Is Red Light Therapy Worth It

Before you decide whether red light therapy is worth your money, it helps to read what a dermatology body has published. This page does that for readers in Stamford.

It covers the one caution the American Academy of Dermatology states plainly, the shortcut to avoid, and a checklist to take to a dermatologist.

What dermatologists caution

The American Academy of Dermatology publishes a page titled Is red light therapy right for your skin?. It states: "If you have a darker skin tone, talk with a dermatologist before using an at-home red-light device" and adds, "Research shows that people who have darker skin tones are more sensitive to visible light, such as red light, than people with lighter skin tones."

The shortcut to avoid

Buying an at-home device before talking with a dermatologist departs from that advice for readers with a darker skin tone. A purchase made on a product page alone skips that conversation.

A checklist for your consultation

• Has a dermatologist looked at my skin and my skin tone?
• Does the published guidance on this device apply to me?
• What result am I hoping for, and who will help me judge it?

Weighing whether it is worth it

Worth depends on fit, and a licensed provider who has examined you is the person who confirms it. The American Academy of Dermatology's wider safety guidance and its list of five unsafe skin care trends are useful context.