Cytochrome C oxidase is considered the primary photosensitive molecule targeted by red light therapy, leading to increased ATP production.

“the most interesting of these is probably something called cytochrome C oxidase or CCO it's a component of the electron transport chain within mitochondria and generally speaking most people who are proponents of red light therapy point to cytochrome se oxidase or CC o as the main target and therefore the mediating um effect of the biologic impact of red light so red light and near infrared wavelengths do seem to excite cytochrome um C oxidase um and its activity then increases subsequent um ATP production”