Feeling exhausted is so common that GPs have a shorthand for it: TATT, or "tired all the time". For many of us, the usual advice about sleep, diet and exercise only goes so far.
That's one reason red light therapy for fatigue is attracting so much interest. A new 2026 study has added some intriguing data to the conversation, so let's unpack what it found, what it didn't, and how light can fit into a realistic routine.
First, Rule Out the Obvious
Ongoing tiredness can have many causes. The NHS lists stress, hormonal changes such as the menopause, and conditions including anaemia and thyroid problems, and advises seeing a GP if tiredness has gone on for a while without explanation.
Red light therapy isn't a substitute for that conversation. It's best thought of as a possible addition to healthy habits, rather than a fix for an underlying problem.
The 2026 Study Everyone's Talking About
The research in question is a 30-day observational pilot study that followed two small groups: 10 athletes and 10 people living with chronic fatigue.
Each participant wore a near-infrared device (800 to 850nm) on four points across the front and back of the chest for 10 minutes a day, six days a week. Researchers tracked how tired people felt, alongside blood-based measures of how well their mitochondria were working.
The headline figures: fatigue scores fell by 37% in the chronic fatigue group and by 12% among the athletes. Roughly 63% of that change happened within the first 15 days.
Two Groups, Two Different Stories
One of the more interesting details is how differently each group responded. In the chronic fatigue group, the changes were linked to mitochondrial reserve capacity, essentially the cell's ability to step up energy production when demand rises.
The athletes, already fit and energetic, showed changes associated with mitochondrial and metabolic efficiency. Their smaller drop in fatigue scores makes sense, as there was simply less room for improvement.
One reading of these results is that light doesn't just "add energy". It may instead help cells work more effectively from wherever they start, a more nuanced idea than most wellness marketing allows for.
Why Mitochondria Are the Focus
The reason researchers study red light therapy for energy comes down to mitochondria, the structures inside cells that produce ATP, the body's energy currency.
Red and near-infrared light are absorbed by molecules in and around the mitochondria, most famously an enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase. This interaction is linked to increased cellular energy production, a process known as photobiomodulation.
Red light also has an advantage over shorter wavelengths. A 2024 study in Frontiers in Photonics highlights that red light generates far less oxidative stress than shorter visible wavelengths, delivering a beneficial signal with less cellular strain.
What the Research Can't Tell Us Yet
It's important to keep these results in perspective. With just 20 participants and no placebo group, the study shows an association rather than proof that light reduced fatigue. The researchers were also connected to a company that makes wearable light devices.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a recognised medical condition that needs proper clinical care, and red light therapy isn't a treatment for it. Larger, independent trials will be needed to understand who benefits, and by how much.
Building an Energy-Supporting Routine
If you're curious about adding light to your routine, pair it with the basics the NHS recommends for fighting tiredness, such as regular exercise, staying hydrated and cutting back on caffeine and alcohol later in the day.
For body use, the Maysama LED Light Therapy Silicone Belt delivers pulsed red light at 630nm and near-infrared light at 810nm and 830nm. Its near-infrared wavelengths fall within the range used in the 2026 study, and the flexible design fits comfortably around the back, stomach or shoulders for a 10-minute session.
Why pulsed? Continuous light can lead to a build-up of free radicals over the course of a session, while pulsed delivery builds in short pauses that give cells time to reset. You can read more about this in our guide to the most frequently asked red light therapy questions.
Consistency matters more than intensity. In the study, most of the improvement came within the first two weeks of daily use, which points towards regular, moderate sessions rather than longer or more frequent ones.
If you'd like your routine to cover your skin too, the AURA LED Light Therapy Face Mask pairs red light at 630nm with near-infrared at 830nm in a cordless design, delivered through Maysama's Intelligent Micro-pulsing Technology™.
What to Expect in the First Few Weeks
Light therapy works gradually. In the study, most of the change in fatigue scores appeared within the first 15 days, but everyone responds differently, and results in a small trial won't apply to every person.
A simple way to keep track is to jot down a quick morning energy rating from one to 10, along with how long you slept and how much caffeine you had the day before. After a few weeks, you'll have a far more honest picture than memory alone can give you.
If your tiredness doesn't lift, or it gets worse, don't keep pushing on with self-care alone. Book an appointment with your GP so that any underlying cause can be properly looked into.
Why Wearables Suit This Kind of Routine
The study used a wearable device placed over a broad area of the body, rather than a small handheld light. Wearables make it easier to treat larger areas consistently, and they fit around everyday life, whether you're reading, working or winding down in the evening.
That ease of use matters. The best routine is the one you'll actually keep up, and a device you can simply wrap on and forget about for 10 minutes is far more likely to become a habit.
Final Thoughts
Red light therapy for fatigue is a young but promising area of research. The 2026 wearable study adds real data linking near-infrared light, mitochondrial function and how tired people feel, even if bigger trials are still to come.
Used sensibly, as part of a balanced lifestyle and with any persistent tiredness checked by your GP, red and near-infrared light could be a worthwhile addition to your wellness routine. Browse Maysama's full range of beauty devices to find out more.
