The Truth About Red Light Therapy (What It Can & Can’t Do)

Red light therapy mentions have been increasing online, with social media influencers promoting at home devices that promise smoother skin, fewer wrinkles, and faster healing. While these claims are appealing, it is important to understand how red light therapy actually works and what benefits it can realistically provide.

Red light therapy has been studied for a variety of health concerns beyond the skin. In this blog post, however, we will focus specifically on the benefits of professional strength red light therapy as it relates to skin health and cosmetic improvement.

What Is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment (specialized form of light therapy) that uses specific wavelengths of red and near infrared light to stimulate cellular activity within the skin. Unlike ultraviolet light, which can damage skin cells, red light penetrates safely and supports the body’s natural repair processes. The treatment is painless, requires no downtime, and can be used on various areas of the face and body.

How Does Red Light Therapy Work?

Red light therapy works by stimulating the mitochondria within your cells. Mitochondria produce cellular energy, which is essential for healing, collagen production, and overall skin function. By increasing cellular energy, red light therapy can stimulate collagen and elastin production, improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and support tissue repair.

Red light therapy sessions are quick and completely non-invasive. During treatment, patients relax comfortably while a medical grade light panel is positioned over the treatment area. Sessions typically last 10 to 20 minutes and feel warm and soothing. There is no recovery time required, and patients can return to normal activities immediately.

Red Light Therapy Can	Red Light Therapy Can’t
Improve mild wrinkles and texture	Correct deep wrinkles
Support collagen and healing	Lift sagging skin
Reduce redness and inflammation	Cure chronic skin issues
Help acne, rosacea, and eczema symptoms	Address severe pigmentation
Improve overall skin quality	Deliver dramatic one-session results
Speed up post-procedure healing	Replace sunscreen or skincare

The Skin Health Benefits of Red Light Therapy

Eczema

Red light therapy may help calm inflammation and support the skin barrier, which is often weakened in people with eczema. By increasing cellular energy and improving circulation, it can promote healing and reduce visible redness over time.

It is best suited for patients with mild eczema or occasional flare ups, and for those whose skin remains irritated even after a flare improves. However, it is not a replacement for prescription creams or systemic medications in moderate to severe cases.

Rosacea

For rosacea, red light therapy can help reduce inflammation and support the skin’s natural repair process, making the complexion appear less red and irritated over time.

It is typically most helpful for patients with mild to moderate rosacea who experience persistent redness or frequent flare ups. It does not remove visible blood vessels or cure rosacea, and more advanced cases often benefit from prescription medications or vascular laser treatments.

Acne

Red light therapy can reduce inflammatory acne lesions and support faster healing. It is best suited for patients with mild to moderate inflammatory acne, particularly red, irritated breakouts rather than severe cystic lesions.

With multiple sessions, patients may see reduced redness and swelling. Red light therapy is often combined with blue light therapy, topical medications, or prescription treatments for improved control. Moderate to severe acne typically requires additional therapies.

Psoriasis

While narrowband UVB phototherapy remains the gold standard for psoriasis, red light therapy may offer mild anti-inflammatory benefits and support the skin’s repair process.

It may be helpful for localized patches or lingering redness between flare ups. However, it is not a replacement for medical phototherapy, prescription topicals, or systemic medications.

Cold Sores

Some evidence suggests that red light therapy may shorten the duration of cold sore outbreaks when started at the earliest symptoms, such as tingling or burning. By promoting tissue repair and reducing inflammation, it may help lesions heal more quickly. It is not a cure for herpes simplex virus but may serve as a supportive treatment.

Wound Healing

There is strong scientific evidence that red light therapy can help accelerate wound healing. By increasing cellular energy, improving circulation, and stimulating collagen production, it may speed the healing of minor wounds. In medical settings, it is often used under supervision to enhance tissue repair and recovery.

The Cosmetic Benefits of Red Light Therapy

In addition to helping manage certain skin conditions, red light therapy can address a variety of cosmetic concerns.

