Red Light Therapy Has Landed in Newquay: Here's What It Actually Does
Full-body red light therapy is now available at NextGen Wellness, Newquay. Here's everything you need to know about the science, the wavelengths, and what a session actually feels like.
We're excited to share that Red Light Therapy (RLT) has officially arrived at NextGen Wellness in Newquay. It's a big moment for us. We've spent months researching the right equipment, and we've landed on a 360° full-body bed that delivers five clinically-relevant wavelengths in a single 20-minute session. There are no niche zones and no awkward positioning, just full-body coverage from head to toe.
If you've heard people talk about red light therapy (also known as photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy) but weren't sure what it actually involves, this post is for you.
So, What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to interact with your cells. Rather than heating or penetrating the skin like a sunbed, RLT works at a cellular level. Light is absorbed by the mitochondria (the "engine room" of your cells), which supports the body's natural energy production process.
It's a completely non-invasive, drug-free, relaxing therapy. You lie down, the light does its work, and you get up 20 minutes later. No downtime, no side effects, nothing to recover from.
It's become one of the most talked-about additions to modern wellness and recovery routines, used by athletes, people managing everyday aches and stiffness, and anyone wanting to support skin health and general wellbeing as part of a proactive, whole-body approach to feeling good.
The Five Wavelengths, And Why They Matter
Not all red light therapy is equal. A lot of cheaper devices use a single wavelength, which limits what the light can actually reach. Our bed uses five wavelengths, and each one targets a different depth of tissue:
633nm (Visible Red): works at the superficial skin layer
660nm (Visible Red): also targets superficial skin, complementing 633nm
810nm (Near-Infrared): reaches deeper tissue
850nm (Near-Infrared): penetrates deep tissue layers
940nm (Near-Infrared): the deepest penetration of the five
Combining visible red and near-infrared wavelengths means a single session can address both surface-level skin support and deeper muscle and tissue layers, all at once. That's the real advantage of a proper multi-wavelength, full-body system over a single-wavelength panel or handheld device.
What Does a Session Actually Involve?
A session takes 20 minutes. You'll lie in the full-body bed, which surrounds you with light from all angles rather than just from above. That means your back, sides, and front are all treated in one go, not just whatever's facing the panel.
Protective eyewear is provided and must be worn throughout, as with any light-based therapy. Beyond that, there's not much to it. Most people find it a genuinely relaxing 20 minutes, and it fits easily around a lunch break or before/after the gym.
Getting the most from it
A few small things make a real difference to your session:
Come with clean skin: avoid makeup, moisturiser, sunscreen or heavy creams on treated areas
Skip alcohol, caffeine and smoking beforehand
Leave the jewellery and metal accessories at home
None of this is about strict rules. It's simply about letting the light do its job without anything sitting in the way.
Why We Brought RLT to NextGen Wellness
We already offer Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) here at NextGen, and red light therapy felt like a natural next step. Where HBOT works by increasing the oxygen available to your body under pressure, RLT works through light and cellular energy. Different mechanisms, complementary goals. Together, they give our Newquay community two genuinely different, evidence-informed recovery and longevity tools under one roof, rather than having to travel further afield or piece things together yourself.
As always, we see this as a complementary wellness therapy, something that fits alongside an active, healthy lifestyle, not a replacement for medical care. If you're managing a specific health condition, it's always worth a quick chat with us or your GP first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is red light therapy the same as a sunbed? No. RLT doesn't use UV light, so there's no tanning effect and none of the UV-related risks. It uses specific red and near-infrared wavelengths rather than the UV spectrum.
How long is a session? 20 minutes, in our full-body 360° bed.
Do I need to prepare for a session? Just arrive with clean skin (no makeup, sunscreen or heavy creams), and avoid alcohol, caffeine and smoking beforehand.
Can I combine RLT with HBOT? Yes, many of our clients use both as part of a broader recovery and longevity routine. Ask us about combining sessions.
Is it suitable for everyone? RLT is generally well-tolerated, but as with any therapy, if you have a specific medical condition or are pregnant, have a quick chat with us before booking so we can advise properly.
Come and Try It
Red light therapy is now bookable online. If you're not sure it's for you yet, pop in for a chat or book a consultation and we'll talk you through it in person.
We built NextGen Wellness because we believe recovery and longevity shouldn't be a luxury reserved for elite athletes. They should be accessible to our whole Newquay community. Red light therapy is the latest step in that mission.
Book online or drop by and see us at Saw 3, Prow Park, Treloggan Business Park.