Red Light Therapy for Acne: Calm Breakouts & Aid Healing

About the author

Evelyn Reed, M.S.

Health Science EducatorCertified Wellness Coach

Evelyn Reed, M.S., is a Health Science Educator and Certified Wellness Coach specializing in evidence-based, at-home wellness solutions. With a Master's degree in Health Science, she focuses on translating complex scientific research on cellular health and light therapy into practical, accessible protocols. Evelyn is dedicated to empowering individuals to manage pain, improve sleep, and enhance skin vitality. Her science-first, empathetic approach makes her a trusted advocate for achieving long-term health goals.

Why Acne Breakouts Need a Gentler Approach

As a red light therapy wellness specialist, I meet people every week who are exhausted by breakouts and the harsh treatments that come with them. Acne is not just a cosmetic issue. It can be painful, unpredictable, and emotionally draining. A systematic review in the dermatology literature, indexed on the National Library of Medicine, describes acne as a multifactorial condition driven by excess oil production, clogged pores, the overgrowth of Cutibacterium acnes bacteria, and inflammation. That combination explains why breakouts often feel hot, swollen, and tender, and why they can leave long-lasting marks or scars.

Traditional acne treatments like topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, oral antibiotics, and isotretinoin can be very effective, but they are not always gentle. Dryness, peeling, burning, and medication side effects are common reasons people look for complementary, non-drug options. This is where red light therapy, when used correctly and realistically, can play a supportive role during active breakouts.

In this guide, I will walk you through how red light therapy works, what the science actually shows for acne, how to use it safely during flares, and where its strengths and limits truly lie.

Face with acne breakouts, illustrating gentle care for clogged pores, excess oil, and irritated skin.

What Red Light Therapy Is (And What It Is Not)

Red light therapy, often called photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy, uses specific wavelengths of visible red and near infrared light to influence how cells behave. Educational resources from Atria, Cleveland Clinic, and Everyday Health describe it as a non-invasive treatment that uses low levels of red light, typically in the range of about 620–700 nanometers for visible red and about 800–1,000 nanometers for near infrared. Unlike ultraviolet (UV) light, red light does not tan the skin or increase skin cancer risk when used appropriately.

Modern red light therapy grew out of research by NASA and medical centers studying plant growth and wound healing in astronauts. The core mechanism described by multiple sources, including Atria and Fuel Health Wellness, is that red and near infrared light are absorbed by an enzyme in the mitochondria called cytochrome c oxidase. This absorption appears to increase the production of ATP, the energy currency of the cell, and to shift cell behavior toward repair, reduced inflammation, and better resilience. Some research cited by Fuel Health Wellness reports around a 35 percent increase in ATP generation under red light exposure, which gives a sense of why cells can behave more energetically after treatment.

Stanford Medicine and Cleveland Clinic both emphasize that this type of therapy falls under photobiomodulation rather than destructive laser treatments. In photobiomodulation, doses are low and non-heating. The goal is to nudge biology toward healing, not to burn or ablate tissue.

It is equally important to clarify what red light therapy is not. It is not a miracle cure, it does not replace all standard acne care, and it does not destroy skin cancer or precancerous lesions when used alone. It should be viewed as a supportive, evidence-informed modality that works best alongside good skincare, appropriate medical treatment, and realistic expectations.

How Red Light Therapy Acts on Acne-Prone Skin

Calming Inflammation and Redness

Inflammation is at the heart of most troublesome acne breakouts. The redness, swelling, and tenderness you feel in papules, pustules, and cysts reflect an inflammatory response that has spun out of balance. Multiple reputable sources, including Cleveland Clinic, English Dermatology, and Infraredi, highlight red light therapy’s anti-inflammatory action as one of its key benefits for skin.

Red light appears to reduce inflammatory signaling molecules, improve local circulation, and decrease oxidative stress in the skin. Clinically, that often shows up as calmer, less angry-looking lesions and less overall redness in the surrounding tissue. In my practice, clients who are mid-breakout often describe a subtle but noticeable shift after several weeks of consistent red light: blemishes feel less hot and tender, the skin tone looks more even, and new lesions seem less dramatic even when they still occur.

