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Red-light therapy can trigger hyperpigmentation in susceptible users or at high doses.

The Claim

Red-light therapy causes dark spots on the skin.

Verified by Lenz ·

The Short Version

Dark spots are a possible but conditional adverse effect of red-light therapy. The risk appears greater in darker skin tones and with higher exposures, while controlled treatment may instead improve melasma or other pigmentation. Presenting discoloration as a general outcome materially overstates the evidence.

Caveats

  • Risk varies with skin tone, wavelength, dose, treatment duration, and device quality.
  • Red-light therapy may reduce rather than worsen pigmentation under controlled protocols.
  • Individual adverse-event reports cannot establish how commonly treatment causes discoloration.

The Receipts

  1. Is red light therapy right for your skin?

    aad.org

  2. Dual Effect of Photobiomodulation on Melasma

    jcadonline.com

  3. 590 nm LED Irradiation Improved Erythema through Inhibiting Angiogenesis of Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells and Ameliorated Pigmentation in Melasma

    doi.org

  4. Light-emitting Diodes: A Brief Review and Clinical Experience - PMC

    pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

  5. Light emitting diode-red light for reduction of post-surgical scarring: Results from a dose-ranging, split-face, randomized controlled trial - PMC

    pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

  6. Red light therapy for skin care

    health.harvard.edu

  7. Evaluation of the Efficacy and Tolerance of a Light Therapy Mask on Mild to Moderate Brown Spots and Moderate to Severe Facial Wrinkles

    clinicaltrials.gov

  8. Photobiomodulation for melasma treatment: Integrative review and state of the art

    onlinelibrary.wiley.com

  9. Unlocking the Power of Light on the Skin: A Comprehensive Review on Photobiomodulation

    mdpi.com

  10. Light-emitting diode photobiomodulation in dermatology: From professional systems to consumer devices — mechanisms, efficacy and safety | Koperdowska | Forum Dermatologicum

    journals.viamedica.pl

+ 20 more sources — see the full list on Lenz

Filed Under

Red-Light Therapy

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