Skip to content
When it comes to skincare and beauty treatments, knowing the difference between different technologies and therapies will help you make the best choices for your skin. Red Light Therapy and tanning beds are two options that often get compared because they both use light as part of the treatment, but they actually serve very different purposes.
While both use light, their effects on your skin are quite distinct. Let's break down these differences and highlight the benefits each one has to offer.
What Is Red Light Therapy and How Does It Work?
Red Light Therapy is a gentle, painless, non-invasive treatment that uses a specific wavelength of light to enhance the appearance of your skin. Unlike other light-based treatments, Red Light Therapy focuses on rejuvenating the skin by penetrating its layers to support collagen production, but it does so without causing damage to any of the skin layers. This process can help target visible signs of skin aging, such as reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a smoother, more youthful look.
Because of these benefits, Red Light Therapy has earned a name in the realm of skincare, and professional-grade at-home devices are now available for users to enjoy these benefits as part of their regular skincare routines in the comfort of their homes.
Our devices are designed to be used after cleansing and drying the skin, but before applying your other skincare products (except for our LightBoost topicals, which are formulated to be used synergistically with our Light Therapy devices to boost their effects!).
Our Wrinkle Retreat Face Mask and Neck & Chest Rejuvenating Mask turn off automatically after their 10-minute treatments, while our Eye Recovery Pro Mask and our Bye Acne Blue Light Pimple Treatment deliver results in just 3 minutes each!
All four of these devices utilize Red Light Therapy along with other forms of Light Therapy (depending on the device) to deliver a range of skin benefits, including Blue Light to destroy acne-causing bacteria and Near-Infrared Light to rejuvenate the skin for a radiant-looking glow.
You can learn more about the different types of Light Therapy here, or check out our Before & After Light Therapy Photos here!
Does Red Light Therapy Make You Tan?
Red Light Therapy does not cause your skin to tan. Unlike tanning beds, which use ultraviolet light to darken the skin, Red Light Therapy employs wavelengths that do not affect melanin production. Instead, Red Light Therapy focuses on enhancing the appearance of your skin by supporting collagen production. This treatment is designed to rejuvenate the look of skin by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and promoting a healthier-looking complexion without altering your skin tone.
How Do Tanning Beds Work?
Tanning beds are specialized devices that mimic the sun's effects on your skin, giving you a tan without actually going into the sun. These beds are equipped with fluorescent lamps that emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation, similar to the UV rays produced by the sun.
There are two main types of UV rays involved in the tanning process: UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, oxidizing the melanin already present in your skin. This oxidation process darkens the melanin, giving your skin a tanned appearance. On the other hand, UVB rays affect the outer layers of the skin and stimulate the production of new melanin. This increase in melanin production is what leads to a longer-lasting tan.
When you use a tanning bed, your skin is exposed to these UV rays in a controlled environment. The intensity and duration of exposure can be adjusted to suit different skin types and tanning goals. Many people opt for tanning beds as a quick and convenient way to achieve a sun-kissed glow, especially during times when natural sunlight is scarce or it's too cold to try and tan outside.
Are Tanning Beds Bad For Your Skin?
Tanning beds can pose risks to your skin's health due to their use of ultraviolet radiation. When you expose your skin to the UV rays emitted by tanning beds, you're subjecting it to both UVA and UVB radiation, which are what broad spectrum sunscreen aims to protect you from.
UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, reaching the dermis, which is the thickest layer of your skin. Damage from these rays can lead to premature signs of skin aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines, as UVA rays break down collagen and elastin fibers, which are essential for maintaining skin's firmness and elasticity.
UVB rays, while not penetrating as deeply as UVA rays, primarily affect the outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermis. They are responsible for causing sunburn, which is a clear indication of skin damage. Repeated exposure to UVB rays can lead to more serious skin issues over time.
One of the most concerning risks associated with tanning beds is the increased potential for skin problems. The concentrated UV exposure from tanning beds can elevate the risk of skin issues compared to natural sun exposure because the intensity of UV radiation in tanning beds can be much higher than that of even the midday sun.
Additionally, the damage caused by UV radiation is cumulative, meaning it builds up over time. Even if you don't see immediate effects, repeated use of tanning beds can lead to long-term skin damage. In summary, while tanning beds can provide a quick way to achieve a bronzed look, they come with risks.
Red Light Therapy vs Tanning Beds: What Are the Differences?
While both involve light exposure, how each affects your skin differs significantly.
