Red light therapy on the face is a short, device-specific treatment used on clean, dry skin before skincare products. Wear the eye protection supplied with the device, follow the stated treatment time, and do not extend sessions.
Most at-home red light masks are designed for repeated sessions, but there is no universal schedule. Treatment time and light intensity vary by device. One study discussed below included 137 women, but its protocol does not set the routine for every home device.
Red Light Therapy on the Face: At a Glance
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Cleanse | Remove makeup, sunscreen, oil and skincare residue. |
| 2. Dry | Pat your face completely dry. |
| 3. Protect your eyes | Use the goggles or eye shields specified by the manufacturer. |
| 4. Apply the device | Position the mask or panel according to its instructions. |
| 5. Complete one session | Use the programmed treatment time. Do not add extra minutes. |
| 6. Finish your routine | Apply serum, moisturizer and, during the day, sunscreen afterward. |
| 7. Repeat consistently | Follow the device's recommended weekly schedule. |
Step-by-Step: How to Use Red Light Therapy on Your Face
1. Choose a Device Intended for Facial Skin
Choose an LED mask, panel or wand designed for facial skin. The device may be marketed for wrinkles, skin aging or another facial concern.
When buying in the United States, look for an FDA-cleared device. FDA clearance does not guarantee a particular cosmetic result. "FDA approved" and "FDA certified" are not interchangeable with FDA clearance.
2. Clean and Dry Your Face
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and remove makeup, sunscreen and excess oil. Pat your skin dry before treatment.
Clean, dry skin is the usual manufacturer recommendation because creams, makeup and sunscreen can interfere with contact between the LEDs and skin, particularly with a contact mask.
Do not apply retinol, acids, essential oils or other active products beforehand unless the device manufacturer confirms that they are compatible with treatment.
3. Use the Recommended Eye Protection
Follow the device's eye-safety instructions during every session. Some masks have built-in eye shields. Others require goggles or inserts.
Do not replace the specified protection with ordinary sunglasses. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using the eye protection supplied or specified by the manufacturer.
4. Position the Device Correctly
Place a contact mask directly against your face if the instructions allow it. For a panel or wand, keep the device at the stated distance from your skin.
Distance affects the amount of light reaching your face. Use the measurement in the manual rather than guessing.
5. Run One Complete Treatment Cycle
Turn on the device and use it for the programmed session length. At-home devices often use short sessions, but the correct time depends on the model.
A longer session does not necessarily produce better results. Extra use may increase the chance of warmth, irritation, eye discomfort or headaches without improving the outcome.
Facial studies have used different schedules, including twice-weekly, three-times-weekly and daily treatments. The instructions for your device should determine your routine.
6. Apply Skincare After Treatment
After removing the device, continue with your usual routine:
- Hydrating serum, if desired
- Moisturizer
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen in the morning
Using red light before skincare also removes the need to cleanse sunscreen and other products before the next session.
7. Clean the Device
Clean the parts that touch your face according to the manual. Do not soak an electronic mask or spray liquid directly onto it unless the manufacturer permits this.
How Often Should You Use Red Light Therapy on Your Face?
Use red light therapy as often as the manufacturer recommends, usually on a repeated weekly schedule. Do not create a higher-dose schedule yourself.
Research protocols differ:
- One facial rejuvenation trial used red light treatments twice per week for eight weeks.
- Another study used 10 sessions over four weeks and reported a reduction in periocular wrinkle volume after both red and amber light treatments.
- A separate wrinkle study used daily treatment for 12 weeks.
Visible changes usually require consistent use over several weeks. Red light therapy is not a one-time facial treatment, and results vary by device and user. The American Academy of Dermatology describes possible improvements as subtle to noticeable rather than guaranteed.
What Can Red Light Therapy Improve?
Red light therapy, also called photobiomodulation, uses red or near-infrared light from LEDs. Facial studies have investigated it for:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Periocular wrinkles around the eyes
- Uneven skin texture
- Redness and discoloration
- Mild loss of firmness
- General signs of photoaging
A randomized split-face trial involving 137 women found an approximately 30% reduction in measured periocular wrinkle volume after red or amber photobiomodulation. The study did not find improvements in skin hydration or viscoelasticity.
Red light therapy is a cosmetic treatment. It does not replace sunscreen, prescription acne treatment, retinoids or in-office dermatology procedures.
Red Light Versus Blue Light for the Face
Red and blue LED treatments have different facial uses.
| Light type | Common facial use |
|---|---|
| Red light | Fine lines, wrinkles, redness and skin rejuvenation |
| Near-infrared light | Often combined with red light in facial rejuvenation devices |
| Blue light | Mild to moderate acne in devices specifically cleared for that purpose |
If acne is your main concern, choose a device intended and cleared for acne rather than assuming that a red-only device will treat breakouts. Some masks combine red, near-infrared and blue wavelengths, and each mode may have different instructions.
Who Should Be Cautious With Facial Red Light Therapy?
People with light sensitivity, recent facial procedures or eye symptoms should speak with a board-certified dermatologist before using an at-home device. This includes people who:
- Have lupus or another condition that causes light sensitivity
- Take medication that increases sensitivity to light
- Develop pigmentation easily or have a darker skin tone
- Have an active facial skin condition
- Recently had a chemical peel, laser treatment, microneedling or another facial procedure
- Have an eye condition or experience eye discomfort during treatment
Visible light can worsen hyperpigmentation in some people with darker skin tones. Light-sensitive conditions can also worsen with exposure. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that the long-term effects of at-home red light therapy are not fully known.
Stop using the device and seek medical advice if you develop persistent redness, swelling, blistering, significant pain, vision changes or a worsening rash.
Is Red Light Therapy Safe for the Face?
Short-term research suggests that red LED therapy is generally well tolerated. Unlike ultraviolet light, red light does not emit UV radiation, and current research has not shown that red light causes skin cancer. Temporary irritation, discomfort or redness can occur.