How Often Should You Do Red Light Therapy?
|
|
Time to read 5 min
|
|
Time to read 5 min
LED-SCIENCE [10-21-2025]
BY MADISON CARTER
Getting the most out of your red light device comes down to one thing, your routine. But if you’ve ever searched how often to use red light therapy, you’ve probably seen everything from “daily” to “once a week,” which makes it hard to know what’s actually right for your skin.
That’s why this guide focuses on one of the most common questions people ask: how often should you do red light therapy? To go a step further, we’ll share what dermatologists recommend as an ideal routine, and how that changes depending on your skin goals and device. Because real results come down to consistency, we’ll also break down the best starting schedule, what “too much” looks like, and how to stay on track long enough for benefits to build.
Most dermatologists recommend using red light therapy three to five times per week, especially when you’re just starting out. This range gives your skin enough consistent exposure to trigger collagen support, recovery, and inflammation control without pushing into overuse. After the first 6–8 weeks, many people shift into a maintenance rhythm of a few sessions per week.
The reason this schedule shows up so consistently in clinical guidance is simple: LED therapy is dose-dependent. Your skin responds better to repeat exposure over time than it does to the occasional long session. If you’re using a high-quality at-home device and your skin tolerates it well, some dermatologists are comfortable with daily use, but most still recommend starting in the 3–5x weekly zone first to build results safely and steadily.
As Dr. Lisa Espinoza, a board-certified dermatologist said: “Red light therapy is dose-dependent. Consistent sessions drive results far more than occasional long treatments.”
Once you’ve found your baseline, you can adjust your treatment times depending on what you’re targeting. Different skin goals don’t require totally different routines, but they do change the ideal starting frequency and long-term maintenance.
Dermatologist routines (and aligned with your device protocols) look like this:
Think of the first 3–5 weeks as your “results phase,” then maintenance as keeping skin in a healthier, more stable state. If your concern is stubborn or recurring, staying closer to the higher end early on tends to get you there faster. If your skin is reactive, the lower end works just as well. You just need steady consistency.
Yes, daily red light therapy can be safe for many people, but only if two things are true: your device is designed for everyday use, and your skin tolerates it well. Higher-quality masks and devices, like those in the LED Esthetics Glotech range, support daily sessions because they deliver stable wavelengths at safe output levels, reducing the risk of irritation.
That said, daily use is optional, not required. If you’re consistent at 3–5 sessions per week, you’re already in the dermatologist-recommended window. Many people prefer that range because it fits real life better and is easier to keep up with for months, which is what results actually depend on.
If you want to try daily sessions, ease in slowly. Start every other day for two weeks and pay attention to how your skin feels. If it stays hydrated and calm, increase. If it starts feeling tight or sensitive, drop back to 3–4 times per week, you won’t lose progress by doing it less, as long as you stay persistent in the long-run.
Red light therapy is gentle, so overuse rarely causes serious issues, but it can work against you. When sessions are too frequent or too long, skin may get temporarily dry, warm, or reactive, which often leads people to stop entirely.
Signs you may be overdoing it include:
If you notice these, scale back for a week and focus on hydration. Most people land back in the 3–5x weekly range as their best steady rhythm, and results continue building from there without interruption.
The most effective schedule is the one that feels automatic. Rather than aiming for “perfect,” aim for reliability. Choose fixed treatment days so your routine becomes effortless.
A simple pattern outlined by Dr. Erez Dayan is:
Dr. Erez Dayan explains, “Think of this like a workout plan for your skin. The baseline days keep momentum steady, the results phase adds a little extra push when you’re actively trying to change something, and maintenance is what protects the progress you’ve earned.”
Pair it with something you already do such as after cleansing at night, while winding down, or before applying serums in the morning. When treatments fit naturally, they become consistent. And with LED therapy, consistency is what turns “maybe it’s working” into visible, lasting change.
Use red light therapy on clean, dry skin, before heavier products. Light penetrates best when there isn’t a thick layer blocking it, so cleanse first and do your session early in the routine. If you want to apply a light-activated or lightweight serum beforehand, this is the ideal moment because it can enhance absorption and support the treatment without interfering with the device’s effectiveness.
After your session, follow with hydration and barrier support. This is a good time for calming serums (like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or peptides) and moisturizer. If you use stronger actives such as retinoids or exfoliating acids, apply them after LED or on alternate nights to reduce sensitivity. This simple order helps you get full light penetration and makes your skincare work better afterward.
The most common dermatologist recommendation is to use red light therapy consistently, with short sessions around 10 minutes several times per week. Start with your device’s suggested routine, stay steady for at least 6–8 weeks, and then adjust into a maintenance rhythm that fits your life and skin goals.
The key isn’t doing more, it’s doing it regularly enough for your skin to build momentum. If you keep your sessions short, repeatable, and realistic, the benefits stack exactly the way they’re meant to, and staying consistent becomes easy instead of a hassle.