When it comes to psoriasis treatments, light therapy is a common and effective treatment option. You may be familiar with types of phototherapy like narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) and psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy (also known as PUVA). Another type that’s been generating buzz is red light therapy (RLT).

“Has anyone tried red light therapy for their psoriasis? If so, did it help?” one MyPsoriasisTeam member asked.

Red light therapy isn’t an established psoriasis treatment at this point, but it’s being actively studied. Keep reading for more about what this therapy entails and how it works. For individualized advice on treatment options, always speak to your dermatologist.

Red Light Repairs Tissue

Dermatology research on red light therapy is still limited. But researchers believe RLT stimulates cell growth and rejuvenation in a process called photobiomodulation.

Photobiomodulation changes cell behavior. It also stimulates genes that signal cell regeneration and healing. Although this has not specifically been shown in skin affected by psoriasis, its effects and use for psoriasis continue to be studied.

Red Light Therapy Penetrates Deeper Into Skin

In some cases, red light therapy has penetrated the layers of skin nearly a quarter inch (6 millimeters) deep. The penetration depth of light depends on wavelength, device settings, tissue characteristics, and other factors. But a deeper penetration allows the treatment to reach different types of skin cells.

RLT doesn’t use UV light, which is known to cause skin cancer. Studies so far show it doesn’t harm skin cells when used properly.

Red Light Therapy Is an Emerging Treatment

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. In this condition, an overactive part of the immune system causes skin cells to reproduce too quickly. In plaque psoriasis, the most common type of psoriasis, the skin develops thick, scaly lesions that can be itchy and painful.

There’s no cure for psoriasis. But treatment of psoriasis symptoms often includes:

• Topical treatments, such as prescription corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory medications and over-the-counter medications with salicylic acid or coal tar
• Systemic prescription medications, such as immunosuppressant drugs or biologics
• Phototherapy, a medical treatment where wavelengths of light are applied to the skin

Red light therapy for psoriasis is still considered a relatively new type of light therapy. One small, early study of nine people reviewed the effects of red and near-infrared light. Participants showed 60 percent to 100 percent clearance of plaque psoriasis after four to five weeks of treatment.

Although this sounds encouraging, the sample size was too small to draw a general conclusion, and this shouldn’t be taken as evidence that most people with psoriasis can expect that degree of improvement.

Although results like these are promising, researchers and doctors believe there’s more to learn about RLT. Additional data can help healthcare providers better understand how best to use RLT to treat psoriasis and other conditions. Ongoing studies will reveal more about the safety and effectiveness of this emerging treatment.

What Members Say

Despite the limited research, many MyPsoriasisTeam members have reported positive results from using RLT for psoriasis. Members have shared comments like these:

• “I’ve tried something new: red light therapy. And OMG — it’s been two weeks, my face is completely clear, my back is 98 percent clear, and my legs are getting better. It makes your skin feel so soft and even changes the texture of your hair.”
• “Started the red light therapy back up. Today will be my third trip, and I can already see improvement. Now if I can stop this itching — it’s driving me crazy.”
• “I’ve tried red light therapy before. Red light therapy reduced the inflammation from my experience, but I didn’t stay committed to it because of the cost.”

Discuss Red Light Therapy With Your Dermatologist

If you’re interested in learning more about red light therapy for psoriasis, talk to your doctor. RLT and photobiomodulation may use LEDs or lasers. Devices are available for both professional and home use.

The RLT devices available for home use should be used with caution. It’s essential to understand which commercial options may be safe and effective and to have a clear grasp on how to use a device properly. Your doctor may advise against performing RLT at home and suggest in-office treatment instead if RLT seems like a safe adjunctive treatment option for you to try.