Why do Maysama use 850nm and not 830nm near infrared in their LED devices?

Whether users have a preference for the 830nm wavelength or the 850nm wavelength will depend on which theories you subscribe to.

Whilst Maysama regularly reviews all scientific research, our thinking is currently more aligned with the research of leading photobiomodulation scientist, Dr Andrei Sommer, with whom Maysama has an ongoing dialogue. Sommer wrote the original paper ‘Green Tea and Red Light Therapy, a powerful duo in skin rejuvenation’, which triggered interest in the use of antioxidants with red light therapy and is relevant to our green serum.

Much of the published literature discusses Cytochrome C oxidase as the primary receptor for red-near infrared light absorption, and determines that the oxidized form of cytochrome c oxidase has a broad absorption band above 800 nm that is cantered at 830 nm.

Sommer’s work however has debated that Cytochrome C Oxidase acts as the main photoreceptor for red light therapy, stating that mitochondrial bound water is in fact the primary acceptor for infrared light. In his paper, Death of a Dogma, Sommer clearly puts the theory around Cytochrome C to bed and explains how a change to the viscosity of interfacial water layers, affected by the absorption of red and near infrared light, speeds up the rate of ATP production. As the absorption peak of water is at 850nm, Sommer’s theory supports the use of the 850nm wavelength in LED devices.  

Many LED devices (and brands) promote the 830nm wavelength based on the theory around CCO absorption mechanisms. Maysama however promote the 850nm wavelength based on water as the primary photoreceptor and the impact of 850nm on modulating light-gated ion channels, which is another important mechanism for triggering photobiomodulation. 

Whilst we could debate the optimal wavelengths based on various scientific viewpoints and conflicting studies, the effect of pulsing LED is far more impactful on biological response.