25 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Red Light Therapy
From red light therapy panels and LED face masks to red light combs, hats, and helmets, LED light therapy is a wellness and self-care trend that is showing no signs of slowing down.
With at-home red light therapy devices on the rise, users are keen to learn how to safely and effectively use their red and near-infrared light treatments for the best skin rejuvenation and overall health.
A few of the most common questions on Google, Reddit, and other skincare communities include: "What is the best skincare to use with red light therapy?" "Can LED light therapy be combined with other skin treatments?" "Will red light therapy worsen melasma?" and "Is red and near-infrared light therapy safe for eyes?"
It’s easy to see many people are still confused with this innovative technology in skincare.
We've put together the 25 most common red light therapy questions so that you can get the most out of your LED light device.
Whether you're a photobiomodulation beginner or just looking to enhance your skincare, we're going to take you through the fundamentals of safe and efficient red light therapy for healthy, radiant skin.
1. Q. Which Is Better, an LED Panel or LED Mask?
A. An LED panel and an LED face mask each offer distinct benefits, and the better choice depends on your lifestyle, skin goals, and how consistently you’ll use the device. In red light therapy, consistency is everything—so the best device is ultimately the one you’ll use regularly.
While LED panels are often seen as superior due to their higher irradiance (power output), this doesn’t necessarily translate to better results for skin rejuvenation. As an example, Maysama's Pulse40 LED Panel is above 200mw/cm² at 3 inches of distance, while the PRANA LED Mask only emits 40–45mw/cm².
However, a perfect light dosage in skin healing is typically within the range of 2–10 joules/cm², so a "less is more" solution achieves the most advantages.
LED masks provide contact light therapy, where the LEDs directly touch the skin. This reduces losses due to reflection of light and improves penetration of light—especially crucial in addressing issues such as fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness.
LED panels, on the other hand, undergo diffusion and reflection of light, which decreases the actual dose being delivered to the skin.
The key benefit of an LED panel is that it can be used to treat larger sections of the skin—the face, neck, and décolletage—simultaneously, so it's hands-free.
Panels are preferred by some, particularly those who have rosacea or sensitive skin, because they don't touch the face.
Others, particularly busy travelers, prefer the ease of being able to take an LED mask like the PRANA with them on the go and use it while multitasking—reading, cooking, or relaxing.
Deciding between a red light therapy panel and an LED face mask simply comes down to your personal skincare routine and daily schedule.
Still unsure which is best for you? You may find this blog helpful: LED Mask or LED Panel – Which is Better?
2. Q. Can I overdo my Red Light Therapy?
A. Red light therapy is extremely safe in general, but doing too much can yield diminishing returns.
LED light therapy is a biological stimulus, and with any stimulus, there is a therapeutic window of dosing for optimal effect. It does not get better by prolonging the treatments—on the contrary, it can negate the beneficial effects of your red light device due to the bi-phasic dose response. This is when too much of a stimulus will actually turn off the biological response.
While tolerance will differ from person to person, as we’ve mentioned, Goldilocks zone for light therapy of 2–10 joules/cm² has been found for superficial tissue such as skin. You can overdo red light therapy, indeed—adhering to the prescribed treatment time is the optimal way to get the optimal results.
One of the main reasons that overuse lowers efficiency is that it leads to an accumulation of free radicals. Free radicals, in small quantities, help to initiate bio-stimulation. But with prolonged exposure, excess free radicals can lead to oxidative stress and cellular damage.
With pulsed LED light, a trait Maysama's higher-end red light devices have, you can prevent the buildup of free radicals and extend the therapeutic benefit so that your red light therapy sessions remain in that Goldilocks zone for longer.
3. Q. Will Red Light Therapy make my Melasma better or worse?
A. A growing body of research supports the use of red light therapy as a safe, non-invasive treatment for melasma, hyperpigmentation, and sunspots.
Specific wavelengths—typically in the red (600–660nm) and near-infrared (800–1000nm) spectrum—have been shown to inhibit tyrosinase, the enzyme that triggers melanin production, while stimulating cellular regeneration and skin repair.
Whilst it is evident that dosing plays an important part in optimising therapeutic outcomes from LED treatments, a recent review of published data suggests that skin type and tone, particularly based on melanin content, may play a significant role in determining the best treatment protocol.
Check out this article for a deep dive into How to Best use Red Light Therapy for Melasma.
