If you have acne scars, you’ve probably come across red light therapy while looking into your options. This page doesn’t tell you whether it will suit your skin, because that’s a decision for you and your doctor. Instead, it sets out what’s worth understanding and asking before you decide anything.
Please see a dermatologist or your GP before trying red light therapy or any new skin device for acne scars. They can look at your scars and your skin and talk you through the options that suit you.
This is general information, not medical advice. It sits under our red light therapy for skin hub.
Why is a dermatologist or GP the first step?
Acne scars aren’t all the same. They vary in type, depth and colour, and skin varies from person to person in type, tone and sensitivity. A dermatologist or GP can:
- work out what kind of marks or scars you have
- check whether you still have active acne, and talk about that first if you do
- consider your skin type and tone, your history and any medicines you take
- talk through the options that suit you, including where any at-home device might or might not fit
Searches for “red light therapy acne scars” bring up a lot of confident claims online. Advice from someone who has actually seen your skin is far more useful than a general webpage or a product box.
What’s the difference between active acne and acne scarring?
In plain terms:
- Active acne is what’s happening now: spots, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads or deeper lumps that come and go.
- Acne scarring is what can be left behind after acne has settled. It may show as changes in the skin’s surface, such as dips, pits or raised areas.
- Marks of colour, such as darker, red or purplish patches where spots used to be, can look like scars but are often a different thing.
These can look alike, and many people have more than one at the same time. That’s one reason a dermatologist or GP is the best person to tell you what you’re looking at. For general background, the Australasian College of Dermatologists has patient information on acne scars in its A–Z of Skin.
What could you ask about at-home vs in-clinic options?
These are questions to take to your dermatologist, not recommendations. You might ask:
- What type of scarring do I have, and does that change which options are worth considering?
- What in-clinic options do you offer or suggest for my skin, and what would they involve?
- Is an at-home light device something you’d consider reasonable for me, or would you advise against it?
- LED mask acne scars questions: if I’m thinking about an LED mask, is that sensible for my skin and type of scarring, or not worth it?
- How would at-home light therapy for scars compare with in-clinic options, in your view?
- Should anything be sorted out first, such as active acne?
- Are there any reasons I should avoid light on my face, given my skin type, tone or medicines?
- If I did try a device, what settings, session length and frequency would you be comfortable with, and when should I stop?
It’s fine to bring a device’s specifications or instruction booklet to the appointment. For what to look for in a device, see how to choose a device. For how light is thought to act on skin, and why that’s still debated, see how red light works.
How do you check the ARTG listing and use a device as directed?
In Australia, a device that’s promoted for a therapeutic purpose generally needs to be included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Being on the ARTG doesn’t mean a device will work for you or for acne scars. You can:
- look for an ARTG number on the packaging, website or instructions, then check it on the public register
- read what the entry actually covers, and compare it with what the device is being promoted for
- be cautious of any device that’s advertised for acne scars without an ARTG entry
Our guide to TGA and ARTG explains how to search the register.
Once you have a device, use it exactly as directed. Stick to the stated distance, session time and frequency, and don’t add extra sessions in the hope of a bigger result. Use the eye protection the maker recommends, and stop if you notice irritation. See is red light therapy safe? If your dermatologist suggests something different, follow their advice.
What are realistic expectations for any at-home device?
It’s worth going in with modest expectations for any at-home device:
- No at-home device can promise a particular result for your scars.
- Skin research generally involves regular sessions over weeks, and individual results vary.
- Photos are easy to misread because of lighting, angle and makeup. If you do keep photos, take them the same way each time.
- Be cautious of dramatic before-and-after images or “quick” promises in advertising.
For more on setting realistic expectations and tracking your own skin fairly, see what results can you realistically expect?
FAQ
Can red light therapy be used for acne scars? That’s a question for your dermatologist or GP. They can look at your scars and your skin and give you personal advice.
Is an LED mask OK for acne scars? We can’t say. Ask your dermatologist whether a mask, or any device, is suitable for your skin and type of scarring.
Is at-home light therapy for scars the same as in-clinic options? Not necessarily. Devices and settings differ, so ask your dermatologist how they compare for your skin.
Does being on the ARTG mean a device works for acne scars? No. ARTG inclusion is a regulatory step, not proof that a device suits you. See our guide to TGA and ARTG.
Where can I read more? Your GP, a dermatologist and the Australasian College of Dermatologists’ patient information are good places to start.
Please see a dermatologist or your GP before trying red light therapy or any new skin device for acne scars. If anything you try irritates your skin, stop and get personal advice.
