25 Things You Can Use with Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy has grown popular for improving skin, relieving pain, and boosting overall wellness. From reducing wrinkles to easing joint stiffness, this therapy can help many parts of your body. 

In this guide, we explore 25 ways you can use red light therapy at home or in the clinic for visible, lasting benefits.

• Target Multiple Areas: You can use red light therapy on your face, body, joints, and even scalp for varied benefits.
  
  

• Boost Skin Health: It helps reduce wrinkles, fine lines, scars, and stretch marks by stimulating collagen and cell repair.
  
  

• Ease Pain and Inflammation: Red light can relieve joint, muscle, and tendon pain, supporting faster recovery.
  
  

• Support Hair and Oral Health: You can improve hair growth and gum health with consistent red light sessions.
  
  

• Promote Wellness and Relaxation: Regular use may improve circulation, calm inflammation, and enhance overall relaxation.

Red light on the face boosts anti-aging by energizing your cells, its wavelengths help mitochondria make more ATP, improve cell signaling, and reduce oxidative stress, which together support smoother, firmer skin. 

According to Skin Research and Technology, one study using a 630 nm LED mask twice weekly for three months showed progressive improvements in wrinkles, elasticity, and overall skin quality, confirming red light’s rejuvenating potential.

Red light therapy can help rejuvenate the delicate skin on your neck and décolletage by stimulating collagen production and improving skin texture, which may reduce fine lines and sagging over time. 

Essentially, the light penetrates the skin, energizing cells to repair and regenerate themselves naturally. 

A 2022 study found that participants using a home LED neck device showed noticeable wrinkle improvement and safe results after 12 weeks. 

Another study confirmed that non-thermal light therapy boosts collagen density and smooths skin, making it a gentle yet effective option for neck care.

Red light therapy works by stimulating your cells to produce more energy, boosting collagen, reducing inflammation, and fighting oxidative stress, all key for healthier, younger-looking skin. 

Essentially, it energizes the skin at a cellular level, helping repair damage and smooth fine lines. A study on women using a red LED mask twice a week for three months showed significant improvements in wrinkle depth, skin firmness, and overall texture. 

Another study on skin cells and wounds found that LED therapy reduces inflammation and enhances antioxidant activity, speeding up skin healing and rejuvenation.

Red light therapy on the scalp can stimulate hair growth by boosting the activity of hair follicles and slowing down the hair cycle’s shift from growth to rest. 

Essentially, the light energizes the cells in follicles, helping them grow thicker, stronger strands. One study using 650-nm red light found it encouraged human hair follicles to proliferate and stay in the growth phase longer. 

Another clinical trial showed that men with androgenetic alopecia experienced a 35–39% increase in hair counts after consistent red light therapy, proving its real-world effectiveness.

Red light therapy can help relieve back muscle pain by using red or near-infrared light to penetrate deep into the muscle tissue, stimulating cellular repair and reducing inflammation. 

This process helps decrease muscle soreness, improve circulation, and promote faster recovery after strain or injury. 

Research shows that photobiomodulation therapy, applied via lasers or LED devices, reduces pain intensity in conditions like low back pain, fibromyalgia, and other musculoskeletal issues. 

Another study found that red light therapy can also lower inflammation and oxidative stress in muscles, supporting recovery and even enhancing muscle performance over time.

If your knees ache from everyday wear and tear, red light therapy might be worth a try. By stimulating the mitochondria in your cells, it helps boost tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and ease joint pain. 

A study on elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis found that self-applied red light for 15 minutes twice a day cut pain by over 50% and improved function in just 10 days. 

Another review highlighted that this therapy supports cartilage regeneration and reduces synovitis, making it a safe, non-invasive option for knee discomfort.

Red light therapy can reduce shoulder stiffness and improve mobility by boosting blood flow and stimulating muscles and tissues. 

Most people notice improvement after a few sessions, with best results from consistent use. Place the light directly on the shoulder at the recommended distance, 3–5 times a week, for steady progress.

Red light therapy can help reduce inflammation in elbows by gently stimulating cells to function better. 

