744 words, 4 minutes read time
Updated on January 18, 2026. Fact checked by Robert Underwood, Head of Research
Red Light Therapy Stats In A Nutshell
- In 2021 the global light therapy market was worth $521.1 million
- By 2031 the light therapy market is expected to be worth $802.7 million
- Red light therapy is predominantly used to treat skin conditions
- North America is currently the biggest consumer of light therapy
- Europe currently has a higher demand for blue light therapies
- Patients using self-administered light therapy devices saw a 70% reduction in inflammatory acne
Understanding Red Light Therapy
Before you can understand why red light therapy is growing so rapidly in popularity, it’s important to know what this treatment entails and how it works.
Red light therapy, or RLT, is a therapeutic technique that uses wavelengths of low-level red light to treat a variety of cosmetic issues, ranging from wrinkles and fine lines to scarring and stretch marks. It’s also being used to treat slow-healing wounds, eczema, alopecia, and a range of other conditions.
RLT goes by many different names, including low level light therapy (LLLT), photobiomodulation (PBM), soft laser therapy, biostimulation, photonic stimulation, and low-power laser therapy (LPLT). This therapy is used both in cosmetic settings to treat skin issues, and in medical offices to treat more persistent conditions like psoriasis and even reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.
There is plenty of research to suggest that red light therapy is more than a passing trend, too. A study posted in the journal Photomedicine and Laser Surgery noted that RLT is a safe, non-thermal, and non-invasive skin tissue treatment with high rates of efficacy and patient satisfaction, particularly for anti-ageing and collagen-boosting applications. Another paper found it to be an effective treatment to induce wound healing in non-healing lesions and injuries, including diabetic wounds.
A complete review published in Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery has also suggested a broad range of applications for RLT, including as a skin rejuvenation treatment to treat wrinkles, dyspigmentation, telangiectasia, and loss of elasticity; as a therapy for acne; as a treatment to reduce the recurrence of cold sores; as a therapy to reduce the appearance of keloids and hypertrophic scars; and as a treatment for burns and psoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition.
Part of the reason behind this therapy’s widespread appeal is its high levels of safety and minimal risk. RLT poses extremely low chances of adverse reactions, and is quick, simple, non-invasive, and pain-free, while still being effective for a range of conditions. RLT also does not pose any recovery times, special pre-use preparatory requirements, or immediate or long-term side effects.
Growth of the Red Light Therapy Market
Future Applications of Red Light Therapy
The statistics above suggest that red light therapy tools will see rising demand over the next few years, and will continue to be used primarily by those seeking treatments for skin conditions. Research on LLLT and skin conditions has found plenty of promise in this treatment for addressing a plethora of skin concerns and improving blood flow, collagen production, and skin rejuvenation.
One study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology Online found that blue and red-based light therapies have notable effects on mild to moderate inflammatory acne lesions. Another study found that patients who self-administered light therapy treatments with a handheld device over a month experienced a 70% reduction in inflammatory acne by 8 weeks after their final treatment.
A research paper published in AIMS Biophys found that photobiomodulation (red light therapy) can effectively promote healing, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation – the latter which is a key driver behind chronic inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. The results suggest that the therapy can effectively reduce inflammation in a variety of bodily systems, thereby helping to improve cellular turnover and reduce the discomfort associated with these conditions.
Red light therapy even has the potential to treat stubborn stretch marks. A study in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery found that RLT is a safe, highly effective way to reduce the appearance of these marks by promoting collagen synthesis and assisting in the healing of immature striae.
With so many proven uses for red light therapy in cosmetic and practical dermatology, it’s unsurprising that the demand for RLT devices is expected to continue growing at a steady rate. Based on the stats and studies, in the next decade, these types of treatments look set to become increasingly commonplace.
