Red light therapy is a form of phototherapy meant to improve the appearance of your skin and help treat skin conditions, like atopic dermatitis. Although phototherapy is a commonly prescribed treatment for atopic dermatitis, not all types of phototherapy are the same.

“I finished light therapy treatment two months ago and honestly, I have beautiful skin for the first time in years,” shared one member of MyEczemaTeam. Another said, “Phototherapy worked great for me. It took one year of twice-weekly trips for treatments, but the end result was spectacular!”

Phototherapy, however, doesn’t work for everyone. It also has risks. “I get a sunburn on my face that’s itchy as heck for a few days,” said one member. Another reported, “My eczema went away completely, but came back right after I finished light treatment.”

Red light therapy is a newer phototherapy option. Since it hasn’t been studied as much as other types of phototherapy, it’s not clear whether it’s safe and effective for all people with atopic dermatitis. The most recent guidelines for atopic dermatitis treatment recommend narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) light for phototherapy as the first choice. Learning about the different types of phototherapy can help you weigh the pros and cons with your dermatologist.

Red light therapy is a newer type of phototherapy that hasn’t been studied as much as other types.

What Is Light Therapy?

Phototherapy or light therapy may be recommended for atopic dermatitis, especially if other treatment options don’t seem to be helping. It can help reduce symptoms like itching and inflammation. However, some people, including those with photosensitivity dermatitis, shouldn’t use phototherapy.

Light therapy can be performed on the whole body or in specific areas where atopic dermatitis usually appears, like the hands, head, and feet. Usually, a light therapy session happens in a special unit surrounded by fluorescent bulbs or under lamps that treat specific lesions. Phototherapy may be used alone or in combination with systemic drugs and certain topical atopic dermatitis treatments. It can take a couple of months for phototherapy to improve atopic dermatitis symptoms.

Different Types of Phototherapy

Several types of light therapy are available for atopic dermatitis, but some are recommended more than others.

Narrowband Ultraviolet B

As the “gold standard” for light therapy, NB-UVB is the most common type of phototherapy used to treat atopic dermatitis.

Phototherapies are measured by the wavelength of the light. NB-UVB uses wavelengths of 313 nanometers. More research has gone into NB-UVB than into other forms of phototherapy, and it has shown good safety results for other skin conditions, including psoriasis.

Narrowband ultraviolet B is considered the “gold standard” light therapy for treating atopic dermatitis.

Ultraviolet A1

Ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) uses wavelengths between 340 and 400 nanometers. It penetrates the skin deeply to kill T-helper cells, a type of immune system cell associated with atopic dermatitis. UVA1 may be more expensive and harder to access than NB-UVB treatments. There also isn’t quite as much research into its safety.

Psoralen Ultraviolet A

During psoralen ultraviolet (PUVA) treatments, healthcare professionals first apply a topical drug (psoralen) to make the skin more sensitive to light, then administer UVA treatment. PUVA can be used on the whole body or specific areas.

PUVA is sometimes used if NB-UVB phototherapy doesn’t work. However, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology notes that there’s not enough research into PUVA to recommend it for atopic dermatitis treatment.

Red Light and Other Laser Therapies

Various laser modalities — including excimer, light-emitting diode (LED), and pulsed dye lasers — are emerging as possible new skin treatments. Low-level LED therapies include blue light (400 to 500 nanometers) and red light (630 to 770 nanometers). Technically, this type of light therapy is UV-free. That means it has a lower risk of side effects like skin cancer. However, unlike stronger forms of phototherapy, these treatments’ effectiveness for atopic dermatitis hasn’t been fully established.

What Should You Expect From Phototherapy?

Phototherapy is typically given in a medical or hospital setting several times a week for a few months. People with darker skin may require a higher dose for phototherapy to be effective.

During phototherapy treatment, you’ll apply a moisturizing oil to your skin and stand in a light cabinet. You’ll wear protective eye gear during the session. Treatment lasts just a few seconds at first, with gradual increases as your body adjusts. If your skin improves after several months, you may be able to reduce your treatments.

Phototherapy is typically given in a medical or hospital setting several times a week for a few months.

Studies have shown that all types of phototherapy — including natural sunlight — can improve atopic dermatitis symptoms.

Members of MyEczemaTeam have shared a range of experiences with phototherapy:

• “Phototherapy cleared atopic dermatitis on my hands, but the skin peeled off my fingers today.”
• “Some 35 sessions of phototherapy helped every part of my body except my face.”
• “I had chills and felt sunburned. My doctor gave me a lower dose, and I felt better. We all have different levels of relief and sensitivity.”
• “I usually get a few months’ break from flares after light therapy treatment. I changed from UVB to UVA recently, and it vastly improved my skin.”

Exploring phototherapy as part of your atopic dermatitis treatment plan can give you more options to help you get severe eczema symptoms under control.

Side Effects and Risks of Phototherapy

Although phototherapy is considered safe, it carries the same risks as overexposure to the sun. All UV treatments, especially PUVA, carry a long-term risk of skin cancer, especially for people with fair skin.

Red light therapy, which does not use UV light, doesn’t increase the risk of skin cancer.

Phototherapy has other drawbacks, including the cost, frequency, and accessibility of treatment. It can also be difficult to treat hard-to-reach or hairy areas (like the scalp, genitals, and skin folds in the armpit or groin).

While red light therapy machines are available for at-home use, they may not be strong enough to give you the desired effects. Ideally, any skin treatment should happen under the supervision of a dermatologist rather than at home or a tanning salon or spa, especially when you have a skin condition like atopic dermatitis. Always be sure to use eye protection when doing any form of light therapy.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyEczemaTeam is the social network for people with eczema and their loved ones. On MyEczemaTeam, more than 54,000 people come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories about living with eczema.

Have you tried different wavelengths of UV light for severe eczema flare-ups? How about red light therapy? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.