When light penetrates the skin, it energizes mitochondria, increases ATP, and modulates calcium and nitric oxide levels, basically giving your cells a little boost to calm inflammation and promote healing. 

Research has shown that this approach, also called photobiomodulation (PBM), lowers inflammatory markers in joints and supports tissue repair. 

A review on arthritis treatment found that PBM effectively eased joint inflammation and improved function, making it a promising option for conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Red light therapy can help with tendon issues in the wrists by promoting the natural repair process of damaged tissue. 

It works by stimulating cellular activity, increasing blood flow, and reducing inflammation, which together speed up healing. 

In the early phase, it encourages new blood vessel growth, while later it boosts collagen production and supports tissue remodeling. 

Studies support this effect: research shows low-level laser therapy aids tendon repair by acting on all stages of healing, and photobiomodulation combined with exercise can significantly reduce pain and improve function in tendinopathy patients.

Red light therapy can help reduce swelling in your ankles by stimulating cellular repair and calming inflammation. 

The light penetrates the skin, boosting energy production in your cells and improving blood flow, which helps your tissues recover faster. 

For example, according to the American Institute of Mathematical Sciences, studies show photobiomodulation can lower inflammatory markers and oxidative stress in injured joints, supporting faster healing and less discomfort.

Red light therapy on legs can improve circulation by stimulating the release of nitric oxide, a natural compound that relaxes blood vessels and boosts blood flow. 

According to a study in Frontiers in Physiology, 670 nm red light increased leg blood flow in mice, even in restricted arteries, showing promise as a simple home-based circulation aid.

Red light therapy can help relieve plantar fasciitis pain and inflammation. Use a device with wavelengths of 630–660 nm for 10–15 minutes per session, several times a week, to support healing and improve mobility.

Red light therapy can help reduce arthritis pain by using near-infrared light to calm inflammation in your joints. 

This light triggers a natural response in cells, helping them function better and easing stiffness. 

For example, according to the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, studies show photobiomodulation can improve joint function and reduce inflammation in arthritis, making daily movements more comfortable and less painful.

Red light therapy can help tighten the skin on your abdomen by stimulating collagen production and improving overall skin texture. 

When the red light penetrates the skin, it encourages the cells to produce more collagen and elastin, which are essential for firmer, smoother skin. 

Over time, this process can reduce sagging and improve skin tone, giving your abdomen a tighter, more youthful appearance. 

According to a study published in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, participants treated with polychromatic light experienced significant improvements in collagen density, skin roughness, and overall skin feeling after 30 sessions, confirming that light therapy can safely and effectively enhance skin firmness.

Red light therapy can reduce the appearance of new and old stretch marks by stimulating collagen and improving skin elasticity. 

New stretch marks respond faster, while older ones may take weeks to improve. It works on both raised and flat marks, and regular use may help prevent new ones. Sessions are generally safe, with minimal side effects like slight redness.

Red light therapy can help scars heal by improving how skin cells behave during the recovery process. 

When skin is injured, certain signals like STAT3 control cell growth and inflammation, too much can worsen scarring. 

Red light gently activates the PI3Kβ/STAT3 pathway, promoting healthy cell growth and faster wound closure while reducing excessive scar formation. 

Clinical studies also show that LED red light applied after surgery is safe and may improve scar appearance, softness, and overall texture. 

This makes red light therapy a promising, non-invasive way to support smoother, healthier-looking skin after injury.

If you’re struggling with stubborn acne, red light therapy might be a game-changer. This treatment works by calming inflammation, reducing oil production, and targeting the bacteria that cause breakouts, helping your skin heal faster and look clearer. 

A review of light and laser therapies found these methods to be safe, effective, and often used alongside other treatments to boost results. 

In one study, people with mild to moderate acne saw a significant reduction in lesions after just 12 sessions of red light therapy, proving its powerful benefits for acne-prone skin.

Red light therapy can help manage eczema and psoriasis by reducing flare-ups, calming inflammation, and easing itchiness. 

Consistent use, usually a few times a week, can fade redness and support skin healing. Most users experience no serious side effects, though mild warmth or temporary irritation may occur.

