Red light therapy has rapidly become one of the most exciting and profitable service categories in the tanning and wellness industry. Thanks to significant advancements in technology, today’s systems are light-years ahead of the older, outdated models that once filled the market. Leading the charge is the SmartSun Therapy SST28—a high-performance, Made-in-USA device engineered for maximum results, ease of use, long-term durability, and an exceptional return on investment.

So how did we get here — and why is the SST28 considered the best-performing and most popular full-body red light therapy device in the tanning industry today?

Red light therapy traces its roots to NASA research in the 1990s, when scientists investigated the use of specific wavelengths of red light to support plant growth in space. During those experiments, they discovered that red and near-infrared light could also stimulate cellular regeneration and accelerate healing in human tissue. This breakthrough sparked decades of research and development, ultimately transforming red light therapy from a space-age innovation into a mainstream wellness solution.

Despite its potential, widespread adoption of red light therapy for consumer wellness was initially limited by the high cost of LED technology. Most commercial systems carry six-figure price tags, making sessions prohibitively expensive for the average consumer. While medical-grade red light therapy built a loyal niche following, it remained out of reach for many salons and wellness centers. Meanwhile, low-pressure red light systems became popular in the tanning industry, but without high-output LED technology, the results, profitability, and room for growth were highly limited.

That’s where SmartSun Therapy changed the game.

Click here to read the entire article in the latest issue of Smart Tan Magazine online.