Lines and Wrinkles

Red light therapy can improve mild lines, wrinkles, and overall skin texture. By stimulating collagen production and improving circulation, it can gradually soften fine lines and promote firmer looking skin.

Most patients require weekly sessions initially, with visible improvement developing over eight to twelve weeks. Deeper wrinkles or significant skin laxity typically require more advanced treatment options.

Scarring Including Acne Scars

Red light therapy supports collagen remodeling and can reduce redness in newer acne scars. With repeated treatments, patients may see gradual improvement in texture and tone.

More significant scarring often requires combining light therapy with microneedling or laser treatments for optimal results.

Enlarged Pores

Red light therapy does not physically close pores, but it may help pores appear smaller over time. By stimulating collagen and improving skin firmness, it can strengthen the surrounding tissue, making enlarged pores less noticeable.

For more significant pore reduction, treatments such as microneedling, laser resurfacing, or chemical peels are generally more effective. Red light therapy is best viewed as a supportive option that enhances overall skin quality.

Stretch Marks

Evidence for stretch marks is still emerging, but red light therapy may support collagen remodeling and improve skin texture. Patients may notice gradual softening and smoothing over time. It does not eliminate stretch marks but may be used alongside other treatments to improve their appearance.

Post Procedure Recovery

Red light therapy is commonly used to support recovery after microneedling, laser treatments, injectables, or minor surgical procedures. It can reduce swelling and redness, improve comfort, and support faster tissue repair. Many patients appreciate its soothing effect during the healing process.

What Red Light Therapy Will Not Do

While red light therapy offers meaningful benefits, it is important to understand its limitations. It supports the skin’s natural healing processes but is not designed to dramatically transform the skin on its own.

Red light therapy:

• Is not a miracle cure and requires a series of treatments
• Cannot replace surgery or advanced procedures for significant skin laxity
• Will not eliminate deep wrinkles or provide dramatic lifting
• Does not cure chronic skin conditions, though it may help manage symptoms
• Does not directly remove deep pigment like lasers or IPL
• Is not a substitute for daily skincare and sun protection

When viewed as a supportive, restorative therapy rather than a standalone solution, red light therapy can be a valuable addition to a comprehensive skin care plan.

Professional vs. At Home Red Light Therapy

Although at home devices are widely available, they deliver lower energy output and do not penetrate the skin as effectively as professional systems. As a result, they are typically far less effective than in office treatments.

Professional light therapy is:

• More powerful and effective
• Carefully calibrated for safety
• Supervised by trained providers
• Often incorporated into a comprehensive treatment plan

For patients seeking consistent and noticeable results, professional strength treatment is generally more reliable.

Enhancing Red Light Therapy Results with Ameluz

One way we can enhance red light therapy results in our offices is by combining it with aminolevulinic acid (Ameluz), a topical medication that makes treatment more effective in certain cases. This combination is called photodynamic therapy (PDT), and we have been noticing great results with it in the right patients.

During treatment, Ameluz is applied to the skin in the office and left on for a period of time before red light therapy begins. The light then activates the medication, helping to strengthen the treatment’s effects. In our experience, this can be especially beneficial for patients with sun damage, actinic keratoses, and other skin concerns that may respond well to PDT.

Since this is a stronger treatment than red light therapy alone, it is not the right fit for everyone. Your provider can help determine whether adding Ameluz makes sense based on your skin concerns and treatment goals.

Final Thoughts: Is Red Light Therapy Worth It?

Red light therapy can be a valuable addition to a comprehensive skin care strategy. It is particularly well suited for mild to moderate concerns and for patients seeking a gentle, non-invasive option that supports overall skin health. A consultation with a qualified provider can help determine whether red light therapy aligns with your goals and how it can be incorporated into a personalized treatment plan.

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Disclaimer: The contents of the Westlake Dermatology website, including text, graphics, and images, are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for direct medical advice from your physician or other qualified professional.

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