Supporting Faster Healing and Less Scarring

Acne can be a dual injury: first the breakout, then the scar. Atria, Cleveland Clinic, and Recoverie all point to research showing that red light therapy can enhance tissue repair and wound healing. NASA’s early work and later clinical studies described by Recoverie found that red light could accelerate wound healing by about 50 percent in certain settings. Other analyses cited by BlockBlueLight report that light-based therapies can cut wound healing time roughly in half and improve inflammatory skin conditions.

For acne, that wound-healing support matters. When red light boosts collagen production and improves local blood flow, as documented by English Dermatology and Cleveland Clinic, healing lesions may close more cleanly with less risk of long-term texture changes. Infraredi and several dermatology sources note that red light therapy can help reduce the appearance of acne scars and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation by stimulating fibroblasts, the cells that make collagen and elastin, and by promoting more orderly tissue remodeling.

This does not mean red light erases every scar. Stanford Medicine stresses that red light tends to produce modest, measurable improvements rather than dramatic transformations. However, during an active breakout, supporting quicker, less inflammatory healing can make a meaningful difference in the marks your skin carries afterward.

Balancing Oil and Bacteria in Acne

Acne is driven in part by overactive sebaceous glands and the overgrowth of Cutibacterium acnes bacteria within clogged pores. Blue light therapy is better known for directly killing acne-causing bacteria, but emerging evidence suggests that red light can indirectly influence both oil production and the microenvironment in the skin.

Infraredi reports that red light therapy can reduce the activity of sebaceous glands and help regulate oil production, which in turn can decrease the likelihood of pores becoming clogged. Newest Beginnings notes that red light therapy has shown antimicrobial effects, particularly against acne-associated bacteria, as part of its broader role in modulating cellular processes and inflammation.

Mechanistically, the systematic review of visible light for acne vulgaris, available in full on the National Library of Medicine, points out that blue light primarily kills bacteria via porphyrin activation, while red light penetrates deeper toward sebaceous glands and exerts anti-inflammatory and photobiomodulatory effects. In practice, many dermatology clinics and device makers use combined blue and red light to simultaneously target bacteria and inflammation.

Supporting Emotional Well-Being During Breakouts

Although not always highlighted in clinical papers, the emotional component matters. Consistency is a major theme in guides from Rouge and BlockBlueLight, and in my day-to-day experience that consistency is easier when the treatment feels soothing instead of punishing.

Red light sessions are usually painless and described as gently warming or relaxing. Cleveland Clinic and several wellness resources emphasize that red light therapy is non-invasive and generally well tolerated, with minimal side effects when used properly. For someone already stressed by painful breakouts and aggressive medications, having a treatment that feels calming can reduce anxiety and improve adherence. That psychological comfort is not trivial; it often becomes the glue that keeps a holistic acne plan on track.

What the Science Shows for Acne and Red Light

Evidence from Visible Light Studies

The most detailed quantitative overview in your research notes comes from a PRISMA-guided systematic review of visible light therapy for acne, published between the late 1990s and 2023 and summarized via the National Library of Medicine. This review pooled data from 35 studies including 1,185 patients with an average age of about 23.7 years, most with mild to moderate facial acne.

The majority of patients received blue light alone or combined blue and red light, with a smaller portion treated with red light alone. Overall, about 91 percent of patients experienced partial resolution of acne lesions and 4 percent achieved complete clearance. Among partial responders, roughly 46 percent had up to 50 percent lesion reduction, 33 percent had 51 to 74 percent reduction, and 12 percent saw 75 to 99 percent reduction. Only about 3 percent showed no response and 2 percent worsened.

When the review looked more closely by light type, blue light alone produced partial resolution in 94 percent and complete clearance in 2 percent of patients, with mean lesion counts improving by about 43 percent at week four after approximately 19 sessions over six weeks. Combined blue and red light regimens led to about 89 percent partial and 9 percent complete resolution, with total lesion counts improving 17 percent at week two and inflammatory lesions improving around 49 percent by week four.

