.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
Light Therapy for Skin Health: Stimulating, Healing, Restoring
- Christy Van Hoogevest
- Sep 7
- 6 min read
Introduction
The skin is our body’s largest organ, and it’s constantly exposed to stress—from sun damage and pollution to the natural effects of aging. In recent years, researchers have been exploring how light itself can help the skin repair, rejuvenate, and protect.
A landmark review published in Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery (Avci et al., 2013) pulled together decades of research on low-level light therapy (LLLT), also known as photobiomodulation. The study highlighted how specific wavelengths of light can trigger skin cells to heal, regenerate, and fight inflammation.
Instead of masking symptoms, light therapy works at the cellular level, encouraging the body to repair and strengthen itself.
How Does Light Therapy Work?
According to Avci et al. (2013), light therapy relies on red and near-infrared wavelengths (not heat or UV rays). When these wavelengths reach the skin, they set off a cascade of biological effects:
Cellular Energy Boost – Light stimulates mitochondria, the cell’s “power plants,” leading to increased ATP production. More energy means more capacity for repair and renewal.
Collagen Activation – Fibroblasts respond to light exposure by producing more collagen and elastin, supporting smoother, firmer skin.
Improved Circulation – Light encourages local blood flow, which brings oxygen and nutrients to tissues for faster healing.
Reduced Inflammation – LLLT can calm inflammatory pathways, which plays a role in acne, burns, and chronic skin conditions.
In short: light therapy gives skin cells the energy they need to heal and thrive.
Light Therapy for Skin Rejuvenation
One of the most studied uses of light therapy is in the area of skin rejuvenation. Research reviewed by Avci et al. (2013) shows that when the skin is exposed to specific red and near-infrared wavelengths, it begins to repair and renew itself in measurable ways.
Clinical outcomes reported include:
Visible reduction of fine lines and wrinkles after 4–12 weeks of treatment
Increases of up to 30–40% in collagen density on histological analysis
Significant improvements in skin smoothness and elasticity
Measurable restoration of a more youthful appearance
Why It Works
When red and near-infrared light penetrate the dermis, they activate fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin. By boosting mitochondrial energy (ATP) and cell signaling pathways, light therapy stimulates the rebuilding of skin structure. This process doesn’t just mask the signs of aging—it helps the skin reconstruct itself from within.
Light Therapy for Acne
Avci et al. reviewed several studies showing that red and near-infrared light can reduce both active acne and long-term scarring. In some trials, patients experienced a 40–70% reduction in inflammatory lesions after a series of light therapy sessions.
Reported benefits include:
Decreasing inflammation and redness around lesions
Regulating sebaceous gland activity, leading to fewer breakouts
Supporting faster healing of blemishes
Improving the appearance of acne scars over time
Why It Works
Light therapy targets two key drivers of acne: inflammation and bacterial overgrowth. By reducing inflammatory signaling and encouraging tissue repair, light creates conditions where blemishes resolve more quickly and scars heal more smoothly.
Light Therapy for Photoprotection
Chronic sun exposure damages skin cells and accelerates aging. Avci et al. note that red light can provide a degree of photoprotection, reducing the harmful impact of UV exposure. In one study, skin pre-treated with light therapy before UV exposure showed significantly less redness and cell damage compared to untreated skin.
Key benefits include:
Reduced sun-induced erythema (redness)
Enhanced repair of UV-damaged cells
Greater resilience against oxidative stress
Why It Works
By boosting mitochondrial activity and cellular repair mechanisms, light therapy helps skin respond more effectively to environmental stress. While it should never replace sunscreen, it can serve as an adjunct strategy for healthier skin under daily UV exposure.
Light Therapy for Herpes Virus Lesions
Several small clinical studies summarized by Avci et al. reported that light therapy may shorten the course of herpes simplex lesions. Patients receiving treatment showed a faster reduction in pain and lesions healing in half the usual time compared to control groups.
Documented effects include:
Shorter duration of outbreaks
Reduced pain and swelling
Faster tissue repair at the lesion site
Why It Works
Light enhances blood flow and reduces inflammation, creating a local environment that supports faster closure of viral lesions. While not a cure, it may provide a non-drug option to reduce the impact of outbreaks.
Light Therapy for Vitiligo
Vitiligo occurs when melanocytes—the skin’s pigment-producing cells—are damaged or inactive. Avci et al. report that light therapy can help restore pigment by improving the cellular environment these cells rely on. In several studies, patients achieved partial repigmentation in up to 60–65% of treated areas, particularly on the face.
