If you have compared different red light panels, you have probably seen specifications such as 120 mW/cm², 140 mW/cm² or 160 mW/cm². These values are called irradiance and are used to describe how much light energy reaches the treatment area. The problem is that many manufacturers mention this number without explaining what it actually means.
For anyone wanting to understand the difference between different red light panels, irradiance is one of the most important specifications to know. At the same time, it is also one of the most misunderstood. Many people believe that the highest number automatically means the best panel, but the reality is a little more complicated than that.
In this guide, we go over what irradiance means, why it is measured in mW/cm², and how you can use the information to compare different products in a smarter way.