Red light as a stand-alone therapy accounted for a smaller share of the participants, so the quantitative data for red alone are more limited. However, the review authors concluded that visible light therapy, especially blue and blue plus red protocols, is an effective, well-tolerated, non-pharmacologic option for many people with mild to moderate acne, particularly those who wish to minimize systemic drugs.

Dermatology Clinic Experience with Blue and Red Light

Real-world clinic data mirror this. Schweiger Dermatology Group describes combined blue and red light therapy as a non-invasive option for mild to moderate acne and acne scarring. In one study they cite from the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, a combined blue and red light protocol over 12 weeks led to a 76 percent reduction in inflammatory acne lesions and a 60 percent reduction in non-inflammatory lesions. Blue light primarily killed P. acnes bacteria through porphyrin activation, while red light reduced inflammation, increased collagen and elastin production, and improved circulation to support healing and scar remodeling.

Healthline and the American Academy of Dermatology both frame visible light therapy as suitable mainly for mild to moderate inflammatory acne and emphasize that it improves, but does not permanently cure, acne. They also note that it tends not to work well for whiteheads, blackheads, or deep nodular acne and that multiple sessions are needed, often in the range of two to three sessions per week for four to six weeks, followed by occasional maintenance.

Interpreting This for Red Light During Breakouts

Taken together, the data suggest that red light is most effective for acne when it is part of a broader visible light or acne-care strategy. Blue light or blue plus red regimens have the most robust statistics for reducing lesion counts quickly by attacking bacteria and inflammation jointly. Red light alone appears to contribute more on the anti-inflammatory, healing, and scar-prevention side than as a direct bacteria-killing treatment.

From a practical standpoint, this means red light therapy during a breakout is best thought of as:

A way to calm inflammation, shorten the lifespan of individual lesions, and improve the quality of healing. A complementary tool that can make other therapies—like topical medications, professional blue light, or chemical peels—more tolerable by soothing skin and supporting repair. A long-term maintenance strategy to help keep skin calmer and more resilient between major flares.

This is consistent with the cautious stance taken by Cleveland Clinic and Stanford Medicine, which both acknowledge promising but still evolving evidence for red light’s skin and acne benefits and call for more high-quality randomized trials.

Scientific diagram: red light therapy for acne, reducing inflammation, boosting collagen, 78% improvement.

Red vs Blue vs Combination Light in Acne Care

To clarify how red light fits into the broader picture of light-based acne care, it helps to compare roles side by side.

Light type	Primary target in acne	Main benefits during breakouts	Key limitations
Blue light (around 407–420 nm)	Acne bacteria (C. acnes) and porphyrins in oil glands	Directly kills acne-causing bacteria, reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, improves inflammatory lesions within weeks	Less impact on deep nodules or scarring; may not help blackheads and whiteheads; requires multiple in-office sessions
Red light (around 620–700 nm)	Deeper skin layers and sebaceous glands	Calms inflammation, supports collagen and elastin production, improves circulation and healing, reduces redness and potentially scarring	Less direct antibacterial effect than blue light; evidence strongest as part of combination therapy or adjunctive care
Blue plus red combined	Bacteria plus inflammation and healing pathways	Targets bacteria while simultaneously reducing inflammation and supporting tissue repair; in some studies achieves around 76 percent reduction in inflammatory lesions	Typically requires clinic equipment or well-designed devices; cost and access can be limiting; still not a cure-all

This table highlights why red light alone is not usually a stand-alone acne cure, but why it is valuable during breakouts for calming, healing, and long-term skin health.

Using Red Light Therapy Safely During Acne Breakouts

At-Home Devices Versus In-Clinic Treatments

Cleveland Clinic and Everyday Health both note that red light therapy is available in two main settings: professional treatments in dermatology offices or medical clinics and at-home devices marketed for skin rejuvenation and acne.

