Red Light Therapy for Skin: What the Research Shows

Red light therapy for skin, and especially for the face, is one of the most searched beauty topics. This hub sets out what researchers have measured, how long the studies ran, how strong the evidence is and when a dermatologist is the better first step.

Before you read on: the findings below come from specific devices, settings and groups of participants. They may not apply to any particular device or person, and no study can promise an outcome for you.

This is general information, not medical advice. For any skin concern, please talk with your GP or a dermatologist.

What research has measured

Most skin studies have looked at signs of facial ageing.

A 2026 systematic review of at-home LED devices for the face included 8 studies with 365 participants. Researchers measured wrinkles, elasticity, smoothness, hydration and pore size, and participants rated their satisfaction. The review authors reported statistically significant differences on several of these measures across the studies, with mild, short-lived side effects such as redness or irritation.[1]
A 2025 home mask trial (Park and colleagues) randomly assigned adults to a 630/850 nm mask or a sham mask. Independent raters and investigators recorded differences in crow’s feet scores between the groups. Participants’ own ratings of overall change did not differ between groups.[1][2]
A 2014 controlled trial (Wunsch and Matuschka) used large-area and full-body lamp units rather than LEDs. Researchers measured skin roughness, collagen density by ultrasound, and wrinkles in photos assessed by blinded doctors. Participants also rated how their skin looked and felt.[3]

Red light therapy and collagen: the 2014 trial measured collagen density with ultrasound, which is an indirect measure.[3] The 2026 review also pointed to laboratory studies of skin cells that showed increased activity of collagen-related genes. Those were cell studies, not studies in people.[1]

Does red light therapy work for wrinkles? Studies have recorded modest changes in measured wrinkle scores. They used specific devices, over weeks of regular use, and had the limits set out below. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) said changes take time, not everyone sees them, and ongoing use is needed.[4]

For skin tightening: some studies in the 2026 review measured elasticity and sagging.[1] Our sources don’t describe “tightening” as an outcome in its own right, and none of them studied the neck specifically.

For how these changes may come about, see what the research says.

A realistic timeline: how long the studies ran

Here’s how long the studies ran, which isn’t the same as a promise of how long anything takes:

In the 2026 review, studies ran for 4 to 12 weeks, with sessions of 3 to 21 minutes, 2 to 7 times a week.[1]
In Park and colleagues’ trial, participants used the mask for 9 minutes, 5 times a week, for 12 weeks. Assessors recorded differences at 8, 12 and 16 weeks.[2]
In the 2014 trial, participants had 30 sessions, twice a week.[3]

Do changes fade if you stop? The evidence is limited:

In Park and colleagues’ trial, the final check came four weeks after use stopped, and differences between groups were still recorded then.[2]
In the 2014 trial, 77 participants were re-measured about six months after the sessions finished. Their measures were still better than at baseline on average, but by less than at the end of the sessions. The authors noted possible selection bias and said long-term effects need further study.[3]
For hair, a Stanford dermatologist said effects stop when use stops.[5] Our sources don’t directly answer this for skin.

How good is the evidence?

The evidence is promising in places, but it’s limited:

Small and varied studies. The AAD noted that researchers studied different devices, for different lengths of time, to answer different questions, so results can’t easily be compared.[4] The 2026 review found that dose (irradiance and fluence) wasn’t consistently reported, and that many studies didn’t record participants’ other skin care.[1]
Few comparison groups. In the 2014 trial, the comparison group got no light at all rather than a sham, wasn’t randomised, and was mainly recruited from the sponsor company’s employees.[3]
Skin types under-represented. The 2026 review said participants’ skin types were incompletely described, which limits conclusions for diverse skin.[1] Park and colleagues’ participants were all adults of Asian descent, mostly women.[2]
Funding. The 2014 trial was fully funded by a light-equipment company, and its lead investigator was paid by the sponsor.[3] Park and colleagues’ trial was funded by a device company, with the authors stating the design and analysis were independent.[2]
Dated sources. Cleveland Clinic, in a 2021 article, noted that many studies were small or lacked a placebo, and said there wasn’t enough evidence for most uses.[6] Stanford Medicine dermatologists advised in 2025 being sceptical of promises of dramatic change. They also said the strength and duration of at-home devices are largely unknown.[5]

Can it make rosacea or melasma worse?

