Yahoo Lifestyle Red light therapy can completely transform your skin – here's how to use it at home
What do Victoria Beckham, Halle Berry and Bella Hadid have in common with NASA astronauts? They are all advocates for red light therapy. According to Bon Charge’s Global Red Light Therapy Report 2025, demand for red light therapy is booming. The survey found that almost half (46%) of under 35s are using it.
So, what is red light therapy, and how can you harness its benefits from your own home? We asked the experts to share their advice on getting the most out of at-home red light therapy – whether you’re aiming to smooth fine lines or boost your overall wellbeing.
Meet the experts
Dr Mohammed Enayat is a GP and founder of the London-based longevity clinic HUM2N.
Dr Raj Arora is a GP and medical educator.
Sue D’Arcy is CEO and founder of iSmart, a leading manufacturer of LED devices.
Maryam Zamani is an oculoplastic surgeon and aesthetic doctor.
Joie Risk is an infrared and red light expert, and CEO of Sunlighten UK.
What it is red light therapy?
“Red light therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation, is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to stimulate cellular function and promote healing, skin rejuvenation, and overall wellbeing,” explains Dr Mohammed Enayat. First pioneered by Dr Endre Mester, who accidentally discovered red light therapy’s ability to promote tissue healing in rats, NASA soon came knocking after research by Dr Harry Whelan subsequently demonstrated its effectiveness for wound-healing in astronauts. Today, red light therapy is available via all kinds of modalities – mats and panels, hand-held devices and even infrared saunas. However, it is probably best known as the red glow from LED face masks.
How does red light therapy work?
Red light therapy uses two types of light that penetrate your skin at varying depths. Red light (in the 600-700 nanometre range) is generally absorbed by skin cells, while near-infrared light (700-1100 nanometres) reaches deeper tissues such as the muscles and joints. Specifically, “red light therapy works by stimulating mitochondria – the energy-producing structures within cells – where it enhances the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which fuels cellular function,” explains Dr Enayat. “By increasing ATP production, red light therapy supports tissue healing, reduces inflammation, boosts collagen production, and enhances circulation.”
Are red light and LED therapy the same?
Although red light and LED therapy are often used interchangeably, they’re not quite the same thing. Put simply, LED therapy uses a broad spectrum of light, including red, blue, green and yellow, which penetrate your skin at different depths for wide-ranging effects. Red light therapy only uses certain red or near-infrared wavelengths. “That means you might have red light therapy that includes LED technology, but not all LED treatments are classified as red light,” clarifies Dr Raj Arora.
What are the benefits of red light therapy?
Red light therapy is a real multitasker for your skin, body, and mind. According to Sue D’Arcy, the main benefits are:
Red light: “Reduces inflammation and redness, repairs cells, boosts collagen and helps reduce visible signs of skin ageing, for example wrinkles and age spots.”
Near-infrared light: “Provides a stronger anti-inflammatory response for improved healing times, as well as reducing visible signs of skin ageing.” For this reason, red light therapy devices will often combine red and infrared light for maximum advantage.
How red light therapy helps skin, body, hair and mood
Skin: “When red light penetrates the skin, it can promote collagen and elastin synthesis, which reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Dr Maryam Zamani. “Light therapy can also improve skin texture by increasing the blood circulation and enhancing oxygen and nutrient delivery to your skin cells; it can improve skin hydration by enhancing hyaluronic acid production; and it can also help reduce redness.”
Hair: “Red light therapy works by stimulating and increasing blood flow to the hair follicle,” explains Dr Arora. “This can enhance metabolism in the scalp thus prolonging the growth phase of the hair and enhancing absorption of your haircare products.”
Recovery: “Red light therapy aids in muscle relief by speeding up post-workout recovery and reducing inflammation,” explains Joie Risk. “Additionally, it accelerates wound healing by promoting tissue repair and quicker wound closure, and strengthens the immune system, enhancing its ability to fight infections.”
Sleep: Constant exposure to blue light from our devices can negatively impact our sleep by misleading the brain into thinking it's still daytime. Red light does the opposite. “Recent studies suggest that red light promotes melatonin production, a natural hormone that helps regulate our sleep-wake cycles, signalling to the body that it's time to wind down,” explains the sleep expert Martin Seeley. That means it can combat jet lag, too.
Mood: Emerging studies indicate red light therapy may also improve mental health by addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, and SAD. “According to research in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, just one hour of red-light therapy significantly improved study participants' mood,” says Seeley.
How quickly can you see results?
In more good news, red light therapy provides results relatively quickly. For pain relief, benefits can be felt “within a few days, particularly when used post-exercise or after injury,” notes Dr Enayat. Even a “short 10-15 minute session can significantly reduce discomfort,” says Risk. The same is true for your skin. “Some individuals may notice subtle improvements within a few sessions,” including better tone and hydration, explains Dr Enayat. However, “more significant changes, such as wrinkle reduction, typically take several weeks of consistent use.” According to Dr Arora, hair results take longer too – “usually a few months”.
Are there side effects?
Another benefit of red light therapy: side effects are minimal to none. “It is non-invasive, does not cause skin damage, and does not involve UV radiation,” says Dr Enayat. That said, there are a few things to note. Some people may struggle with mild irritation after a session and “while rare, some users with melasma or sensitive skin may experience increased pigmentation,” warns Dr Zamani. So, “for sensitised skin, those on photosensitising medication, and pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, consult your doctor before starting red light treatments,” advises Dr Arora.
How to use red light therapy at home
While in-clinic red light therapy treatments still offer higher-intensity options, when used correctly, at-home devices can get you great results. In fact, “clinical research shows it is the wavelength (i.e. the colour) and not the intensity (how quickly the light is delivered) that matters; more powerful does not necessarily mean more effective,” advises D’Arcy. Ultimately, consistency is everything – this is not technology you can leave to gather dust. Most experts recommend starting with two to three sessions a week, for up to 20 minutes (depending on the user instructions). During that time, you can just relax, and afterwards go about your day as usual. Options include:
Full-body panels, blankets, and mats – great for recovery and pain relief
Face panels – for improving skin, sleep and mood
LED masks – for targeting key skin concerns
Caps – perfect for promoting hair growth
Hand-held devices – useful for joint pain and targeted treatment
Bazaar's pick of the best red light therapy devices to use at home
MZ Skin LightMAX MiniPro LED
For targeted rejuvenation of the delicate eye area, Dr Maryam Zamani has created a clever techy version of under-eye patches. They deliver red and near-infrared wavelengths to tackle stubborn dark circles and fine lines by stimulating collagen and reducing inflammation. Our recommendation: pop them in your carry-on when travelling.
Area it treats: under eyes
Time it takes: 10 minutes a session
Foreo Luna 4 Hair Red LED Light Scalp Massager
A supercharged spa treatment for your head, this UFO-like device helps you say goodbye to dandruff and hello to glossy lengths. First, it refreshes your scalp using FOREO’s signature T-sonic pulsations and 395 silicone bristles. Then, it uses star-of-the-show red light therapy to ‘wake up’ your hair follicles to help boost hair thickness.
Area it treats: hair and scalp
Time it takes: three minutes a day
CurrentBody Dermalux Flex MD LED Light Therapy Device
Available in clinics as well as at home, this device is one of the most powerful LED systems for home use. The dome shape means you can concentrate the therapy where it’s needed and it combines red, near-infrared and blue light for multiple skin benefits, including reductions in wrinkles, pigmentation and blemishes.
Area it treats: head-to-toe
Time it takes: 20 minutes a session
Higherdose Red Light Hat
A baseball cap that doubles as a hair growth tool? Sign us up. The comfortable-to-wear cordless hat uses 120 LED bulbs to emit 650nm red light, which stimulates your hair follicles. Best of all, use it for only 10 minutes a day for a month to start seeing results.
Area it treats: hair and scalp
Time it takes: 10 minutes a session
Laser Pro
Loved by celebrities including Hailey Bieber and Carey Mulligan, the LYMA Laser Pro uses near-infrared laser technology at 808nm wavelength, which penetrates up to 10 centimetres beneath the skin. That means the laser reaches deep into the tissue, stimulating collagen production, reducing inflammation, and smoothing wrinkles.
Area it treats: face
Time it takes: three minutes
CurrentBody LED Hand Perfector
Aside from your face, hands are one of the first places to show the tell-tale signs of premature ageing, especially wrinkles and crepey texture. This smart devices uses 70 LED bulbs and patented tech to diffuse red light all over the hands, resulting in a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and uneven skin tone.
Area it treats: hands
Time it takes: 10 minutes a session
Bon Charge Red Light Therapy Blanket
Like slipping into a cosy sleeping bag, this blanket delivers both red and near-infrared light all over your body. Perfect for runners or gym bunnies, and brilliant for boosting recovery after exercise, the pulsed mode allows for even deeper penetration to soothe your sore muscles.
Area it treats: neck-to-toe
Time it takes: 20 minutes a session
Sunlighten Red Light Therapy Panel
Trying red light therapy for the first time? Fret not. Sunlighten’s red and infra-red panel is great for a mental boost during dark mornings and evenings, and comes with over 20 app-guided programmes to help you tailor the time, distance and intensity of use.
Area it treats: head-to-toe
Time it takes: from two to five minutes a session
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