In 2024, it’s practically impossible to think about wellness culture without thinking of red light therapy. Obviously, red light therapy is buzzy for its use as a skincare tool (see: LED face masks), but the buzz is going far beyond that: People are also considering red light therapy to help with wound healing, pain management, hair loss, burn scars, and more.
This is one of those social media wellness trends that has real credibility, too: Research has indicated that red light therapy can be effective for treating photodamged skin, wound healing, and more. But there are limitations to what we really know about red light therapy and its effectiveness. And another thing we're still due for clear answers on? The safety of red light therapy for pregnant women.
We don't have all the answers
When I began seeking out answers about red light therapy’s safety for pregnant women, I was met with some resistance. A lot of experts I consulted said they simply don’t know at this point, though several of them said they couldn’t see any major safety concerns.
To sum it up?
"Red light therapy appears to be safe during pregnancy however, there are not enough scientifically controlled trials in pregnant women to definitively ensure that it is completely harmless," says Robin Gmyrek, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm.
Ultimately, everyone should have a chat with their OB/GYN before attempting red light therapy during pregnancy — but one esthetician recommends this practice, and (after reiterating that pregnant women should talk to an OB/GYN before trying red light therapy themselves), is on hand to break down the benefits of red light therapy.
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Red light therapy’s safety during pregnancy
“Red light therapy [seems to be] generally safe during pregnancy, and I highly recommend it,” says Erica Marie Gatt, Esthetician and Founder of EM Skin Studio. “It’s a non-invasive treatment that works at the cellular level to boost collagen and elastin production, reduces inflammation, tightens the skin, and helps get rid of puffiness. It can also help address hormonal breakouts or other skin conditions by killing bacteria.”
The benefits are not just skin deep, according to Gatt: “Also, red light therapy can help promote a good mood,” she explains.
The other benefits of red light therapy
Listen, if you’re pregnant and concerned about red light therapy’s effect on your pregnancy, chances are you’re willing to let go of your LED mask for nine-ish months. But there are other effects of red light therapy that may be really helpful in taming pregnancy symptoms, and you may be interested in reaping some of those benefits.
“Red light therapy offers more benefits than just improving skin health,” says Gatt. “It also supports pain relief and faster healing by reducing inflammation and enhancing cellular repair in injured areas of the body. Not only that, red light therapy may improve mood by influencing serotonin production which will make you more relaxed.”
According to Gatt, red light therapy has the potential to help with certain pregnancy-specific conditions, including mood, skin conditions that can result from the hormonal changes of pregnancy, body aches, and back pain. In the postpartum period, red light therapy may help with hair loss.
The case for waiting on more information
With that being said, there isn’t much data out there to truly support the safety of red light therapy during pregnancy.
Reassuringly, red light therapy isn’t associated with any side effects at this time, according to Cleveland Clinic, which states: “This therapy isn’t toxic, not invasive and not as harsh as some topical skin treatments. Unlike the cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or tanning booths, RLT doesn’t use this type of light.”
If you are uncomfortable turning to red light therapy while pregnant until there’s more information available, that’s completely understandable. Either way, we — and Gatt — would absolutely urge you to check in with your OB/GYN for the go-ahead before trying red light therapy while pregnant.
Zara Hanawalt is a freelance journalist and mom of twins. She's written for outlets like Parents, MarieClaire, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Motherly, Vogue and many others. In her (admittedly limited!) free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, trying new restaurants, and traveling with her family.
