Is Red Light Therapy Safe? Side Effects and Eye Safety

“Is red light therapy safe?” is one of the most common questions about at-home devices. This page sets out what health organisations and published studies have said about side effects, red light therapy dangers for the eyes, cancer and who should talk to a health professional first. Where the evidence is limited or missing, we say so.

Before you read on: safety depends on the specific device, how it’s used and the person using it. Findings from one device or study may not apply to another.

This is general information, not medical advice. For questions about your eyes or vision, talk with an optometrist or eye doctor. For everything else, talk with your GP or a dermatologist.

Is red light therapy a hoax, or is it legit?

Neither label fits well. Red light therapy (also called photobiomodulation) is an active research area. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) said in 2024 that more research is needed and that we still don’t fully understand red light’s effects on the skin.[1] Cleveland Clinic, in an article last updated in 2021, said there wasn’t enough evidence to support most uses.[2] Evidence is mixed and limited for many uses. See what the research says.

Is red light UV? Can it cause cancer or melanoma?

Red and near-infrared light are not ultraviolet (UV) light. Cleveland Clinic noted that, unlike UV light from the sun or tanning beds, red light therapy doesn’t use UV.[2]

On red light therapy side effects and cancer, the AAD stated that, unlike UV light, which can cause skin cancer, research hasn’t found that red light can cause any type of cancer.[1] Neither source addresses melanoma specifically. Both say the long-term effects aren’t yet known.[1][2]

If you have a spot or mole that worries you, see a doctor before using any device on it. Cleveland Clinic noted that what looks like skin ageing may really be skin cancer.[3]

Common short-term side effects

The sources describe side effects as uncommon and usually mild:

Skin: the AAD listed temporary mild pain or irritated skin as the most common side effects.[1] Cleveland Clinic’s LED page listed increased inflammation, rash, redness and pain, and said people might feel some warmth during treatment.[3]
Darker skin tones: the AAD noted that people with darker skin tones are more sensitive to visible light, which can lead to dark spots (hyperpigmentation). It suggested talking with a dermatologist before using an at-home device.[1]
Eyes: ARPANSA, Australia’s radiation safety agency, said all forms of light-based therapy can be hazardous to the eyes. Without adequate eye protection, eye injuries can range from a temporary dazzle effect to permanent damage, especially near the eye. This advice is about cosmetic treatments, including LED phototherapy.[4]

Cleveland Clinic advised contacting a healthcare provider for hives, inflammation, pain, rash or redness after treatment.[3]

Long-term side effects: the AAD said the long-term effects on skin and hair aren’t known,[1] and Cleveland Clinic said there’s less information about long-term safety.[3]

Eyes open or closed? Are goggles needed?

Whether red light therapy can damage your eyes depends on the device, how bright it is and how close it is to your eyes. Health bodies advise protecting your eyes either way:

The AAD advised wearing eye protection if the directions tell you to, using the type recommended, and not substituting sunglasses for protective goggles.[1]
Cleveland Clinic advised shielding your eyes. It noted that misuse, such as using a device too often or not as directed, could damage skin or eyes if they aren’t protected.[2]
ARPANSA warned about eye injury from treatments without adequate eye protection.[4]

In practice: keep your eyes closed or wear suitable goggles, never stare into the LEDs, and follow your device’s eye-safety guidance. If the directions say to wear goggles, wear them every time.[1]

Who should check with a doctor first?

The sources support checking first if you:

take medicines that make your skin more sensitive to light. The AAD said red light may not be recommended for people taking these.[1] Cleveland Clinic named isotretinoin and lithium as examples.[3]
have a light-sensitive skin condition. The AAD said conditions such as lupus can worsen with red light exposure.[1]
have a history of skin cancer or inherited eye disease. Cleveland Clinic listed both among reasons LED therapy may not be appropriate.[3]
have a darker skin tone, because of the hyperpigmentation point above.[1]

Pregnancy: none of the sources we reviewed address the safety of red light therapy in pregnancy. That doesn’t mean it’s safe or unsafe; there isn’t information either way. Talk with your GP, obstetrician or midwife.

Thyroid: none of the sources we reviewed address thyroid side effects or thyroid conditions. Again, there isn’t information either way. Talk with your GP before use.

Separately, if a device is promoted for a therapeutic purpose, check its ARTG entry. See our guide to TGA and ARTG.

Can you overdo it?

More isn’t necessarily better. In a 2016 review, de Freitas and Hamblin described a biphasic dose response: doses that are too low or too high (including irradiance, time and number of repetitions) may have no significant effect, and excessive light can sometimes cause unwanted inhibitory effects.[6] The examples they described came largely from cell and animal studies.

The AAD listed “How long can we safely use red light?” among unanswered questions and advised following the device’s directions.[1] Cleveland Clinic noted that using a device too often could cause damage.[2] So stick to the session time and frequency in the instructions. For more on reading device specs, see how to choose a red light therapy device and mask vs panel.

