Light therapy, also called phototherapy, is on track to become the next big skincare trend with the rising interest in high-tech beauty devices. It’s more accessible than ever due to the rising popularity of at-home LED-based light therapy. Beauty consumers are being enticed by the exciting ways to get glowing skin from the comfort of their couch.

Red light therapy is the current buzzword in beauty. Beauty brands are responding to demand by launching a range of red light skincare devices that address various issues, from eczema to wrinkles. 

Related: High-Tech Beauty is About to Go Mainstream

So, how does light therapy help improve the skin? 

If you’re a beauty executive or brand founder, it can be helpful to understand the science behind light-based skincare treatments. Here’s a brief overview of how technology works.

Starting with the Basics

To gain a clearer understanding of how light therapy works, start with the basics. All types of light are a form of energy called electromagnetic radiation. Waves of electromagnetic radiation have wavelengths measured in nanometers (nm). 

Our eyes can’t see all types of light. Visible light makes up only a small percentage of the electromagnetic spectrum. EBSCO explains it best, stating: “The visible spectrum is a range of colors contained within light. These colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Humans perceive these colors due to subtle differences in the wavelengths of the visible light energy and the different ways that objects absorb or reflect light.”

Visible wavelengths range from approximately 400 nm to 700 nm. Red is the longest, at approximately 650 nm. Orange is 590 nm; yellow is 570 nm; green is 510 nm; blue is 475 nm; indigo is 445 nm; and violet is the shortest at 400 nm.

Understanding LED-Based Tech in Beauty

Light-based beauty devices emit wavelengths of different lengths and colors to achieve different results on the skin. Understanding the basic terms is an advantage for beauty brand executives, especially if you need to have a conversation with a technology supplier.

LED is an acronym for Light-Emitting Diode, and it generates light when an electrical current passes through it, allowing current to flow in only one direction. A diode has two terminals and contains energy bands, electrons, and electron holes. Changing the semiconductor materials used and the energy band spacing will alter the wavelengths of the emitted photons, and we’ll see different colors.

Red light can stimulate collagen and reduce inflammation for anti-aging benefits. Blue light helps treat acne because it has anti-bacterial properties.

How do LEDs affect the skin? They act as a catalyst for beneficial cellular changes. When using an LED light therapy device, light interacts with specific photoreceptors on the skin. Photoreceptors regulate a wide range of processes, including mitochondrial function and immune responses. Light from LED devices can “spark” cellular changes, including collagen synthesis, decreasing inflammation, and more.  

Here are the key wavelengths for skincare devices:

(source: a research paper in Cosmetic Dermatology)

• Blue light (400–470 nm) can effectively target acne and aid in repairing the skin barrier. 

• Yellow light (570–590 nm) can reduce melasma and photoaging by suppressing melanogenesis. Melanogenesis is the biological process in which melanocytes produce and distribute melanin.

• Red light (630–760 nm) penetrates more deeply to promote scar healing, hair growth, and skin rejuvenation. 

• Near-infrared (NIR, 760–1200 nm) can penetrate the deepest, and helps manage pigmentary disorders, skin aging, and accelerate wound healing. 

What is Photobiomodulation?

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a term used to describe beauty device treatments. It’s also known as low-level laser therapy, a non-invasive treatment that can induce cell proliferation and enhance stem cell differentiation. It contributes to pain relief and reduces inflammation, while enhancing healing and tissue repair processes, according to this report from the Journal of Clinical Medicine. 

Phototherapy for Skincare Issues

Phototherapy refers to any light therapy that uses nonthermal, noninvasive light to achieve a therapeutic outcome, according to The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. It can treat various skin issues, including eczema and psoriasis. There are several types, such as narrowband UVB phototherapy, which uses a targeted wavelength of UV light to calm inflammation and help the skin heal, according to dermatologist Jade Kindley, M.D., VCU Health.

Devices To Achieve Pro Results at Home

Many skincare brands are now becoming interested in launching their own light therapy devices, but there are numerous brands that are already experts in the technology. Omnilux is a popular brand that has developed well-known LED phototherapy devices that claim to treat a range of issues, from acne to wrinkles.

From a packaging perspective, what’s most exciting is the ability to incorporate these types of technologies into a package. Nuon Medical is pioneering this innovative concept, and recently partnered with Italian brand Vagheggi Phytocosmetici to create an “efficacy cap” for its 75.25 Longevity Day Cream. The product—in its high-tech packaging that doubles as a device—won best new skincare product at the Cosmoprof Awards 2026.

Looking Ahead 

Light therapy treatments can deliver measurable benefits for skincare applications. As more devices are tested and new ways to treat various issues are developed, we expect to see a growing interest in all types of high-tech beauty devices. New technologies continually fuel innovations in the beauty industry, and we’re excited to see what comes next.