Red light therapy is not shown to cause skin cancer in current research. Red light therapy, also called photobiomodulation, uses visible red or near-infrared light rather than ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Standard devices often use wavelengths around 620 to 700 nanometres, and a 2025 expert consensus concluded that red light photobiomodulation does not cause DNA damage.
Long-term research does not cover every at-home mask, panel or wand. Use a reputable device as directed. Speak with a dermatologist before using one over a suspicious lesion, known skin cancer or an area affected by photosensitivity.
Red Light Therapy and Skin Cancer at a Glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does red light therapy cause skin cancer? | Current research has not shown that standard red light therapy causes skin cancer. |
| Is red light the same as UV light? | No. Red light therapy uses visible red or near-infrared light, not ultraviolet radiation. |
| Does red light damage DNA like UV radiation? | Studies have not found the characteristic UV-related DNA damage with standard red and near-infrared photobiomodulation. |
| Can people with a history of cancer use it? | A cancer history does not automatically rule it out, but discuss use with your oncologist or dermatologist. |
| Can red light therapy treat skin cancer? | No. Ordinary home red light therapy is not a skin cancer treatment. Clinician-directed photodynamic therapy is different because it uses a light-sensitive medication. |
Why Red Light Therapy Is Different From UV Light
Ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B radiation can damage DNA in skin cells. Over time, UV-related mutations can raise the risk of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
Red light therapy uses non-ionizing light. Its intended effect is to stimulate cellular processes, not to create the type of DNA damage associated with sunlight and tanning beds. Near-infrared devices use wavelengths longer than visible red light.
A 2025 expert consensus found that red light photobiomodulation does not induce DNA damage. Another study found no DNA damage in human dermal fibroblasts exposed to near-infrared LED light under the conditions tested.
What Does the Cancer-Safety Research Show?
A systematic review of clinical, laboratory and animal research found no clinical evidence linking red or near-infrared photobiomodulation with a new or recurring malignancy. It also found no evidence of abnormal changes in healthy skin cells under established treatment parameters.
The American Academy of Dermatology also states that research has not found red light to cause cancer. It notes that long-term research on at-home devices remains limited because products differ in wavelength, intensity, treatment time and usage schedule.
The evidence supports a cautious answer: red light therapy has not been shown to cause skin cancer, but safety data are not equally comprehensive for every consumer device or treatment routine.
Can Red Light Therapy Make an Existing Skin Cancer Worse?
Current evidence does not show that ordinary red light therapy makes skin cancer grow. However, do not use a home device over a diagnosed or suspicious lesion without medical advice.
Home treatment can create other problems:
- Red light therapy has not been established as a treatment for ordinary skin cancer.
- Treating a changing mole, scaly patch, bleeding spot or non-healing sore could delay diagnosis.
- Findings from laboratory and animal studies do not always predict what happens in human tumors.
- Cancer treatment can involve medication, wound-healing or photosensitivity concerns that affect whether light therapy is appropriate.
A systematic review found no reason to require automatic avoidance of photobiomodulation after a previous cancer diagnosis. Individual advice remains appropriate for people with active cancer, recent surgery, radiation treatment or ongoing chemotherapy.
Do Not Confuse Red Light Therapy With Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy is different from ordinary red light therapy.
During photodynamic therapy, a clinician applies a photosensitizing medication to abnormal skin cells and activates it with a specific light source. The resulting chemical reaction helps destroy actinic keratoses and certain skin cancers.
A home LED mask used for cosmetic skin care does not contain the prescription photosensitizer used in photodynamic therapy. Red light's role in a supervised cancer treatment does not mean that standard red light therapy causes cancer.
What Are the Actual Risks of Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy is generally well tolerated, but side effects can occur. Reported problems include:
- Temporary redness or warmth
- Mild irritation or pain
- Hyperpigmentation, particularly in some people with darker skin tones
- Burns or blistering when the light dose is too high
- Eye injury when a device is used incorrectly or without the required protection
In one clinical safety study, higher-intensity LED red light caused blistering and prolonged redness at certain doses. The study reported no serious adverse events.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends choosing an FDA-cleared device when possible, following the manufacturer's instructions and using the specified eye protection. FDA clearance indicates that the device is considered low risk. It does not guarantee a particular cosmetic result.
Who Should Speak With a Dermatologist First?
Speak with a dermatologist before using red light therapy if you:
- Have a changing, bleeding, crusting or non-healing skin lesion
- Have active skin cancer or are being treated for cancer
- Have had unusual reactions to light
- Have lupus or another light-sensitive condition
- Take medication that increases photosensitivity
- Recently had a procedure, surgery or radiation treatment on the area
- Develop persistent redness, blistering, pain or darkening after treatment
Bottom Line
Current research has not shown that standard red light therapy causes skin cancer. Red and near-infrared photobiomodulation is different from sunlight, tanning beds and UV phototherapy, which can cause DNA damage linked to skin-cancer development.
Use an at-home device exactly as instructed. If you have a changing or suspicious skin lesion, have it examined by a dermatologist instead of treating it at home.