Red light therapy side effects and safety

Red light therapy is considered to be completely safe—as long as you make sure to wear eye protection Quality Therapy goggles. “Damage to the eyes can occur from long-term blue or red-light exposure,” warns LoGerfo.

Side effects from red light therapy are minimal—and if there are any, they’re usually mild—but there are certain conditions in which it might be best to avoid the treatment. Specifically, anti-aging and regenerative medicine doctor Neil Paulvin, D.O. doesn’t recommend it if you have seizures or eye disorders. “Flicker (changes of frequency of light) at a high rate can lead to headaches, dizziness, and possible seizures at worst,” he notes.

Similarly, Dr. Madfes doesn’t recommend red light therapy for anyone with photosensitizing medical conditions, such as lupus, or anyone taking a photo-sensitizing drug (including tetracycline, doxycycline, hydrochlorothiazide, naproxen). You should also avoid it if you have any open wounds or lesions on your skin.

Does red light therapy work?
There is an emerging body of research that shows the potential of red light therapy to help improve skin health and treat certain skin conditions, including a small 2014 study that showed that light therapy led to improved skin complexion and feeling, reduction of skin roughness and wrinkles, and increased collagen density. However, more extensive research needs to be conducted. “Although there are some studies regarding their benefit, they are not abundant, and we are not entirely sure how they work,” says LoGerfo.

One thing that’s important to note about the effectiveness of red light therapy, says Dr. Paulvin, is that it may take consistency and time to notice results. Even then, LoGerfo says that you should have realistic expectations. “People should know that results you usually see with these treatments are mild,” she says. “They aren’t a game changer when it comes to fine lines, wrinkles, hair loss, etc.”

Still, red light therapy definitely shows promise in the field of dermatology, especially due to its safe, noninvasive nature and its minimal side effects.