Red light therapy is the latest fad for a glow-up as celebs swear by LED masks

Looking good is part of the job for Indore-based makeup artist Shruti Sharma. Helping others put their best face forward means her own skin is always under scrutiny. In her search for that elusive glow, Sharma decided to try the sci-fi-looking red light mask she had seen all over Instagram the one that looks like a cross between C-3PO and a Stormtrooper.

“As a makeup artist, healthy skin is very important to me. I had heard that LED red light therapy gives better penetration and helps calm the skin, so I decided to try it,” says the 35-year old. The experience got her hooked. Today, she owns three products a Medicube AGE-R Booster for Rs 28,000, an LED eye mask for Rs 12,000 and a Numour smart gua sha for Rs 5,000.

Like Sharma, many are ready to see the light.

Kindly Light

Once confined to dermatology clinics and sports rehabilitation centres, red light therapy has exploded into one of wellness’ hottest categories. From longevity clinics and recovery centres to living room vanities, the over-the counter market is booming. Leading the charge are LED face masks, favourites of celebrities from Kim Kardashian to Priyanka Chopra. Then come hair-growth helmets and combs, gloves, pain-relief belts and wraps and even collagen creams fitted with tiny light devices. There are full-body red light beds in luxury wellness centres. Meanwhile, Instagram accounts are shilling LED combs for dogs.

According to Grand View Research, the global red light therapy market was valued at $533.8 million in 2025 and is expected to cross $1.13 billion by 2033, with cosmetic applications accounting for nearly 60% of the market. AsiaPacific is the fastest growing region.

Dr Srishti Mohapatra, internal medicine consultant, aesthetic physician and head of research and development at The Wellness Co, a chain of wellness clinics, says the growing interest reflects a broader shift towards preventive, regenerative and evidence-based wellness. “Consumers are seeking non-invasive therapies that complement healthy lifestyle practices. Greater awareness driven by emerging clinical research, elite sports, biohacking communities and celebrity endorsements has accelerated its popularity.”

Dr Jamuna Pai, founder of SkinLab, says the newfound popularity is the result of a perfect storm. “First, the broader longevity and biohacking movement has made people obsessed with cellular health and prevention. Second, the post-pandemic tech shift made consumers love the convenience of clinical treatments at home. Finally, celebrity and social media endorsements demystified the technology.”

Unmasking it

At its core, red light therapy is surprisingly simple. Unlike ultraviolet light, which damages the skin, it uses specific wavelengths of red light (630-700 nanometres) and near-infrared light (700-1,100 nm) that penetrate the skin without burning it. The process, known as photobiomodulation, is believed to stimulate the mitochondria— the cell’s “powerhouse”—boosting the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body’s energy source. Research suggests this may support collagen production, reduce inflammation, aid wound healing and muscle recovery, and improve skin quality. The evidence, however, varies depending on the condition being treated.

Plastic and cosmetic surgeon Dr Vashisht Dikshit of Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, agrees that the science predates the social media buzz. NASA-funded research in the 1990s found that specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light appeared to stimulate cell growth, improve wound healing and support tissue repair.

Vikram Aditya Bhatia, cofounder of Gurgaon-based fitness and sports club Drive FITT, says the industry is in the middle of a mindset shift. “For years the focus was on training harder; now it’s about sustaining peak performance. The aim won’t just be a longer life; it’s living and performing better, for longer. Recovery has moved from the fringe to the mainstream of wellness and performance.” Red light therapy, he says, is becoming part of that recovery toolkit, with newer, smaller devices making it easier to use outside professional settings.

Luxury hotels have embraced the trend too. Fairmont Mumbai introduced red light therapy at Blu Xone, its longevity-focused wellness hub, last year. According to Dr Rashmi Ambastha, director of spa, wellness and recreation, it has become one of the property’s most sought-after treatments. “People are choosing the therapy as part of a preventive wellness routine rather than waiting for concerns to rise, reflecting a shift towards longevity-focused healthcare,” she says.

