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Can You Use Red Light Therapy While Pregnant? What Research Says

Date

Updated Mar 13, 2025

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8 Min

Article by

David Johnson

Studies show that there is no risk of using red light therapy while pregnant. However, there is a need for more clinical studies to declare it safe under all conditions.

Since circumstances vary, it's best to consult your healthcare provider when starting a new treatment. Please continue reading to learn the benefits of red light therapy and how to use it while pregnant.

Is It Safe to Use Red Light Therapy During Pregnancy?

The good news is that a study about using laser therapy during pregnancy shows it has no risk to both the mother and the developing fetus.

A 2022 study claims that red light therapy helps improve the experience of pregnant women by reducing the chances of late-onset preeclampsia.

Some people may consider red light therapy safe because of its non-invasive nature and painless procedure.

However, red light therapy is a relatively new treatment option with limited research. More studies and clinical trials are needed to make a conclusive judgment on the safety of red light therapy while pregnant.

Which Stage of Pregnancy Is Safe for Red Light Therapy?

Pregnancy has three stages or trimesters divided according to the fetus's development.

● In the first trimester after conception, doctors often suggest avoiding treatments like laser therapy during the first trimester unless necessary. Exposing yourself to new or untested treatment options may negatively impact this vital and delicate process.

● The fetus's organs are more developed in the second stage, reducing the risk of complications from external factors than in the first trimester. If you're interested in exploring phototherapy for pain or other conditions, check with your healthcare provider.

● In the third trimester, your body is preparing for delivery. As the baby grows, so does your body. The increase in size causes your skin to stretch and can lead to discomfort and stretch marks. You may consider red light therapy to help with stretch marks.

Benefits of Using Red Light Therapy During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the safety of the mother and fetus comes first when using any treatment. After consulting with your healthcare provider and getting the go-ahead to use red light therapy during pregnancy, you can integrate it into your daily life and continue with it even after birth.

Red light therapy's therapeutic effects stem from its ability to stimulate biochemical reactions inside the cells with healing effects. The benefits of using red light therapy during pregnancy include:

1. Aches and Pain Management

Aches and pain are common during the pregnancy cycle. Everyday aches and pains during pregnancy that you can treat with red light therapy include:

● Back pain
● wrist pain resulting from Carpal tunnel syndrome
● Stomach aches, cramps, and pain
● Hip pain as a result of hip bursitis
● Varicose veins
● Legs and feet cramps

Red light therapy relieves pain because its wavelengths stimulate nitric oxide production, dilating blood vessels.

Dilated vessels increase blood flow, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the painful area. Sufficient nutrients and oxygen help in the healing process and reduce inflammation.

Wavelengths of red light also aid the mitochondria in producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of cells. ATP stimulates cells to rejuvenate on their own. The rejuvenation helps repair and regenerate damaged tissues, accelerating the healing process.

2. Reduces Inflammation

A combination of red and near-infrared (NIR) lights is an excellent therapy for inflammation.

During pregnancy, inflammation occurs at different points in the 9 months. However, pregnant women in the first trimester are more likely to get inflammation since it's a pro-inflammatory phase.

Red light therapy reduces inflammation by increasing blood flow in the affected area. Encouraging circulation to the damaged body tissue helps carry away natural waste and toxins.

3. Alleviates Signs of Depression (Ex. Postpartum)

Although depression is a serious concern for many pregnant women, they are cautious about taking antidepressants due to their potential side effects on the fetus. Red light therapy or photobiomodulation offers a drug-free, non-invasive alternative that shows the potential of reducing symptoms of depression.

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry by Wirz-Justice and colleagues, it shows that light therapy is effective in reducing depression in pregnant women. Laser therapy for depression has minimal side effects for the mother and no known risks to the unborn baby.

4. Treatment of Acne

Using red and blue light is known to be effective in treating acne. Hormonal changes during pregnancy increase breakouts that make acne a common skin concern for many expectant mothers.

Red and blue light therapy reduces inflammation and promotes skin healing without the need for drugs or harsh chemicals.

5. Improves Skin Appearance

Red light helps in the production of collagen, which increases skin elasticity. Collagen helps to reduce stretch marks and wrinkles. It improves the fine lines. Light therapy is widely practiced in skin care, especially facial treatments.

6. Offers At-home Therapy Option

Pregnancy affects mobility and reduces the speed of movement. They undergo physical changes, which have effects on posture and gait. However, a pregnant woman builds up muscle between the back, legs, and feet that helps to support extra weight in her womb.

What is fantastic about phototherapy is that you can access it at home. Red light therapy devices for use at home eliminate the need to seek the clinic's service. There are different types of therapy devices for home use. You can choose a red light panel or an adaptable, wearable device.

Potential Risks

RLT may not affect the mother and the baby, but there are some potential risks you need to know while pregnant.

● Limited research: There are limited studies on the safety of red light therapy during pregnancy. Due to limited research, it's difficult to conclude the potential risks of red light therapy fully.

