830nm and 850nm belong to the near-infrared part of the light spectrum that is widely researched in photobiomodulation.
What is near-infrared?
Near-infrared light is not visible to the human eye. In PBM research, various near-infrared wavelengths are used, including bands around 800–890nm.
830nm vs 850nm
A difference of 20nm means that these are different wavelengths, but not that one is superior for every application. Research uses different combinations of wavelength, irradiance, dose, and treatment time.
Why 850nm is often found on panels
850nm is a commonly used near-infrared wavelength in PBM devices and is often combined with red light, such as 660nm.
What determines the protocol?
- Wavelength
- Irradiance
- Fluence
- Distance
- Treatment time
- Treatment area
Conclusion
830nm and 850nm are both relevant near-infrared wavelengths within PBM, but the wavelength number alone does not guarantee a specific outcome.
Source: PBM consensus.