At The Wellness Co, the clientele varies from office-goers dealing with stress and fatigue to athletes, rehabilitation patients and those focused on healthy ageing. A 25-minute session at Fairmont costs Rs 4,500. At The Wellness Co, therapy ranges from Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000, depending on the treatment plan.

But it’s not a miracle fix. Dr Ankur Sarin, dermatologist and founder of Sarin Skin Clinic in Delhi, says a common misconception is that red light therapy is a cure-all for every skin concern or a replacement for medical treatments. In his practice, enquiries have risen sharply. Pai too confirms an influx of patients asking about it, often bringing online shopping links. “My advice: it is a supportive tool for maintenance, not a total replacement for a proper skincare routine or clinical treatments,” she says.

Correcting Wavelength

Along with in-clinic treatments, the at-home market is also growing. Sharma says she thoroughly researched the technology before buying the products. Today, she recommends it to friends and family. In Mumbai, Bhawani Jha has already added a Noctix mask worth Rs 19,000 to her shopping cart. She had tried Numour’s collagen cream that comes with a built-in red light device. “I felt my skin looked better after using it,” she says. Curious to know more, she began researching “how much irradiance my device should have so that the light penetrates my skin properly”.

That distinction—between buying into the trend and buying the right device— is one doctors repeatedly stress. For at-home devices, Dikshit says the strongest evidence is for skin ageing, wound healing and as an add-on treatment for mild inflammatory acne. “The effectiveness depends largely on using the correct wavelength, treatment dose and a high-quality, clinically tested device.” Sarin agrees and adds, “There is little evidence that creams with built-in lights are as effective as medical-grade devices.”

Dr Varshini Reddy, chief dermatologist and founder of Glow Clinic, calls red light therapy one of the most promising technologies in dermatology. “But a gadget can’t be mistaken for the treatment. This is where medical-grade devices have an advantage as they are designed to deliver clinically validated parameters.” For best results, she recommends using home devices as a supplement to in-clinic treatment.

Dim the expectations

Sarin says there are no studies to validate the claim that red light therapy helps with pigmentation, ageing, or rosacea.

Reddy, who routinely treats clients with red light therapy after aesthetic procedures and as part of facials, says she has seen an improvement in skin healing. It is also widely used to stimulate hair growth, alongside microneedling and mesotherapy. “The key is consistency—whether the treatment is done in a clinic or at home,” she says.

It is not for everyone. Sarin says people with photosensitive conditions such as lupus, those taking photosensitising medications, individuals with suspicious skin lesions or skin cancer and those prone to heat-induced hyperpigmentation should avoid using red light therapy without medical supervision. Its use during pregnancy is not recommended either. “Also, direct eye exposure should be avoided.”

For at-home devices, Sarin has a checklist. “Verify specific technical credentials. Buy devices that specify wavelengths, especially multiple wavelengths, such as 630-660 nm for red light and 810-880 nm for near-infrared light, FDA clearance, a CE mark.”

Dikshit says the bigger issue is expectation rather than safety: “One of the biggest misconceptions is that red light therapy can replace proven medical treatments or deliver dramatic results on its own. With growing social media attention, more patients are asking about it, making it important to separate evidence-based benefits from exaggerated marketing claims.” The future of wellness may be glowing but it’s good to know where the science ends and the light show begins.

Global red light therapy market was valued at $533.8 mn in 2025 and is expected to cross $1.1 bn by 2033.

What is it?

A non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of red light (630–700 nm) and near-infrared light (700–1,100 nm) to stimulate cells. Unlike UV light, it does not tan or burn the skin.

The caveat

Evidence is strongest for certain skin conditions, wound healing and some pain disorders. Claims around weight loss, longevity, cognitive enhancement and general wellness remain less conclusive.

The benefits

It works through photobiomodulation: light is absorbed by the mitochondria, boosting the production of adenosine triphosphate, the body’s energy source. It may:

* Stimulate collagen and elastin production
* Support wound healing and tissue repair
* Reduce inflammation
* Improve blood circulation
* Aid muscle recovery and relieve certain types of pain

A common misconception is that red light therapy is a cure-all for every skin concern or a replacement for medical treatments.