This hasn’t been well studied, so it’s worth checking with a dermatologist first.

Darker skin and pigmentation: the AAD said people with darker skin tones are more sensitive to visible light, including red light, which can lead to dark spots (hyperpigmentation). It advised talking with a dermatologist before using an at-home device.[4]
Blue light and melasma: the 2026 review noted that blue light raised concern for pigment changes, including melasma, especially in darker skin.[1]
Rosacea: our sources don’t directly study rosacea flares. In the 2014 trial, one participant with visible facial blood vessels (telangiectasia) reported they became more visible after the first sessions.[3] The AAD also noted that red light can worsen some conditions, such as lupus.[4]

If you’re worried about rosacea getting worse or a rosacea flare, see a dermatologist first. Rosacea before-and-after questions will be covered in red light and rosacea.

Red vs blue light

Cleveland Clinic (2021) described blue light as reaching the uppermost layer of skin, with red light travelling further and near-infrared deepest.[7] Most studies on lines and texture have used red and near-infrared light.[1] Red and blue LED devices have also been investigated in acne studies.[1] We don’t make acne claims. If you’re wondering whether red light therapy works for acne, a dermatologist can advise on your skin.

One different procedure is photodynamic therapy. It’s a prescription clinic procedure that combines a drug with light, and it’s not the same as home red light.[5]

Before-and-after photos

Searches like “acne scars before and after”, “before and after wrinkles” and “before and after neck” turn up plenty of photos. These are easy to misread because of lighting, angle, makeup and the lack of a comparison group. See what results can you realistically expect? and red light and acne scars.

When to see a dermatologist instead

See your GP or a dermatologist before using a device if you have:

any new, changing or persistent skin concern, including spots or moles. Cleveland Clinic noted that what looks like ageing can sometimes be skin cancer.[7]
a diagnosed skin condition, such as rosacea, acne, melasma or lupus.[4]
darker skin that’s prone to pigmentation.[4]
any medicines that make your skin more sensitive to light.[4][7]

For device safety, see is red light therapy safe?, how to choose a red light therapy device and mask vs panel. If a device is promoted for a therapeutic purpose, check its ARTG entry: see our guide to TGA and ARTG.

FAQ

What are the red light therapy benefits for the face? We don’t describe benefits. Studies have measured wrinkles, elasticity, texture and collagen density, and recorded modest changes with regular use over weeks. Each study had limits.[1][2][3]

Does red light therapy work for wrinkles? Some controlled studies recorded modest differences in wrinkle scores. The evidence is limited by small, varied studies.[1][4]

Does red light therapy work for acne? Red and blue light have been investigated in acne studies,[1] but this page makes no acne claims. Please see a dermatologist.

How long did studies run? Mostly 4 to 12 weeks.[1] Evidence on what happens after stopping is limited.[2][3]

Can it make rosacea worse? It hasn’t been well studied. Check with a dermatologist first.[3][4]

For personal advice about your skin, please talk with your GP or a dermatologist.

Sources

Das RK, Thayer WP, Kubiak CA, et al. Efficacy and safety of at-home light-emitting diode photobiomodulation for facial rejuvenation: a systematic review. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2026. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00266-026-06333-w
Park SH, Park SO, Jung JA. Clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of home-used LED and IRED mask for crow’s feet: a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2025;104(7):e41596. https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000041596
Wunsch A, Matuschka K. A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. 2014;32(2):93–100. https://doi.org/10.1089/pho.2013.3616
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
Armitage H. Red light therapy: what the science says. Stanford Medicine. February 2025. https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/02/red-light-therapy-skin-hair-medical-clinics.html
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