By Jonathan 
When most people hear “red light Skin therapy,” they think glowing skin, anti-aging, maybe some post-gym muscle recovery. And yes, all of that’s true. But there’s a lesser-known benefit that’s quietly making waves in the wellness world: lymphatic drainage and detoxification.
Yeah, not as sexy as collagen and glowing cheeks, but wow, does it make a difference in how your body feels. Think less puffiness, more energy, and that weird but satisfying feeling of everything flowing a little smoother inside you.
So how exactly does lying under some red lights help your body drain, detox, and function better?
Let’s break it down—in plain human language.
First, a Quick Lymph System 101
Your lymphatic system is like your body’s plumbing and waste-removal crew. It runs alongside your blood vessels, quietly collecting fluid, waste, and toxins from your tissues, and moving them to the lymph nodes, where your body filters and processes all that junk.
When it’s working well, you feel good—energized, less puffy, more balanced. When it’s sluggish? Cue bloating, fatigue, brain fog, and that heavy, “off” feeling you can’t quite put your finger on.
The problem is, unlike your blood (which gets pumped around by your heart), your lymph doesn’t have a built-in pump. It relies on movement, deep breathing, and muscle contractions to keep it flowing.
And here’s where red light comes in.
Red Light Therapy: More Than Just Skin Deep
Red light therapy or infrared therapy near me uses low-level wavelengths of red and near-infrared light that penetrate through the skin and interact directly with your cells. Specifically, it energizes the mitochondria—aka the little batteries inside your cells. More energy = better cellular function.
So what does that have to do with detox?
Well, when your cells are operating efficiently, they:
- Repair damage faster
- Reduce inflammation
- Stimulate circulation
- Help fluid move more freely through your tissues
All of which are key players in a healthy lymphatic system.
That means red light therapy can help the lymph do its job better—clearing out toxins, reducing fluid buildup, and supporting your body’s natural detox process. It’s like giving your inner cleanup crew a much-needed power-up.
Dennis Ligon’s Perspective: From the Spa Front Lines
We asked Dennis Ligon, owner of Sundays Sun Spa Shop, what he’s seeing with clients who use red light therapy for lymphatic support.
“It’s one of those benefits people don’t expect, but end up loving,” Dennis says. “Clients come in for skincare or soreness, and a few sessions in, they’re saying things like ‘I’m sleeping better’ or ‘I feel lighter and less bloated.’ That’s the lymphatic system getting some love. We see it especially in people who sit a lot or feel stagnant in their bodies. Red light gives them that internal reset.”
He’s not wrong. Many clients don’t even realize how backed up their system feels until they get that rush of light-driven clarity—when things start moving again.
The Feel-Good Side Effects No One Talks About
One of the coolest things about supporting your lymphatic system? It’s not just a “detox” in the trendy, juice-cleanse kind of way.
It’s a real, physical shift.
You might feel:
- Less water retention (hello, flatter stomach and less face puffiness)
- Clearer skin (because toxins aren’t just sitting around in your tissues)
- More energy (because waste isn’t weighing your system down)
- Fewer headaches or that “full” feeling behind your eyes
- Better digestion and overall comfort in your body
It’s like clearing a traffic jam inside your own system. And who wouldn’t want that?
Pair It with Movement = Magic
Here’s the sweet spot: combine red light therapy with light movement, like walking or gentle stretching, and you’ve got a lymph-drainage power duo.
Some spas (like Sundays Sun) even encourage clients to hop into a red light bed post-workout or after a sauna session. Why? Because your lymph is already activated from movement or heat—red light helps finish the job, clearing the gunk and keeping the system humming.
Final Thoughts: Glow on the Inside, Too
We all want that radiant, healthy glow—but the truth is, it starts inside. Your skin, your energy levels, even your immune system are all tied to how well your body clears out waste and keeps things flowing.
Red light therapy isn’t just a surface-level beauty treatment. It’s a full-body, cell-level tune-up—and when it comes to supporting your lymphatic system and detox process, it might be the gentlest, most effective tool you didn’t even know you needed.
So next time you book a session, don’t just think glow-up. Think drain-out. Detox. Reboot. And if you’ve got a spot like Sundays Sun Spa Shop nearby? You’re already halfway there.