Red Light Therapy: Use Before or After Skincare?

Red light therapy has gained popularity in skincare routines, but when should you use it, before or after your skincare products?

This question can make all the difference in achieving glowing, healthy skin. Red light therapy works by using specific wavelengths (600-700 nm, particularly 630-660nm) that penetrate the skin's upper layers, helping to boost collagen and elastin production.

In this guide, we'll explore the best routine, answer your questions, and reveal how to maximize the benefits of red light therapy for your skin.

• Cleanse your skin before using red light therapy for better absorption.
  
  

• Apply red light therapy first, then follow up with skincare products.
  
  

• Consistent use (3–5 times a week) leads to smoother, firmer skin.
  
  

• Red light therapy enhances the effectiveness of your skincare products.
  
  

• Always wait 10–30 minutes after therapy before applying moisturizers or serums.

• Cleansing your skin first helps light reach deeper: Cleansing your skin before red light therapy is essential. A clean surface allows the light to penetrate deeper into your  skin  , maximizing the benefits.

• Removing makeup and sunscreen clears the way for light: It’s recommended to remove makeup and  sunscreen  before sessions, as these can block the light waves from properly entering your skin.

• Using a gentle cleanser protects your skin before therapy: Make sure to use a gentle cleanser that removes dirt, oil, and  makeup  . Avoid harsh or exfoliating cleansers, as they can irritate your skin before therapy.

• Washing with lukewarm water keeps skin calm for therapy: Cleansing with lukewarm water is ideal because it’s gentle on your skin and prevents irritation that hot or cold water might cause.

• Starting with clean skin makes red light therapy work better: Cleansing your skin first makes red light therapy more effective, helping you get the best results from every session.

• Pat Your Skin Dry for Better Absorption: After cleansing, make sure to pat your skin dry before applying any products. This helps your skincare absorb more effectively.

• Damp Skin Can Block Red Light Therapy: If your skin is damp, it can stop red light therapy from working properly. Moisture blocks the light from penetrating deeply into your skin.

• Dry Skin Prepares It for Skincare: Patting your skin dry ensures it’s ready for your products to work their best. Dry skin helps lock in moisture and lets your skincare absorb better.

• Ideal Duration for Red Light Therapy: For the best results, your red light therapy session should last anywhere between 5 to 20 minutes based on your skin’s needs. Longer sessions may be needed for deeper issues like acne, but be careful not to overdo it, as this could cause irritation.

• Red Light and Blue Light Therapy for Acne Treatment: If acne is a concern, combining red light with blue light therapy can target the bacteria that cause acne, helping to clear your skin. Acne is a common issue, especially for people between the ages of 12 and 24.

• Keep Sessions Between 10-15 Minutes for Skin Tone: For better skin tone and overall health, aim for 10-15 minute sessions. Near-infrared light (around 850nm) reaches deeper into the skin, aiding in  muscle  relaxation and improving circulation, which can help both your skin and muscles.

• Maintain the Right Distance for Effective Results: To avoid irritation and get the full benefits, keep a distance of 6 to 12 inches from the device. Too close and it might irritate your skin, too far and the light won't have the desired effect.

• Skin is More Receptive After Therapy: After red light therapy, your skin is more receptive to skincare products, so it's the perfect time to apply moisturizers and treatments for maximum benefit.

• Red Light Therapy Boosts Product Absorption: Red light therapy enhances the absorption of skincare ingredients, so applying them afterward boosts their effectiveness and gives better results.

• Retinol Works Well After Therapy: Avoid using  retinol  before red light therapy, but applying it after can be helpful for anti-aging benefits without causing skin irritation.

• Avoid Harsh Ingredients Post-Therapy: Avoid products with alcohol, synthetic fragrances, or parabens after your session, as they can irritate your skin and reduce the benefits of the treatment.

• Peptides Support Skin Recovery: Post-therapy, peptides are a great choice because they support collagen production and improve skin elasticity, helping your skin recover and rejuvenate.

• Vitamin C and Argan Oil for Faster Results: Using Vitamin C or argan oil after red light therapy can accelerate your skin’s healing process and leave you with a healthy, glowing complexion.

• Hydration Maximizes Benefits: Focus on hydrating serums and creams after therapy to nourish and lock in moisture, maximizing the benefits of the red light treatment.