4. Q. Can Red Light Therapy cause Facial Fat Loss?
A. One of the most common red light therapy questions people wonder about is whether red light therapy causes fat loss.
Well, red light therapy does not cause facial fat loss. Unlike treatments such as radiofrequency, which do kill fat cells by utilizing heat, red and near-infrared LED therapy is non-thermal and does not heat up or damage tissue. Facial fat pads are functional, healthy tissues and are not damaged by red light therapy.
Conversely, red light therapy can help with fat loss (weight loss) in areas where we store excess fat, such as the abdomen. This is because Red Light Therapy has been shown to have lipolytic activity where adipocytes (fat cells) are unhealthy.
Studies which support red light therapy driven weight loss relate only to diabetic and obese individuals. Here the ‘unhealthy’ or dysfunctional adipocytes take on a different morphology and become insulin resistant.
Photobiomodulation (LED therapy) restores cells to optimal health by restoring homeostasis and restores normal insulin metabolism.
In support that red light therapy would have no effect on healthy fat tissue, a research was conducted by using near infrared to reduce lipids in unhealthy fat cells. This study shows that once the health of the cell is restored, it doesn’t lose further fat.
This, and many other studies, support that there is a threshold for photobiomodulation-driven fat loss and that red light therapy does not affect fat loss in healthy tissue.
For more information on this topic, read our blog: Can Red Light Therapy Cause Facial Fat Loss?
5. Q. Can I use Red Light Therapy with Retinoids [Tretinoin or Retinol]?
A. Yes, you can use red light therapy (RLT) with tretinoin or retinol, but you should take some precautions. Red light Therapy can help reduce inflammation, promote collagen production, and accelerate skin healing, which may complement tretinoin’s effects on skin renewal.
However, since tretinoin or retinol can cause skin sensitivity, dryness, and irritation, you should introduce red light therapy carefully to avoid overstimulation.
It’s important to be especially mindful if you’re using red light therapy at home.
Retinoids, on the other hand, can dry out, irritate, and sensitize the skin, and adding LED therapy on top of it too vigorously can lead to overstimulation.
To prevent this, alternate treatments—red light during the morning, and nighttime application of tretinoin or retinol. Because retinoids sensitize you, most dermatologists advise not going near any light (even red or near-infrared) right after application.
If you experience irritation, reduce Red Light Therapy frequency or intensity
A. Red light therapy can be used with vitamin C serum safely, and together they might have synergistic benefits for even better skincare.
Vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant that whitens skin, lowers hyperpigmentation, and deactivates free radicals.
Red light therapy, on the other hand, enhances skin repair, promotes collagen production, and diminishes inflammation—so together they are great at achieving healthier, radiant skin.
For best results, use your vitamin C serum prior to your red light therapy treatment. This could increase the serum absorption and aid in antioxidant protection for your skin when performing LED. In case you have sensitive skin, introduce them gradually and look out for any irritation.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only—consult your skincare professional for personalized advice.
Want to combine skincare with LED? Maysama products are designed to be used alongside red light therapy—shop the whole skincare range here.
A. Yes, red LED light therapy is generally safe for rosacea. Many people with rosacea find that red light therapy helps calm redness, improve skin barrier function, and reduce flare-ups over time.
Clinical studies support that Red (630-660nm) and near-infrared (810-850nm) reduce inflammation, strengthen blood vessels, and promote skin healing, which help reduce erythema, calm irritated skin and reduce skin sensitivity.
All that being said, people with rosacea should exercise caution with red light therapy. Start with brief treatment periods, reduced light intensity, and observe how your skin responds.
Red light therapy does generate a small amount of heat, so if heat is a rosacea trigger for you, attempt to cool your skin before and after treatments to reduce the risk of flare-ups. If you notice more redness or irritation, reduce use or consult a dermatologist.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only—consult your skincare professional for personalized advice.
8. Q. Is Red Light Therapy Safe for Eyes?
A. Red and near infrared light can be beneficial to eye health at the correct dosing. Red-NIR have a positive impact on mitochondrial health.
The retina contains a great concentration of mitochondria because it is energy-demanding. Red-NIR light can support mitochondrial function, and this can increase visual acuity and improve age-related macular degeneration (AMD) symptoms.
That said, there is a threshold for beneficial effects.
High intensity or prolonged exposure to red-NIR can cause photochemical damage to the retina, so it is important to use devices that are optimized for eye health, not just any red-near infrared beauty devices intended for skin rejuvenation.