Clinical devices used in hospitals and specialist practices, as Stanford Medicine points out, tend to be more powerful and precisely controlled. That can mean stronger effects but also requires trained professionals to manage dosing and safety.

At-home panels, masks, and handheld tools are generally less powerful and more variable but are convenient and often cost-effective over time. BlockBlueLight and several other consumer-focused articles argue that high-quality home panels can approach the benefits of spa devices when used consistently. Cost comparisons from Fuel Health Wellness and Healthline suggest that home devices in the range of about two hundred to two thousand dollars may cost less over time than repeated in-office sessions priced around forty to sixty dollars each.

Whichever route you choose, it is wise to prioritize FDA-cleared devices and evidence-based protocols, as recommended by Cleveland Clinic, Fuel Health Wellness, and Atria.

Practical Session Guidelines for Breakouts

Across multiple reputable sources, there is a consistent pattern of practical parameters for skin-focused red light therapy. Atria describes typical power densities in the range of about 20 to 100 milliwatts per square centimeter and recommends starting with about 5 to 10 minutes per area, three to five days per week. BlockBlueLight and Recoverie echo session lengths of about 10 to 20 minutes for facial treatments, with visible improvements often emerging over several weeks, especially when used two to three times per week.

Because red light follows a “Goldilocks” or biphasic dose response, highlighted by Atria, more is not always better. Too little light may have minimal effects, but excessively long or intense sessions may actually blunt benefits and increase short-term redness or tightness. This is why multiple sources, including Jacuzzi’s red light therapy guide, emphasize consistency over intensity. A common pattern I use with acne-prone clients during a breakout is to begin around three sessions per week for 10 minutes per face session, at a manufacturer-specified distance that often falls somewhere between about 6 and 24 inches from the device for panels or as directed for masks.

Two key safety practices repeatedly mentioned by Atria, Cleveland Clinic, and Rouge are exposing bare, clean skin and protecting your eyes. Clothing, sunscreen, and makeup containing SPF can significantly block red and near infrared light, so treatments should be done on freshly cleansed skin without SPF or heavy products. If your device shines directly toward your eyes, particularly higher-intensity panels, use the provided goggles or appropriate eye protection to shield the retina.

Preparing Your Skin and Routine

Solawave’s detailed guide to at-home red light skincare, along with Cleveland Clinic’s and Healthline’s pre-treatment recommendations, share several practical points that apply during acne flares. Before a session, cleanse your skin gently to remove makeup, oil, and debris. Avoid harsh scrubs or aggressive exfoliants immediately beforehand, especially if your skin is already irritated from breakouts or medications.

Some at-home systems, such as those described by Solawave, pair red light with specially formulated serums or creams designed to enhance results. If you use those, they should be specifically tested and recommended for use under light therapy. Otherwise, most people with acne-prone skin do best with a clean, dry face before treatment to maximize light penetration and reduce the risk of ingredient interactions.

Aftercare When Your Skin Is Inflamed

Aftercare matters even more when your skin is already sensitive from acne. Zap Laser’s guidance on post-red-light skincare and Healthline’s instructions after professional light therapy both emphasize gentle, soothing care in the first 24 hours after treatment.

Immediately after a session, your skin may look slightly pink or feel warm. If you experience irritation, calm the area with simple options such as aloe gel or a cool compress. For at least a day, favor non-comedogenic, fragrance-free moisturizers and avoid adding strong acids, retinoids, or alcohol-based toners. Healthline also recommends pausing harsh exfoliants and topical vitamin A products for several days after intense professional light treatment.

Daily sun protection remains essential. Both Zap Laser and Cleveland Clinic stress broad-spectrum sunscreen as non-negotiable, because newly energized, healing tissue is more vulnerable to UV damage. Even though red light therapy itself does not use UV, going outside afterward without protection could slow your progress and increase the risk of hyperpigmentation.

Man using red light therapy safely on face for acne breakouts, with safety tips listed.

Pros and Cons of Red Light Therapy During Breakouts

Because marketing often oversells red light therapy, it is helpful to weigh its advantages and drawbacks clearly.

