LED light therapy is a type of phototherapy that does not use UVA or UVB rays.
You may have seen people using at-home LED face masks in order to try to improve their skin health and wonder if it may help with eczema.
LED therapy comes in different forms, one of which is red light therapy.
In the short term, red light therapy seems to be safe and is not thought to cause any type of cancer as with UV rays. However, we do not know the long term effects of red light therapy on skin or hair.
Trials have not been carried out on red light therapy specifically for eczema, so it’s best to use with caution.
It’s best to avoid trying LED therapy during an active flare up. And it’s a good idea to do a patch test first to see how you respond.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, if you have darker skin, you may be more sensitive to visible light (such as red light), which can cause hyperpigmentation (darker spots). These spots can also be darker and last longer than if they were caused by invisible light, like sunlight.
If you have eczema, it’s best to speak with a doctor or dermatologist before trying red light therapy to check that it’s suitable for you.
Although phototherapy in general is well-researched, limited research exists for red light therapy specifically, and scientists have not reached a consensus on its benefits or long-term effects.
Additionally, red light therapy is unlikely to be a cure for eczema, and you’ll likely need to continue your regular treatments alongside it.
It’s also important to keep in mind that any type of phototherapy given in a clinic will not necessarily be the same as at-home treatments.