Red light therapy can help your gums stay healthier by gently stimulating cells in your oral cavity to repair and regenerate. 

For example, a study on 32 orthodontic patients found that using low-power red and near-infrared light on the gums twice a week for four weeks not only sped up tooth movement but also lowered the incidence of gum swelling compared to a control group. 

According to Lasers in Medical Science, this type of therapy encourages better gum health by improving cellular activity and reducing inflammation, making your smile healthier over time.

Red light therapy can help reduce under-eye dark circles by stimulating collagen production, improving skin texture, and boosting circulation in the delicate under-eye area. 

According to a study in Archives of Dermatological Research, participants using a red and near-infrared LED device reported noticeable improvements in wrinkles, texture, pigmentation, and dark circles, all with high comfort and no serious side effects.

Red light therapy works on fine lines by stimulating the cells in your lips to produce more energy, boosting collagen, and reducing oxidative stress. 

Essentially, it encourages your skin to repair itself from within, making lips appear smoother and plumper over time. 

A clinical study on facial skin using a 630 nm red LED mask found noticeable improvements in wrinkle depth, firmness, and overall skin quality after three months. 

Another research with polychromatic light confirmed red light alone safely increases collagen and enhances skin texture, proving it’s effective for subtle lip rejuvenation.

Red light therapy on the chest works by stimulating fibroblast cells in the skin, which are responsible for producing collagen and elastin, two proteins that keep skin firm and youthful. 

When these cells absorb red and near-infrared light, their energy production increases, boosting collagen synthesis and improving skin texture. 

One study found that low-level red plus near-IR light significantly increased collagen and elastin production in human skin cells. 

Another clinical trial reported improved skin appearance and measurable increases in collagen density after red light therapy. These findings suggest red light therapy can effectively enhance chest skin rejuvenation.

Red light therapy can help post-surgery recovery by reducing pain, inflammation, and scarring in the treated area. 

The therapy works by stimulating cellular activity, improving blood flow, and modulating collagen production, which supports faster healing and softer, less noticeable scars. 

For example, a phase II clinical trial found that LED red light applied to surgical incisions improved scar pliability and reduced induration over six months, with minimal side effects. 

Another review of low-level laser therapy showed it can effectively reduce post-surgical pain across various procedures. This makes red light therapy a gentle, supportive tool for recovery.

Red light therapy can be a game-changer for sports injuries by reducing pain, easing muscle tension, and speeding up tissue repair. 

The light penetrates deep into muscles and joints, boosting blood flow and helping damaged cells recover faster. 

A 2015 pilot study on university athletes found that 830 nm LED therapy cut recovery time nearly in half, from 19 days down to just 9.6 days, while also relieving pain. 

Another review showed that red and near-infrared light can decrease inflammation and oxidative stress, helping muscles heal and perform better.

Red light therapy can support relaxation by providing gentle warmth that helps the body unwind. It may reduce daily stress by calming the mind and loosening tense muscles. 

Many people report better sleep because the light encourages the body to slow down at night. Sessions typically last 10–20 minutes and can be done in the morning or evening. Most users notice the relaxing effects within a few minutes, which supports consistent use.

Yes, you should wear goggles or eye protection during red light therapy, especially with high-intensity or full-body devices. Even with eyes closed, the light can penetrate your eyelids and cause strain or discomfort. Follow the device instructions, protect sensitive eyes, consult a professional for existing conditions, and always use goggles for children to ensure safety and comfort.

For home-use light therapy, choose the wavelength based on your goal. Use blue light (415–470 nm) for acne, red light (630–680 nm) for skin rejuvenation, and near-infrared (800–880 nm) for deep tissue pain or healing. Look for devices with 5–40 mW/cm² intensity, follow manufacturer instructions, and ensure the device is FDA-cleared. Consult a professional for specific conditions before use.

If you use professional red light therapy, you get stronger, deeper, and more precise treatments that produce faster, more visible results under expert supervision. At-home devices can still help, but they are less powerful, penetrate less deeply, and require longer, consistent use to see subtle improvements. You are responsible for correct use, safety, and maintenance to get the best outcomes.