Studies that support eye health, such as the one published in Journal of Medical Science, use short, low doses, around 3-5 joules for 2-3 minutes.
Interestingly, timing plays a part. They saw best results when LED treatment was performed first thing in the morning.
This fits in with other studies that show that mitochondria have working patterns and produce most of their ATP (cell energy) in the morning, so potentially this is the best time of day to do our treatments.
9. Q. Do I need to clean or wash my face before Red Light Therapy?
A. Yes, for best effects, it is advisable to begin your treatment on clean dry skin. Remove makeup, SPF and moisturizers as these can absorb and diffuse light and reduce penetration and efficacy.
Even light products disrupt light transmission. Pre-washing your face ensures greatest effect with near and red wavelengths used with LED treatment.
10. Q. Should I apply skincare before Red Light Therapy?
A.Yes, using moisturizing skincare products prior to red light therapy can maximize light absorption and increase treatment efficacy. Wet skin diminishes light scattering and provides a smooth surface for efficient light penetration.
Best pre-treatment products are:
- Antioxidant toners or mists
- Aquatic Antioxidant Serum
- Hyaluronic acid serum
For maximum benefit, we suggest Maysama’s Green Rooibos Pressed Serum—a clinically tested antioxidant serum that boosts and hastens effects of red light therapy by enhancing cellular energy and collagen development.
11. Q. Do I need to remove my nightly (PM) skincare routine before I do my red LED light therapy in the morning?
A. No. If you had night products put on you last night, those products—such as serums or moisturizers—are usually absorbed by morning. A morning shower or quick rinse is sufficient to prepare your skin for red light treatment in this case.
If you are used to using a cleaner during your morning routine, that is okay too. You are simply getting your face clean and clear of any residual product or occlusive emollients that would interfere with light penetrating through.
12. Q. Can I combine Red Light Therapy with Microneedling?
A. Yes, red light therapy is safe and beneficial after microneedling as it speeds up healing, reduces inflammation and boosts collagen production. Red light therapy and near-infrared light enhance cellular repair and regeneration by stimulating ATP production.
If used with antioxidant serums (like green tea or growth factors), red light therapy also helps absorption and enhances their effects.
Here's how to use LED post-microneedling:
- Directly after treatment: Treat with low-level pulsated LED light to calm inflammation.
- Daily for 3–7 days: Surface regeneration with red light and deep recovery and collagenation with near-infrared light.
The PRANA LED Mask has near-infrared and red wavelengths and has pulsing modes that are great for post-procedure recovery.
13. Q. Can I use Red LED Light Therapy if I’ve had Botox?
A. Red LED light therapy is generally considered safe and can be beneficial after receiving Botox injections. It may help reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Some experts recommend waiting at least 24-48 hours post-injection before starting Red Light Therapy to allow the Botox to settle properly.
While concerns exist about Red Light Therapy potentially dispersing Botox, current evidence does not support this.
Whilst there are no studies which directly combine LED light therapy with Botox, studies which combine laser and Botox have shown to enhance overall skin rejuvenation by stimulating collagen production and reducing post-treatment inflammation.
As always, it's advisable to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
14. Q. Can I use Red Light Therapy with Hyaluronic Acid fillers?
A. Yes, it is okay to get red light therapy with hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane. In fact, using LED with fillers can augment benefits by reducing inflammation and accelerating recovery and increasing collagen formation—all without affecting the material of your filler or how it is placed.
However, if you're doing treatment with red light therapy right after filler treatment, avoid excessive heat and direct exposure to the treatment area for those first 24 hours just to provide time for the filler to set.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only—consult your skincare professional for personalized advice.
15. Q. Can I use Red LED Light Therapy with Glutathione Injections?
A. Yes, red LED light therapy can be used with glutathione injections, and they may complement each other for skin brightening, detoxification, and anti-aging benefits.
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce oxidative stress, brighten skin, and support overall skin health, while RLT stimulates collagen production, enhances cell repair, and reduces inflammation.
There are no known contraindications between red light therapy and glutathione injections. However, since glutathione supports detoxification, using red light therapy may further enhance cellular repair and antioxidant activity, potentially improving skin clarity and radiance.
If you experience sensitivity, adjust session duration or consult your healthcare provider.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only—consult your skincare professional for personalized advice.
