Yesterday, I read a well-researched article from NPR Science Desk senior editor/correspondent Maria Godoy. Although I could have summarized his article, it seemed more sensible to publish his article so you can read it yourself. The article also comes with live links that will allow you to get additional information if you are interested.
As you may know, I’m a fan of red light therapy. I’ve been using a red light device, SpaceTouch’s Vega (reviewed here in August 2022), for about 4 years. I still try to use it on my face about 3 times a week. At this age, I can’t complain with the results! Next, I need to start using it on my temples to see if it will help speed up hair growth.
Enjoy Maria Godoy’s article, or you can listen to it in the frame below Maria Godoy’s photo.
Red light therapy has become the latest ray of hope in the wellness industry. If you listen to wellness influencers, you might think there’s nothing red light therapy can’t treat. But what is the science behind this hype?
claims
On TikTok, you’ll find content creators touting the benefits of red light therapy for skin care, hair growth, joint pain, sleep, longevity, inflammation — even menstrual cramps.
As a TikTok creator who walks Christina Elise keeps it“If you invest in a red light therapy panel to keep at home, your overall health routine will improve.”
And these are not just panels. Red light face masks, wands, and special caps for hair growth are sold for home use, ranging in price from $50 to thousands of dollars. But are these devices really doing anything?
“This is probably the most frequently asked question I have been asked in the last four years,” says Dr. Zakia RehmanClinical Professor of Dermatology at Stanford School of Medicine and faculty member at the Stanford Center on Longevity.
Science
Rahman says it can be challenging for consumers to separate the science from the hype when it comes to red-light devices. As far as red light therapy — formally called photobiomodulation therapy — “there’s actual real science. It’s not science fiction,” she says.
The science is based on how red light – which occupies longer wavelengths on the visible light spectrum – affects mitochondria, which are the powerhouses of cells. Rahman says both red and infrared light stimulate energy production inside the mitochondria, so cells work better.
“We create this energy through that red light and we can use it therapeutically to do things like grow hair, reduce inflammation, or create new collagen in our skin,” Rahman explains.
She says scientists have known about the therapeutic potential of red light since the 1960s, when a Hungarian researcher exposed rats to red light to see if it caused cancer. “It turns out he didn’t get cancer, but his hair grew,” she says.
The concept of light therapy seems less fantastical when you think about the other ways in which light affects human health, say Dr. Praveen ArniAn associate professor and photobiomodulation researcher at the University at Buffalo. Light triggers vitamin D production and is an important driver of circadian rhythms. If we can use light physiologically, it makes sense that we could also use it therapeutically, he says.
Application
As with hair and skin, experts say it takes time to see the benefits of red light therapy — think months of consistent use, not days, typically several times a week. Specific instructions vary by device.
And don’t expect dramatic results, says Dr. David OzogA researcher and chair of dermatology at Henry Ford Health in Detroit.
For example, red light therapy has been Has been shown to help treat androgenetic alopeciaOr pattern hair loss – the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women. “It helps,” Ozog says. “You can objectively look at the hair, the quality of the hair, the number of hairs and there may be improvements.”
But how much it helps depends on several factors, including how far along your hair loss is. “It won’t take you from being bald to having a chia pet and having abundant hair,” Ozog says.
As far as skin is concerned, Rahman says evidence shows Red light therapy can help improve fine lines and wrinkles, although the effects are modest compared to more invasive treatments like laser peels that a dermatologist can do in the office.
“It may be helpful for some superficial changes on the skin, for superficial changes, but not for deep wrinkles,” he says. Dr. Alma BaronA dermatologist and professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She notes that there’s also evidence that therapy can help combat acne.
Ozog says he would rank red light therapy below other proven treatments for skin rejuvenation, such as Retin A, vitamin C, and light laser peels.
As far as other health claims go, Ozog says there is strong evidence that red light therapy is safe and effective for many therapeutic uses. He was part of a panel of experts from various fields who wrote 2025 unanimous review This therapy pattern was found to work to treat hair loss, ulcers, peripheral neuropathy, many types of ulcers, and acute radiation dermatitis.
Therapy is also part of it clinical guidelines To prevent and treat oral mucositis – painful mouth ulcers and inflammation that are common in patients undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. “Red and infrared light do a great job of calming it down,” Ozog says.
There is also evidence that the therapy may help reduce pain and moderately speed up healing. frequent coldsHe notes.
And in recent years, the Food and Drug Administration has authorized the marketing of red light therapy devices. Treat dry age-related macular degeneration and for Temporary relief from pain from fibromyalgia.
Arni says that for many conditions, red light should be viewed as a complementary therapy rather than a first-line treatment.
Overall, when it comes to the health benefits of red light therapy, “in some areas we have reached the highest level of evidence. In other areas, it’s more anecdotal,” with promising evidence, but more rigorous science is needed, says Arani, who has worked with several companies in evaluating their red light therapy devices.
“Wild West” of products.
As far as purchasing a red light device, “the buyer is advised to be aware that it is somewhat like the Wild West,” Ozog says.
While many devices for sale have received approval from the FDA, Ozog says that means they are safe but not necessarily effective. They’ve tested some that didn’t have enough energy to really have any effect.
If you buy, “I would look for independent safety certification from an accredited laboratory like Intertek or UL, as well as separate third-party optical testing for wavelength and irradiance,” Ozog advises.
Arni says some devices sold online don’t even emit the right wavelength to be effective.
And treatment is not the same for everyone. Different wavelengths have been shown to be effective for treating different concerns for different periods of time. For example, for skin rejuvenation, evidence suggests that wavelengths ranging from 620 to 1072 nanometers may be effective. “Longer wavelengths are better because they penetrate deeper into the skin,” says Rahman.
For patterned hair loss, wavelengths of 630 to 800 nanometers have been reported to be effective. If you buy, look for a device that addresses your specific concern.
Other warnings and potential concerns
“Red lights are something where the margin of safety is very high,” says Baron.
That said, there are some security concerns to be aware of. One is that you should protect your eyes when using a red light device. Ozog warns that prolonged exposure to red or infrared light can damage your retina. “It’s possible you could cause some damage,” he says. Many devices come with goggles or other eye protection.
Another potential concern: He noted that some people complain of headaches after using red light therapy.
And Rahman says you should tread carefully if you suffer from melasma, a form of hyperpigmentation that’s more common in people with pigmented skin. She says visible light can stimulate pigmentation, although the risk is greater with shorter wavelengths like blue light than longer wavelengths of red light. “But using it excessively can actually worsen the condition of people with pigmentation disorders,” says Rahman.
ground level
Red light therapy is promising for many aspects of health, but the evidence for some uses is much stronger than others. And it’s not magic.
“Just going light on you won’t make you superhuman by any means,” says Arnie. “You still have to do all the other things you need to maintain good health — like eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep.”
But if you’re looking for health improvements from red light, and the thought of wading through a sea of devices makes your head spin, you can always go out in the morning or evening, when the ratio of red light is more favorable.
“You actually get more red light in the morning, so that’s why you get that color of the sky,” Ozog says.
“Drink your coffee,” he says, “listen to the birds, get the morning light and start your day off right.”
