Does Red-Light Therapy Affect Blood Pressure? What People With Hypertension Should Know

Red-light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation (PBM) or low-level light therapy, is widely used for skin care, recovery, pain relief and a number of other wellness applications.

Since certain types of PBM may have an effect on blood vessels and circulation, individuals who have high blood pressure might wonder if red-light therapy can cause their blood pressure to rise or fall, and if it is safe to use when on antihypertensive medication.

It is known that light-based stimulation has a relaxing effect on the blood vessels due to nitric oxide release. When the blood vessels widen, the vascular resistance can be reduced, which may potentially reduce blood pressure.

Can Red-Light Therapy Raise or Lower Blood Pressure?

The answer is more complicated than just stating that red-light therapy reduces blood pressure.

Early studies have shown a decrease in blood pressure following specific PBM protocols; [1] however, the studies are small, employ different wavelengths and treatment techniques, and do not prove that consumer red-light devices can reliably control hypertension.

A systematic review from 2025 found only four randomized controlled trials in which the participants had hypertension and judged the overall certainty of the evidence as very low. There is no current evidence to indicate that treatment with red light consistently leads to an increase in blood pressure. Conversely, few studies have found reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure after undergoing specific PBM treatments. [1] However, that does not imply that each red-light session will reduce blood pressure, since the effect may vary according to the wavelength, dose, area being treated, intensity, duration, and individual factors.

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The key issue is that most human studies have focused on measuring specific blood pressure outcomes rather than assessing whether the use of red-light therapy by normal consumers can treat hypertension in daily life.

Researchers can take measurements of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, or heart rate both before and after treatment. Some studies have examined multiple sessions carried out over several weeks, while others have focused on more immediate reactions.

The importance of this distinction lies in the fact that a result obtained using a particular clinical PBM protocol cannot be simply transferred to an at-home device. There can be considerable differences among consumer products in terms of wavelength, power, treatment distance, exposure time, and the quantity of light delivered to the body. [1]

Although red-light therapy is frequently advertised as a way of improving circulation, it is important to note that circulation and blood pressure are not the same thing.

Blood pressure depends on a number of factors such as cardiac output, resistance of the blood vessels, blood volume, the activity of the nervous system, and hormonal regulation. A therapy that causes alterations in local blood flow does not mean that it will result in a clinically significant decrease in overall blood pressure. [2] For instance, an increased blood flow to the skin or to the area being treated does not necessarily indicate that the person’s overall blood pressure has changed. On the other hand, a temporary drop in blood pressure during or after a session does not prove that repeated treatment will result in long-term control of blood pressure.

How Can Blood Pressure Medication, Dehydration, or Heat Affect the Risk of Dizziness or Low Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure medication, dehydration, and heat may each affect blood pressure or fluid balance. When these factors occur together, some individuals may be more likely to experience dizziness, lightheadedness, or a temporary drop in blood pressure.

Diuretics, for example, increase fluid loss and may therefore make some people more susceptible to dehydration. [3] Heat and sweating can further contribute to fluid loss, particularly in people who are already taking medications that affect blood pressure or fluid balance. [4] For this reason, a prolonged or vigorous red-light therapy session in a warm environment, especially when combined with inadequate hydration, could make dizziness or lightheadedness more noticeable in some individuals.

If your blood pressure is lower after a session, however, this should not be taken as evidence that red-light therapy is controlling your hypertension or that your medication is no longer needed. Blood pressure can vary for many reasons, including medication, hydration, heat, activity, and the timing of the measurement. [1]

Do not alter, reduce, or omit your prescribed hypertension medication based on blood-pressure readings taken after red-light therapy. Any changes to your treatment should be discussed with your healthcare professional.

If you suffer from hypertension and would like to find out how your body reacts to red-light therapy, the most useful information would be obtained from regularly measuring your blood pressure. [5]

Measure your blood pressure using a validated automatic upper-arm blood pressure monitor. Before taking the measurement, sit quietly for a minimum of 5 minutes and stay away from exercise, smoking, and caffeinated drinks for at least 30 minutes. Obtain two readings about one minute apart and note the results. To compare the readings, you might take your blood pressure before the session and then again after you have rested following the session.

Do not consider a single change as evidence that red-light therapy is either lowering or raising your blood pressure since blood pressure naturally varies from one time of day to another and individual readings can be influenced by factors such as stress, activity, caffeine, meals, hydration, and the method of taking the measurement.

The best course of action is to regard red-light therapy as a supplementary measure, not a replacement for your prescribed treatment. [6]

• You should focus on staying well-hydrated and avoid environments that are hotter than necessary.
• Keep an eye on how you respond if your healthcare professional advises you to do so
• Use a properly validated blood pressure monitor.
• Do not stop or change your blood pressure medication because of blood pressure readings taken after undergoing red-light therapy.
• If you have hypertension, cardiovascular disease, are taking several blood pressure medications, or suffer from dizziness or fainting, you should talk to your healthcare professional before incorporating red-light therapy into your everyday routine.

There is currently limited evidence to establish that red-light therapy decreases blood pressure in hypertensive patients. It is also important to remember that all devices marketed as red-light or wellness products have not necessarily been assessed for their effects on blood pressure.

Also, the studies that have so far been carried out on hypertension employed protocols that are not necessarily comparable to those used with red-light masks, panels, or lamps at home. Hence, individuals who have hypertension should not use red-light therapy as a replacement for the prescribed treatment for high blood pressure.