Benefits include:
Supporting the recovery of melanocyte function
Encouraging natural pigment restoration in affected areas
Improving the overall appearance of skin tone
Why It Works
Light therapy doesn’t force pigment production; instead, it revitalizes cell metabolism and circulation, giving melanocytes the energy and resources they need to resume normal activity.
Light Therapy for Pigmentation Balance
Interestingly, the same cellular effects that can restore pigment in vitiligo may also help reduce excess pigmentation in conditions like hyperpigmentation. Avci et al. note that light therapy supports the skin’s ability to self-regulate, sometimes leading to a more even complexion.
Benefits include:
Calming overactive melanocytes that produce excess pigment
Reducing dark spots and uneven tone
Supporting a more balanced complexion
Why It Works
Rather than producing opposite outcomes, light therapy acts as a cellular regulator. In healthy tissue, it encourages balance: reactivating underperforming cells when pigment is lacking, or calming overactive cells when pigment is excessive. The result is skin that looks and functions closer to its natural equilibrium.
Light Therapy for Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids
Scar tissue is notoriously difficult to treat. Yet, studies cited by Avci et al. showed that consistent light therapy could reduce redness and thickness of hypertrophic scars, with some patients reporting a 30–40% improvement in appearance after several weeks of treatment.
Benefits include:
Softening the texture of raised scars
Reducing redness and volume
Improving skin flexibility and appearance
Why It Works
Light influences fibroblasts to remodel collagen in a more organized way. Over time, this makes scar tissue smoother and less prominent, supporting both cosmetic and functional improvements.
Light Therapy for Burns
Burn injuries require rapid repair to minimize pain and long-term damage. Avci et al. highlight clinical studies where light therapy accelerated burn healing, with some reports of wounds closing 30–40% faster than in untreated patients.
Benefits include:
Accelerated wound closure
Reduced pain and swelling
Lower risk of scarring and complications
Why It Works
Light stimulates tissue regeneration by improving blood supply and mitochondrial energy. This creates an environment where damaged skin can rebuild more quickly and effectively.
Light Therapy for Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disorder marked by scaling and redness. In trials summarized by Avci et al., patients receiving light therapy showed visible reductions in scaling and inflammation, with some achieving longer symptom-free intervals.
Benefits include:
Reducing inflammation and lesion size
Improving skin comfort
Supporting longer remission periods between flare-ups
Why It Works
Light calms overactive immune responses in the skin and promotes repair at the cellular level. While not a cure, it provides a drug-free approach that can complement other therapies for psoriasis management.
Key Takeaways: Light Therapy for Skin Health
Research reviewed by Avci et al. highlights the wide-ranging potential of light therapy for skin health. Across multiple conditions—from aging and acne to burns, scars, and pigmentation disorders—the evidence shows that targeted red and near-infrared wavelengths can:
Boost skin repair by energizing cells and stimulating collagen production
Calm inflammation, helping conditions like acne and psoriasis
Support balance in pigmentation, restoring color where it’s lacking and reducing excess where it’s overactive
Accelerate healing in damaged or stressed skin, including burns and scars
The unifying theme is that light therapy works by optimizing cellular function, giving skin the energy and resources it needs to repair, renew, and maintain balance. Rather than forcing change, it helps the body do what it is naturally designed to do - heal itself.
From Research to Real-World Application: BH Labs
At BH Labs, we empower health and wellness professionals with cutting-edge biohacking solutions designed to enhance performance, accelerate recovery, and support longevity.
As a leader in wellness technology, we integrate evidence-based modalities such as red light therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), PEMF, infrared saunas, and lymphatic drainage into existing practices. Our turnkey approach allows clinics, spas, and fitness facilities to offer high-value treatments without added complexity—boosting client engagement and creating new revenue streams.
Our Red Light Therapy panels are engineered with clinically validated wavelengths (630 nm, 660 nm, 830 nm, and 850 nm) to deliver deep tissue penetration and optimal cellular activation. Built for commercial use, they provide full-body coverage, high irradiance output, and a streamlined, plug-and-play design. With sessions as short as 10–20 minutes and minimal staffing requirements, they make it simple for businesses to offer clients safe, evidence-backed results in skin health, recovery, and performance.
From athletic recovery and performance optimization to anti-aging and cellular regeneration, BH Labs provides the tools, training, and ongoing support needed to help forward-thinking professionals stay ahead in a rapidly evolving wellness industry.
Learn more at www.bh-labs.com and discover how BH Labs can help you future-proof your business with science-backed wellness innovations.
