Red light therapy is a possible treatment for some scars, but it is not a proven all-purpose scar remover. Evidence is most encouraging for early surgical scars, burn scars and some raised hypertrophic scars. It may reduce redness, thickness, stiffness, pigmentation, pain or itching. Evidence is weaker for depressed acne scars and keloids.
A 2026 scoping review identified seven randomized or prospective studies involving 297 people with burn, hypertrophic or post-surgical scars. The results suggested possible benefits, but the studies used different devices, wavelengths, doses and treatment schedules.
Red Light Therapy for Scars at a Glance
| Scar type | Potential usefulness of red light therapy | More established options |
|---|---|---|
| Recent surgical scar | May modestly improve firmness, appearance and comfort after the wound has closed | Silicone, proper wound care, dermatologist-guided laser treatment |
| Burn or hypertrophic scar | May improve thickness, pigmentation, elasticity, pain and itching | Silicone, pressure therapy, corticosteroid injections, specialist laser treatment |
| Keloid scar | Not well established and should not be self-treated with a home device | Dermatologist-guided injections, pressure therapy, cryotherapy or combination treatment |
| Depressed acne scar | Limited evidence; unlikely to restore lost volume by itself | Microneedling, laser resurfacing, subcision, fillers or other dermatologist procedures |
| Dark mark after acne or injury | May reduce inflammation, but a dark mark is not necessarily a scar | Sunscreen and pigment-focused treatment recommended by a dermatologist |
How Red Light Therapy May Affect Scar Tissue
Red light therapy, also called photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy, uses red or near-infrared light from LEDs or low-power lasers. Researchers believe it may affect inflammation, mitochondrial activity, blood flow and collagen remodeling during wound healing.
These changes could make some scars look flatter, softer or less red over time. The response depends on the scar, the device and the treatment schedule.
Red light therapy is different from ablative laser resurfacing. A home LED mask usually delivers non-thermal light and is much less powerful than many in-office devices. It does not remove the top layer of skin or physically reshape a deep acne scar.
What Does the Research Show?
The research is promising for some scar outcomes, but it does not establish one effective protocol for every scar.
The 2026 scoping review found possible improvements in scar thickness, pigmentation, elasticity, pliability, pain and itching. The evidence was difficult to compare because the studies involved different scar types and used different wavelengths, doses, devices and treatment schedules. The authors concluded that larger clinical trials are still needed.
One randomized trial examined red LED treatment after surgery. The main measure, scar pliability, did not differ significantly between treated and control scars. Some treatment doses improved induration and observer-rated appearance, but the results did not show that every red-light protocol works. A small number of participants developed mild blistering or swelling.
Another randomized trial used 830-nanometre near-infrared photobiomodulation after thyroid surgery. After six months, the treatment group reported greater satisfaction and lower scar assessment scores than the sham-treatment group. The study was small, with 43 participants completing treatment, and several objective scar measurements did not differ significantly.
Red Light Versus Near-Infrared Light
Clinical scar studies commonly use:
- Red light: approximately 633 to 670 nanometres
- Near-infrared light: approximately 808 to 830 nanometres
Red light generally reaches more superficial tissue, while near-infrared light may reach deeper tissue. That difference may explain why researchers study red light for early, superficial scars and near-infrared light for thicker or more mature scars.
There is no standardized home-use treatment protocol. Device power, distance, wavelength and treatment time vary considerably.
Does Red Light Therapy Help Acne Scars?
Red light therapy is not one of the best-supported primary treatments for depressed acne scars.
Rolling scars, boxcar scars and ice-pick scars involve lost or uneven skin structure. Red light may support general skin healing, but it does not reliably replace the volume or collagen needed to level a deep depression.
The American Academy of Dermatology lists treatments such as microneedling, laser resurfacing, fillers, subcision, radiofrequency and scar surgery. The appropriate option depends on the type of acne scar and the person's skin.
Red light may have a supporting role after certain procedures if a dermatologist includes it in a wider treatment plan. It should not be treated as an equivalent replacement for professional acne-scar procedures.
Can Red Light Therapy Treat Keloids?
Do not rely on a home red-light device to treat a keloid.
A keloid is a raised scar that can continue growing beyond the original injury. It may cause itching, pain, burning or restricted movement. Treatment can include corticosteroid injections, pressure therapy, cryotherapy, surgery, laser treatment or a combination of approaches.
Arrange an assessment with a board-certified dermatologist if a scar is becoming thicker, expanding beyond the original wound, painful or persistently itchy. A scar that appears without a remembered injury should also be examined because some skin cancers can look like scars.
How to Use Red Light Therapy Safely for a Scar
If a dermatologist agrees that photobiomodulation is reasonable, follow the device instructions rather than copying the dose from a clinical study. Device power, distance, wavelength and treatment time vary.
Important precautions include:
- Do not use it over an open wound, active infection or untreated skin lesion.
- Follow the device's eye-protection instructions.
- Check with a clinician if you take medication that increases light sensitivity or have a light-sensitive condition.
- Be cautious if you have a darker skin tone or a history of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that visible light can worsen pigmentation in some people with darker skin tones.
- Stop if treatment causes significant burning, blistering, swelling or persistent irritation.
"FDA-cleared" does not automatically mean that a device is proven to treat scars. Clearance applies to a particular device and intended use. The FDA notes that clearance indicates a low-risk device, not guaranteed effectiveness. A mask cleared for wrinkles or acne is not automatically cleared for scar treatment.
Is a Home Red-Light Device Worth Buying for Scars?
A home device may be worth considering for a healed, relatively recent surgical or burn scar if you understand that improvement may be modest. It is a less compelling purchase if your main concern is a deep acne scar or a growing keloid.
The American Academy of Dermatology reports that at-home red-light devices commonly cost about $100 to more than $1,000. Scar-specific evidence remains limited, and device specifications differ. A dermatologist consultation can help you decide whether a device is likely to match your scar type.
Bottom Line
Use red light therapy as an add-on, not a scar eraser. It is more reasonable for a healed surgical or burn scar than for a depressed acne scar or keloid.
Growing, painful or persistently itchy scars need professional assessment. A home device should not replace silicone therapy, medical scar treatment or dermatologist-guided procedures.