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The AAD says red light can trigger hyperpigmentation in darker skin.

The Claim

The American Academy of Dermatology warns that red-light therapy may cause hyperpigmentation in people with darker skin tones.

Verified by Lenz ·

The Short Version

Official AAD guidance supports the stated risk. It says darker skin tones can be more sensitive to visible light, including red light, and that this sensitivity can lead to hyperpigmentation. The effect is possible rather than inevitable and depends on exposure conditions.

Caveats

  • The AAD presents this risk within broader consumer guidance, not as a standalone formal safety alert.
  • Hyperpigmentation is a possible effect, not an expected outcome for every person with darker skin.
  • Risk can vary with wavelength, dose, exposure duration, device characteristics, and individual sensitivity.

The Receipts

  1. Is red light therapy right for your skin?

    staging.aad.org

  2. A simulation-based optical safety framework for dermatologic laser wavelength selection across Fitzpatrick skin phototypes | Lasers in Medical Science | Springer Nature Link

    link.springer.com

  3. Is red light therapy right for your skin?

    aad.org

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

    journals.viamedica.pl

  5. 2025e.32.LED_photobiomodulation - Our Dermatology Online

    odermatol.com

  6. Red light therapy for skin care

    health.harvard.edu

  7. Photosensitivity Episodes Related to Skin Color in People Treated With Dual-Wavelength Low Power Laser Therapy: A Retrospective Cohort Study. - Abstract - Europe PMC

    europepmc.org

  8. Visible Light Protection Strategies for Diverse Populations | Dermatology and Therapy | Springer Nature Link

    link.springer.com

  9. Cutaneous interaction with visible light: What do we know? - EM consulte

    em-consulte.com

  10. Optimizing melasma management

    staging.aad.org

+ 16 more sources — see the full list on Lenz

Filed Under

American Academy Of DermatologyHyperpigmentationRed-Light Therapy