed products.

Below is a table of the Low Frequency EMFs measured on a GembaRed Groove panel by a 3rd party professional tester.

Distance

Magnetic Field (miliGauss)

Electric Field (V/m) (ground potential)

<1 inch

0.75

106

3 inch

0.60

85

6 inch

0.40 (near-ambient)

84

12 inch

0.35 (ambient)

71

 

There is still much to be learned about the biological effects of various EMFs on people. We look to government organizations such as WHO, ICNIRP, and EPA for guidelines on LF exposure, and our interpretation is that generally low-level exposure to these fields will go unnoticed and do not compromise health.

We know our customers will be interested in the information on EMFs from our products so we will always prominently display them so they can decide best if it fits in their health goals or if they have a personal aversion to particular types of EMFs. As always, this information is for educational uses and can be brought to your doctor or wellness practitioner for how to best use our products.

We believe that while electric fields may build up charge on the surface of our skin, this should be easily offset by grounding (or earthing) after a session with our product – which we also believe to be synergistic to the benefits of red lights, a win-win!    

Other Questions?

Ask us at gembared@gmail.com

 

** Disclaimer: Answers on this page are for informational and educational use only. Use of this product or information on this website does not constitute medical advice or treatment, and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Please consult your doctor or wellness practitioner if you have questions about Red Light Therapy for your health.