How to Prep Skin for Red Light Therapy: Tips for Maximum Results | The Skinny Confidential

There are a lot of skincare fads out there claiming to be the holy grail product. You know the ones—they usually promise results like clear skin, fewer fine lines, no hyperpigmentation, and an effortless, radiant glow. 

But red light therapy? That’s one of those skincare trends that really works. It’s research-backed, painless, and produces amazing results. 

And if you’ve been around for a while, then you know we’ve been recommending red light therapy for years. But why? 

Because it not only helps your skin by boosting collagen production and reducing wrinkles, but also supports your body by improving your mood and calming inflammation.

After years of practicing red light therapy, we’ve learned how to make it as effective as possible. From consulting dermatologists to reviewing clinical research, we’ve gathered the best wisdom to help you maximize your results.

Here’s what you need to know about red light therapy: 

How to Prep Skin for Red Light Therapy: Tips for Maximum Results

Red light therapy (RLT) uses low-level red or near-infrared light to get deep into the skin and encourage cellular activity. And, as a result, that energy boost repairs cells, reduces inflammation, and improves circulation. It’s similar to photobiomodulation therapy, if you’ve ever looked into the Superhuman Protocol. 

There are so many benefits to red light therapy, but we’ll just list some of the big ones for your skin. Red light therapy can:

Stimulate collagen production 

Reduce fine lines and wrinkles

Improve skin texture and tone

Accelerates healing of minor wounds and injuries

Promote skin healing and regeneration 

Enhance hydration 

Kill acne-causing bacteria

Following the right skincare routine before and after each red light therapy session is essential for maximizing results. So, in this post, we’ll cover the products and techniques you’ll need for the biggest gains. 

Does Red Light Therapy Need to Be On Bare Skin?

Yes! Your skin should be free of makeup, heavy products, clothing, and accessories before doing any LED light therapies. This ensures that nothing is in the way of the LED light, allowing it to penetrate deeper and more effectively.

What to Put On Skin Before Red Light Therapy?

Living Libations

Like we mentioned above, your skin should be totally free of all heavy products before a red light therapy session. Otherwise, the process may not work as efficiently and you won’t get optimal results.

Start your RLT skincare with a double-cleanse (using oil) to loosen all the makeup, dirt, and toxins from your skin. We love Living Libations, but Jojoba Oil is a good budget-friendly option. 

HOP Step One

Lauryn loves this oil cleanser from House of Preservation. Once you start oil cleansing and see how it removes your makeup, you’ll never look back.  

TSC Shave Cream

There are a few reasons we recommend shaving to prepare your skin for red light therapy, which we’ll dive further into below. However, because shaving can sometimes leave your skin a little sensitive, it’s best to shave a few hours before RLT. Or, if you want to be extra cautious, shave a day before.

This is super important, especially if you have sensitive skin, because it gives any redness or irritation time to settle. To help, use the TSC Shave Cream to nourish and moisturize your skin while you shave. It’ll also help get a closer, smoother shave while ensuring your skin doesn’t get too irritated.  

Epicuren Colostrum Cream

Hydration is crucial for making sure your skin barrier is ready to receive the light therapy. Use a lightweight but nourishing moisturizer like this one to improve skin hydration and strength.  

How to Prep Your Skin for Red Light Therapy

Step 1: Double cleanse your skin. 

As we mentioned, bare skin is absolutely necessary to get the full effect of RLT. So, start by cleaning everything off your face. 

Double cleanse the TSC way by first using a face oil to remove makeup and dirt, and then following up with a standard cleanser to remove any remaining impurities.

Step 2: Shave your face. (Optional)

You want as few barriers as possible between your skin and the red light. Even hair and dead skin cells can get in the way of the LEDs penetrating deep into your skin.

Shaving removes vellus hair and dead skin cells sitting on top of your face, which helps boost your therapy’s effectiveness big time. But don’t shave just to shave—make sure your skin really needs it.

