With an endless stream of serums, chemical peels, and so-called miracle creams saturating the market, maintaining healthy, radiant skin often feels like a demanding and sometimes overwhelming pursuit.
This might explain the surge of interest in red light therapy for face treatments across Australia. According to a recent survey conducted by BON CHARGE, 32% of Australians have tried red light therapy, with 25% of them using it specifically to achieve youthful skin.
Scientific literature also continues to affirm the skin-enhancing benefits of red light therapy, including its anti-inflammatory and collagen-building advantages. So, it’s safe to say that rather than a fleeting trend, this growing interest reflects a shift in how Australians are approaching skincare.
But here's a question: can red light therapy (RLT) replace our skincare routines?
The simple answer is no, red light therapy can’t replace your skincare routine.
While red light therapy has shown measurable benefits in skin rejuvenation and inflammation reduction, it isn’t designed to cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate, or protect your skin from environmental stressors, key functions that a well-rounded skincare routine provides.
Rather than a replacement, RLT is the cherry on top of a good foundation for glowing skin.
Think of it as a complementary treatment, one that enhances your skin’s responsiveness and helps amplify the effects of your existing routine, but not one that can stand entirely on its own.
Just because you can’t solely depend on red light therapy to get you that glowing skin doesn’t mean that it doesn’t work. In fact, it’s backed by growing scientific literature, especially in the realm of skincare.
In turn, this leads to enhanced skin elasticity, reduced wrinkles, improved hydration, and smoother skin texture.
However, it’s important to note that researchers are still perfecting the “recipe” for optimal results. Variables like wavelength, intensity, treatment duration, and proximity to the skin are still being fine-tuned for specific skin goals.
While red light therapy isn’t designed to replace your daily skincare routine, it can play a powerful supporting role. Through its cellular effects, it can elevate the results of your current regimen and address deeper skin health from within.
Here are the best-case scenarios for using red light therapy to your skin’s advantage:
Individuals dealing with conditions like acne, eczema, or rosacea may benefit from the anti-inflammatory and barrier-supportive effects of red light therapy. When used consistently, it can help regulate flare-ups and support the skin’s natural resilience, especially when paired with soothing topical products.
Red light therapy stimulates fibroblast activity and enhances mitochondrial function, which promotes collagen production and cellular renewal. This makes it a valuable addition for those using active ingredients like retinoids, peptides, or antioxidants.
Just be sure not to apply photosensitive products immediately before your session. These increase your skin’s sensitivity to light and can lead to unintended side effects such as irritation, hyperpigmentation, and stinging.
After skin treatments like microneedling, laser resurfacing, or chemical peels, skin is often red, inflamed, and in recovery mode. Studies have found that red light therapy can be beneficial in helping the skin heal after these treatments.
In one paper documenting blepharoplasty healing, the scar on the side of the participants’ face regularly treated with red light therapy healed in half the time compared to the non-treated side. At six weeks, both sides were fully healed.
This suggests that RLT can be particularly effective in the first stages of healing, especially for skin procedures. However, more clinical research is needed to completely understand the mechanisms of this effect.
Even if you don’t have a specific skin condition, red light therapy can serve as a proactive treatment. Regular sessions with red light therapy masks may help maintain skin firmness, even tone, and overall vibrancy, making it an excellent tool for those who simply want to preserve and enhance their natural glow.
When used correctly, red light therapy is considered safe for facial use, even for sensitive skin types. Unlike treatments that rely on heat, chemicals, or abrasion, RLT works by delivering low-level wavelengths of red and near-infrared light that penetrate the skin without damaging its surface.
Important safety considerations:
Unlike more aggressive treatments, which may be limited by pigment sensitivity or skin barrier conditions, RLT is generally well-tolerated by most skin types.
RLT can reduce redness, calm irritation, and support better hydration retention and barrier repair over time for both sensitive and dry or dehydrated skin. As for oily or acne-prone skin, the treatment can reduce acne-related redness and swelling.
Those with ageing or mature skin also benefit greatly from RLT with benefits such as a boost in firmness, smoothness, and luminosity over time.
While everyone’s skin responds differently based on genetics, age, and lifestyle, red light therapy presents a low-risk, high-reward option for nearly all skin types when integrated into your routine properly.
Rather than replacing serums, moisturisers, or actives, red light therapy elevates the impact of your existing routine. It works behind the scenes, energising skin cells in a way no topical product can.
The best part is research continues to refine how wavelength, intensity, and dosage affect different skin concerns, making the future of light-based skincare brighter than ever.
If you’re ready to add red light therapy for face treatments into your routine, we can help. At Rojo, red light therapy panels are clinical-grade, Australian-tested, and designed for safe and effective home use so you can elevate your entire skincare routine from the comfort of home.
Explore our range now or contact us for more inquiries.
