If you want to understand why a therapy works, follow the evidence. If you want to understand why it has gone mainstream, follow the people using it. Red light therapy has attracted a remarkable cross-section of high-profile adopters — athletes, entertainers, entrepreneurs, and scientists — each drawn by different needs but arriving at the same conclusion. This article looks at who is using PBM, why they are using it, and what that tells us about where the therapy is heading.
Elite Athletes — Recovery and Performance
Professional sport has some of the most rigorous performance demands on earth. Recovery time is competitive advantage. Anything that accelerates muscle repair, reduces inflammation, and returns an athlete to full training faster is worth serious investment — and PBM delivers on all three fronts.
LeBron James
Basketball · NBAWidely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, LeBron James is equally well-known for his obsessive approach to physical maintenance. He reportedly spends over $1.5 million per year on his body — and red light therapy is part of that investment. James has integrated full-body light therapy into his recovery routine, crediting his ability to perform at elite level well into his late thirties to his discipline around recovery technology.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Football · Al-NassrRonaldo's dedication to physical conditioning is legendary. Beyond his renowned sleep protocols and nutrition discipline, Ronaldo has been linked to the use of cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen, and red light therapy as part of a comprehensive recovery stack. His ability to maintain elite fitness levels well into his late thirties is widely attributed to this level of recovery discipline — and PBM is a consistent part of the conversation.
Michael Phelps
Swimming · 23× Olympic GoldThe most decorated Olympian of all time, Phelps was known for pushing the boundaries of recovery technology throughout his career. The physical demands of competitive swimming — multiple events across consecutive days — made recovery innovation essential. PBM was among the tools Phelps reportedly incorporated to maintain performance across the full duration of major competitions.
Tiger Woods
Golf · 15× Major ChampionFollowing multiple back surgeries and knee reconstructions, Tiger Woods made his return to competitive golf one of the most remarkable comebacks in sports history. Red light therapy has been reported among the recovery modalities used to support tissue healing and reduce chronic pain — an application well-supported by the clinical evidence on PBM and musculoskeletal repair.
Novak Djokovic
Tennis · 24× Grand Slam ChampionDjokovic is arguably the most scientifically-minded athlete in professional tennis, known for his intense focus on nutrition, sleep, and recovery optimisation. He has spoken publicly about his use of photobiomodulation as part of his recovery toolkit, particularly for managing the physical demands of a gruelling Grand Slam schedule.
Longevity Scientists & Biohackers — Optimising Ageing
The longevity movement is built on a simple premise: ageing is a biological process, and biological processes can be influenced. PBM fits naturally into this framework — its ability to support mitochondrial function, reduce systemic inflammation, and improve sleep quality addresses several of the core mechanisms associated with biological ageing.
Bryan Johnson
Entrepreneur · Blueprint ProtocolBryan Johnson sold Braintree to PayPal for $800 million, then dedicated significant resources to one goal: reversing his biological age. His Blueprint protocol — one of the most documented longevity programmes in existence — includes full-body PBM as a daily practice. Johnson publishes his biomarkers, protocols, and results openly. His biological age measurements have consistently shown results younger than his chronological age, and his programme has brought PBM into mainstream awareness globally.
David Sinclair
Professor · Harvard Medical SchoolProfessor David Sinclair of Harvard Medical School is one of the world's leading longevity researchers and author of the bestselling book Lifespan. Sinclair has spoken about the role of light exposure — including red and near-infrared wavelengths — in supporting biological pathways associated with healthy ageing, including NAD+ metabolism and mitochondrial function. His work has helped establish a credible scientific framework for why PBM is of interest to longevity medicine.
Andrew Huberman
Neuroscientist · Stanford UniversityStanford neuroscientist and host of the Huberman Lab podcast — one of the most listened-to science podcasts in the world — Huberman has discussed red light therapy extensively. He has spoken about its applications for mitochondrial health, skin, testosterone support, and sleep regulation, and has incorporated morning red light exposure into his own daily protocol. His reach into health-conscious audiences has significantly broadened public awareness of PBM beyond clinical circles.
Celebrities & Public Figures — Aesthetics and Wellness
Beyond elite sport and longevity science, red light therapy has attracted a significant following among celebrities and entertainers — driven primarily by its skin health and recovery benefits, and by the growing mainstreaming of wellness culture in high-profile circles.