And, when it is time to shave, always use a shave cream for women, like The Skinny Confidential‘s. Remember, if you have sensitive skin, either skip this step or make sure to shave a day (or two) before.

Step 3: Lightly hydrate your skin. 

Next, you need to hydrate your skin—but leave the super rich and thick moisturizers behind. Again, we want as few obstacles as possible, and even heavy creams and oils can block the red light.

Use a lightweight moisturizer just to get through your session. Afterwards, you can switch to a richer formula to help your skin recover and soak up the benefits of the therapy.

Step 4: Remove anything reflective. 

If you’re wearing anything reflective, it can bounce the light away from your skin. Shimmery or metallic makeup, mineral-based sunscreen, glasses, body jewelry, piercings, or even hair clips near your face can all get in the way. Make sure to remove them before you start your session.

Step 5: Check your skin for irritation or sunburn. 

During RLT, red light penetrates the skin, but rarely causes irritation. However, if your skin is already damaged from sunburn, over-drying, or chemical burn, red light therapy could make it worse.

If you have any areas that are visibly burned or irritated, wait until your skin is all healed up before adding RLT into your routine.

How to Maximize Red Light Therapy Sessions

Choose the right red light therapy product. 

First, pick an RLT tool that works for your budget and goals. Here are some of our favorite red light therapy devices:

LightStim

Lauryn loves Lightstim and has the panel, the handheld device and the bed and they’re worth every penny, especially the panel.

Be sure to listen to The HIM & HER Show episode with the founder Steve Marchesi and Lauryn’s friend/facialist Staci Christie. They discuss why red light therapy is a must in your skin care routine, the anti-aging benefits and the transformative power of Lightstim’s technology.

Use code SKINNY for 10% off at Lightstim.

There are lots of other options available too:

+ Bon Charge (Use code SKINNY)

+ Higher Dose

+ Dr. Dennis Gross

Don’t apply any heavy skincare products. 

As we mentioned, avoid heavy creams, oils, makeup, sunscreen, or anything else that could block the red light from doing its job.

Always follow device instructions. 

To make sure your red light therapy is safe and effective, always follow the instructions that come with your device. 

They’ll tell you the right distance and duration to ensure you’re using it safely. Never ignore these guidelines or follow advice that says otherwise. 

Repeat 2-3 times a week. 

Red light therapy works best when used consistently. You won’t see dramatic results after just one session, but over time, incorporating it into your skincare routine can make a big impact. 

How often should you do RLT? We recommend 2-3 sessions a week for the best results. However, pay attention to how your skin responds and find the rhythm that works best for you.

Skip retinol, microneedling, chemical peels, or other treatments.

After red light therapy, your skin will likely be a little sensitive and need time to bounce back. Because of this, avoid potentially irritating treatments like retinol, microneedling, chemical peels, exfoliating acids, waxing, or high-heat therapies. 

Give your skin time to recover by scheduling these treatments on days when you’re not doing red light therapy. There’s a time and place for everything.

Hydrate again after and use a high-quality serum. 

Once you’re done, hydrate your skin with a high-quality, antioxidant-rich serum or face oil. This will help your skin recover and lock in the red light therapy benefits. 

The TSC Depuffing Oil includes pomegranate, raspberry, and blueberry seed oil, which are all rich in antioxidants. These ingredients are also anti-inflammatory and nourishing. All around, it’s a great product to close out your session.

Finish up with ice rolling. 

To cool your skin down and boost anti-inflammatory benefits, use TSC’s Ice Roller with your face oil. 

Not only is it soothing, but it also helps lock in hydration while reducing any redness or heat from treatment. This will leave your skin feeling calm, refreshed, and revitalized.

To get the best results from your red light therapy, use these tips!

Red light therapy may be a trend, but it’s one that’s well studied and brings real results. It’s time you added an RLT device to your skincare rotation.

With the right preparation, routine, and techniques, you can effortlessly reach your skincare goals—no false promises or faux solutions involved.

x, The Skinny Confidential team

+ Learn about the benefits of dry brushing.

++ Find out everything you need to know about Lightstim here.