The Science
This isn't alternative medicine.
It's cellular biology.
Photobiomodulation has been studied in over 6,000 peer-reviewed trials. It is used in human hospitals, veterinary clinics, and professional sports facilities worldwide. Here's what the research actually says — and why it works.
Light as medicine. The mechanism is real.
Photobiomodulation (PBM) — also called low-level laser therapy or red light therapy — is the therapeutic application of specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to living tissue. Unlike heat-based therapies, PBM works at the cellular level without generating thermal effects.
The mechanism is well understood: red and near-infrared light photons are absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase, an enzyme in the mitochondrial membrane. This triggers a cascade of downstream effects — increased ATP (cellular energy) production, reduced oxidative stress, and improved nitric oxide release, which enhances blood flow to damaged tissue.
The result is measurable, repeatable, and drug-free: accelerated tissue repair, reduced inflammation, and natural pain relief — without side effects.
Light absorbed by cells
Red and near-infrared photons penetrate tissue and are absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondrial membrane — the cell's primary energy-producing enzyme.
ATP production increases
Light absorption triggers a surge in ATP (adenosine triphosphate) — the fuel cells use to repair and regenerate. Damaged cells that struggle to produce ATP on their own receive the energy they need to heal.
Inflammation reduces
Nitric oxide is released from mitochondrial binding, improving local blood flow and reducing oxidative stress — two of the primary drivers of chronic pain and inflammation in arthritic joints.
Tissue repairs naturally
With inflammation reduced and cellular energy restored, the body's own repair mechanisms take over — accelerating recovery in soft tissue, joint capsules, muscle, and bone without any external chemical intervention.
What the research actually shows.
These aren't testimonials. These are peer-reviewed, published clinical trials.
PBM outperformed prescription NSAIDs for canine pain
In a randomized controlled trial, 82% of dogs receiving photobiomodulation therapy reduced their pain medication use by at least half. PBM outperformed meloxicam — one of the most commonly prescribed veterinary pain medications — in reducing hip osteoarthritis pain scores over a 6-week period.
Peer-reviewed studies published on PBM
Photobiomodulation is one of the most studied physical therapy modalities in medical literature. Research spans human and veterinary applications — covering wound healing, arthritis, nerve regeneration, post-surgical recovery, and musculoskeletal pain across dozens of species.
Becoming standard of care in veterinary practice
The American Animal Hospital Association — the leading accreditation body for veterinary practices in North America — describes photobiomodulation as "becoming standard of care in veterinary practice" for pain management and rehabilitation. It is now routinely offered at AAHA-accredited clinics across the US and Canada.
Measurable tissue penetration at therapeutic wavelengths
Clinical studies have demonstrated measurable light penetration into living tissue at the wavelengths used in Solaura Pet devices — 660nm reaching 2–5mm (dermis and surface tissue), 850nm reaching 5–10mm (deep muscle and joint capsule), and 880nm reaching 10mm+ (periosteal tissue and bone).
Why wavelength matters — and what each one does.
Not all light is therapeutic. The specific wavelengths used in photobiomodulation — 660nm, 850nm, and 880nm — sit in what researchers call the "optical window" of tissue: the range at which light penetrates effectively without being absorbed by water or haemoglobin before reaching its target.
The most studied wavelength in PBM research. Absorbed primarily in surface tissue — dermis, epidermis, and superficial muscle. Supports wound healing, coat health, skin-level inflammation, and surface circulation.
Penetrates deeper into soft tissue and joint structures. Supports deep muscle recovery, joint capsule health, nerve function, and chronic inflammatory conditions affecting tendons and ligaments.
The deepest-penetrating therapeutic wavelength. Reaches periosteal tissue — the connective layer surrounding bone — and the subchondral bone itself. Where arthritis, hip dysplasia, and deep joint degeneration originate.
Is red light therapy safe for animals?
Yes — when used at the correct wavelengths and power densities, photobiomodulation is non-thermal, non-ionising, and non-invasive. It does not generate heat in tissue, does not damage cells, and has no known negative systemic effects in veterinary literature.
Always consult your veterinarian before beginning any new treatment protocol, particularly if your animal is pregnant, has active cancer, or has recently undergone surgery involving the treatment area. Avoid directing light at the eyes.
We didn't discover this in a journal. We discovered it in our living room.
Maya is a 16-year-old Puggle. Two years ago she started struggling with the stairs. Her back legs were stiffening, her enthusiasm for walks was fading, and the options her vet offered were limited to pain medication with a long list of side effects.
We found the research on photobiomodulation, sourced a vest, and started daily 20-minute sessions. Within two weeks she was back on the stairs. Within a month she was walking further than she had in a year.
That's why Solaura Pet exists. Not because we saw a market opportunity — because we saw Maya get better, and we wanted every senior dog owner to have access to the same thing.
Read Maya's full story →Ready to try it for your animal?
Every Solaura Pet device comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don't see improvement, you pay nothing.