Red Light Therapy & Sunburn: Is It Safe in Summer?

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.

Summer sun and at-home red light therapy devices often live in the same bathroom cabinet now. It is completely understandable to wonder whether turning on a red light panel after a beach day will soothe your skin or quietly make a fresh sunburn worse. As a red light therapy–focused wellness advocate, I want to walk through this question in a way that stays grounded in what dermatology and public health experts actually say about sunburn, while being honest about what is still unknown.

The key point upfront is that mainstream medical sources from organizations such as Mayo Clinic, Yale Medicine, the Skin Cancer Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the American Academy of Dermatology focus on three pillars for sunburn: stopping further ultraviolet exposure, cooling and calming the skin, and preventing complications like infection and dehydration. None of them currently list red light therapy as a standard treatment for sunburn. That does not automatically make red light dangerous in this context, but it does mean you should treat it as an optional extra, not a replacement for proven care.

What Really Happens In A Sunburn

Sunburn is not just “a little too much color.” It is a true skin injury. Several medical sources describe the same underlying process: ultraviolet radiation from the sun (specifically UVA and UVB rays) penetrates exposed skin, overwhelms your natural pigment melanin, and damages DNA inside skin cells. Good Samaritan–style health guidance and academic medical centers explain that this DNA damage triggers inflammation, cell death, redness, warmth, and pain that can appear within about an hour but often worsens over several hours.

Johns Hopkins and other dermatology experts highlight that UVB rays are especially responsible for burning and skin cancer, while UVA penetrates deeper, drives skin aging, and amplifies UVB’s harm. Even a tan is described as the skin’s injury response, not a sign of health. When the damage exceeds what melanin can buffer, you see sunburn.

The injury is not just skin deep. Sunburn pulls fluid toward the skin’s surface for healing, which increases dehydration risk, and severe burns can provoke systemic reactions sometimes called “sun poisoning,” with symptoms like fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, and profound fatigue. Several hospital systems note that repeated or severe sunburns accelerate visible aging, cause precancerous lesions, and increase lifetime risk of skin cancers, including melanoma. Some sources note that even a single severe burn every couple of years can dramatically raise melanoma risk, and that having several sunburns in a lifetime may double it.

That is why expert sources across dermatology and public health emphasize that the best sunburn treatment is prevention, and that once a burn has happened, you cannot “undo” the underlying DNA damage. Treatment focuses on comfort, protecting the fragile barrier, and avoiding additional injury while your body repairs the damage over days to weeks.

When you compare guidance from places like Mayo Clinic, Yale Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, the Skin Cancer Foundation, large health systems, and national agencies, the core recommendations are remarkably consistent.

They all agree that the first step is to get out of the sun right away. Going indoors or at least into deep shade stops additional ultraviolet damage. For symptom relief, they recommend cool, not ice-cold, water. Short cool showers or baths, or cool damp compresses, help bring skin temperature down and ease inflammation. Several sources explicitly warn against applying ice packs directly to sunburned skin because extreme cold can cause a different kind of injury and worsen tissue damage; if ice is used, it should be wrapped in a cloth.

Next comes gentle skin care. Clinical guidance recommends avoiding harsh soaps, scrubs, and any exfoliation, because they further irritate already inflamed tissue. After bathing, you gently pat the skin dry and leave it slightly damp, then apply a light, fragrance-free moisturizer or gel. Many reputable sources single out aloe vera and soy-based lotions or gels as helpful because of their soothing, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties. Fresh or pure aloe vera is often preferred. Several dermatology-linked articles caution against petroleum-based products early on, because they can trap heat against the skin and make the burn feel worse.

For pain and swelling, over-the-counter oral anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen or naproxen are widely recommended when appropriate for the individual. Some sources add that a low-strength hydrocortisone cream may further calm itching and redness on small areas. At the same time, multiple expert sources advise avoiding topical anesthetics like benzocaine or lidocaine on sunburned skin because they offer limited benefit, may irritate the skin, and in rare cases can cause serious systemic reactions.

Hydration and clothing are also emphasized. Because burns pull fluid to the skin’s surface, every major source advises drinking extra water for at least the next day or two to reduce dehydration risk. Wearing loose, soft, breathable clothing made from natural fibers like cotton or linen helps minimize friction and allows air flow so the burned skin does not feel scraped or suffocated.

Finally, these organizations are very clear about when to seek medical care: extensive blistering, burns covering large areas, fever above 104°F, chills, nausea, vomiting, confusion, signs of infection such as pus or spreading redness, intense pain, or symptoms that are not improving within a few days. Young children, older adults, and people with fair or sensitive skin are urged to seek care sooner because they are at higher risk of complications.

