Sunspots, fine lines or skin that looks a little less radiant after summer… familiar, right? Sometimes it feels like your skin needs weeks to recover from all that sunlight. Red light therapy is often mentioned as a gentle way to support that recovery. How it works exactly, you’ll read below.
Note! The text below is not medical advice. It is based on our own knowledge, user experiences and various online sources.
Table of contents
What is sun damage?
We all know the sun feels great, but your skin doesn’t always agree. UV radiation can cause quite a bit of damage, often without you noticing it right away.
Common signs of sun damage include:
- fine lines and wrinkles
- pigmentation spots or dark patches
- redness and irritation
- dull, rough or leathery skin
- loss of elasticity
- visible blood vessels
- and of course… sunburn
UV radiation damages the DNA in your skin cells, breaks down collagen and elastin, and can increase the long‑term risk of skin cancer. UVA (deeper in the skin) and UVB (surface burning) both play major roles.
How does red light therapy work for sun damage?
It may sound contradictory: using light to repair damage caused by light. But red light works completely differently from UV.
Red light (around 630–700 nm) and near‑infrared light (up to about 850 nm) have longer wavelengths that penetrate deeper into the skin. They activate the mitochondria, the energy factories of your cells, giving your skin more energy to repair itself.
What happens then:
- More collagen & elastin: your skin becomes firmer and smoother.
- Less inflammation: redness and irritation decrease.
- Improved circulation: more oxygen and nutrients reach the skin.
- Faster recovery: damaged cells are replaced more efficiently.
- Support after sunburn: red light can help calm the inflammatory response after UVB exposure.
What is red light used for?
Red light therapy is often used for various skin and recovery processes, including:
- Support with sun damage (such as pigmentation, redness and fine lines)
- Stimulating collagen and elastin for firmer, smoother skin
- Reducing inflammation and calming irritated skin
- Improving circulation and oxygen supply to the skin
- Accelerating cell repair after damage or irritation
- Supporting wound healing and skin regeneration
- Strengthening the skin barrier and improving hydration
- Support with redness or sensitivity after sun exposure or other triggers
- General skin rejuvenation and improved tone and texture
What does science say?
Red light therapy is being studied more and more, though not everything is fully proven yet. What we do see in various studies is that red light has promising effects on skin recovery, including when sun damage is involved.
- Support for DNA repair & reduced inflammation: One study shows that red light can help clear certain forms of UVB‑related DNA damage more quickly and reduce inflammatory responses.
- More collagen & improved skin structure: Research shows that red light stimulates collagen production and improves skin texture, important because UV breaks down collagen.
- Faster cell repair & regeneration: Another study shows that red light activates mitochondria, giving cells more energy to repair themselves. This speeds up wound healing and reduces inflammation.
How do you use red light therapy lamps?
Want to try it yourself? These guidelines help:
- Frequency: 2 to 5 times per week works well for most people.
- Duration: 10 to 20 minutes per session.
- Distance: about 15 to 30 cm from the skin.
- Consistency: better short and regular than long and infrequent.
- Listen to your skin: does it feel calmer, less warm or comfortable? Then you’re on the right track.
No special steps needed: no creams, no heat, no complicated routine. Just sit back, relax and let the light do its work.
Conclusion
Red light therapy can definitely support your skin in recovering from sun damage. It helps calm redness, stimulates collagen and gives your skin extra energy to repair itself. It doesn’t replace medical treatment, but it can be a gentle, effective addition to your routine.
