Is Red Light Therapy Good for Keratosis Pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris is an extremely widespread skin condition that most individuals must contend with during the course of their lives. It occurs in approximately 50–80% of children and adolescents and roughly 40% of adults. Although it isn't harmful or painful, it produces small, rough bumps on the skin—typically on the arms, thighs, cheeks, or buttocks. These bumps might give your skin a bumpy or dry sensation, and although it's not dangerous, its appearance makes others uncomfortable or feel less self-assured about their skin.

Others resort to trying every type of cream, exfoliant, and homemade remedy, but they do not always act immediately or produce lasting results. This is where red light therapy is gaining momentum. This therapy employs gentle light to penetrate deep into the skin, and it heals it from the inside out. It promotes healthier skin, decreases inflammation, and could smooth out those ugly patches. Regularly doing red light therapy may make your skin feel softer, look clearer, and feel generally more confident. In this article, we're going to discuss whether red light therapy is an effective option to treat keratosis pilaris.

Is Red Light Therapy Good for Keratosis Pilaris?

The Science Behind Red Light Therapy for Keratosis Pilaris

Do you want to know if red light therapy is effective for keratosis pilaris? The answer is a resounding yes. Red light therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free, and very gentle treatment involving the use of particular wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. These lights penetrate deep into the skin, all the way to the region where keratin accumulates in keratosis pilaris. When the light hits your skin, it enhances the functioning of mitochondria—the small powerhouses within your cells. This increased functioning enables the cells to produce more ATP, which is one form of energy that powers all the processes your body requires in order to heal and function as it should. Consequently, this therapy stimulates your body to grow more collagen and elastin, significant proteins responsible for keeping your skin tight, smooth, and healthy.

In keratosis pilaris, red light therapy acts by soothing the inflammation surrounding the hair follicles, where keratin has a tendency to accumulate. By minimizing inflammation, bumps begin to disappear, and your skin can look and feel smoother. On top of that, red light therapy enhances your skin's natural healing power. It assists your body in flushing out the excess keratin more effectively, so your skin can become smoother with time. Regular sessions prevent many people from noticing the difference in how their skin appears and feels.

Does Red Light Therapy Work for Keratosis Pilaris? What Research Says

As you know, red light therapy is beneficial for the skin as it promotes its health by reducing inflammation, inducing elastin and collagen production, and increasing cellular repair. Although there is not extensive research directly done on red light therapy for keratosis pilaris, there are some clinical trials that suggest that red light therapy uses some wavelengths of red and near-infrared light that go deeper into the skin and help to avoid keratin bumps from forming.

Clinical Studies on Red Light Therapy for Keratosis Pilaris Patients

Study 1: Red and Laser Light Therapy (Including 595–1064 nm Wavelengths) for Treating Keratosis Pilaris

Objective

The objective of this article is to critically review and analyze all studies that have utilized light and laser therapy in treating keratosis pilaris and its rare variants.

Results

17 studies on 175 patients were evaluated. Among these, 136 patients presented with classical keratosis pilaris, 22 patients with KP atrophicans faciei, and 17 with KP rubra. Light or laser therapy was applied to all the patients.

Conclusion

Light and laser treatments are proving to be viable for keratosis pilaris, a disease that has no satisfactory long-term remedy.

Study 2: Effectiveness of 810-nm Diode Laser in Treating Keratosis Pilaris: Improving Skin Texture and Roughness

Objective

The research sought to assess whether the 810-nm diode laser, a more wavelength laser, can cure keratosis pilaris (KP) effectively, particularly for enhancing roughness, bumpiness, and textural irregularity of the skin.

Results

Following three 810-nm diode laser treatments, the treated sites exhibited a considerable decrease in bumpiness and roughness of skin compared with control sites. The contrast between the skin texture of the treated and control sites was remarkable, with median improvement in roughness/bumpiness scores being (P = .004). Redness (erythema) did not significantly improve (P = .11).

Conclusion

The 810-nm diode laser can soften skin and minimize bumpiness in KP patients, especially those with Fitzpatrick skin types I to III. Redness (erythema) does need further treatments, possibly using a combination of this laser and other modalities for an optimal result.

Study 3: Efficacy and Safety of Long-Pulsed 755-nm Alexandrite Laser in Treating Keratosis Pilaris

Objective

To determine the efficacy and safety of the long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser in the treatment of skin roughness and erythema of keratosis pilaris (KP).

