Standard red light therapy is not a conventional tanning treatment. Last reviewed:. Red light therapy uses visible red wavelengths, usually around 630 to 700 nanometres, and may also include near-infrared light. A conventional tan comes mainly from UVA or UVB exposure, which stimulates melanin production.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does pure red light therapy tan the skin? | Generally, no |
| Does red light therapy contain UV? | Standard red light therapy should not |
| Can it make skin look temporarily darker or warmer? | Possibly, because of temporary redness or other light-related skin changes |
| Can it worsen dark spots or melasma? | It may, especially in people with darker or pigmentation-prone skin |
| Can a red light tanning bed tan you? | Yes, if the device also emits UVA or UVB |
Why Red Light Therapy Does Not Work Like a Tanning Bed
A UV tan occurs when UVA or UVB radiation triggers melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin. The resulting increase in melanin darkens the skin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that there is no safe UV tan.
Red light therapy, also called photobiomodulation, usually uses red wavelengths around 630 to 700 nanometres. Some devices also use near-infrared light. These wavelengths differ from the ultraviolet radiation used in sunbeds and tanning lamps.
In one controlled study, 630-nanometre red light did not produce hyperpigmentation in the tested participants. By comparison, 415-nanometre blue-violet light did. The result suggests that visible light does not affect pigmentation in the same way across all wavelengths.
Why Your Skin Might Look Darker After Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy can make skin look temporarily warmer, redder or more glowy. Temporary erythema, or redness, has been reported after LED red-light treatments.
Hyperpigmentation can also occur in some circumstances. In a clinical study using a high light dose, hyperpigmentation occurred more often among participants with darker skin and was more noticeable in darker skin tones. The pigmentation improved or resolved during follow-up in that study.
The American Academy of Dermatology warns that people with darker skin may be more sensitive to visible light and may develop hyperpigmentation that is darker or lasts longer.
These changes are different from a conventional tan:
- A tan is a broader darkening response usually caused by UVA or UVB.
- Hyperpigmentation is a localized or uneven increase in pigment, such as darker patches or spots.
- Temporary redness can make the skin look warmer without increasing melanin.
When a "Red Light" Device Can Actually Tan You
Some tanning salons use the term "red light therapy" for booths that combine red light with UV light. If a device emits UVA or UVB, it can tan the skin and carry the risks associated with UV exposure.
Check the device specifications rather than relying on its name. Look for:
- The listed wavelengths
- Whether the device emits UVA or UVB
- Whether it is marketed as a tanning product
- Whether it has separate red-light and UV modes
A genuine red-light therapy device should identify its light spectrum. The FDA explains that tanning lamps and beds use ultraviolet radiation, even when their design or marketing includes other types of light.
Should You Use Red Light Therapy If You Have Melasma or Dark Spots?
Take care if you have melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or a darker skin tone. Standard red light therapy is not designed to create a tan, and some research has examined red or near-infrared photobiomodulation as a treatment for pigmentation disorders. Results can differ by device, dose and skin type.
Stop using the device if existing patches become darker or new patches appear. A dermatologist can help assess whether the change is linked to red light, near-infrared light, heat, another skincare product or a separate pigmentation trigger.
What to Do If Your Skin Darkens
Pause treatment if you notice new or worsening pigmentation. Check whether the device emits UVA or UVB and whether it is marketed as a tanning product. If the spectrum is unclear, ask the manufacturer for the full specifications before continuing.