De relatie tussen afstand en behandelingsefficiëntie bij LED-lichttherapie
LED light therapy—also known as fotobiomodulatie—uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to stimulate cellular activity, support tissue repair, en ontstekingen verminderen.
It’s a safe, non-invasive treatment used in skincare, spierherstel, and general wellness.
While many people focus on wavelength or treatment time, one often-overlooked factor can dramatically affect results: the distance between the light source and the skin.
This article explains how distance influences irradiance (light intensity), energy delivery, and overall treatment efficiency.
The Science Behind LED Light Therapy
LED light therapy works through a process called fotobiomodulatie—a cellular response triggered when light photons are absorbed by the mitochondria. This absorption increases ATP (energy) productie, enhances circulation, and promotes tissue regeneration.
Two key parameters determine the effectiveness of any LED light treatment:
Bestraling (MW/cm²): The power of light received per unit area.
Fluence (J/cm²): The total energy delivered—irradiance multiplied by exposure time.
Together, these factors define the light dose your skin or tissue actually receives.
How Distance Affects Irradiance
Light intensity decreases rapidly as distance increases, following the inverse square law: E∝1/d²
In eenvoudige bewoordingen, when the distance doubles—from 5 cm to 10 cm—the light intensity drops to roughly one-quarter of its original value.
Although LED light doesn’t behave as a perfect point source (it’s semi-diffused), the general rule still applies: the farther the light, the weaker the energy that reaches your skin.
Different device designs can also change how this energy spreads:
Collimated LEDs (focused beams): Distance has a smaller effect on intensity.
Diffused LED panels: Energy drops off more noticeably as distance increases.
Performance at Different Distances
Too close (<5 cm)
Pros: High intensity, fast energy accumulation.
Cons: Heat buildup and potential skin irritation if exposure is prolonged.
Optimal range (5–15 cm)
Provides balanced energy distribution and comfortable warmth.
Recommended for both professional and at-home treatments.
Too far (>20 cm)
Irradiance drops sharply.
The light may no longer deliver enough energy (fluence) to trigger a biological effect, resulting in reduced or no therapeutic benefit.
Why LED Masks Have Lower Power Than Light Panels
You might notice that LED facial masks typically have an irradiance of 20–40 MW/cm², while LED light panels often range from 150–200 mW/cm².
This doesn’t mean masks are weak—it’s simply because of distance and safety design.
LED -maskers sit very close to the face—often within 1–2 cm. At such proximity, higher power could cause heat buildup or discomfort, so the intensity is intentionally reduced to protect the skin and ensure comfort.
LED panels, anderzijds, are usually positioned 10–20 cm away from the body. Because energy diminishes rapidly over distance, these devices need higher output power to deliver the same effective dose to the skin.
Kortom, lower power in a mask equals safer use at close range, not weaker performance.
Finding the Right Distance
The goal is to deliver the right energy dose (J/cm²)—enough to stimulate cells, but not so much that it causes overheating.
For surface-level treatments (acne, complexion, collagen): use red light, 5–10 cm away.
For deeper tissues (spierherstel, joint pain): use near-infrared light, 3–8 cm away for better penetration.
If your device provides irradiance data, you can calculate exposure time to reach your target energy dose accurately.
Practical Tips for Best Results
Follow the manufacturer’s distance and time recommendations.
Keep the light 5–15 cm (2–6 in) away from the skin for balanced performance.
Typical sessions last 5–20 minutes, depending on the target area.
Avoid overexposure—too much light can temporarily inhibit cellular activity (known as the biphasic dose response).
Consistency matters: noticeable results typically appear after several weeks of regular use.
Conclusie
Bij LED-lichttherapie, distance is just as important as wavelength or duration.
As the distance increases, energy delivery drops, and treatment efficiency declines. Too close, and the skin may experience heat stress.
The power difference between LED masks and panels reflects the same principle of distance–energy balance.
By understanding and adjusting these factors, you can achieve the optimal balance of veilig, comfortabel, and effective light therapy results.
Kortom: The best distance is not the closest or the farthest—it’s the one that delivers enough energy safely.