Importance of research 

At SunLED, science drives our innovation and shapes our vision for a healthier future. With a foundation in over 60 years of near-infrared light research, we keep expanding our knowledge of this healthy light by doing research in collaboration with world-leading scientists, universities, and research institutions.

Understanding the effect of light 

We delve deep into understanding the effects of light on the human body. We are particularly interested in near-infrared light and it's health benefits for us. Near-infrared light has a positive effect on our cells and body in general called Photobiomodulation. Discovered in the 1960s, photobiomodulation has gained recognition in medical fields but remains overlooked in everyday applications. We aim to change that by making near-infrared light accessible to improve daily life for everyone.

SunLED technology

Our flagship innovation, SunLED technology, is built on decades of photobiomodulation research and an independent clinical study examining the effects of near-infrared light on generally healthy individuals1. This study, published in Biology Journal, provides scientific evidence proving the effectivness of the light recipe of SunLED technology.

Research partnerships

We develop our technologies in close collaborations with world class universities and institutes using clinical trials, lab tests and other types of studies.

This collaborative approach ensures our advancements are both innovative and scientifically backed, giving our customers and end-users the confidence that every innovation we develop is trustworthy.

By partnering with some of the brightest minds, we’re not just harnessing the power of light—we’re unlocking its potential to transform lives.

Our published work

The effect of SunLED technology on human health and well-being1

In this double-blind and placebo-controlled study performed according to all scientific best practices, two independent research organizations examined the effect of near-infrared light on a group of generally healthy people.

They found positive effects on both mental health and physical health: after only one day of using SunLED technology participants reported better mood and lower resting heart rate. After four weeks of using the technology, blood sample analysis revealed that inflammation levels went down, indicating better immune system function. In addition, after four weeks of usage the resting heart rate was decreased by on average 5 BPM and the participants were less drowsy.  

The effect of near-infrared light on skin cells2

To investigate how near-infrared light affects us on cell level, in this study irradiated skin cells were analyzed using advanced imaging techniques. It was shown that the near-infrared light of SunLED technology activates deeper lying skin cells and influences  natural processes that maintain good skin health and function. Specifically, lipids involved in inflammatory and immune response pathways were regulated by the near-infrared light. 

Other interesting studies 

  • Effect of Near-infrared Light on Cognitive, Emotional, and Physical Conditions3
  • Photobiomodulation and Wound Healing4-5
  • Photobiomodulation and Diabetes Management6-9
  • Photobiomodulation and Cognitive Enhancement10-13
  • Photobiomodulation for Mental Health (Depression, Anxiety, PTSD)14-18
  • Photobiomodulation in Eye Health19-23
  • Photobiomodulation in Neurological Disorders and Brain Injuries24-25

Our research partners: 

References

  1. Giménez, M. C.; Luxwolda, M.; Van Stipriaan, E. G.; Bollen, P. P.; Hoekman, R. L.; Koopmans, M. A.; Arany, P. R.; Krames, M. R.; Berends, A. C.; Hut, R. A.; Gordijn, M. C. M. Effects of Near-Infrared Light on Well-Being and Health in Human Subjects with Mild Sleep-Related Complaints: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Biology (Basel). 2023, 12 (60). https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12010060

  2. Laura van der Vloet, Zoé Ducarne, Ron M.A. Heeren, Anne C. Berends, Michiel Vandenbosch,
    Lipid analysis of human primary dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes after near-infrared exposure using mass spectrometry imaging,
    Journal of Biotechnology, Volume 396, 2024, (53-61). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiotec.2024.10.009

  3. Roddick, C. M., Wang, Y., Chen, F. S., Durmus, D., Royer, M. P., Veitch, J. A., Zhao, J., Seo, Y. S., Cao, W., & Whitehead, L. A. (2024). Effects of near-infrared radiation in ambient lighting on cognitive performance, emotion, and heart rate variability. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 100, 102484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102484

  4. Kuffler, D. P. Photobiomodulation in Promoting Wound Healing: A Review. Regen. Med. 2016, 11 (1), 107–122. https://doi.org/10.2217/rme.15.82

  5. Rahmannia, M.; Amini, A.; Chien, S.; Bayat, M. Impact of Photobiomodulation on Macrophages and Their Polarization during Diabetic Wound Healing: A Systematic Review. Lasers Med. Sci. 2022, No. 0123456789. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-022-03581-5.

