Photobiomodulation (PBM), or the more commonly known red light therapy, has become increasingly popular for its benefits on skin health, muscle recovery, tissue healing, and general well-being. If you have earrings or other types of facial or body piercings, you may wonder whether you should remove your jewelry before undergoing a session.
While there are currently no clinical trials specifically addressing photobiomodulation with body jewelry or piercings, it is possible to provide guidelines for conducting PBM sessions based on the principles of photobiomodulation and tissue optics, as well as the optical properties of various metals used in jewelry and medicine.
External Jewelry and Medical Implants Are Not the Same
It should be stressed that there is a difference between removable jewelry and permanently implanted hardware. External items like earrings, nose rings, body piercings, and other forms of jewelry lie on or pass through the skin and, in most cases, can be removed before treatment. Metal implants like titanium dental implants, joint replacements, surgical plates, screws, or spinal implants are placed under the skin surface and should remain in place during PBM therapy.
One concern about applying red and near-infrared light is the possible overheating of metal. However, there is no scientific proof of this concern. A clinical trial using titanium and stainless steel implants has shown that PBM can be used safely around the implant without overheating or related complications. Furthermore, PBM has been found effective for pain reduction, inflammation control, improved wound healing, and osseointegration.
This is because photobiomodulation works on the biological tissues surrounding the metal implant. The therapeutic effect results from the absorption of light by cells located within the tissue and from aiding physiological processes. Therefore, treatment parameters such as wavelength, irradiance, exposure duration, and total light dose are chosen to deliver the optimal light dose to the targeted tissue.
Since external jewelry can interfere with light distribution by directly blocking the light from reaching the skin, removing it before treatment is a logical step to achieve equal light distribution in the treatment area. In contrast, medical implants do not have to be removed because clinical data supports photobiomodulation around such devices.
Can Metal Jewelry Become Hot During a Red Light Session?
Photobiomodulation devices utilize specific wavelengths of visible red and near-infrared light that produce light energy, rather than the intense radiant heat generated by thermal infrared devices. When used as per the manufacturer’s recommendations, these therapies are non-thermal, meaning their benefits are primarily obtained through photochemical processes within the cells, not through tissue heating.
No clinical studies using titanium and stainless steel implants have documented adverse heating effects when photobiomodulation therapies are administered correctly. While the available literature does not provide sufficient information regarding external jewelry during red light therapy, there is also no data indicating that earrings and other body jewelry become dangerously heated during treatment.
If you experience discomfort or heat while undergoing photobiomodulation therapy, the session should be discontinued until the jewelry can safely be removed. This suggestion is based on sound medical principles and not on the common overheating of body jewelry from photobiomodulation.
However, titanium and stainless steel, which are the most popular metals used in both medical implants and high-end body jewelry, have optical properties that do not cause significant heating under normal conditions during photobiomodulation. Moreover, the red and near-infrared light involved in photobiomodulation is non-ionizing, unlike X-rays and other forms of ionizing radiation.[1]
How Earrings and Body Jewelry Can Create Uneven Light Exposure
Photobiomodulation, otherwise known as red light therapy, is a form of treatment where red and infrared light is shone onto the skin, and the photons are absorbed by the cells to stimulate various biological functions. Metal is opaque, which means it blocks the therapeutic light. Consequently, the skin covered by the jewelry receives less light exposure than the surrounding skin.
Although there is currently no scientific study available regarding the impact of wearing earrings or body piercings when under red light treatment, this guideline follows the core concept of photobiomodulation, in which therapeutic light must be able to penetrate the target tissue to be effective.[2]
To achieve the most even illumination across the treatment area, it is preferable to take off any jewelry before the procedure when it is both possible and safe to do so. If removing the jewelry is not possible—for instance, during the healing process of a new piercing—the shadowing effect will typically only affect the small portion of tissue directly beneath the metal.
Red Light Therapy Around New or Irritated Piercings
Normally healed piercings do not pose any problems when undergoing red light therapy. However, fresh piercings are healing injuries with present inflammation and therefore require special care. There are no clinical studies on PBM performed on fresh or irritated piercings; thus, it is better to allow the site to heal before resuming the procedure. The signs of incomplete healing include pain, redness, swelling, warmth, or discharge.
One notable example of how jewelry can prevent proper procedural performance is in radiology, where jewelry prevents X-rays from passing through, creating artifacts. This can compromise imaging quality, requiring a repeat procedure and exposing the patient to additional radiation. In the case of PBM, jewelry is not dangerous since the procedure does not involve ionizing radiation; however, it is necessary to remove the jewelry to ensure the proper delivery of light to the tissues.[3]
If a piercing appears inflamed or infected, consult with a professional piercer or healthcare provider before starting PBM.
Special Considerations for Belts, Wraps, and Full-Body Mats
Not all red light therapy devices distribute light in the same manner. Typical red light therapy devices involve holding panels at a certain distance from the body, while flexible items like belts, wraps, and full-body mats are designed to be applied directly against the skin.
If a device comes into direct contact with the skin, jewelry worn on the outside of the body must be considered. Metal pieces placed between the device and the skin might exert local pressure or make the device's placement uneven. Although there are currently no indications that using contact devices over jewelry presents a safety hazard, it is wise to avoid creating undue pressure on piercings or healing areas of the skin.
Removing the jewelry before the procedure is always the simplest solution. If it cannot be removed, positioning the device so it does not apply pressure to the piercing site is highly recommended.
Non-contact devices, such as standing or mounted panels, do not involve these pressure concerns.
When Removing Jewelry Is the Simpler and Safer Choice
Jewelry is not a primary safety concern during properly executed red light therapy, but taking it off will make the procedure easier and more consistent. This eliminates:
- Interference from opaque objects
- Pressure points when using contact-type devices
- Uncomfortable sensations during long procedures
For completely healed piercings, most lightweight jewelry does not cause discomfort, but the easiest way to achieve complete light coverage is to remove it.
LED devices using thoroughly researched wavelengths (630–660 nm red and 810–850 nm near-infrared) may be used once a piercing is completely healed. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding distance, time, and frequency, and choose FDA-cleared, evidence-based devices for safety and effectiveness.[4]
Any aftercare recommendations from your piercer or healthcare provider should always take priority.
Disclaimer: This information is educational and not a replacement for professional medical advice. Healing periods vary; always consult a medical professional in case of irritation or infection.
Sources:
1. Harrington, Phil. (n.d.). Can Photobiomodulation Be Used Over Metal Implants in the Body?.
2. Hamblin, MR. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophys. 2017;4(3):337-361. doi: 10.3934/biophy.2017.3.337. Epub 2017 May 19. PMID: 28748217; PMCID: PMC5523874.
3. Liang H, Flint DJ, Benson BW. Why should we insist that patients remove all jewellery? Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2011 Jul;40(5):328-30. doi: 10.1259/dmfr/77333052. PMID: 21697161; PMCID: PMC3520258.
4. Spongberg CV, Stack ER, Aprigliano C, Grinis D, Sawicki S, Elway M. What to Look for in Red Light Therapy: A Product Guide Backed by Science. Cureus. 2026 Mar 17;18(3):e105378. doi: 10.7759/cureus.e105378. PMID: 42005232; PMCID: PMC13085462.
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