16. Q. Can I combine Estriol cream with my Red LED Light Therapy?
A. Yes, and it is completely safe to use estriol face cream with red light treatment and it can compliment the effects on your skin. Estriol is a weak derivative of oestrogen that smoothes and hydrates your skin and reduces fine lines—whereas red light treatment boosts collagen levels, causes cell turnover and reduces inflammation.
Collectively, these treatments improve tautness of the skin, function of the barrier, and reduce redness—especially useful during or after menopause with decreased levels of oestrogen.
For best results:
- Use red light therapy first, then apply estriol cream post-treatment.
- Avoid products with photoactive substances (e.g., retinoids or citrus extracts) prior to LED use.
- Be alert for irritable and adjust usage accordingly.
There are no contraindications, so this is a great and safe combination to apply on aging skin.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only—consult your skincare professional for personalized advice.
17. Q. Can I use Red LED Light Therapy with Pregnancy?
A. Red light therapy is found to be non-invasive and safe to use, with no widespread studies on using it during pregnancy.
In theory, the treatment can also provide benefits like decreased inflammation, enhanced circulation, pain relief in joints, and enhanced skin health. Still, as a safety measure, it is usually recommended by doctors to refrain from applying red or near-infrared light to the abdomen or lower back regions during pregnancy.
As no red light therapy equipment has been tested on pregnant subjects, no evidence can be found to support that most producers (including Maysama) can recommend it for pregnancy.
If you are pregnant and are considering using red light therapy for facial rejuvenation, pain management, or overall health, discuss it with your GP or obstetrician before you start to make sure it is safe for your case.
18. Q. Is Red Light Therapy good for treating Acne?
A. Studies confirm that a combination of blue and red light (magenta) is best for the treatment of acne and blemishes. Blue light can significantly reduce the bacterial load in acne lesions, resulting in fewer breakouts and milder acne symptoms.
However, while blue light is effective against bacteria, it doesn’t penetrate deeply into the skin and is less effective at reducing inflammation, which is why a combination of red and blue is best.
Red light penetrates deeper into the skin, reaching sebaceous glands and helping to reduce inflammation associated with acne.
It works by modulating cytokine production (molecules involved in inflammation), reducing swelling and redness. Red light also promotes collagen production, which can help with skin texture and scarring that often accompanies acne.
19. Q. Is Red Light Therapy a good treatment for eczema?
A. Red light therapy can be used to manage eczema symptoms, though it is not a treatment—especially for chronic or severe eczema. Instead, it can serve as a beneficial adjunct therapy to normal remedies such as moisturizers, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants.
Eczema is driven by dysregulation of immune and inflammatory mechanism. Red light therapy has been found to:
- Secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines
- Decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines
- Improve skin defense function
- Induce collagen formation and repair of tissues
These effects can reduce itching, inflammation, swelling and skin irritation and improve hydration retention through strengthening of epidermal defense.
Scientific studies continue to support red light therapy as a therapy that can reduce flare-ups and promote healing of the skin, and increase quality of life for individuals with eczema. However, anyone with eczema should discuss with their dermatologist or physician to ensure that red light therapy can safely become part of their treatment plan.
20. Q. Is Pulsed Red Light Therapy better than Continuous Wave [non-pulsed]?
A. Yes, scientific studies validate that pulsed red light therapy is superior to continuous wave (non-pulsed) LED treatments on many parameters. The pulsed light delivers the light energy in bursts rather than in a continuous stream, and the skin has an opportunity to relax between bursts, which increases the therapeutic benefits.
Advantages of LED light therapy using pulses are:
- Improved penetration through your skin care products for maximum efficacy of your actives
- Reduced oxidative stress by inhibition of excessive free radical formation
- Improved ATP creation to boost energy in cells and power critical dermal functions
- Induced growth of fibroblasts that produces anti-ageing benefits through synthesis of elastin and collagen
- Deeper penetration of light, enabling treatment deeper than the epidermis and into the dermis
- Thermal management to prevent heat build-up on the skin and reduce exposure to causing pigmentation problems like melasma
For optimal effects, look for products with red light that also offer a pulsation mode—such as the Maysama Pulse40 LED Panel or the PRANA LED Mask, both with clinically correlated pulsation function.