• Use Consistently (3–5 Times a Week): Consistency is key for red light therapy. To get the best results, use it 3–5 times a week. This regular frequency allows your skin to regenerate and improve without overwhelming it.

• Avoid Overuse to Prevent Irritation: While daily use is generally safe, it’s important to pay attention to how your skin reacts, especially if it’s sensitive. Overusing red light therapy can lead to irritation or reduced effectiveness. Spacing out your sessions by at least 72 hours ensures your skin has time to respond and get the most benefit.

• Alternating Days for Sensitive Skin: For more delicate skin, alternating days might be a good way to avoid irritation while still reaping the benefits of red light therapy.

• Morning Therapy Boosts Collagen for Firmer Skin: Using  red light therapy  in the morning helps boost collagen production, leading to firmer skin and a smoother appearance.

• Evening Therapy Promotes Skin Regeneration: Evening sessions promote skin rejuvenation and repair, helping your skin regenerate naturally overnight.

• Morning Regulates Oil, Evening Hydrates and Repairs Skin: Morning therapy can regulate oil production for oily skin, while evening sessions help hydrate and repair dry skin.

• Both Morning and Evening Sessions Offer Skin Benefits: Morning sessions boost collagen, while evening ones support skin regeneration and wrinkle reduction, making both times beneficial for your skin.

• Regular Use Ensures Maximum Benefits: Consistency in your routine is essential. Whether morning or evening, regular use ensures maximum benefits over time.

• Choose the Right Time Based on Your Skin Goals: Choose morning or evening therapy based on your specific skin needs and goals for the best results.

• Track Changes in Skin Texture and Tone: Track how your skin feels and looks. Look for improvements in texture, tone, and redness over time.

• Capture Progress with Photos or Notes: Capture progress by snapping photos each week or jotting down changes. This helps you see subtle improvements.

• Adjust Session Length or Frequency If Needed: If you're not seeing results or feel irritation, try adjusting how long or how often you use red light therapy.

• Listen to Your Skin for Optimal Results: Always listen to your skin. If you notice issues, reduce usage to avoid irritation and find what works best for you.

• Start with Red Light Therapy for Best Results: To maximize effectiveness, begin with red light therapy. It works best when there are no creams or oils blocking its penetration.

• Red Light Therapy Prepares Skin for Better Skincare Absorption: By stimulating collagen and improving circulation, red light therapy helps your skin absorb serums and moisturizers more effectively.

• Apply Skincare After Red Light Therapy: Once you've completed red light therapy, apply your skincare products. The therapy boosts collagen production and enhances absorption, making your products work more efficiently.

• Boosts Absorption of Key Skincare Ingredients: Red light therapy helps open pores and improves blood flow, making it easier for active ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to deeply penetrate your skin.

• Enhances Effectiveness of Skincare Products: With better absorption due to improved circulation, red light therapy ensures that your skincare products work more effectively, giving you healthier and clearer skin.

• Red Light Therapy Prepares Your Skin for Better Treatment: Red light therapy acts as a warm-up, boosting circulation and calming the skin. This helps create the best base for applying your skincare products like serums and moisturizers.

• Boosts Collagen to Make Skincare More Effective: Red light therapy increases collagen production, which supports healthier skin. This makes your skincare products work even better and gives you noticeable results.

• Calms Redness and Soothes Skin: Red light therapy helps reduce redness and inflammation, making sensitive skin less reactive to common skincare products.

• Eases the Use of Exfoliating Products: For those using exfoliants, red light therapy makes the skin more tolerant, allowing smoother application without irritation.

• Protects Skin from Environmental Damage: Red light therapy fights oxidative stress from the environment, keeping your skin protected from harmful pollutants and UV rays.

• Boosts Circulation for Healthier Skin: Increased circulation means more oxygen and nutrients reach your skin cells, helping them stay healthy and vibrant. This improved blood flow is especially beneficial for acne-prone skin, as it helps reduce inflammation and speeds up healing.

• Enhances Healing of Acne Scars and Skin Conditions: Red light therapy plays a significant role in enhancing circulation, which supports cellular repair and promotes the healing of acne scars. It helps deliver essential nutrients to the skin, further reducing redness and inflammation. This improved circulation also soothes conditions like rosacea and eczema, calming irritated skin.

