Explore the latest trends and growth forecasts for the light therapy market through 2026, including key drivers and opportunities worldwide.
Light therapy has been used for decades, and in recent years it has gained wider acceptance within the medical community. Analysts estimate the global light therapy market could approach USD 1 billion by 2025.
Questions about red light therapy’s effectiveness and safety remain, but some manufacturers hold FDA and MDA certifications intended to support consumer safety. Reported medical uses span from cosmetic applications to broader healing goals, prompting continued interest in the field.
Because it is non-invasive and drug-free, light therapy has long competed with pharmaceutical approaches; recent growth suggests it is now securing a larger role in care.
The market was valued at over USD 1 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow at roughly 5 % per year through 2027, driven partly by rising skin-related conditions and increasing awareness of treatment options.
North America led the worldwide light therapy market in 2018, supported by high rates of eczema, psoriasis, and skin cancer. The National Psoriasis Foundation estimates that more than 8 million people in the United States have psoriasis, while the American Academy of Dermatology notes that acne affects up to 50 million Americans annually.
Product categories include infrared lamps, cold-laser devices, light boxes, floor and desk lamps, light visors, handheld units for skin (HDST), dawn simulators, and therapy bulbs. Infrared and cold-laser models target similar cellular pathways, with choice often guided by wavelength preference rather than large outcome differences.
Handheld skin devices are forecast to expand at about 5.6 % per year through 2027, while the overall market may reach a compound annual growth rate near 5.8 %, supported by rising sleep-disorder diagnoses and corresponding use of light treatment.
Common clinical applications include circadian rhythm sleep disorders, dementia, mood disorders, and insomnia. A typical prescription is 5 000 lux administered daily for several weeks; benefits appear to persist only while treatment is maintained.
Light therapy is offered mainly in hospitals, surgical centers, and diagnostic clinics, and can also be prescribed for home use with a certified device.
Major suppliers include Beurer, Koninklijke Philips, Aura Daylight, Biophotas, Lucimed, Zepter International, Verilux, and Northern Light Technologies.
Mayo Clinic overview of light therapy
The North American light-therapy market exceeded USD 350 million in 2020, supported by wider clinical applications and steady technological improvements. A strong local vendor network and ready device availability are expected to sustain regional growth.
Ongoing advances continue to drive adoption, while patients’ interest in non-invasive options may increase as they compare light therapy with other procedures.
Rising demand for convenient skin-care solutions—such as blue- and red-light sessions—together with growing use of non-invasive treatments for acne, rosacea, redness, and fine lines, is likely to expand the market further.
Blue-light interest rose during the COVID-19 pandemic; laboratory work suggests the wavelengths can inactivate certain bacteria and viruses, although results in real-world settings are still being studied.
Led Mask participates in this sector; our light-therapy devices hold FDA and MDA registration for at-home use.