● Risk of eye damage: Low-level laser therapy is known to cause retinal eye damage. Ensure you wear goggles when using the device if the instructions say so.

● May Overheat: Although LED devices do not produce noticeable heat, they still cause your body to heat up. Pregnant women should avoid using red light therapy on their abdomens and exercise caution when using it in other areas, too.

● May affect milk production: Red light therapy can affect the production of prolactin, a hormone involved in milk production. This may interfere with milk production in nursing women.

How to Use Red Light Therapy Safely During Pregnancy

Now that we know red light therapy is safe during pregnancy and its benefits let's dive into how you use it safely while pregnant.

1. Consult with your Healthcare Provider

You need to consult a healthcare professional before and during red light therapy. Prior consultation will help reveal if there is an underlying health issue and the best treatment option for your condition.

During therapy, your doctor will help you monitor the progress and diagnose any negative impact red light may have on your skin.

2. Get the Right Device

There are many different red light therapy devices advertised online. However, you need to choose a device that is FDA-certified. Also, please select a device with multiple wavelengths for its versatility in treating different health conditions, like the RedliteX Pro panel.

3. Follow Device Instructions

You need to read and understand the operational instructions accompanying your LED device. The instruction manual will guide you on the best position and settings for treating different health issues.

4. Start Slow With Gradual Increments

Most manufacturers recommend a 10 to 30-minute therapy session repeated 3-5 times weekly. If it's your first time doing red light, start with a 10-minute session 3 times a week. You can increase session time and treatment frequency as the body adjusts to therapy.

5. Cleanse and Exfoliate your Skin

Before therapy, clean off any dirt, ointment, and sunscreen off your skin to allow better penetration and absorption of the wavelengths. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, which can block red light wavelengths during therapy.

6. Be Regular and Consistent

What shouldn't change during red light therapy is your commitment to treatment. You need to be regular and consistent to achieve optimal results for your wellness.

7. Continue with other Skincare Routines

After the red light therapy session, wear sunscreen to prevent sunburns. On top of that, you must maintain a healthy diet and hydrate your skin to avoid dryness.

8. Keep Track of your Progress

By keeping track of your progress, you can note any negative changes on the skin. If you notice any burns or blisters, stop and consult your dermatologist.

9. Combine Red Light Therapy with other Treatments

Red light therapy is not a magical solution during pregnancy for the abovementioned issues. You must continue with other prescribed treatments while still using red light. Wavelengths of red light will help your cells to utilize the medication better and heal quickly.

10. Wear Goggles

Although red light is safe on your eyes, you must wear goggles to protect against retinal damage if the device instructions state so.

Conclusion

You can use red light therapy while pregnant. However, you must consult your healthcare provider on its merits and eligibility. Red light therapy during pregnancy will improve your skin appearance and treat other health conditions.

A red light device at home will give you convenience and eliminate clinic visits. We recommend choosing a device with multiple wavelengths, like RedliteX Pro series panels. A panel can treat different conditions, and you can use it while engaging in another activity.

Always ensure you're using your device correctly and consistently during therapy. Start slow and increase the exposure as your skin gets used to red light therapy. Over time, your body will start showing positive results and improvement in your well-being.

References

1. National Library of Medicine (2019, June). Utilization of Laser Therapy During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of the Maternal and Fetal Effects Reported From 1960 to 2017

2. National Library of Medicine (2022, April 20) Red Light Mitigates the Deteriorating Placental Extracellular Matrix in Late Onset of Preeclampsia and Improves the Trophoblast Behavior

3. National Library of Medicine (2011, April 5) A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of light therapy for antepartum depression

4. KINEON (2025). Explaining Red Light Therapy and Safety in Pregnancy

5. Little Bean App (2024, September 5). Is Red Light Therapy Safe During Pregnancy

Article by

David Johnson

David Johnson is a co-founder of RedliteX and a healthcare professional with extensive experience in red light therapy. He specializes in the research and application of red light therapy panels for therapeutic and wellness purposes, with a deep understanding of the science behind light-based treatments. Committed to education and evidence-based insights, he focuses on how red light therapy can support healing, pain management, recovery, and overall well-being.

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Can You Use Red Light Therapy While Pregnant? What Research Says

In This Article

Is It Safe to Use Red Light Therapy During Pregnancy?

Which Stage of Pregnancy Is Safe for Red Light Therapy?

Benefits of Using Red Light Therapy During Pregnancy

1. Aches and Pain Management

2. Reduces Inflammation

3. Alleviates Signs of Depression (Ex. Postpartum)

4. Treatment of Acne

5. Improves Skin Appearance

6. Offers At-home Therapy Option

Potential Risks

How to Use Red Light Therapy Safely During Pregnancy

1. Consult with your Healthcare Provider

2. Get the Right Device

3. Follow Device Instructions

4. Start Slow With Gradual Increments

5. Cleanse and Exfoliate your Skin

6. Be Regular and Consistent

7. Continue with other Skincare Routines

8. Keep Track of your Progress

9. Combine Red Light Therapy with other Treatments

10. Wear Goggles

Conclusion

References

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