Short answer: Place the panel in a room you use every day, at a height where the centre of the panel is level with the area you are treating, and at a distance you can repeat consistently, usually 15 to 30cm. A stand solves most placement problems. Only panels with an IP rating should be used in a bathroom or a sauna.
The most important factor: whether you will use it
A high-specification panel is not useful if it is stored in a cupboard. Before you consider angles and heights, choose a room you use every day: the bedroom, a home gym, the bathroom or a home office. Red light sessions are short, and short routines are easier to maintain when the setup takes very little time. If preparation takes five minutes, you will use the panel less often.
How much space you need
This depends on the size of the panel and how you intend to use it:
- Compact panels require only a desk, a shelf or a small stand. These are suitable for a home office or a bedside table.
- Half-body panels require a stand or a wall mount, and approximately one metre of clear floor space in front.
- Full-body panels require standing room and a stable stand. The floor area is similar to a floor mirror, plus space to stand back from it.
One measurement is often overlooked: the space in front of the panel. You need to be able to sit or stand at your working distance without furniture behind you.
Setting the correct height
Position the centre of the panel approximately level with the middle of the area you are treating. Light output is strongest on the axis at the centre of a panel and decreases towards the edges. A panel directed at your knees while you are treating your shoulders will deliver less light to the shoulders.
This is the purpose of a stand. A floor stand allows you to set the height precisely. A pneumatic or motorised stand allows you to change the height between sessions without effort, which is useful if more than one person uses the panel, or if you alternate between seated and standing sessions.
Distance: choose one and keep it consistent
Most home routines use a distance of 15 to 30cm. The exact figure matters less than using the same figure each time. Light intensity decreases quickly with distance, so an inconsistent distance produces an inconsistent dose, and you cannot then tell what is working.
A simple method: mark a position on the floor, or place a chair at a fixed point. Removing this decision makes the routine easier to maintain.
Lighting, mirrors and reflections
You do not need a darkened room. Two practical points:
- Panels are bright. Use the eye protection supplied, or do not look directly into the LEDs.
- A light-coloured wall behind you causes no problems and makes the room feel less stark.
- If the panel faces a window at night, it will be visible from outside. Consider this in a ground-floor room.
Bathrooms, saunas and humid rooms
This point concerns safety rather than convenience. A standard red light panel is not designed for humid environments. Steam and splashing water present a genuine hazard with mains-powered electronics.
If you want to use light therapy in a bathroom or a sauna, use a panel that is specifically IP-rated for those conditions. The RLF SPA is IP65-rated and is designed for humid, high-temperature rooms. Do not use a standard panel in a wet room.
Placement checklist
- Choose a room you use every day.
- Ensure clear space in front at your working distance.
- Set the centre of the panel level with the treatment area.
- Choose a repeatable distance and mark it.
- Use a stand for half-body and full-body panels.
- Use only an IP-rated panel if the room is humid.
Frequently asked questions
Can I mount a red light panel on the wall?
Many panels can be wall-mounted, which saves floor space. Check the fixings supplied and confirm that the wall can support the weight, because full-body panels are heavy.
How far should I sit from the panel?
Usually 15 to 30cm for home use. A shorter distance increases intensity and shortens sessions. Whichever distance you choose, keep it consistent so that your dose remains consistent.
Can I put a red light panel in my bathroom?
Only if the panel is specifically rated for humid environments. A standard panel is not designed for bathrooms or saunas. Use an IP-rated model instead.
Do I need a stand?
For compact panels, no. A desk or a shelf is sufficient. For half-body and full-body panels a stand is close to essential, both for stability and for setting the correct height.
This article provides general information about installing light therapy devices. It is not medical advice. Always follow the installation and safety instructions supplied with your device.