Here is a quick comparison of what several well-known organizations emphasize, based on the sunburn and sun-safety materials summarized in the research:

Source or Organization	Main Themes For Sunburn Care And Prevention
Mayo Clinic–style first aid resources	Immediate shade, cool water, gentle moisturizers with aloe or soy, oral anti-inflammatory medicine, extra fluids, avoiding petroleum products and benzocaine, and prompt care for severe burns or systemic symptoms.
Yale Medicine and similar academic centers	Quick removal from sun, short cool baths or showers, light aloe or soy-based lotions, cool compresses, judicious use of hydrocortisone and NSAIDs, and strict sun avoidance until fully healed.
Cleveland Clinic and large hospital systems	Home care for mild burns; warning against direct ice, alcohol-containing creams, and anesthetic gels; strong emphasis on hydration, loose clothing, and medical evaluation for suspected sun poisoning.
Skin Cancer Foundation and cancer-focused groups	Prevention as top priority with broad-spectrum sunscreen, protective clothing, and shade; guidance that childhood and young-adult burns substantially increase later skin cancer risk; cautious symptomatic care after burns.

Notice what is missing from all of these: none of these mainstream, evidence-based guidelines highlight red light therapy as a standard part of sunburn treatment.

Where Red Light Therapy Actually Fits

Red light therapy devices are designed to emit specific wavelengths of visible red and often near-infrared light. They do not emit ultraviolet rays, which are the parts of the spectrum that cause sunburn. That alone is important: a properly designed red light panel is not delivering the same type of radiation that caused the injury in the first place.

Research on red and near-infrared light has explored potential benefits for wound healing, joint pain, certain skin conditions, and general skin appearance. These studies suggest that, under controlled conditions, red light can influence cellular energy production and inflammatory signaling. However, high-quality human studies specifically looking at acute sunburn as the target condition remain limited. Major sunburn and sun safety guidelines from dermatology and public health organizations simply do not address red light therapy, either positively or negatively.

That means we do not yet have the kind of large, clear, clinical evidence you see for basic sunburn care measures like cool water, moisturizers, oral anti-inflammatory medicine, and hydration. For you as a real person with a painful burn, it is important to treat red light as a possible adjunct tool, not as a proven cure.

Red light therapy benefits: skincare, pain relief, sleep improvement, and energy boost.

Could Red Light Therapy Worsen A Sunburn?

This is the heart of the question.

From the perspective of sunburn biology, several well-established factors reliably worsen a burn or at least make it feel worse. Expert sources highlight additional ultraviolet exposure, trapped heat, harsh chemicals, mechanical trauma, and dehydration. They also warn against extreme cold directly on the skin. On the other hand, they favor gentle cooling, non-occlusive moisture, and minimizing friction.

Thinking through those themes helps us reason about red light therapy.

Because red light panels do not emit ultraviolet radiation, they are not going to deepen the underlying UV damage in the way more sun or a tanning bed would. In that sense, red light is in a different category from “just stay in the sun longer.” That is reassuring.

However, many at-home red light devices do generate mild warmth on the skin. On a piece of skin that is already hot, inflamed, and sometimes blistered, adding more heat or concentrating light energy could, at least temporarily, increase discomfort. Several of the sources summarized here caution that products or practices which trap heat, such as petrolatum-based ointments or hot baths, can make a burn feel worse. By analogy, using any device that noticeably heats up freshly burned skin during the first, intensely inflamed phase is not aligned with the cooling, de-escalation approach recommended by dermatology organizations.

There is another layer to consider. Burned skin has a damaged barrier. Multiple guidelines warn against irritating ingredients, strong fragrances, scrubs, and chemicals that might be tolerated on healthy skin. Even if a red light panel itself is non-contact, using it often goes hand-in-hand with gels, lotions, or pre-treatment products. If those are fragranced, occlusive, or not designed for compromised skin, they can easily aggravate a burn.

Based on the combination of well-documented sunburn biology and the absence of strong evidence for red light in acute sunburn, the cautious conclusion is this: a gentle red light device used later in the healing process is unlikely to worsen the underlying damage, but using red light on a very fresh, hot, painful, or blistered sunburn carries a real risk of extra heat and irritation without proven benefit. In that early window, the safer, evidence-based choice is to stick with cooling, soothing, and hydration.

Practical Guidelines For Using Red Light Therapy Around Sun Exposure

You might already own a red light therapy panel or handheld device and feel better with regular use for other concerns. The goal in summer is to integrate that tool in a way that respects your skin’s biology and what medical experts currently recommend.

During The First Day Or Two After A Burn

In the first twelve to forty-eight hours after a significant sunburn, trusted sources from Mayo Clinic, Yale Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, and others consistently emphasize three priorities: stop UV exposure, cool the skin, and support the barrier. None of them include bright lights or energy-based devices in that acute phase.

During that time, it is most prudent to skip red light therapy completely on the burned area. Focus instead on steps that have clear backing: get indoors or into deep shade as soon as you notice redness or stinging, use short cool showers or baths or cool, damp compresses to reduce heat, apply light moisturizers or gels containing aloe or soy while the skin is still slightly damp, take an appropriate oral anti-inflammatory medicine if you can use those safely, and drink more water than usual.

Avoid anything that can trap heat or irritate skin, including thick petroleum-based ointments, alcohol-containing products, strong essential oils, and topical anesthetics like benzocaine unless specifically directed by a clinician. Protect the area with loose, breathable clothing and stay out of the sun entirely until the worst tenderness subsides.

