Is red & infrared light therapy safe? Yes! Learn about its non-invasive nature, minimal side effects, benefits for skin, pain & even during pregnancy.
Light therapy has been used for decades and is now regaining popularity for good reason. Its non-invasive approach offers a range of potential benefits.
By using different wavelengths, light therapy may:
Dermatologists and aestheticians sometimes use light-emitting devices to address collagen loss or stubborn skin lesions, while physiotherapists may apply it to mild joint or muscle inflammation.
How does it work? Selected wavelengths penetrate the skin and are absorbed by mitochondria, encouraging ATP production. Higher cellular energy can speed up routine repair processes without introducing drugs or altering tissue.
Because nothing is ingested or injected, the technique is considered non-invasive.
Whenever a therapy trends upward, questions about safety follow. Surgical and pharmaceutical options dominate medical culture, yet non-invasive alternatives can still be appropriate.
So, is red and near-infrared light therapy safe? Available data suggest the risk of serious harm is low. Light therapy was already in clinical use during the 1920s–1930s, and modern devices have benefited from stricter engineering controls. A small observational study from Massachusetts General Hospital reported no significant adverse events among brain-injury participants exposed to red/NIR light.
This information is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Collagen and low-level light Cancer-treatment side effects FDA device information
Light therapy is non-invasive and usually painless. Short-term side effects are uncommon; when they occur they may include mild tenderness or transient redness. People taking photosensitising drugs such as isotretinoin (Accutane) or topical acne treatments that increase sun sensitivity should avoid the procedure.
If you work with pregnant women you may wonder: is red-light therapy safe during pregnancy? Available evidence suggests it can be. One study of bright-light therapy for antenatal depression used 60 min daily sessions and reported a roughly 50 % symptom reduction without apparent fetal harm. Nevertheless, pregnant women should always consult their physician before starting treatment.
As a licensed dermatologist, aesthetician or physiotherapist you want reliable devices. Our light-therapy units are MDA-registered and manufactured under ISO quality standards; multiple wavelengths and dose settings allow customisation for different clinical goals.
We hope this answers the question "is light therapy safe?" For further information, contact our team.
Bright-light therapy in pregnancy (PMC) FDA device information
