Does Red Light Therapy Tan You?

Red Light Therapy has become a popular topic in the skincare world, known for its potential to rejuvenate and enhance the appearance of skin. As more people explore this innovative treatment, a common question arises: does Red Light Therapy tan you? Let's go into how exactly this skin treatment works, and whether or not it has the same effects as your tanning salon of choice.

What Is Red Light Therapy and How Does It Work?

Red Light Therapy is a non-invasive skincare treatment that uses low-level wavelengths of red light to penetrate the skin's surface and support natural collagen production. Collagen is essential for maintaining the skin's firmness and structure, and because of natural skin aging and certain lifestyle choices, our body's levels of collagen naturally decrease. 

By supporting this natural process, Red Light Therapy can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, smooth out the look of wrinkles, and rejuvenate skin to give it a healthy-looking glow.

Benefits of Red Light Therapy

Red Light Therapy offers a range of benefits for the skin, and with professional-grade at-home Red Light devices like ours, Red Light Therapy has become a must-have in the regular skincare routine.

Below are just a few benefits of Red Light Therapy:

• Helps to stimulate collagen production, which can help restore the appearance of firmness, structure, and smoothness in the face
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Brightens the appearance of dark circles and dark spots on the skin
• Restores a visible radiance and glow to tired, dull skin
• Promotes a healthier-looking complexion

Here at Solawave, we've also combined Red Light Therapy with other types of skincare technologies including phototherapy (including Near-Infrared Light Therapy and Blue Light Therapy) as well as Therapeutic Warmth, Facial Massage, and Galvanic Current.

Working together with these additional skincare technologies, our Red Light Therapy devices can deliver the above benefits while also helping to:

• Reduce the appearance of inflammation and redness caused by acne
• Reduce the appearance of puffiness in the skin
• Boost absorption of creams and serums
• Help prevent acne breakouts
• Reduce the appearance of mild to moderate acne

Take our Skin Quiz here to help find your perfect device!

Does Red Light Therapy Tan You?

Red Light Therapy does not tan the skin, as it emits no ultraviolet (UV) light, which is a different wavelength of light that's responsible for tanning. Red Light is emitted at wavelengths ranging from approximately 620 to 750 nanometers (nm). Meanwhile, UV rays are classified into three categories based on their wavelengths: UVA (320-400 nm), which penetrates deeply and contributes to skin aging; UVB (290-320 nm), which affects the outer skin layer and causes sunburn; and UVC (100-290 nm), which is mostly absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere and does not reach the surface.

Red Light Therapy is much gentler on the skin than UV light, and while it is able to penetrate the skin, its benefits such as smoothing the appearance of skin actually counteract the negative skin aging effects of too much UV exposure.

Red Light vs. UV Light

Red Light and UV Light serve different purposes and have distinct effects on the skin. Red Light Therapy uses low-level wavelengths of red light to penetrate the skin in order to support collagen and help restore radiance and the look of firmness to aging skin. 

Red Light Therapy is designed to target wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of skin aging, and is gentle enough to be used multiple times per week every week. 

In contrast, UV Light, commonly associated with tanning beds and sun exposure, penetrates the skin and can cause tanning by stimulating melanin production. However, prolonged exposure to UV Light, especially when unprotected by sunscreen or protective clothing, can lead to skin damage, premature aging, and increased risk of skin issues.

Can You Use Red Light Therapy Before and After Tanning?

Yes, you can use Red Light Therapy before or after tanning, but not both, as regular Red Light treatments should be limited to three sessions total per week. Incorporating Red Light Therapy into your pre-tanning routine can help prepare your skin for an even and lasting tan, or you can choose to use it post-tan to help soothe and rejuvenate.

Red Light Therapy Before Tanning

1. Cleanse Your Skin: Begin by thoroughly cleansing your skin to remove any makeup, oils, or impurities. This ensures that the Red Light can penetrate effectively. For your face, we recommend our Hydrating Gel Cleanser which works to cleanse skin without stripping it of its natural oils, which are key for helping to keep your skin from becoming dehydrated during tanning. You'll want to make sure that the rest of your body is also clean and free from dirt, lotion, and anything else that may affect the evenness of your tan.
2. Red Light Therapy Session: Follow the specific treatment time for your Red Light Device (10-12 minutes depending on which device you're using).
3. Hydrate Your Skin: When your Red Light treatment is complete, apply a hydrating moisturizer. Our Nourishing Moisturizer is formulated with collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, and a mushroom humectant to help keep your skin nourished, dewy, and hydrated, even through your tanning session.
4. Tanning Session: We'll let you take your usual tanning routine from here!

Red Light Therapy After Tanning

1. Cool Down: Allow your skin to cool down for at least a few minutes after tanning. This helps to reduce any heat or redness that can follow prolonged UV exposure.
2. Cleanse Your Skin: Gently cleanse your skin to remove any tanning lotions or oils. This ensures that the Red Light can penetrate effectively during the therapy session.
3. Red Light Therapy Session: Follow your specific device instructions and go through one treatment, usually 10 to 12 minutes. This will help soothe the skin, reduce the appearance of inflammation and redness, and help create a radiant glow.
4. Hydrate Your Skin: After the Red Light Therapy session, apply a hydrating moisturizer to nourish your skin.
5. Post-Therapy Care: Continue to hydrate your skin regularly and avoid any harsh skincare products that could irritate your freshly tanned skin. This helps maintain the benefits of both the tanning and Red Light Therapy sessions, promoting a healthier-looking, glowing complexion.

Precautions When Using Red Light Therapy Before or After Tanning

When incorporating Red Light Therapy before or after tanning, there are a few precautions to keep in mind in terms of maintaining skin safety and maximizing benefits:

• Always start with clean skin to allow optimal light penetration.
• Avoid overexposure by adhering to recommended session durations, typically 10-20 minutes for Red Light Therapy, and 4 to 20 minutes for UV tanning.
• Maintain proper hydration by applying a moisturizer before and after each session to support skin recovery and health.
• Be mindful of your skin's response: if any irritation or discomfort occurs, reduce the frequency of sessions or consult a skincare professional such as a dermatologist or licensed esthetician.
• Avoid using harsh skincare products immediately before or after sessions to prevent irritation.

Conclusion

While Red Light Therapy does not tan the skin, it does offer a multitude of benefits when it comes to combating the visible signs of skin aging, from reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to brightening the look of dark circles. Skin is tanned because of UV light, which are different wavelengths from the Red, Near-Infrared, and Blue Light used in our skincare devices, which is why our devices won't tan skin even with repeated use. 

Looking to learn more about Red Light Therapy? Explore our blog here for more skincare tips and guidance, or dive right in with our best-selling Red Light Therapy Face Mask!

Sources:

1. Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation | FDA 
2. Health Effects of UV Radiation | US EPA 
3. Section One- What Causes Tanning Of The Skin? | Utah County Health Department