Turn On the Red Light (For Your Health, Not Roxanne)

Red light therapy AKA Low level laser therapy AKA Photobiomodulation.... welcome to the illuminating world of light therapy, where science meets skincare, hair care, joint pain relief, and even some pretty wild surgical tricks!

What is Light Therapy?

Light therapy uses special lamps or devices to shine specific colors (wavelengths) of light onto your skin or body. It’s not just for plants anymore! 

RLT is absorbed in the body by cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria, increasing ATP (cellular energy), reducing oxidative stress, and modulating inflammation. This promotes tissue repair, reduces pain, and accelerates healing. 

Different colors do different things:

• Blue light (400–470 nm): reduces acne-causing bacteria. Like a microscopic bug zapper for your face.

• Red light (630–760 nm): Dives deeper, helping with healing, inflammation, and collagen production.

• Near-infrared (NIR, 760–1200 nm): Goes even deeper, helping with pain, wound healing, and more. It’s the ninja of the light spectrum.

Skincare & Hair Growth

• Acne: Blue light therapy is a proven way to fight mild to moderate acne. It kills the bacteria that cause pimples. It can be irritating. We use red light for very sensitive skin or deeper/angrier blemishes, which has fewer side effects than blue light.

  
  

• Wrinkles & Scars: Red and NIR light can boost collagen and help scars fade on the skin. In the scalp, it reduces inflammation around the hair follicles and reactivates dormant follicles. It has been shown to be less potent than minoxidil (aka Rogaine) but has almost no side effects, so may be easier to use consistently. 

  
  

• Melasma & Pigment Issues: Yellow and green lights are being studied for dark patches and sun damage. Not quite a magic eraser, but getting close. 

  
  

• Wound Healing: Red and NIR light help wounds heal faster, especially in tough cases like diabetic ulcers. Blue light can help disinfect wounds, while red light helps close them up.

Joint Pain: Lighten Up!

• Arthritis & Sports Injuries: Red and NIR light may help reduce pain and swelling in joints. It’s not a replacement for your regular meds, but it’s a promising sidekick, and is used in many sports med and PT practices these days. 

  
  

• Muscle Recovery: Athletes use light therapy to bounce back faster after workouts.

  
  

Surgical, Endoscopic, and Medical Marvels

• Endoscopic Procedures: Surgeons use special light devices to see inside the body, guide instruments, and even treat certain conditions. For example, photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses light to activate medicines that kill cancer cells or treat Barrett’s esophagus. Like playing laser tag with malignant cells.

  
  

• Operating Room Magic: Lasers and LED devices help surgeons cut, cauterize, and even seal blood vessels. Red and NIR light can reduce inflammation and speed up healing after surgery, as above. 

  
  

• Wound Care: In hospitals, light therapy is used to help stubborn wounds heal, especially in people with diabetes. Red and green light have shown promise for speeding up recovery, as well. 

  
  

• Neurostimulation: Infrared light is being studied to help nerves recover after injury or surgery.

  
  

• Cancer Treatment: Photodynamic therapy uses light to activate drugs that target cancer cells, used in skin cancers and some internal cancers during endoscopy.

  
  

• Psoriasis & Herpes: Blue, red, and NIR light have been used to help with skin conditions like psoriasis and even cold sores.

Safety

Light therapy is generally safe when used as directed. The most common side effect is mild redness or irritation, which usually goes away quickly. Blue light may cause more skin reactions than red light, but serious problems are very, very rare. 

What to Expect

Treatments are usually done in a clinic, but home devices are available too these days (ask your provider first please, good red lights are not just chicken lamps).

Consistency is key: multiple sessions are often needed for best results.

Fun Fact Finale

Light therapy isn’t just for humans! Vets use it for pets for joint pain and wound healing!

Bottom Line

Light therapy is a safe, non-invasive option for acne, skin rejuvenation, wound healing, and even joint pain. It’s also making waves in surgery and cancer care. If you’re interested, speak to your healthcare provider.

Here's to shining light on ways to stay healthy!

Warm regards,

Aditi Correa, MD, MSCP

Your Partner In Health

References

1. The Application of Light Emitting Diode (LED) in Cosmetic Dermatology. Guo Z, Yuan K. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine. 2025;41(5):e70041. doi:10.1111/phpp.70041.

2. Utilization of Light-Emitting Diodes for Skin Therapy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Ngoc LTN, Moon JY, Lee YC. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine. 2023;39(4):303-317. doi:10.1111/phpp.12841.

3. Low-Level Laser (Light) Therapy (LLLT) in Skin: Stimulating, Healing, Restoring. Avci P, Gupta A, Sadasivam M, et al. Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. 2013;32(1):41-52.

4. Wavelength-Dependent Effects of Photobiomodulation for Wound Care in Diabetic Wounds. Dungel P, Sutalo S, Slezak C, et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023;24(6):5895. doi:10.3390/ijms24065895.

5. The Effect of Red-to-Near-Infrared (R/Nir) Irradiation on Inflammatory Processes. Walski T, Dąbrowska K, Drohomirecka A, et al. International Journal of Radiation Biology. 2019;95(9):1326-1336. doi:10.1080/09553002.2019.1625464.

6. Biological Effects and Medical Applications of Infrared Radiation. Tsai SR, Hamblin MR. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. B, Biology. 2017;170:197-207. doi:10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2017.04.014.

7. Guidelines of Care for the Management of Acne Vulgaris. Reynolds RV, Yeung H, Cheng CE, et al. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2024;90(5):1006.e1-1006.e30. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.017.

8. Light Therapies for Acne: Abridged Cochrane Systematic Review Including GRADE Assessments. Barbaric J, Abbott R, Posadzki P, et al. The British Journal of Dermatology. 2018;178(1):61-75. doi:10.1111/bjd.15495.