Your first four weeks with ThyRed
Short sessions, a few times a week. Here is how to start gently and make it part of your routine.
Before your first session
Three quick checks.
Peel the film
The light side ships with a thin, clear protective film. Peel it off so nothing sits between the light and your skin.
Plug it in
Collar cable into the top port of the control pod, the one next to the display. USB-C cable from the bottom port to the wall adapter or a PD power bank. The pod beeps once.
Bare, clean skin
No lotion, oil or makeup on the front of your neck. Put your skincare on after the session.
Not sure how the strap goes? Our fitting guide shows every step with photos.
Your first session
You don't need to change any setting.
Put it on, then switch it on
Fasten the collar first. Then press and hold the power button for 3 seconds. ThyRed starts at 15 minutes and one intensity bar on its own, which is exactly where you should begin.
When the timer runs out, it switches itself off. Want to stop early? Switch it off before you take it off.
Is it working? The red lights glow. The near-infrared light is invisible to your eyes. Point your phone camera at the collar in a dim room and you will usually see it as a soft glow. The front camera tends to show it best.
The four week plan
2 to 3 sessions a week, 15 minutes each. One step up in intensity per week, only if the week before felt good.
The default setting. Let your body get used to it.
One press of the intensity button. Two bars on the display.
Only if week 2 felt good. Otherwise stay at level 2.
Stay where it feels good. Higher is not better.
Used level 4? Switch ThyRed off for 15 minutes before another session so it can cool down.
Make it part of your day
Consistency matters more than intensity. Pick fixed days and leave a rest day in between.
Your hands stay free, so pair it with something you already do:
Some people find light sessions energizing. If that's you, keep them before late evening. Drinking a glass of water before and after helps too.
Listen to your body
Light works in a sweet spot. More is not better.
Feels good
A gentle warmth on the skin is normal. The collar can reach about 40 °C (104 °F) and switches itself off if it ever gets warmer than its limit. Keep going with your plan.
Step back if you notice
- lightheadedness or dizziness
- a headache
- unusual tiredness or restlessness
- sinus pressure, or irritated skin
Stop the session, take a few days off and restart at level 1 with fewer sessions. If it continues, stop using ThyRed, talk to your healthcare provider and let us know.
Notice how you feel
Once a week, take ten seconds and jot down how these feel compared with last week.
After four weeks, reply to my email and tell me what you noticed. I read every answer.
Care and travel
Cleaning
Unplug first. Wipe the collar with a soft cloth lightly dampened with distilled water, then dry it fully. No harsh cleaners. ThyRed is not waterproof.
Storing
Keep it flat in its dust bag. Never fold it or press hard on the bend, that can damage the electronics inside.
Travelling
At 80 g it fits in any bag. If you bring a power bank on a plane, it goes in your cabin luggage, not your checked bag.
Quick answers
Can I use it every day?
We recommend 2 to 3 sessions a week. Light follows a sweet spot, so more often is not better. Short, regular sessions beat long or frequent ones.
Can I wear it while I work or read?
Yes, that is what it's made for. Just never while sleeping, driving, operating machinery, or anywhere wet like the shower, bath or sauna.
The pod doesn't switch on.
Check that every cable is pushed all the way in and sits in the right port: collar on top, power at the bottom. Then try another outlet, or test the adapter with a different device. Still nothing? Write to us.
It switched off after a few minutes.
The timer may have been set shorter than you think, so check the display next time. If it keeps turning off early, or never turns off on its own, write to us.
Should I change my medication or treatment?
No. ThyRed is a general wellness device and does not replace any medication or treatment. Never change or stop either without talking to your healthcare provider.
I'm pregnant, sensitive to light, or on medication. Can I use it?
Please check with your healthcare provider before your first session. The same goes for photosensitizing medication. Don't use ThyRed on broken or irritated skin.
Anything else? Reply to the email this guide came with, or write to hello@thyred.com.