Red light therapy is everywhere right now, but what’s real and what’s just really good marketing? In this episode, we review the evidence, address common misconceptions, and rank the top eleven at-home devices to help guide informed, evidence-based use.

For wonderings, musings, or just a quick hello, feel free to reach out: drhart@hartfamilymedicine.com

Straight Facts:

• Guo Z, Yuan K. The application of light emitting diode (LED) in cosmetic dermatology. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2025;41(5):e70041. doi:10.1111/phpp.70041
• Park SH, Park SO, Jung JA. Clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of home-used LED and IRED mask for crow’s feet: a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2025;104(7):e41596. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000041596
• Arranz-Paraíso D, Sola Y, Baeza-Moyano D, et al. Mitochondria and light: an overview of the pathways triggered in skin and retina with incident infrared radiation. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2022.
• Mineroff J, Austin E, Jagdeo J. Cutaneous effects of photobiomodulation with 1072 nm light. Arch Dermatol Res. 2023.
• Li WH, Seo I, Kim B, et al. Low-level red plus near infrared lights combination induces expressions of collagen and elastin in human skin in vitro. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2021.
• Cohen M, Austin E, Masub N, et al. Home-based devices in dermatology: a systematic review of safety and efficacy. Arch Dermatol Res. 2022;314(3):239-246. doi:10.1007/s00403-021-02231-0
• Maghfour J, Ozog DM, Mineroff J, et al. Photobiomodulation CME Part I: overview and mechanism of action. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024;91(5):793-802. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2023.10.073
• Bragato EF, Pires JA, Momolli M, et al. Comparison of the effects of 2 frequencies of application of photobiomodulation on facial rejuvenation: controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023;102(5):e32514. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000032514
• Bragato EF, Paisano AF, Pavani C, et al. Role of photobiomodulation application frequency in facial rejuvenation: randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Lasers Med Sci. 2025;40(1):170. doi:10.1007/s10103-025-04383-1
• Gutiérrez-Menéndez A, Marcos-Nistal M, Méndez M, Arias JL. Photobiomodulation as a promising new tool in the management of psychological disorders: a systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020.
• Ji Q, Yan S, Ding J, et al. Photobiomodulation improves depression symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front Psychiatry. 2024.
• Papageorgiou P, Katsambas A, Chu A. Phototherapy with blue (415 nm) and red (660 nm) light in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Br J Dermatol. 2000.
• Li J, Li J, Zhang L, et al. Comparison of red light and blue light therapies for mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized controlled clinical study. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2022.
• Wilkerson EC, Van Acker MM, Bloom BS, Goldberg DJ. Utilization of laser therapy during pregnancy: a systematic review of the maternal and fetal effects reported from 1960 to 2017. Dermatol Surg. 2019.
• Sharma AN, Kincaid CM, Mesinkovska NA. The burden of melasma: race, ethnicity, and comorbidities. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024.
• Tähkämö L, Partonen T, Pesonen AK. Systematic review of light exposure impact on human circadian rhythm. Chronobiol Int. 2019.
• Knutson KL, Dixon DD, Grandner MA, et al. Role of circadian health in cardiometabolic health and disease risk: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2025.
• Pan R, Zhang G, Deng F, Lin W, Pan J. Effects of red light on sleep and mood in healthy subjects and individuals with insomnia disorder. Front Psychiatry. 2023.
• Lee YI, Lee E, Nam KH, et al. The use of a light-emitting diode device for neck rejuvenation and its safety on thyroid glands. J Clin Med. 2021.