How often should you use red light therapy?

Can you use red light therapy every day?

Daily use is not a blanket recommendation. Follow the frequency specified for your device rather than adding sessions yourself. Home devices have different light strengths, and the ideal amount of exposure for different skin concerns is still uncertain. A session count alone does not tell you how much light your skin receives. Using a device too often or ignoring its directions can damage skin or unprotected eyes. Do not extend sessions to try to speed up results.23

How to set up your treatment schedule

1. 1Choose a device intended for your concern, such as facial wrinkles, and look for FDA clearance.
2. 2Read the directions before starting. Use the stated session length and frequency instead of borrowing a routine from another device.
3. 3Use the recommended eye protection. If the directions require goggles, wear them every session; sunglasses are not a substitute.
4. 4Keep using the device on its specified schedule. Ask your dermatologist about follow up treatments and maintenance rather than assuming treatment ends after the initial course.

How often should you use red light therapy on your face?

For your face, follow the facial device's directions, not a schedule intended for a hair regrowth device. Home devices come as masks, panels and wands, so the same treatment has acquired several costume departments. Dermatologists use more powerful equipment than home devices and can tailor treatment to the concern. They sometimes recommend a home device to maintain results after office treatment.1

How long before you see results?

Think in months, not overnight changes. Regular use multiple times a week for four to six months is a practical expectation for a course of treatment, rather than a deadline for visible improvement. Research suggests red light therapy can help with fine lines, skin texture and redness. Changes can be subtle, and some people see no improvement. Dramatic changes are not a realistic expectation.124

Red light is usually an addition to a treatment plan, not its replacement, despite having the most theatrical equipment. Continue moisturizing and protecting your skin from the sun rather than treating the device as a substitute.12

When should you use red light therapy?

Choose a time that lets you follow your device's schedule regularly. There is no settled universal session length, so do not assume every mask needs the same number of minutes. Professional equipment allows better control of the dose, while home devices vary in strength.2

The advice to use a light box in the morning for about 30 minutes a day concerns bright white light for seasonal depression. It is a different treatment, not a red light skincare schedule.5

Who should check before starting?

Avoid red light therapy if you have a disorder that makes you sensitive to light, or take medicines that increase light sensitivity, unless your dermatologist advises otherwise. Certain antibiotics and blood pressure medicines can cause this sensitivity. Discuss your medicines and any current skin treatment before starting. For darker skin tones, speak to a dermatologist first: visible light can trigger dark spots, and a lower dose can be appropriate.124

Temporary redness, mild pain or irritation can occur. If treatment causes these symptoms, pause rather than increasing exposure and ask your dermatologist how to proceed. Short term use appears safe when directions are followed, but the long term safety of red light devices remains uncertain.123