Can You Shower After Red Light Therapy?

Wondering if it’s okay to shower after red light therapy? You’re not alone. A lot of people ask this, and the answer isn’t as simple as yes or no. 

The timing, water temperature, and even skincare matter. Let’s break it down so you know exactly what to do after your session for the best results.

• Wait Before Showering: Give your skin 20–30 minutes to absorb the therapy benefits.
  
  

• Choose the Right Water Temperature: Warm showers are best, avoid hot water.
  
  

• Showering Before Helps: Clean, dry skin improves red light absorption.
  
  

• Moisturize Smartly: Use gentle, hydrating products post-shower.
  
  

• Protect Your Skin: Avoid sun exposure and harsh skincare for 24–48 hours.

Yes, you can shower after red light therapy, but timing matters. It’s best to wait at least 20 to 30 minutes before stepping into the shower. 

This short break gives your skin time to absorb the full benefits of the treatment. A warm or cool shower is ideal, as hot water may increase skin sensitivity.

Showering won’t wash off the results, red light therapy works beneath the surface of your skin.

• Taking a shower before your session helps the light work better: Washing your skin removes anything that might block the light, like lotion, sunscreen , or makeup, so the therapy can reach deeper into your skin.

• Using a gentle face or body cleanser makes a difference: A mild cleanser is best because it clears your skin without leaving any harsh chemicals or residue behind.

• Rinsing off completely is just as important as cleaning: Even if you use the right cleanser, leftover soap or product can block the light, make sure you rinse it all off thoroughly.

• Drying your skin fully helps the red light do its job: Wet or damp skin can reflect the light, so drying off properly ensures your skin gets the full benefit of the session.

• Showering after is fine, but wait a little while: Waiting 20 to 30 minutes after your session helps your skin finish absorbing the light and avoids any irritation from showering too soon.

It’s recommended to wait at least 20 to 30 minutes before showering. This helps your body absorb the therapy's benefits more effectively. 

While there’s no harm in showering sooner, a brief wait can help you maximize results.

• Hot Showers May Irritate Skin After Therapy: After red light therapy, hot water may irritate your skin and increase inflammation , so it's best to avoid it.

• Cold Showers Can Be Too Intense: Cold showers may feel refreshing, but they can be too intense for your skin right after therapy and may slow down the benefits.

• Mitochondria Need Warmth for Best Results: Red light therapy boosts mitochondrial energy production. Cooling your body too much after a session can reduce this effect.

• Warm Showers Are the Best Option: A warm shower is the safest and most effective way to maintain your results without irritating your skin or slowing down the therapy’s benefits.

• Wait 20-30 Minutes After Red Light Therapy: It's best to wait 20 to 30 minutes before using a sauna, bath, or hot tub after red light therapy . This gives your body time to settle and helps with skin recovery.

• Avoid Heat Immediately After LED Facials: If you’ve had an LED facial, stay away from hot showers, saunas, and steam rooms for 24 hours to prevent skin irritation. Heat right after can make your skin more sensitive.

• Avoid Excessive Heat Post-Therapy: Avoid heavy sweating or hot showers immediately after red light therapy. Excessive heat can make your skin more sensitive and impact how well the treatment works.

• Use Gentle Moisturizers After Therapy: Yes, you can use skincare products after red light therapy and showering. Gentle moisturizers, especially those with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, help to attract moisture and keep your skin smooth.

• Apply Sunscreen if You Go Outside: If you're heading outdoors after therapy, make sure to apply sunscreen. Your skin may be more sensitive, and sunscreen will protect it from harmful UV rays.

• Avoid Strong Products for a Few Days: After red light therapy, it's best to avoid harsh products like retinol, glycolic acid, or exfoliants for 24 to 48 hours to prevent skin irritation.

• Drinking enough water helps your skin heal faster: After red light therapy, your body needs hydration to flush out toxins and repair your skin. Aim for 8 to 10 glasses of water a day to support smooth, glowing skin.

• Fresh fruits and veggies add water and nutrients to your skin: Raw fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, oranges, and watermelon add water to your body and give your skin vitamins and fiber it needs to stay healthy.

• Balanced electrolytes help your body clean out waste better: When your electrolytes are balanced, your body can better handle the fatty acids and waste released during therapy, helping you recover quicker and stay well hydrated.

Your body heals while you rest. Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep supports cellular repair and boosts the therapy’s effects. 

Even short naps can help if you're feeling tired after a session. To optimize the benefits, timing your light exposure can be key, morning light is ideal for syncing with your natural sleep cycle, while evening light may be better for those with advanced sleep phase syndrome.

• Moisturizer works best right after red light therapy: After red light therapy, your skin is more open to soaking in skincare. That’s why it’s the perfect moment to apply a good moisturizer, it helps your skin hold on to all the benefits.

• The right ingredients keep your skin smooth and young: Using a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, peptides, or vitamin C helps your skin stay soft, hydrated, and youthful-looking after therapy.

• These ingredients also calm redness and fade acne marks: Dr. Diane Madfes says these ingredients don’t just hydrate, they also help reduce redness and make acne marks fade faster.

• Putting on moisturizer right after a shower keeps skin moist longer: To keep your skin extra hydrated, apply moisturizer while your skin is still a little damp after showering. This traps water in the skin and stops it from drying out.

• Strong skincare right after therapy can harm your skin: After red light therapy, your skin becomes more sensitive. Using products with alcohol, retinol , or strong acids can cause redness, dryness, or irritation. It’s best to avoid them for 24 to 48 hours.

• Gentle and simple products are safer for healing skin: Use mild skincare that’s free from strong scents or chemicals. These help your skin heal properly and support the benefits of red light therapy.

• Remove one product at a time if your skin reacts: If your skin shows irritation, stop using products one by one. This makes it easier to find the one that’s causing problems.

• Ask a professional if irritation doesn’t go away: If your skin is still irritated after simplifying your routine, talk to a healthcare provider. They can help you find safer options.

Your skin may be more sun-sensitive after red light therapy. Use SPF 30+ if going outside and reapply as needed. Hats and shade are helpful too. Avoiding excess sun keeps your results intact and your skin safe.

Support your skin from within by eating antioxidant-rich foods, like fruits and vegetables, fight cell damage and support skin repair and hydration. 

Vitamins A, C, and E help repair skin and build collagen. Reduce sugar intake and add probiotics for better skin and overall health.