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Does Red Light Therapy Tan You? Let’s Find Out

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Updated Mar 13, 2025

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8 Min

Article by

David Johnson

Can You Get a Tan From Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy emits red and NIR wavelengths between 630-850 nanometers. These wavelengths are beneficial for skin health and do not induce a tan. Here's why:

1. Red Light Therapy doesn't Emit UV Rays

UV light, commonly associated with sun exposure and tanning beds, penetrates the skin and stimulates melanin production, giving you a tan. However, overexposure to UV rays, especially without the protection of sunscreen or clothing, can lead to skin damage and age spots and increase the risk of skin cancer.

There are three categories of UV rays according to their nanometer (NM) wavelengths.

● UVA has the highest wavelength range of 320-400 nm. It penetrates deeper and contributes to signs of aging.

● UVB wavelengths are between 290 nm and 320 nm. It affects the outer skin layer, causing you to have sunburns or a tan.

● UVC has the lowest wavelengths of UV rays, ranging between 100 nm and 290 nm. UVC rays from the sun do not reach the Earth's surface as most get absorbed by the atmosphere.

However, despite the harmful effects of UV light, it also has the benefit of inducing the production of vitamin D or the sun's vitamin.

2. Different Wavelengths, Different Effects

Wavelengths of red and ultraviolet light serve different purposes and affect your skin. Since red light therapy doesn't emit UV light, it cannot give you the look of sun-kissed skin. UV light is responsible for tanning and is a different wavelength of light.

Red light therapy uses low-level wavelengths of red light that penetrate the skin and get absorbed by the cells' organelles, triggering a therapeutic biochemical reaction. Red light therapy before or after a tanning session helps rejuvenate skin.

3. Skin Rejuvenation

The red and near-infrared light wavelengths used in photobiomodulation penetrate the skin and reach the tissues, stimulating cellular repair and regeneration.

The process helps to improve skin tone, reduce inflammation, and accelerate wound healing. However, none of these positive effects involve a change in your skin pigmentation.

Why Red Light Therapy Won't Help You Tan

Red light therapy won't help you tan because wavelengths of red light do not stimulate melanin production like UV rays.

Red light explicitly stimulates adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in mitochondria. ATP is the fuel energy of cells and helps the cells to become more active and to heal naturally.

Wavelengths of red light reduce signs of aging and improve your skin health by creating elastin fibroblast and increasing collagen production. That's why red light therapy is gaining popularity in skincare and cosmetics.

Although red light therapy won't help you tan, the benefits of red light therapy in skincare are many and include:

1. Increased Adenosine Triphosphate Production

Increased energy production helps the cells to become more active in fighting wear and tear. ATP aids natural healing, enabling cells to function optimally and self-repair.

2. Reducing Inflammation

One of the key advantages of RLT is its ability to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is a common underlying symptom in many skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, and acne. Red light also effectively reduces inflammation in muscle soreness and joint pain.

LED devices can help soothe the inflammation, lead to an even skin tone, and reduce discomfort. It makes red light therapy an essential tool for those seeking natural methods for maintaining healthy skin.

3. Increases Collagen Production

Due to age and lifestyle choices, our body's collagen level decreases naturally. UV light is responsible for breaking down the collagen and elastin fibers. Collagen is essential for your skin wellness and maintaining elasticity and skin tone.

Through this natural process, red light therapy helps in skin rejuvenation, reducing the appearance of fine lines and sun damage and smoothening out wrinkles, giving your skin a healthy-looking glow.

4. Diminishing Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are a common skin issue caused by various factors, such as pregnancy, weight gain, and genetics. They are a linear skin lesion many people are fighting to erase.

The good news for you is that red light therapy can potentially reduce stretch marks appearance. A 2017 study in Brazil and Germany shows red light's effectiveness in diminishing stretch marks.

5. Increases Blood Circulation

Red light therapy helps in new blood vessel formation and increases blood flow. The process aids in supplying vital nutrients and oxygen to the healing tissues. It also helps in carrying away natural toxins from the damaged area. In combination with other benefits, increased blood flow helps in wound healing and muscle repair both internally and in the skin.

However, red light therapy benefits are more and go beyond maintaining healthy skin. Red light works deeper below in the muscles, bones, and tendons. So, while you're improving your skin appearance using a red light therapy device, you'll also get other benefits.

6. Red light is a Non-invasive Treatment

Red light therapy is a non-invasive, painless, and chemical-free skincare treatment that uses low-level wavelengths of red and NIR light to stimulate cell functions in the skin.

