Over the past few years, there has been some controversy over the issue of chip design in red light therapy devices.
While some companies claim that a dual-chip design is superior, this is hardly true.
In the following sections, we discuss the importance of chip design in red light therapy panels and share more details about why single-chip designs are superior for design and treatment in red light therapy panels.
Does the Chip Make a Difference in Red Light Therapy?
The short answer is that ‘yes,’ chip design is an important aspect of a red light therapy panel’s design.
This is why it is important that consumers understand that single-chip technology is a far better design choice for therapeutic treatment, specifically when a red light therapy panel’s wavelengths are calibrated correctly.
Any claims about the ‘advantage of functionality’ for dual-chip technology have completely to do with its allowing for individual leds to switch back and forth between two different wavelengths.
However, there is nothing about dual-chip technology that makes treatment inherently better, stronger, more powerful or more radiant. Its only defining feature is allowing multiple wavelengths to be emanated from the same led, which means the ability to switch back and forth between two factory-defined wavelength settings.
To some consumers, dual-chip technology may sound like an ‘upgrade’ from one-chip technology. It isn’t any better, because dual-chip lights introduce a host of other problems.
It does add functionality to individual led lights. However, the implementation of dual-chip technology has always led to devices that are less therapeutically effective, because it tends to have a negative impact on the device’s overall proportion of light distribution and the ability to seek treatment with a wider variety of wavelengths at once.
To reiterate a key design factor, the body absorbs different therapeutic wavelengths at different rates, which is why it’s so important that a red light therapy device emit those wavelengths in specific proportions.
Therapeutic Wavelength Distributions in Red Light Therapy
The BIOMAX Series and BIOMAX Pro have the following distribution of wavelengths, designed in accordance with the body’s ability to absorb light efficiently for therapeutic use.
The R+ array of LEDs emits an output of 20% 630nm and 80% 660nm.
Meanwhile, the NIR+ array of LEDs emits an output that consists of 10% 810nm wavelength, 10% 830nm wavelength, 72% 850nm wavelength and 8% 1060nm.
The blue 480nm is a trace amount at 2%, which is optimal for its application.
During treatment, the idea is that all wavelengths are being emitted at the same time in proportion to the body’s wavelength absorption ratio, resulting in optimal treatment.
Issues with the Dual-Chip Red Light Therapy Panel Design
As we can see, the 660nm and 850nm are by far the most prominent in terms of distribution. While the others also have therapeutic value, the human body absorbs them at a faster rate, and therefore, it would not be sensible to give each wavelength a 25% distribution in each array.
The consequence of a dual-chip, equal wavelength distribution is that key wavelengths like 650nm and 850nm are provided inadequately, whereas wavelengths that the body absorbs more quickly are provided in excess.
This lack of balance in treatment is essentially a consequence of poorly conceived product design that may sound more advanced, simply because ostensibly ‘dual is better than one,’ when it comes to chip design, but the end result of dual-chip red light therapy panels is less effective treatment.
It would also make no sense to only allow for four wavelengths to be emitting simultaneously. Aside from distribution, it’s important that all the therapeutic wavelengths be operating at the same time during treatment.
In some cases, the point of the dual-chip design is essentially to allow for panels with fewer overall wavelengths to switch in between 660nm and 850nm.
But, we already have a serious problem here in that they only offer functionality for two wavelengths, which falls short of the necessary therapeutic range.
Some leading competitors in the red light therapy space do offer as many as eight individual wavelengths with a dual-chip design, but this approach is still sub-optimal.
Typically these distributions consist of four sets of leds, each of which has two options, which default to 25% radiance per wavelength.
There may also be an 8th wavelength thrown in that doesn’t really have much therapeutic value, but nonetheless was added simply because there happened to be space in the dual chip design for one more wavelength.
Another mysterious factor about the dual-chip designs is their claim to occasionally be somehow more powerful. If they are truly more powerful, why is it that PlatinumLED’s one-chip panels are more powerful than the leading single-chip designs?
Essentially, what we’re left with is a pretty clear sense that the dual-chip design is a gimmick. It may have a marketing ring to it, but in terms of functionality and therapeutic value, the reality is that dual-chip designs detract from treatment. They:
- Provide key wavelengths in less intensity than needed (25 percent irradiance for each wavelength is not 'optimal distribution')
- Provide wavelengths that should be less intense in excess
- In some cases, only provide treatment with four wavelengths at once, which is less than needed
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Often emit light with less intensity than the BIOMAX Series and BIOMAX Pro
Optimal RLT Treatment with PlatinumLED
Optimal design for a red light therapy panel starts with research into therapeutic science, which cannot be a guesstimate or as crude as an equal distribution between all wavelengths, just for the sake of the appearance of optimal customizability.
As in the PlatinumLED products, a red light therapy panel should offer a wide range of therapeutic wavelengths for simultaneous treatment.
Check out the BIOMAX Series and BIOMAX Pro Series for more information!
