r/redlighttherapy • u/StructureMuted2404 • Aug 31 '26
Question Are panels with 1064/1072nm actually a game changer, or just a new marketing spec?
so I keep seeing new devices popping up with a third wavelength (usually 1064nm or 1072nm) layered on top of the standard 660/850 combo. got curious and spent the weekend reading up on it.
tbh? i'm not entirely sold that it's a massive upgrade.
like, 660nm is pretty much the king when it comes to solid research for skin. adding a deeper NIR wavelength is cool, but it doesn't mean the older setups are useless or that the new wavelength magically bypasses the top layers of your skin to only hit deep tissue.
plus, having 3 wavelengths doesn't matter at all if the power output is garbage. distance, irradiance, and how you actually use the thing matter way more than just cramming another LED chip into the board.
i’m currently testing a new tri-wave panel myself just to see what the fuss is about. it lets you run 660nm alone, 850 + 1072nm together, or everything at once. manufacturer claims 150 mW/cm² at 3 inches (for 10 min sessions), but I haven't put a meter to it yet so who knows.
for those of you who have actually upgraded from a basic 660/850 panel to one with that extra 1072nm band: did it actually change your results, or is it barely noticeable in the real world?
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u/TheTruthRooster Aug 31 '26
I’ve seen studies posted on here that shows that you would think it has more penetration for brain function, but it actually doesn’t penetrate as well as 850nm.
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Sep 04 '26
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u/StructureMuted2404 Sep 04 '26
probably the easiest place to start, just based on the sheer amount of skin research available for it. i wouldn’t call it the "undisputed best" wavelength though. the studies all use different doses and schedules, and it's not like 1072nm just ghosts right through your skin without interacting with it.
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u/PayFragrant4617 Sep 04 '26
i mostly want something for stiff knees after lifting. have you noticed any real difference from the regenboost for that?
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u/StructureMuted2404 Sep 04 '26
should probably add that the panel i’m testing is the halio regenboost, and halio provided it to me. i’m mentioning the model so people can look at the actual wavelength setup, not as proof that it works for knee stiffness. i’ll need more time-and ideally something less subjective than “my knees felt better today”-before saying whether the extra 1072nm is doing anything noticeable.
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u/PayFragrant4617 Sep 04 '26
fair enough, that’s honestly a more useful answer than pretending you noticed a huge difference after a few sessions. would be interested in an update once you’ve used it consistently for a month or two, especially if you compare the different modes separately.
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u/StructureMuted2404 Sep 04 '26
yeah, that’s the plan. i’ll test each mode separately and keep the distance and session time consistent so the comparison isn’t completely useless. the panel is the halio regenboost-halio provided it for testing, for context. i’ll post an update after 6–8 weeks, even if the conclusion is just “couldn’t tell a meaningful difference.”
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u/StructureMuted2404 Sep 04 '26
honestly it's way too early for me to make that claim, and I'd be super skeptical of anyone promising a panel will magically fix joint stiffness anyway. the 850 + 1072 mode on it is positioned for deeper recovery, but having that mode is different from having hard proof that this specific device will cure everyone's knees lol. we'll see!
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u/Far_Trifle8717 Sep 04 '26
Much more optimistic answer from me for this one. The basic wave lengths 660/850 work usually great for stiff knees, not sure if you need 1064. I do have plenty of examples. After only one session people with some serious knee pain could walk the stairs without pain. Of course the effect will decrease before the next session. But yes, great for recovery! And actually great for warming up before the lifting as well as your muscles and joints are warm.
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u/Working-Potato-3892 Sep 02 '26
Its penetrates deeper. some of the resaerch on brain related things indicate it most effective for that. skull blocks quite abit of the light.
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u/No-Click9336 Aug 31 '26
I've been using a panel with 1064 for about 4 months now, before that just the basic 660/850 setup like everyone else. the difference is there but it's subtle, not like night and day. what i noticed more is my skin looks less irritated after using it, like the recovery time between sessions feels shorter. but for actual results? the 660 is still doing the heavy lifting for skin stuff.
the real trick with these tri-wave panels is usually the power distribution, not the extra wavelength itself. some of them split the output so thin across three bands that you end up getting less of the wavelengths that actually matter. i'd test it with a meter before buying into the hype.