Red Light Therapy Doesn't Use UV Rays
Red Light Therapy utilizes specific wavelengths of light to penetrate the skin's layers. This light energy supports collagen production, which can help rejuvenate the look of skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and promote a more radiant-looking complexion. The focus of Red Light Therapy is on enhancing skin health and appearance without altering skin tone.
In contrast, tanning beds use ultraviolet light, which includes both UVA and UVB rays, to stimulate melanin production in the skin, leading to a tanned appearance.
Red Light Therapy Doesn't Tan
With that, the outcomes of these treatments are fundamentally different. Red Light Therapy is centered around skin rejuvenation, offering benefits like smoother texture, reduced appearance of wrinkles, and a more luminous complexion, while the primary goal of tanning beds is to darken the skin, providing a tanned look. While this may give your skin the bronzed look you're going for, it does not offer the same skin benefits as Red Light Therapy and can actually cause some of the skin issues that Red Light Therapy aims to address.
Tanning Can Cause Skin Damage
When it comes to safety, Red Light Therapy is generally considered a safe and non-invasive treatment with minimal risks. It does not involve UV radiation, so it doesn't carry the same risks associated with UV exposure.
Tanning beds, however, pose safety concerns because of their use of UV radiation. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can lead to skin damage, accelerate the appearance of skin aging, and increase the risk of skin issues like skin cancer (also known as melanoma). The intensity of UV radiation in tanning beds can be much higher than natural sunlight, which is why protective eyewear is needed in beds but not when you're outside or otherwise exposed to the sun.
Tanning Beds Are a Repeated Cost, While You Can Do Red Light Therapy at Home
Tanning beds typically require visits to a salon, which can add up in cost over time. Each session involves scheduling, travel, and the expense of repeated appointments. In contrast, advancements in technology have made Red Light Therapy accessible right from the comfort of your home. With professional-grade devices now available for personal use, you can enjoy the benefits of Red Light Therapy without the ongoing costs and inconvenience of salon visits. This makes it a convenient and cost-effective option for maintaining a glowing complexion on your own schedule.
Can You Use Red Light Therapy If You Use Tanning Beds?
Red Light Therapy and tanning beds serve different purposes and affect the skin in different ways. Red Light Therapy focuses on rejuvenating the skin, supporting collagen production and enhancing overall skin appearance without altering skin tone. Tanning beds, on the other hand, use UV light to physically darken the skin.
While there is no direct contraindication to using both treatments, make sure to consider the cumulative effects on your skin. Red Light Therapy is generally safe and non-invasive, but the UV exposure from tanning beds can increase the risk of skin damage, including premature signs of skin aging and other skin issues.
If you choose to use both Red Light Therapy and tanning beds, make sure to monitor your skin, especially after tanning sessions. Here are some precautions to consider:
- Timing: Allow enough time between tanning sessions to give your skin a chance to recover. This can help reduce the risk of overexposure and potential irritation.
- Monitor Skin Condition: Pay close attention to how your skin responds to each treatment. If you notice any signs of irritation, redness, or other adverse effects, consider adjusting the frequency or intensity of your sessions.
- Consult a Professional: Before combining these treatments, it may be beneficial to consult with a skincare professional or dermatologist. They can provide personalized advice based on your skin type and goals, ensuring you make informed decisions that prioritize your skin's health.
In conclusion, while it is possible to use both Red Light Therapy and tanning beds, it's important to approach this combination with caution.
Conclusion
In wrapping up our look at Red Light Therapy and tanning beds, it's clear they serve different purposes.
Red Light Therapy is all about rejuvenating your skin, helping reduce the appearance of fine lines, and promoting a healthier-looking glow. It's a safe, non-invasive way to enhance your skincare routine.
Tanning beds, while offering a quick tan, come with risks due to UV exposure, which can lead to skin damage over time.
If you're aiming for a vibrant, refreshed-looking complexion, Red Light Therapy is a science-backed choice to consider. If you're looking for that bronzed look, tanning beds might better suit your goals.
Light Therapy as a whole can be beneficial in helping you achieve a range of skincare goals, and if you're ready to explore what it has to offer, you can take our Skin Quiz here for tailored recommendations on which device can help you get closer to your perfect skin!
Sources:
- Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation | FDA
- UV Radiation & Your Skin
- Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation and Your Health
- Indoor UV tanning and skin cancer: health risks and opportunities - PMC
- The impact of ultraviolet radiation on skin photoaging — review of in vitro studies - PMC
- Ultraviolet Radiation | Johns Hopkins Medicine
- Low-level red plus near infrared lights combination induces expressions of collagen and elastin in human skin in vitro - PubMed
