A common question for new RLT users: "Can I leave my clothes on during treatment?" The short answer is mostly no — fabric blocks most red and near-infrared light. But there are some nuances. Here's what works and what doesn't.

Why Clothes Block RLT

Red and near-infrared light is absorbed or reflected by fabric:

  • Cotton, wool, polyester: Block 90–95% of red/NIR light
  • Denim, heavy fabrics: Block 98%+ of red/NIR light
  • Dark colors: Block more than light colors
  • Thick fabrics: Block more than thin fabrics

Result: RLT through clothes delivers only 2–10% of the therapeutic dose. Essentially useless.

What Fabrics Allow Some Light

Some fabrics allow minimal light through:

  • Thin white cotton: Allows 5–10% of light through
  • Sheer fabrics: Allow 10–20% of light through
  • Loose-woven fabrics: Allow slightly more light than tight weaves

Even with these, you'd need 10–20x longer sessions for the same dose. Not practical.

Best Practice

  1. Treat bare skin whenever possible. Maximum effectiveness.
  2. Treat in private if modesty is a concern. Bathroom, bedroom, etc.
  3. Use targeted wraps for hard-to-bare areas. Wraps go under clothes and deliver direct light.
  4. For full-body treatment, wear minimal clothing. Underwear only, or use a private space.
  5. Don't waste time treating through clothes. It's mostly ineffective.

When Clothes Are OK

There are a few exceptions where treating through clothes is acceptable:

  • Maintenance sessions — better than skipping entirely
  • Very thin, light-colored, loose fabrics — minimal benefit but some
  • Targeted wraps under clothes — wrap is in direct skin contact
  • Very low-intensity ambient red light — like the Gamma Revive lamp, designed for ambient use

For therapeutic RLT, bare skin is always better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mostly no — fabric blocks 90–98% of red/NIR light. RLT through clothes delivers only 2–10% of the therapeutic dose. Treat bare skin for effectiveness.
Yes — underwear blocks minimal area. Treat bare skin for the body areas you want to treat.
Minimally — about 5–10% of light. You'd need 10–20x longer sessions. Not practical for therapeutic use.
Yes — light penetrates most medical bandages better than regular clothing. Don't remove dressings for RLT sessions.
Use portable devices (Solawave wand, Hooga Charge) on exposed areas like face, neck, hands. Save full-body treatment for home.
No — wraps are designed for direct skin contact. They go under clothes but should be against bare skin.

For Bare Skin Treatment

The MitoMAX 2.0 delivers full-body treatment — just use it in a private space.

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