Aspect	Benefits during acne breakouts	Potential drawbacks or limits
Comfort	Non-invasive, painless, usually experienced as warm and relaxing; suitable for sensitive skin when dosed appropriately	Overuse or very intense devices can cause temporary redness, dryness, or discomfort, especially on medicated skin
Inflammation and redness	Multiple sources report reduced redness and swelling and calmer lesions; supports better tolerance to other treatments	Not a quick “overnight” fix; several weeks of consistent use are typically needed for visible improvement
Healing and scarring	Supports collagen and elastin production and circulation, which can improve healing quality and reduce long-term marks	Cannot fully reverse deep, longstanding scars; may offer modest rather than dramatic scar changes
Compatibility with other treatments	Can be combined with topical or oral medications and with blue light, as noted by Newest Beginnings, Healthline, and Schweiger Dermatology Group	Needs medical guidance when used alongside photosensitizing drugs or aggressive procedures to avoid irritation
Home use and accessibility	At-home devices provide convenience, privacy, and potential long-term cost savings compared with clinic sessions	Device quality varies widely; less powerful devices may give subtle results and may tempt users to overdo duration
Evidence base	Supported by clinical studies and reviews showing meaningful improvements in acne when used especially in combination with blue light	Research is still evolving; Cleveland Clinic and Stanford Medicine emphasize that many studies are small, heterogeneous, and more high-quality trials are needed

When I counsel clients, I frame red light therapy as a gentle, helpful teammate in their acne plan, not the star player that replaces everything else. Used that way, its benefits are much easier to appreciate.

Who Should Be Cautious or Avoid Red Light Therapy

Most reputable sources, including Cleveland Clinic, Fuel Health Wellness, and Healthline, agree that properly used red light therapy has a favorable safety profile. It is non-ionizing, non-UV, non-invasive, and generally low risk when manufacturer instructions are followed. However, it is not automatically appropriate for everyone.

Cleveland Clinic and Fuel Health Wellness advise consulting a dermatologist or qualified healthcare professional before starting red light therapy if you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or take medications that increase photosensitivity, such as certain antibiotics or neurologic drugs. Healthline specifically notes that people who are pregnant or possibly pregnant, those with extreme photosensitivity, and some individuals on particular medications should avoid visible light acne therapy altogether or use it only under close medical supervision.

Fuel Health Wellness and Atria recommend avoiding red light treatment directly over known cancerous lesions or in people with certain photosensitive neurological conditions unless a specialist explicitly approves it. Eye protection is especially important for anyone with eye disease or a history of light sensitivity, because even though red light is not UV, long unprotected exposure near the eyes can still be uncomfortable or risky.

These cautions are not meant to frighten you, but to underscore that “natural” or “non-invasive” does not mean “suitable for absolutely everyone in every circumstance.”

Red light therapy cautions: pregnant individuals, photosensitive skin, photosensitizing medications.

A Practical Routine: Integrating Red Light Into Acne Care

During active breakouts, the best routine is the one you can maintain. Here is how I typically guide acne-prone clients to fold red light therapy into a realistic skincare plan, using patterns echoed by Cleveland Clinic, Healthline, Atria, and consumer guides.

Begin in the evening or at a time of day when you can be consistent. Cleanse your face gently to remove makeup, sweat, and excess oil, using a non-stripping cleanser appropriate for acne-prone skin. Pat dry with a clean towel rather than scrubbing. If you use prescription topicals that can irritate skin, such as retinoids or benzoyl peroxide, check with your dermatologist about whether to apply them before or after light therapy or on alternate nights. Many clinicians prefer light therapy on clean, product-free skin to maximize penetration and minimize interactions.

Position your red light device at the distance specified in its manual. For panels, Atria and Rouge suggest that about 12 to 36 inches from the panel is typical for general skin goals, while closer distances may be used for deeper tissues. Masks and handheld devices are usually already optimized for an appropriate working distance, so follow the brand’s timing and distance instructions closely. Protect your eyes with goggles if your device is bright or if you are especially light-sensitive.