Results

With four treatments using the 755-nm alexandrite laser, the treated side exhibited improvements in redness and roughness than the untreated side as evaluated by physicians and patients. Laser treatment produced improved dermoscopic and ultrasound findings, with improvement of follicular plugs, perifollicular erythema, hyperpigmentation, and epidermal bulges. Histopathological findings established a reduction of follicular plugs and inflammatory cell infiltration. Temporary post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation was experienced by some patients.

Conclusion

The long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser is effective and safe in treating the roughness and redness of KP, and both clinical evaluation and imaging studies showed improvement.

Choosing the Right Red Light Therapy Device for Keratosis Pilaris Treatment

Key Features to Look for in an Effective Device for Skin Health

Once you have decided to do red light therapy at home, it's critical to pick the correct device. We'll show you the aspects to search for when buying a red light therapy device. Your device must provide red light between 600-660 nm and near-infrared light between 810-850 nm. These wavelengths are therapeutic for healing most skin disorders, including keratosis pilaris. Your equipment should be capable of providing adequate power output so that the light goes deep into the area and induces quicker healing. Think about the region you are treating—select compact equipment for minor regions and one large enough for larger regions. Your equipment will be simpler to work with if it is hands-free and variable intensity.

Total Spectrum Devices: Tailored Red Light Therapy for Skin Smoothing

Overview of the Total Spectrum Series for Treating Keratosis Pilaris

You're fortunate that you've learned about the Total Spectrum line since it is a series of excellent, FDA-approved products. The products are safe and effective. You can easily use red light therapy with these products since they release a particular wavelength of red and near-infrared light that is ideal for addressing keratosis pilaris. The products contain enough power and a high amount of LEDs to get your skin enough light. They also come with hands-free use, and they are portable in the sense that you can readily carry them anywhere.

Best Practices for Using Red Light Therapy for Keratosis Pilaris Care

Finding the Right Dosage: Frequency, Session Length, and Distance for KP Treatment

After purchasing the right red light device, like the Total Spectrum series, you need to follow some important instructions. For best results, you should not perform red light therapy daily. It is recommended to use RLT 3-5 times a week, with each session lasting 10-20 minutes. Maintain a distance of 6-12 inches between the device and the affected area to avoid overheating and potential skin damage. By following these guidelines, you can perform red light therapy with ease and achieve better results.

Conclusion: Can Red Light Therapy Help Keratosis Pilaris?

How is Red Light Therapy Good for Keratosis Pilaris?

Red light therapy has potential benefits for keratosis pilaris in reducing inflammation, improving skin texture, and healing; the ability of red and near-infrared light to penetrate deeply stimulates the synthesis of collagen and elastin and calms irritated follicles, treating the underlying cause of the patches of rough, bumpy skin by preventing keratin buildup, and while further research continues to unlock its full potential, clinical trials have proven visible improvements in skin smoothness and redness with regular red light therapy treatments.

What are Reviews on Reddit about Red Light Therapy for Keratosis Pilaris?

Reddit users have shared positive reviews about red light therapy for keratosis pilaris. One user says, "I don't have wrinkles, but I've used it to help clear up my keratosis pilaris. It doesn't make it go away entirely, but it does make the skin smoother." Another user shares, "Immediately after 10 minutes of use before bed, the KP on the right side of my face is gone. I take the mask off, and my face is smooth—like magic. However, the bumps reappear by morning."

These reviews suggest that red light therapy could be a potential treatment for keratosis pilaris.

FAQS: Addressing Common Questions

Does red light work for keratosis pilaris?

Yes, red light therapy works for keratosis pilaris by promoting the production of collagen and elastin proteins, reducing inflammation, and enhancing cellular repair.

What is the most effective treatment for keratosis pilaris?

The most effective treatment for keratosis pilaris includes regular use of exfoliating creams (like lactic acid or salicylic acid) and daily moisturizing. Laser or red light therapy may also help reduce redness and bumps in some people.

Which laser treatment is best for keratosis pilaris?

The most effective laser therapies for keratosis pilaris are the 755-nm alexandrite laser and the 810-nm diode laser. These have both yielded good results in enhancing the texture of the skin as well as minimizing redness.

Does sunlight help keratosis pilaris?

Sunlight can slightly improve keratosis pilaris by making the bumps less hard and decreasing redness through vitamin D. However, excessive sun exposure will dry out the skin and exacerbate the condition, so be careful and use sunscreen.