Kim Kardashian
Entrepreneur & Media PersonalityKim Kardashian has publicly shared her use of red light therapy masks and panels for skin health and anti-ageing. Her adoption of PBM has played a significant role in bringing it to consumer attention — and in normalising light-based skincare in mainstream culture.
Kourtney Kardashian
Entrepreneur & Wellness AdvocateAmong the Kardashian family, Kourtney has been particularly vocal about her commitment to holistic and science-backed health practices. Red light therapy features regularly in her wellness content, with a focus on skin health, inflammation reduction, and recovery.
Jessica Alba
Co-founder · The Honest CompanyCo-founder of The Honest Company and a long-standing advocate for clean, science-supported wellness, Jessica Alba has been publicly associated with red light therapy use for skin health and overall wellbeing. Her influence in the wellness space has helped position PBM alongside other evidence-backed modalities in mainstream health culture.
Victoria Beckham
Fashion Designer & Global IconVictoria Beckham is known for her rigorous approach to health and aesthetics, and red light therapy has been cited among her skincare and recovery practices. Her global profile has contributed to PBM's growing association with high-end, results-driven wellness.
Jennifer Aniston
Actress & Wellness AdvocateJennifer Aniston has spoken about her use of LED light therapy as part of her skincare regime, crediting it with supporting skin health and a youthful complexion. Her openness about the treatments behind her appearance has brought significant attention to PBM in the beauty and wellness media.
Why Are They Using It? — The Common Threads
Despite coming from very different contexts, the people using PBM at the highest levels share a consistent set of motivations.
Recovery Speed
The ability to return to full training or performance faster after physical exertion — central to elite sport, but increasingly valued by high-performing professionals across all fields.
Longevity & Healthy Ageing
Supporting mitochondrial health, reducing chronic inflammation, and maintaining biological youth — the core motivation for the longevity and biohacking community.
Skin Health & Aesthetics
Clinically supported collagen stimulation, reduction in fine lines, and improved skin tone — valued across celebrity and consumer wellness contexts.
Cognitive Performance
Support for focus, mental clarity, and mood — driven by transcranial PBM research and increasingly adopted by knowledge workers and executives.
Pain Management
Non-pharmacological management of chronic or acute pain — particularly relevant for athletes with injury histories and older adults managing musculoskeletal conditions.
Sleep Quality
PBM's effects on circadian rhythm and melatonin regulation have attracted attention from sleep-focused biohackers and wellness practitioners.
Immune Support
Emerging interest in PBM's role in modulating immune function and reducing systemic inflammation — particularly relevant in post-pandemic health culture.
Hair Growth & Scalp Health
Clinically studied for androgenetic alopecia and general hair thinning — PBM stimulates follicle activity and improves scalp circulation, with FDA-cleared devices available for home and professional use.
"The convergence of elite sport, longevity science, and celebrity wellness culture around a single modality is notable. It reflects a broader shift: PBM is no longer a niche clinical tool. It is becoming a mainstream health technology — and the professional environments that offer it are well-positioned for that shift."
What This Means for Professional Environments
The cultural mainstreaming of PBM has a direct commercial implication for clinics, wellness centres, and hospitality businesses. As awareness grows — driven by high-profile endorsers, podcast coverage, and expanding media attention — client demand for professional-grade PBM experiences is increasing.
There is a meaningful gap between consumer devices (masks, small panels) and the full-body professional systems that deliver the outcomes the research and high-profile users describe. That gap is a commercial opportunity for businesses that can offer clinical-grade, full-body PBM in a premium environment.
Clients who have read about Bryan Johnson's protocol, heard Huberman discuss mitochondrial health, or watched a Kardashian demonstrate a light therapy mask are already primed. They are looking for a professional version of the experience — one that delivers real outcomes, not just wellness theatre.
See Other Related Articles
What is Photobiomodulation (PBM) and How Does it Work?
A plain-English guide to red and near-infrared light therapy — where it came from, what it does to your cells, and why it is one of the most researched non-invasive therapies in modern medicine.
Evidence-Based Outcomes Across Six Key Domains
A review of peer-reviewed clinical research across skin health, pain, wound healing, athletic recovery, cognitive function, and circulation.
How PBM is Used in Professional Practice Today
From rehabilitation clinics to luxury wellness centres — the devices, settings, and applications driving PBM adoption at scale.
© AGESTAS. Published for educational purposes. Content does not constitute medical advice. PBM systems intended for professional wellness and recovery use.