21. Q. Does Red Light Therapy encourage Facial hair?
A. No, red light therapy doesn’t encourage the growth of facial hair. While it can be used to promote regrowth of hair on the scalp—most notably in androgenetic alopecia—its action is very targetted and only occurs on those patches on which hair follicles are found.
Red light therapy functions by stimulating follicular health and increasing ATP and circulation. It increases existing biological activity through this biostimulation. It will not grow hair on bald spots with no existing hair follicles and it will not convert vellus hair to terminal hair.
Unwanted hair growth in women is typically hormonally mediated and not light-induced. Red light therapy simply re-establishes cellular homeostasis—hence it has a ceiling effect after normal function is restored.
However, if you wish to use red light therapy to stimulate ‘asleep’ folicules on your scalp, you can look for products such as LED Hair Growth Comb which can help enhance hair growth and density.
22. Q. What are the benefits of Green or Yellow LED Therapy?
A. If we look at the visible light spectrum, we have the full rainbow from red, to orange, to yellow, green and blue light. The longer the wavelength, the deeper the light penetrates the skin.
Red light, for example, has a wavelength between 600 to 660nm. Red light penetrates the epidermis to a depth of around 2-3 mm and can help with brightening of the skin as well as stimulating collagen production.
Blue light, being a shorter wavelength (400’s nm), treats the surface of the skin. It doesn’t penetrate the epidermis. Blue light has antibacterial action and can be helpful in treating skin issues at the surface of the skin, like acne.
Whilst there is some data around the brightening action of yellow and green light, there are no studies which directly compare green/yellow light to red light. As red and near infrared light penetrate deeper into skin, they would likely outperform yellow and green light for brightening skin.
23. Q. Can I use Red Light Therapy if I’m taking Blood Pressure Medication?
A. Red light therapy is generally safe to use while taking blood pressure medication, but caution is advised. RLT can cause vasodilation (widening of blood vessels), which may enhance the effects of blood pressure medication and lead to a further drop in blood pressure.
This could cause mild dizziness or lightheadedness, especially if you’re already prone to low blood pressure. Some medications may also increase sensitivity to light, though this is rare with red/NIR wavelengths.
To use red light therapy safely:
- Start with short sessions (5-10 minutes)
- Stay seated or lie down to prevent dizziness
- Drink plenty of water.
Monitor how you feel and, if you experience any discomfort, reduce session time or stop use. There might be some reaction when combining red light therapy and medication, so thread carefuly.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only—consult your skincare professional for personalized advice.
24. Q. Is Red Light Therapy safe for Cancer patients?
The general scientific consensus is that red light therapy, as long as it is within normal dosing, is safe for cancer patients—though with caution.
A comprehensive review of the literature found no evidence linking LED light therapy to cancer initiation or progression when used appropriately. Red light treatments are non-ionising (as UV light is ionising), and are not believed to cause DNA damage initiation.
Actually, photobiomodulation has been applied in the treatment of lymphedema and other complications of breast cancer, with benefits such as lower inflammation and enhanced tissue repair—without posing any risk of recurrence.
But because red light therapy energizes cellular repair and regeneration, it must be applied cautiously in patients with ongoing or recent cancer. Not that there is any danger in the light, per se, but that it might reawaken dormant or residual cancer cells.
Always consult your oncologist or a qualified medical practitioner to explain cancer safety and LED therapy and for individual risk assessment before you begin with red light therapy.
25. Q. What is the best treatment time, frequency and time of day for Red Light Therapy?
A. Treatment time is just one parameter which contributes to the overall dose. Dosing is made up of the irradiance (light intensity) of your red light device, together with the treatment time. For superficial tissue, such as skin, it is best to treat low and slow.
Treatment times will typically vary from 3 minutes to 10 minutes but check with the manufacturer of your device because it will depend on the irradiance of the device and the specific application.
Frequency of use is generally recommended as 3 to 5 times per week. Daily use is also possible but not always necessary as red light therapy is understood to have a systemic effect, which lasts more than 24 hours.
Whilst multiple studies support that the effects of red light therapy can be experience regardless of time of day, a couple of studies suggest that there may be more benefit in doing your red light therapy in the morning. This is believed to be due to mitochondrial capacity, which is higher in the morning than later in the day.
If you've not yet started your own personal journey with red light therapy, now is the time to try it and reap the benefits.
Experience the proven benefits of red light therapy with Maysama's high-quality Red light therapy devices and check out our green rooibos skincare products proven to supercharge your red light therapy for even better results.