Allow the device to run for the recommended time, which, across many sources, tends to be about 10 to 20 minutes for the face. Notice how your skin feels. A mild warmth or relaxed sensation is normal; burning or stinging is not. When the treatment ends, you can apply a simple, non-comedogenic moisturizer and, if your dermatologist has approved, your prescribed acne products.

In the morning after evening light sessions, cleanse gently again, apply your acne medications as directed, and finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect healing skin from UV damage. If your red light device also includes blue wavelengths, Atria and Rouge both suggest using such combination or blue-inclusive devices in the morning or afternoon rather than right before bed, to minimize possible effects on circadian rhythms.

As for frequency, a pattern of three sessions per week for several weeks is a reasonable starting point during a breakout, with possible progression to more frequent use as your skin tolerates it. Healthline notes that clinical visible light protocols often involve two to three sessions per week for four to six weeks, followed by less frequent maintenance. Jacuzzi’s overview and Rouge’s home-use advice agree that daily use can be acceptable at modest doses, but long “catch-up” sessions are not beneficial.

Throughout this process, listen carefully to your skin. If redness, peeling, or sensitivity worsen significantly, reduce session length or frequency and check in with your dermatologist or health provider.

Frequently Asked Questions About Red Light Therapy During Breakouts

Can I use red light therapy during a severe cystic acne flare?

Red light therapy can help reduce inflammation and support healing even in deeper, cystic lesions, and Infraredi notes potential benefits for cystic acne specifically. However, cystic acne is more complex and often requires systemic treatment or more intensive dermatologic care. In this situation, I never recommend relying on red light alone. Instead, it can be a gentle adjunct to prescription therapies prescribed by your dermatologist, offering comfort and possibly improving the quality of healing, but your primary treatment decisions should be guided by a medical professional.

How long does it take to see results from red light on acne?

Infraredi reports that many users notice improvement in about four to six weeks of consistent use, and Recoverie describes acne and redness improvements commonly appearing within two to four weeks, with collagen-related changes emerging over one to three months. The visible light systematic review also found that meaningful reductions in lesion counts often appear by week four in clinical protocols. In practice, I encourage clients to commit to at least six to eight weeks of regular, well-dosed use before deciding whether red light therapy is helping their acne.

Can red light replace my prescription acne medications?

Cleveland Clinic and the American Academy of Dermatology caution that while light-based treatments can be helpful, they are not a substitute for well-studied topical or oral therapies in many cases, especially for moderate to severe acne. The best outcomes often come from integrating red light therapy into a comprehensive plan that may include medications, lifestyle changes, and professional procedures. If you are hoping to reduce or simplify your medication regimen, that conversation should always happen with your prescribing dermatologist, using your responses to red light therapy as one piece of data among many.

Is at-home red light therapy “good enough” compared with clinic devices?

Everyday Health and Cleveland Clinic point out that at-home devices are generally less powerful than clinic-based systems, which can make results subtler or slower. That said, BlockBlueLight and other sources highlight that high-quality home devices can deliver clinically meaningful doses, especially when used consistently over time. In my experience, at-home panels and masks work best for ongoing maintenance and for people who are motivated to build a routine, while in-clinic systems are helpful for jump-starting progress or for more complex cases under close supervision. Device quality, adherence, and realistic expectations matter more than the marketing language on the box.

A Compassionate Closing

Acne breakouts can make you feel as if your skin is working against you. Red light therapy, when chosen wisely and used with care, is one of the few tools that can support your skin’s healing without asking you to endure more pain, peeling, or harshness. The science is encouraging but honest about its limits, and the best results come when red light is woven into a thoughtful, dermatologist-guided plan rather than used in isolation.

If you are navigating breakouts and considering red light therapy, take a breath, get clear guidance from a qualified professional, and give your skin time to respond. With patience, consistency, and the right support, it is entirely possible to calm active flares, protect your future skin, and feel more at home in your own face again.