  6. Pandolfo, I. L., Bonifacio, M., Benfato, I. D., et al. (2023). Photobiomodulation in diabetic rats: Effects on morphological, pancreatic parameters and glucose homeostasis. Journal of Biophotonics. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbio.202300182

  7. Linares, S. N., Beltrame, T., Galdino, G. A. M., et al. (2022). Dose response effect of photobiomodulation on hemodynamic responses and glucose levels in men with Type 2 diabetes: A randomized, crossover, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. Photonics, 9(7), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9070481

  8. Dos Santos Soares, F., de Souza Pinto, M., Kruger, A., et al. (2023). Photobiomodulation therapy on skeletal muscles exposed to diabetes mellitus: A systematic review of animal studies. Lasers in Medical Science, 38(1), 185. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-023-03853-8

  9. Saliba, A., Du, Y., Liu, H., et al. (2015). Photobiomodulation mitigates diabetes-induced retinopathy by direct and indirect mechanisms: Evidence from intervention studies in pigmented mice. PLOS One, 10(10), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0139003

  10. Gonzalez-Lima, F., Barrett, D., Saucedo, C., et al. (2019). Transcranial photobiomodulation in healthy subjects: Cognitive enhancement. Biological Psychiatry, 85(10), S80–S81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.03.208

  11. Barrett, D. W., & Gonzalez-Lima, F. (2013). Transcranial infrared laser stimulation produces beneficial cognitive and emotional effects in humans. Neuroscience, 230, 13–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.11.016

  12. Vargas, E., Barrett, D. W., Saucedo, C. L., et al. (2017). Beneficial neurocognitive effects of transcranial laser in older adults. Lasers in Medical Science, 32(5), 1153–1162. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-017-2221-y

  13. Jahan, A., Nazari, M. A., Mahmoudi, J., et al. (2019). Transcranial near-infrared photobiomodulation could modulate brain electrophysiological features and attentional performance in healthy young adults. Lasers in Medical Science, 34(6), 1193–1200. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-018-02710-3

  14. Eshaghi, E., Sadigh-Eteghad, S., Mohaddes, G., & Rasta, S. H. (2019). Transcranial photobiomodulation prevents anxiety and depression via changing serotonin and nitric oxide levels in the brain of depression model mice: A study of three different doses of 810 nm laser. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 51(7), 634–642. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.23082

  15. Caldieraro, M. A., & Cassano, P. (2019). Transcranial photobiomodulation for major depressive and anxiety disorders and for posttraumatic stress disorder. In Photobiomodulation in the Brain: Low-Level Laser (Light) Therapy in Neurology and Neuroscience (pp. 479–487). Elsevier Inc. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815305-5.00035-X

  16. Kerppers, F. K., dos Santos, K. M. M. G., Cordeiro, M. E. R., et al. (2020). Study of transcranial photobiomodulation at 945-nm wavelength: Anxiety and depression. Lasers in Medical Science, 35(9), 1945–1954. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-02983-7

  17. Askalsky, P., & Iosifescu, D. V. (2019). Transcranial photobiomodulation for the management of depression: Current perspectives. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 15, 3255–3272. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S188906

  18. Marks, R. (2021). Photobiomodulation, depression, anxiety, and cognition. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 4(1), 30–42. https://doi.org/10.14302/issn.2474

  19. Muste, J. C., Kalur, A., Iyer, A., et al. (2021). Photobiomodulation therapy in age-related macular degeneration. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology, 32(3), 225–232. https://doi.org/10.1097/ICU.0000000000000742

  20. Begum, R., Powner, M. B., Hudson, N., et al. (2013). Treatment with 670 nm light up-regulates cytochrome c oxidase expression and reduces inflammation in an age-related macular degeneration model. PLOS One, 8(2), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0057828

  21. Merry, G. F., Munk, M. R., Dotson, R. S., et al. (2017). Photobiomodulation reduces drusen volume and improves visual acuity in dry age-related macular degeneration. Acta Ophthalmologica, 95(4), e270–e277. https://doi.org/10.1111/aos.13354

  22. Zhou, L., Tong, L., Li, Y., et al. (2023). Photobiomodulation therapy retarded axial length growth in children with myopia: Evidence from a 12-month randomized controlled trial. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30500-7

  23. Zhu, Q., Xiao, S., Hua, Z., et al. (2021). Near-infrared (NIR) light therapy of eye diseases: A review. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 18(1), 109–119. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijms.52980

  24. Hamblin, M. R. (2018). Photobiomodulation for traumatic brain injury and stroke. Journal of Neuroscience Research, 96(4), 731–743. https://doi.org/10.1002/jnr.24190

  25. Fitzgerald, M., Hodgetts, S., Van Den Heuvel, C., et al. (2013). Red/near-infrared irradiation therapy for treatment of central nervous system injuries and disorders. Review of Neuroscience, 24(2), 205–226. https://doi.org/10.1515/revneuro-2012-0086