Red light and eyesight: what about myopia?

You may have seen “red light therapy myopia Australia” or “repeated low level red light therapy” online. This is a separate use from skin devices.

What RLRL is: repeated low-level red light (RLRL) therapy involves a child looking into a specific device that shines red light into the eye for short timed sessions.[11] Optometry Australia described it as an emerging area of myopia management. It said longer-term studies on efficacy, standardisation and safety are still needed.[7][8] It’s used in some children as part of myopia management by eye-care professionals, who monitor their patients.[8][9][11]

Open safety questions:

A 2024 systematic review (20 studies, 2,380 children and teens, median 9 months) reported no permanent vision loss. Temporary afterimages were the most common symptom. One child had a reversible drop in vision that resolved after stopping. The authors called for eye imaging before and during treatment, and for longer studies.[9]
A 2025 JAMA Ophthalmology study compared 52 children who had used RLRL for over a year with 47 non-users. Users had lower cone (light-sensing cell) density near the centre of the retina, and some had subtle retinal abnormalities. It was retrospective and not randomised, so it couldn’t show cause and effect. The authors called for more research on long-term safety.[10]
A 2025 laboratory test of one RLRL device estimated that retinal exposure could exceed a US safety standard’s limits, depending on pupil size. It tested a single device, and one author was employed by an eye-care company that supported the research.[11]
A 2026 meta-analysis of 19 studies said its findings should be read with caution, with limited evidence beyond 12 months. It said long-term studies are needed to confirm safety.[12]

Does red light therapy help eyesight? We can’t say it does. The American Academy of Ophthalmology said in 2020 that deep red light isn’t an approved eye treatment, that it hasn’t been well studied in humans, and advised people not to try it at home.[5] For any vision question, see an optometrist or eye doctor.

Never point a home panel or mask at your open eyes. RLRL uses specific devices, set protocols and professional monitoring, and even so, safety questions remain. Home skin devices aren’t designed for that purpose.

FAQ

Is red light therapy safe? The AAD said it appears to be safe in the short term, but long-term effects aren’t known.[1] Follow the instructions and protect your eyes.

Can red light therapy cause cancer or melanoma? The AAD stated research hasn’t found that red light can cause any type of cancer. It isn’t UV light.[1][2] Melanoma isn’t addressed specifically.

Is red light therapy bad for your eyes? Bright light near the eyes can be hazardous.[4] Keep your eyes closed or wear goggles, and never stare into the LEDs.

Is it safe in pregnancy? The sources we reviewed don’t address pregnancy. Ask your GP, obstetrician or midwife.

Does red light therapy help eyesight? It isn’t an approved eye treatment.[5] Myopia treatment with RLRL is a separate use under professional care.[8] Ask an optometrist.

For personal advice, talk with your GP or a dermatologist, or an optometrist or eye doctor for anything to do with your eyes.

Sources

American Academy of Dermatology. Is red light therapy right for your skin? Last updated 13 September 2024. https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/safety/red-light-therapy
Cleveland Clinic. Red light therapy. Last updated 1 December 2021. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22114-red-light-therapy
Cleveland Clinic. LED light therapy. Last updated 2 December 2021. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22146-led-light-therapy
ARPANSA. Advice for consumers: lasers, IPL devices and LED phototherapy for cosmetic treatments and beauty therapy. https://www.arpansa.gov.au/understanding-radiation/sources-radiation/more-radiation-sources/lasers-and-intense-pulsed-light-0
Mukamal R. Does red light protect aging eyes? American Academy of Ophthalmology. 15 August 2020. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/news/red-light-protect-aging-eyes-rlt-pbm-near-infrared
de Freitas LF, Hamblin MR. Proposed mechanisms of photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics. 2016;22(3). https://doi.org/10.1109/JSTQE.2016.2561201
Optometry Australia. Position statement on myopia management. 2024. https://www.optometry.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Professional_support/Guidelines/Myopia-Position-Statement-2024-v3.pdf
Optometry Australia. Myopia management resource guide. 2025. https://www.optometry.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/Documents/Myopia-management-resource-guide.pdf
Chen Y, Xiong R, Yang S, et al. Safety of repeated low-level red-light therapy for myopia: a systematic review. Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjo.2024.100124
Liao X, Yu J, Fan Y, et al. Cone density changes after repeated low-level red light treatment in children with myopia. JAMA Ophthalmology. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2025.0835
Richards J, Hunter JJ, Gantes-Nuñez J, Bradley A, Kollbaum P. Radiometric and safety assessment of a ‘low-level red-light’ myopia control device. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics. 2025;45:1905–1911. https://doi.org/10.1111/opo.70009
Wu H, Yang X, Zhou Y, Duan J. Efficacy and safety of repeated low-level red light therapy in myopia control: an updated and comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Ophthalmology. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-026-05211-y