Following your session, it is important to allow the oxygen to integrate into the body without interrupting the process. Even though the experience is relaxing, your body has been exposed to a significantly increased level of oxygen under gentle pressure, and this stimulates many physiological processes including circulation, cellular repair, and nervous system regulation.

During a 60 minute session many people experience a shift in their nervous system. While the therapy gently stimulates the body, it often results in a deeply relaxed state afterwards as the body balances its nervous system responses. For this reason, it is beneficial to allow yourself a calm period following your session rather than jumping immediately into demanding physical or social activities.

What We Recommend (Do’s)

Stay well hydrated.
Drink plenty of good quality water for the rest of the day. Increased oxygen availability can support detoxification and cellular activity, and hydration helps your body process these changes efficiently.

Allow time for rest and integration.
If possible, keep the next hour or two relatively calm. Gentle activities such as walking, reading, light stretching, or quiet work are ideal.

Eat nourishing food.
A balanced meal with good protein, healthy fats, and whole foods helps support cellular repair and energy production following your session.

Pay attention to how your body feels.
Most people feel relaxed, clear-headed, or energised after a session. However, each person responds slightly differently depending on their health status and what their body is currently processing.

Continue your healthy routines.
The benefits of hyperbaric therapy are enhanced when combined with good sleep, healthy food, hydration and regular movement.

What to Avoid After (Don’ts)

Avoid strenuous exercise after your session.
High-intensity training or heavy exertion immediately afterwards can interrupt the body’s integration of the oxygen-rich environment you’ve just experienced.

Avoid alcohol and stimulants for several hours.
Alcohol, excessive caffeine, or other stimulants may counteract the relaxation and recovery processes your body has just entered.

Avoid rushing into stressful or demanding situations.
Whenever possible, try not to immediately jump into high pressure meetings, emotionally demanding conversations, or intense social environments.

Possible Sensations After a Session

Most clients feel relaxed, refreshed, or mentally clear after a session.
However, because the therapy increases oxygen availability and stimulates cellular processes, some people may occasionally experience temporary sensations such as:

• Mild fatigue
• A light headache
• Slight pressure in the ears earlier in the day
• A temporary feeling similar to mild detoxification

A small number of people may experience what is sometimes referred to as a Herxheimer-type detox reaction, where the body begins processing toxins or metabolic by-products more actively. This can result in mild temporary symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, or headache. This does not happen to most people, but when it does it is usually short-lived and manageable.

If this occurs, the best support strategies include:

• Drinking extra clean water
• Gentle movement such as walking
• Prioritising rest and sleep
• Eating nourishing whole foods

These responses are usually temporary and often reflect the body adjusting to improved oxygen availability and metabolic activity.

Remember, every session introduces a large amount of oxygen into the body under gentle pressure, helping oxygen reach tissues, support circulation, and assist many natural repair processes. Even if you do not feel dramatic changes immediately, important physiological processes are still taking place beneath the surface.

Each session you have is an investment in your long term health and cellular resilience. Giving your body the time and conditions to absorb and utilise the oxygen effectively will help you get the greatest possible benefit from your therapy.

If you ever experience anything that concerns you or have questions about your response to a session, please reach out to our team. We are here to support you.

Red light therapy works by delivering specific wavelengths of light to the cells, helping stimulate mitochondrial activity, circulation, tissue repair and cellular recovery. To maximise the benefits of your session and support your body’s natural healing response, please see our post session recommendations.

What We Recommend After (Do's)

Hydrate well

Red light therapy increases cellular activity and circulation. Drinking water after your session helps support cellular metabolism and detoxification processes.

Recommendation:
Drink 1–2 glasses of filtered water within the hour following your session.

Move gently

Light movement such as walking or stretching can help enhance circulation and support the regenerative processes stimulated during the session.

Good options:
• Walking
• Light stretching
• Gentle mobility work
• Yoga

Support your mitochondria with good nutrition

Since red light therapy works primarily through mitochondrial stimulation, providing your body with supportive nutrients can enhance results.

Helpful foods:
• Mineral rich foods (vegetables and leafy greens)
• Quality proteins (fish, eggs and grass fed meats)
• Healthy fats (olive oil and avocado)
• Antioxidant rich foods (berries and herbs)

These help support cellular repair and energy production.

Consider pairing with oxygen or breathwork

Red light therapy increases cellular demand for oxygen as mitochondrial activity rises. Pairing sessions with oxygen therapies, breathwork or time outdoors can further support these metabolic processes.

This is one of the reasons it pairs well with mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (mHBOT).

What to Avoid After (Don'ts)

Avoid heavy alcohol after sessions

Alcohol suppresses mitochondrial function and may reduce some of the metabolic benefits of therapy.

Avoid applying strong chemical skin products immediately after

Retinoids, strong acids or aggressive skincare immediately after a session could irritate skin that has increased circulation.

Things To Be Mindful Of

Temporary warmth or mild skin flushing

Some people notice mild warmth or redness of the skin after a session. This is typically due to increased circulation and usually resolves quickly.

Temporary detox or fatigue (rare)

Because red light therapy can stimulate cellular metabolism and circulation, some individuals may feel slightly tired or experience mild detox like symptoms after their first few sessions.

These usually pass within a few hours and often indicate the body is adapting to increased cellular activity.

Eye protection

If eye protection was recommended during your session, continue to protect the eyes from very bright light immediately afterwards if they feel sensitive.

What You Do NOT Need To Avoid

Unlike UV exposure, red light therapy does not cause photosensitivity.

There is generally no need to avoid:

• Sunlight
• Normal foods
• Exercise (unless you were treated for a specific injury)

In fact, moderate sun exposure later in the day can complement the therapy by supporting circadian rhythms.

To Enhance the Benefits

Clients who receive the best results typically combine red light therapy with:

• Good hydration
• Quality sleep
• Regular movement
• Proper nutrition
• Consistent treatment sessions

Like exercise, the benefits tend to accumulate with regular use.

Your Body’s Response

Everyone responds differently. Some people notice benefits immediately, while others experience gradual improvements over several sessions as the body adapts and cellular repair processes build over time.

Professional Note

Red light therapy is a supportive wellness modality designed to enhance cellular function, circulation and recovery. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure medical conditions.

Misconception

Some clinics advise avoiding sunlight after red light therapy. Scientifically this is not necessary, as red light does not create photosensitivity in the same way that UV or laser treatments can.