Red Light Therapy and Psoriasis: What the Research Says
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that affects millions of people, and anyone living with it knows how much trial and error goes into finding tools that help manage flare-ups. Light-based treatments have long played a role in dermatology, which is why so many people ask whether red light therapy and psoriasis have any meaningful connection.
This article looks at what the current research actually shows, how red light therapy differs from the phototherapy used in clinical dermatology, and where the evidence still has gaps. As always with a medical condition like psoriasis, this is educational information rather than treatment advice.
Understanding Psoriasis First
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated condition that causes skin cells to grow faster than normal, leading to the thick, scaly plaques associated with the condition. It is driven by an overactive immune response, particularly involving certain inflammatory pathways in the skin.
Because psoriasis is a genuine medical condition rather than a purely cosmetic concern, it is always best managed under the guidance of a dermatologist, who can recommend an approach suited to your specific case and severity.
The Difference Between Medical Phototherapy and Red Light Therapy
It helps to separate two different things that often get lumped together under the umbrella term "light therapy for psoriasis."
The first is narrowband UVB phototherapy, a clinical treatment that has been used for decades and is well established in dermatology. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that roughly 62 to 70 percent of patients treated with narrowband UVB achieved a significant improvement in psoriasis severity scores, making it one of the more effective non-systemic options available through a dermatologist.
The second is red and near-infrared light therapy, sometimes called photobiomodulation, which uses UV-free wavelengths typically in the 630 to 850 nanometre range. This is a different technology altogether, and it works through a different mechanism, generally understood to involve supporting cellular energy production and modulating inflammatory activity rather than the way UVB affects skin cell turnover.
What the Research on Red and Near-Infrared Light Shows
Research specifically into UV-free red and near-infrared light for psoriasis is still an emerging area compared to the decades of UVB data.
One review notes that UV-free, low-intensity light sources, including LEDs in the red and near-infrared range, have been explored for inflammatory skin conditions including psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, partly because they avoid the long-term skin cancer risk associated with cumulative UV exposure.
A small pilot study published in the International Journal of Dermatology looked at red and near-infrared emitting fabric technology for conditions including psoriasis and reported that this type of low-level light therapy may offer an adjunctive therapeutic tool for inflammatory skin conditions, though the authors were clear that further, larger studies are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
Taken together, the picture is promising but early. Red and near-infrared light therapy is not currently considered a replacement for established, dermatologist-directed treatments for psoriasis, and it should not be approached as one.
Why the Distinction Matters
If you have psoriasis and are considering red light therapy, it is important to understand that cosmetic LED devices, including all of Maysama's products, are designed and marketed for general skin optimisation and appearance, not as medical devices for diagnosing, treating, or curing psoriasis or any other disease.
This distinction matters both for your expectations and for your safety. Psoriasis-affected skin can be more reactive than typical skin, and starting any new light-based routine while managing an active flare should always involve your dermatologist, particularly if you are using topical treatments, biologics, or other medications that could interact with light exposure.
A Sensible, Cautious Approach
If your dermatologist is supportive of you exploring red and near-infrared light alongside your existing psoriasis management plan, a gentle, cosmetic-grade device may be one option worth discussing. Maysama's PRANA LED Light Therapy Mask and AURA LED Light Therapy Face Mask both use red and near-infrared wavelengths within the ranges explored in the research above, and both include a red-only mode, which some people with sensitive or reactive skin conditions prefer for gentler use.
Maysama has previously written about how it approaches red light therapy for another chronic, immune-related skin condition in Red Light Therapy for Vitiligo: What the Science Says, which reflects the same careful, evidence-led tone worth applying here. If you decide to try LED therapy, patch testing on a small, less affected area first and monitoring closely for any reaction is a sensible starting point.
What to Discuss With Your Dermatologist
Before adding any new device to your psoriasis routine, it is worth raising a few points with your dermatologist. Ask whether red or near-infrared light is appropriate alongside your current treatment plan, whether any medications you are taking increase your photosensitivity, and whether there are any areas of active, broken, or infected skin that should be avoided entirely.
Your dermatologist knows your specific presentation of psoriasis and can help you weigh any potential benefit against your individual risk factors far better than general information ever could.
Final Thoughts
The relationship between red light therapy and psoriasis is a genuinely interesting area of ongoing research, but it is still early days compared to the well-established evidence base behind clinical UVB phototherapy. If you are living with psoriasis, the most reliable path forward is a treatment plan developed with your dermatologist, with any cosmetic light therapy treated as a complementary, not a primary, part of your skin care.
For those interested in exploring UV-free LED light therapy for general skin health, once cleared by a healthcare professional if you have a diagnosed skin condition, you can browse Maysama's full range of LED beauty devices.
