Red light therapy is a therapeutic technique that uses low-level wavelengths of red light to help treat skin issues.

Numerous studies, such as this small study from 2023, have shown that red light therapy can produce subtle but noticeable results on the face when used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, rough skin, and discoloration.

Red light therapy has also been safely and effectively used to treat androgenetic alopecia (hair loss).

These research findings have led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to clear several red light devices for at-home use in treating signs of skin aging and hair loss.

But can repeated exposure to red light increase your risk of melanoma (skin cancer)?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, red light therapy is safe in the short term.

While UV light can increase your risk of skin cancer, red light therapy does not involve UV light.

But if you have a history of skin cancer, you should still be cautious and seek advice from a doctor or dermatologist before using red light therapy.

More research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of red light on skin and hair.

Dermatologists recommend taking the following precautions when selecting or using a red light device at home:

  • Consult a board certified dermatologist before using red light therapy at home. Exposure to red light can worsen certain health conditions, including lupus. And certain medications, such as doxycycline and tetracycline, may increase your skin’s sensitivity.
  • Be sure to purchase and use an FDA-cleared device. This means the FDA has evaluated the product and believes that it poses a low risk to users.
  • Closely follow the directions that come with the device.
  • Choose a red light device that’s intended for the issue you want to address. For example, if you want to address wrinkles, choose a device that’s designed for that purpose. If you want to treat hair loss, choose one that’s intended for hair loss.
  • Wear eye protection if the directions tell you to. And don’t substitute sunglasses if the directions tell you to wear protective goggles.

If you have a dark skin tone, check with a dermatologist before trying red light therapy

Research has found that people with dark skin tones are more sensitive to visible light (such as red light) than people with light skin tones. This sensitivity can lead to hyperpigmentation — dark spots that last longer than dark spots caused by invisible light such as sunlight.

Interestingly, red light therapy is currently being examined in preclinical trials as a potential treatment for melanoma. Preclinical trials are studies performed in vitro (in test tubes) or in animals to determine whether a treatment looks promising and can safely proceed to clinical trials in humans.

The authors of a 2022 in vitro study suggest that red light therapy could be a safe and effective treatment for melanoma, particularly for people who do not respond to immune or targeted therapy.

But more research, particularly in human clinical trials, is needed to determine whether red light cell therapy can safely and effectively treat melanoma.

Other names for red light therapy

There are nearly 60 other names for red light therapy, including: