Does Red Light Therapy Actually Work?

Take a trip to any Sephora or Ulta Beauty and you’ll probably come across a red LED light tool. It might be a bionic-looking face mask or a compact stick small enough to fit inside a toiletry bag. They look cool, they feel futuristic, and they’re a fun way to shake up your skin care routine.

But do they actually do anything for your skin? According to Dr. Courtney Rubin, a Los Angeles-based dermatologist, yes. If smooth, even-toned skin is something you’re after, a little red LED light treatment may be able to help with that. “[It’s] been shown to stimulate collagen production to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and help even skin tone,” she explains. Beyond those benefits, it’s also “been used to help stimulate hair growth for those with certain types of hair loss, and to stimulate wound healing.” 

On a surface level, red LED light therapy can be a great supplement to your routine, or even a good treatment to help folks with more serious skin issues. But before you run out to drop some cash on a tool, you have to know what you’re looking for and how best to use it. First, make sure the tool you purchase is legit. In this case, that means it’s been “FDA cleared and has clinical studies to support any claims that they are making,” Dr. Rubin says. Both, she says, “are key to choosing a high-quality device.”

Another important thing to look for is the wavelength the tool emits. According to Dr. Rubin, a good LED tool will put out between 600 and 700 nanometers. You also should make sure the tool has enough lightbulbs in it to distribute the light across your skin. (They should be evenly distributed.)

Once you actually find a light tool that ticks all the boxes, be sure you’re using it correctly. Every device has a certain amount of time it should be used in order to be effective, so take care to read the instructions that come with yours. “You can optimize the results of using a red light mask by ensuring that you are using it for enough time and with enough frequency,” Dr. Rubin shares. “Each mask is different, so it's important to follow the manufacturer's usage guidelines to make sure you are getting the most out of your device.” That means you have to be consistent with it. You won’t see results if you only pop on a mask (or wave a wand) every once in a while. 
Some of our favorite FDA-cleared devices for all areas include the Current Body LED Light Therapy Face Mask (which has independent clinical testing you can read all about), the Solawave Eye Recovery Pro for tired under-eyes, and the HigherDose Red Light Hat for increased hair growth.