Is At Home Red Light Therapy Safe?

Is Red Light Therapy at Home Safe and Effective?

Red light therapy has never been more popular, but are at-home devices like Joovv safe? How is safety determined for red light therapy devices? In this article, we’ll break down the five most important factors for light therapy safety. We’ll also explain how Joovv is leading the light therapy industry on safety, testing, and effectiveness. 

What is Red Light Therapy?

Light therapy is an easy way to add healthy light to your life, in the comfort of your home. A high-quality device like a Joovv treats your body with red and near infrared (NIR) wavelengths of light, delivered directly to your skin and cells. Light therapy is a widely-used health intervention backed by a large amount of peer-reviewed clinical research. 

The science is clear: red light therapy is safe and effective for skin treatments, inflammation, joint pain, recovery, and sleep. But are all at-home light therapy devices safe?

Before choosing a red light therapy product, make sure the device meets safety and testing standards.

Joovv Meets IEC Safety Standards for Home Medical Devices

Safety is paramount when you’re treating your body with an electrical device. Be sure that any electricity-based product intended for human use conforms to IEC 60601-1.  

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a global organization that publishes standards for consumer electronics like Joovv devices. IEC standards establish core safety and effectiveness guidelines for different kinds of electronic and technical products.  Joovv’s devices conform to AAMI STD ES60601-1, so make sure any light therapy device you consider meets all these safety standards, which are outlined below.

IEC 60601-1 & 60601-1-11: Medical devices used at home need to conform to IEC 60601-1-11, a collateral safety standard that focuses on medical electrical equipment used at home.  Medical devices designed for in-home use are held to stricter guidelines to assure safety. This is due to first time users not receiving the same kind of training as users in a medical setting. On the market today, Joovv is the only at-home red light therapy manufacturer investing in this level of safety. 

IEC 60601-1-2: This standard focuses on Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC). It assures your device is safe to use in commercial and residential environments like your home. Medical electrical equipment intended for human use must conform to the limits set forth in IEC 60601-1-2 to be deemed safe for use. Joovv meets this standard, but some other light therapy brands may not. So make sure to look for it!

IEC 60601-2-57 & IEC 60601-2-83: This part of IEC 60601 has been prepared to provide safety requirements for Home Light Therapy Equipment specifically. These standards assure proper device labeling is achieved and instructions for use include the proper safety and technical criteria. IEC 60601-2-83 is a brand new standard that was introduced in 2019. Joovv is proud to announce full compliance with 2-83. 

IEC 62471: This standard applies to lamps and lamp systems, including LED devices with wavelengths between 200 and 3000 nanometers, like Joovv. More specifically, it details the exposure limits, reference measurement techniques, and classification schemes for the evaluation and control of photobiological hazards. All Joovv products have been tested and evaluated to this standard, see results below.

• Joovv GEN 1 Products: Exempt Group*
• Joovv GEN 2 Products: Exempt Group*
• Joovv GEN 3 Products (includes Go 2.0): Risk Group 1**

Exempt Group*

Safe under reasonably foreseeable conditions

Risk Group 1**

Low risk - does not pose a hazard due to normal behavioral limitations on exposure

Third-Party Safety Verification

Third-party verification is a key requirement for manufacturers and a great tool for consumers to utilize when looking to purchase a safe, effective red light therapy device for their home. A safety mark by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) helps assure peace of mind. With that said, make sure the safety mark represents the proper testing based on the device's description. For example, if the manufacturer is claiming to be a medical device then they must comply with all applicable 60601-1 standards.

Joovv is proud to take the next step in providing peace of mind for our consumers. Our new Generation 3.0 devices are all independently tested by third parties and marked for safety by Intertek. We’re proud that our devices contain the (c ETL us) safety mark, which assures the entire Joovv product line conforms to all the applicable 60601-1 safety standards. We are committed to providing the best red light therapy on the market and stand behind all of our products no matter the generation.

Joovv’s Generation 3.0 products conform to:

• AAMI STD ES60601-1
• IEC STD 60601-1-11
• IEC STD 60601-1-6
• IEC STD 60601-2-57
• IEC STD 62471

• CSA STD C22.2 #60601-1

Joovv’s Generation 3.0 products can be found listed under the ELT List Mark Directory. 

Joovv’s CB Test Certificate can be found by searching Joovv as the trademark under the IECEE Deliverables site.  

Conclusion: Joovv Devices are Safety-Tested and Certified for Home Light Therapy

Red light therapy is a great option for easy, in-home health improvements. But it’s crucial to make sure any device you use on your body is safe and conforms with all of the applicable medical device standards. From the beginning, Joovv has been committed to making the industry safer. Joovv is committed to product excellence and will continue to invest in product safety to assure peace of mind for all of our current and future customers. Meet the newest generation of products.