Red light therapy is pretty good, but not a cure-all
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Kelsie Whitmore uses red light therapy in her locker room at Richmond County Bank Ball Park in September 2022 in Staten Island, N.Y. Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images
Red light is one type of light doctors aren't shielding us from.
Why it matters: It's a therapy surging in popularity, especially for the treatment of wrinkles and acne. Red light therapy has also shown promise in a variety of other areas, including wound healing, pain management and cancer care.
Doctors say it's generally safe to use.
- "It can be used across a variety of skin types, even in the most sensitive individuals," says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.
Yes, but: Amit Om, a dermatologist in Charlotte, North Carolina, told Axios, he doesn't recommend it to anyone with photosensitizing conditions, like lupus. People with melasma also might not benefit.
How it works: LED light directed at the skin triggers a process called photobiomodulation, a noninvasive way to stimulate certain cells that rejuvenate skin.
- That's what stimulates collagen to reduce wrinkles and scarring.
Fun fact: NASA was a red light therapy pioneer.
Reality check: While red light can improve the appearance of skin, "it's not powerful enough to replace anything that we currently have," Om told Axios.
- In other words, red light can plump aging skin, but don't expect Botox-like results. In most cases, a doctor recommends red light therapy to complement other treatment options.
- Also, at-home red light devices require use at least several times a week or daily.
Another caveat: Devices you buy for home use won't give you the same results as an in-office laser treatment, Samantha Karlin with the American Academy of Dermatology told Axios.
Before buying a red light device, you can check the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's database for clearance claims.
- Low-level light devices can only be "cleared," not "approved," according to the way FDA categorizes medical devices.
Zoom out: Red light is one type of several LED therapies. Blue light is another option that is best for acne-prone skin because it can reduce levels of acne-causing bacteria.
- Blue light is also used in neonatal intensive care units to prevent jaundice.
- A note for people with darker skin tones: Blue light may worsen hyperpigmentation.
What's next: Red light therapy will likely shine brighter in 2025.
- Praveen Arany, who has been studying how light can help heal wounds, predicts we'll see more red light uses for post-surgical healing, more athletes using it to improve performance, and more at-home devices in various forms like helmets and panels.
- "It is a fantastic new type of treatment," but do your research before buying in, Arany cautions. "The marketing is all over the place."
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