After The Heat And Tenderness Have Settled

Once the burn is no longer hot to the touch, the intense redness is fading, and your skin feels more tight and dry than fiery and painful, you are entering the later healing phase. Often this is when peeling starts. Several dermatology and skin cancer sources describe this as the body literally shedding damaged cells.

At this stage, red light therapy is less likely to worsen the injury if used conservatively. If you choose to include it, there are several common-sense precautions that align with mainstream sunburn guidance even though they are not formally codified for red light:

Begin by treating moisturization and barrier support as your foundation. Continue with gentle, fragrance-free creams or gels and adequate oral hydration. That aligns squarely with what dermatology organizations recommend for this phase.

If you add red light, start with shorter sessions than you would normally use on healthy skin and with greater distance from the device so the skin does not feel hot. Never use red light over open blisters, areas that are weeping or crusted, or skin that still feels intensely sore to the lightest touch. These situations fit the category where expert guidance would often suggest medical evaluation rather than home experimentation.

Pay attention to how your skin feels during and after each session. If redness deepens, stinging increases, or the area throbs more, stop and return to simple moisturizing, cool compresses, and rest. Do not layer new active topicals, exfoliants, or retinoids on sunburned skin at the same time as red light; several skin care sources in the research emphasize pausing exfoliants and makeup after facial sunburn to allow the skin to recover.

Device Safety Basics In Summer

Safe red light use around sun exposure includes several broader habits that matter whether or not you have a sunburn. Even though these points are not spelled out specifically for red light in the sunburn articles, they mirror overall sun-safety recommendations from dermatology, cancer, and public health organizations.

Do not use red light therapy as a reason to spend more time in the sun. The Environmental Protection Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and cancer-focused organizations are very clear that there is no safe “base tan,” and that skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with millions of cases each year. Your device cannot erase the long-term risk of repeated UV damage.

Be particularly cautious if you take medications known to increase sun sensitivity. Several sources list antibiotics such as tetracyclines, some antifungal medicines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, certain antidepressants, antipsychotics, and oral diabetes medicines as photosensitizing. These medicines make skin more reactive to light in general, not just sunlight, so combining them with intense light from any source deserves extra caution and medical guidance.

Avoid using red light over suspicious moles, changing spots, or nonhealing lesions. Multiple sources emphasize regular skin checks and early evaluation of any changing mole or lesion because early detection of melanoma and other skin cancers dramatically improves outcomes. Any new or changing spot should be checked by a dermatologist rather than treated at home with light.

Finally, do not use red light devices on infants or very young children for sunburn. Pediatric sunburn guidance from several organizations prioritizes prevention, shade, gentle cooling, and prompt medical evaluation for infants and very young children rather than home devices.

Red light therapy guidelines for safe use with sun exposure, featuring a therapy panel.

When To Skip Devices And Seek Medical Care

No at-home modality, including red light therapy, replaces timely medical evaluation when a burn is worrisome. The sunburn resources in the research repeatedly stress red-flag situations where you should stop home care and seek professional help.

Those situations include burns that cover a large portion of the body, severe blistering, intense pain that does not respond to over-the-counter pain relievers, fever above 104°F, chills, confusion, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, signs of dehydration such as very dry mouth or reduced urination, and signs of infection such as increasing redness, warmth, pus, or red streaks radiating from the burn. Sunburn in infants or very young children, especially with any systemic symptoms, warrants urgent medical advice.

If any of these apply, the priority is to get appropriate medical care, not to experiment with devices, creams, or home remedies. In those scenarios, even seemingly gentle add-ons like red light therapy should be deferred until a clinician has assessed the skin and given clear guidance.

Brief FAQ: Red Light Therapy And Sunburn

Can red light therapy replace sunscreen or other sun protection? No. All of the authoritative organizations referenced in the research, including dermatology societies, cancer organizations, and agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration, stress broad-spectrum sunscreen, protective clothing, sunglasses, hats, shade, and time limits in strong sun as the core of sun protection. Red light therapy does not block ultraviolet radiation and cannot prevent sunburn or skin cancer.

Is it helpful to use red light therapy before going into the sun to “prepare” the skin? Current mainstream sun-safety guidance does not endorse any light-based preconditioning in place of sunscreen and physical protection. Some people speculate that red light might support skin resilience, but this remains an area of emerging science, not established prevention. Until strong human data show clear benefit, the safest approach is to rely on broad-spectrum sunscreen, clothing, hats, sunglasses, and shade, and to avoid intentional tanning.

Can I use red light therapy on peeling skin later on? Once the initial heat, swelling, and tenderness have largely resolved and you have only mild peeling or dryness, gentle red light sessions may be better tolerated. At that stage, prioritize moisturizers and hydration, test red light cautiously with shorter sessions and greater distance, and stop if irritation increases. If peeling is severe, if blisters are present, or if you are unsure, it is wiser to focus on classic after-sun care and, if needed, ask a dermatologist before adding devices.

In the end, your skin’s health in summer depends far more on the choices you make in the sun than on what you do afterward. Use red light therapy, if you choose to, as a thoughtful complement to proven strategies, not as a substitute or quick fix. Protect your skin generously, treat sunburns with the respect a real burn deserves, and let any wellness technology you use be guided by what your skin is clearly telling you.