• Amplifies Skincare with Face Massagers: Using face massagers and rollers alongside red light therapy can boost circulation even more, allowing moisturizers to penetrate deeper and work more effectively.

• Red Light Therapy Boosts Collagen for Smoother Skin: Red light therapy boosts collagen production, which helps your skin become smoother and more even, reducing rough patches and uneven skin tone.

• Treats Sensitive Areas for Even Texture: This therapy can be used on delicate areas such as the neck and décolletage, which are prone to early signs of aging due to thinner skin and fewer oil glands.

• Prepping Your Skin for Collagen Treatment: Red light therapy is an effective way to prepare your skin for collagen-boosting treatments. It enhances blood circulation, which supports skin cell repair and improves your skin’s overall ability to respond to collagen treatments like Morpheus8, CO2 laser, and more.

• Boosting Skin Texture and Firmness: Collagen-boosting treatments stimulate collagen production, which helps improve skin texture and firmness. Red light therapy can complement these treatments, providing a smoother and firmer appearance.

• Regulates Oil Production for Clear Skin: Red light therapy helps control oil production, making it ideal for those with oily or combination skin. By balancing oil levels, it reduces shine and prevents clogged pores that can lead to acne.

• Noticeable Improvements in Skin in Just Weeks: With regular use, red light therapy shows visible improvements in oil production within just a few weeks. Your skin becomes smoother and more balanced, with fewer breakouts.

• Reduces Acne and Keeps Skin Fresh: As oil production normalizes, your skin looks fresher and clearer. Red light therapy helps keep your skin healthier over time, leading to fewer acne outbreaks and a more even complexion.

• Give Your Skin Time to Cool Down: Give your skin a break after red light therapy to cool down before applying any skincare products. This helps your skin absorb the treatment’s benefits properly.

• Wait 20 Minutes Before Moisturizing: It’s best to wait about 20 minutes before moisturizing. This allows your skin to process the therapy fully before adding products.

• Wait 30 Minutes Before Using Vitamin C: If you're using vitamin C, give your skin at least 30 minutes to absorb the red light therapy  benefits  first. This helps your skin better absorb the vitamin.

• Wait 10-15 Minutes Before Applying Serums: Wait 10-15 minutes before applying facial serums. This short time lets your skin settle and absorb the serum properly.

• Wait 15-20 Minutes for Moisturizer to Absorb: After the therapy, give your moisturizer 15-20 minutes to soak in without rushing. This lets the treatment and moisturizer work together without interference.

• Skin becomes extra sensitive right after exfoliating: After exfoliating, your skin becomes more sensitive, and this sensitivity can change how your skin reacts to red light therapy. It’s important to handle your skin gently during this time.

• Red light therapy is safe but your skin needs a moment to calm down: Using red light therapy after exfoliating is generally safe, but your skin needs a few minutes to settle down to avoid any extra irritation.

• Waiting 10-15 minutes protects your skin from irritation: It’s better to wait about 10-15 minutes after exfoliating before starting red light therapy. This short break gives your skin a chance to relax and respond better.

• Exfoliating first helps red light therapy work even better: By removing dead skin cells through exfoliation, you allow the red light to reach deeper into your skin, making the therapy more effective and giving better results.

• Red light therapy alone can still improve your skin: Red light therapy can be effective even without using any skincare products. While adding products might speed up the results, you can still get noticeable improvements by just using the therapy.

• It naturally boosts collagen and smooths your skin: Red light therapy works by stimulating collagen and improving blood flow, which helps in reducing redness and making your skin look younger and smoother.

• It helps fix sun damage and reduces deep wrinkles by itself: Even without extra products, red light therapy has been proven to repair sun damage and minimize deep wrinkles, making your skin healthier and more elastic.

• Red light therapy makes sensitive skin stronger and less reactive: Red light therapy helps sensitive skin by strengthening its barrier, making it tougher against pollution, weather changes, and everyday irritation.

• Healthier skin starts when collagen and elastin get a boost: When red light therapy increases collagen and elastin, your skin naturally becomes better at fighting inflammation and staying calm.

• Red light therapy reduces redness and irritation without harsh treatments: If you struggle with redness or flare-ups, red light therapy calms the skin gently, without causing more sensitivity.