You will maintain youthful skin without harsh chemicals or painful medical procedures.

7. You Can Do It At Home

Today, innovators have developed red light therapy devices for use at home. It means you can get this essential service in the comfort of your home. We must emphasize that.

When seeking an at-home LED light device, look for one with FDA clearance. The clearance shows the device has been tested and found safe for medical use.

Why Do I Look More Tan or Glowy After Red Light Therapy?

You might have heard people say their skin looks more tan or glowing after red light therapy. The observation is actual, and we've seen it consistently with our RedliteX Pro panels customers. Here's why you look more tan or glow after red light therapy.

● Enhanced circulation- It helps to create a radiant, glowing skin appearance that can be mistaken for a tan. Consistency in using red light therapy will give your skin a more vibrant, natural luminosity that is desirable to beauty enthusiasts.

● Increased oxygenation- It helps the skin look more youthful and energized. The result is a healthy glow and an even skin tone.

● A golden hue: Your skin may develop a golden tone that is not tan. The golden glow indicates improved skin health and vitality but not increased melanin.

The main factors that contribute to glowing skin are:

● Hydration: Adequate hydration helps maintain skin elasticity and suppleness. Dehydration can lead to dryness and flakiness, diminishing your skin's natural glow.

● Nutritional intake: A balanced diet is crucial for your overall health and skin. Nutrients like Vitamin C, E, and omega-3 help prevent oxidative stress in your skin.

● Cell Turnover: Your skin naturally sheds dead cells to accommodate the new ones. With age, the process slows down, and you need to exfoliate your skin to maintain a healthy cell turnover that allows fresh, glowing skin to appear.

● Blood Circulation: Increased blood flow enhances your skin's radiance, and red light therapy is one way to increase blood circulation in the skin.

● Skincare Routine: many ways and products relate to skincare routines. However, you must consult your healthcare provider for the best option tailored to your skin type. Red light therapy on its own is a natural treatment that has minimal or no side effects.

● Regular exercise burns up excess fat and increases blood circulation. It is generally beneficial to full-body wellness, including glowing skin.

Hybrid Tanning Bed in Tanning Salons

Many salons, spas, or wellness centers offer a full-body hybrid tanning bed with red light. The devices use fluorescent bulbs that emit UV rays. Although you can get a full-body treatment using a hybrid tanning bed, it also emits UV radiation that can negatively affect your skin in the long run.

Red light therapy devices for at-home use, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), can be manufactured to be UV-free. So, the source of red light matters during your therapy.

Using a red light device with medical-grade LED bulbs like our Red Lite Pro panels is safer on your skin because these are UV-free. The device can not make you tan because no UVA or UVB irradiation changes skin pigmentation.

Conclusion

Red light therapy is beneficial in skincare and other health conditions. Wavelengths of red light do not increase melanin production, which causes skin tanning.

The device you use for red light therapy matters, depending on its bulb and wavelengths. Some devices, like hybrid tanning beds, use fluorescent bulbs that emit UV rays that are responsible for skin color changes. Select one with medical-grade LED bulbs and FDA approval when looking for an at-home red light therapy device.

Our products at RedliteX include LED bulbs that emit multiple wavelengths. They are versatile, and you can use them for skincare and treating other health conditions.

References

1. Trophy skin (2024, July 18). Is red light tanning safe? Red light therapy at tanning salon https://trophyskin.com/blogs/blog/red-light-tanning-is-it-safe Infraredi (). Can You Get Tan From Red Light Therapy?

2. Cymbiotika (2025, February 12). Why Is My Skin Glowing All of a Sudden? Understanding the Factors Behind Radiant Skin

3. Solawave(2024, August 10)Does Red Light Therapy Tan You?

4. National Library of Medicine (2017). Management of stretch marks (with a focus on striae rubrae)

5. RedLiteX () RedLiteX Pro Series red light therapy device

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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Does Red Light Therapy Tan You? Let’s Find Out

In This Article

Can You Get a Tan From Red Light Therapy?

1. Red Light Therapy doesn't Emit UV Rays

2. Different Wavelengths, Different Effects

3. Skin Rejuvenation

Why Red Light Therapy Won't Help You Tan

1. Increased Adenosine Triphosphate Production

2. Reducing Inflammation

3. Increases Collagen Production

4. Diminishing Stretch Marks

5. Increases Blood Circulation

6. Red light is a Non-invasive Treatment

7. You Can Do It At Home

Why Do I Look More Tan or Glowy After Red Light Therapy?

Hybrid Tanning Bed in Tanning Salons

Conclusion

References

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