Infrared light, at the power levels used in most therapy devices, is safe for skin. Side effects in clinical studies are minimal and temporary, typically limited to mild redness lasting a few hours. Unlike ultraviolet light, infrared does not cause the direct DNA damage associated with skin cancer. That said, there are real nuances worth understanding, especially around heat, eye protection, and certain skin conditions that can react poorly.
How Infrared Light Interacts With Skin
Infrared light spans a wide range of wavelengths, and the type matters. Near-infrared light (roughly 600 to 980 nm) penetrates deeper into tissue, reaching 1 to 2 mm or more depending on the power and wavelength. Far-infrared light, which is closer to heat radiation, stays closer to the surface. Both types work differently from ultraviolet light, which carries enough energy to directly damage DNA in skin cells.
At the cellular level, infrared light is absorbed by an enzyme in your mitochondria, the energy-producing structures inside cells. This absorption kicks off a chain of events: increased energy (ATP) production, release of signaling molecules, and activation of genes involved in repair and growth. The process, called photobiomodulation, is the basis for most therapeutic claims about infrared light, from wound healing to skin rejuvenation. Infrared wavelengths are also poorly absorbed by melanin, which means the light passes through pigmented skin layers and reaches deeper tissue rather than concentrating its energy at the surface.
What the Side Effects Actually Look Like
In a clinical study of 20 patients receiving infrared treatment, 80% developed mild redness that disappeared within a few hours. Three patients reported mild dryness, two had some facial scaling, and one experienced a flare of perioral dermatitis that resolved on its own. There were no burns and no changes in pigmentation. The far-infrared device used in that study raised skin temperature to only 32 to 35°C, which is at or slightly above normal skin surface temperature.
Low-level LED devices produce negligible heat, making thermal injury essentially impossible at recommended settings. This is a key distinction from high-powered laser devices, which concentrate enough energy to heat and destroy tissue deliberately. The consumer and clinical devices marketed for skin therapy operate far below those thresholds.
The Cancer Question
This is where people understandably get cautious. Ultraviolet radiation has a well-established link to melanoma and other skin cancers through direct DNA damage. Infrared light does not work this way. A comprehensive review of optical radiation and skin cancer found no clear evidence that infrared or laser radiation increases skin cancer risk.
There is a narrow exception worth knowing about. Decades-long, repeated infrared heat exposure (15 to 20 years) has been linked in case reports to a condition called erythema ab igne, a mottled skin discoloration from chronic heat. In rare cases, skin cancers have developed in those areas, but the data is limited to individual case reports, not large studies, and involves occupational heat exposure (glass blowers, bakers, people sitting against heaters for years) rather than short therapy sessions. For someone using an infrared device a few times per week, this is not a realistic concern.
Melasma and Hyperpigmentation
If you have melasma or are prone to hyperpigmentation, infrared light requires a bit more thought. The light itself is poorly absorbed by melanin, which is actually an advantage for deeper penetration without surface damage. However, any heat that builds up in the skin can stimulate melanocyte activity, the cells that produce pigment. High-energy lasers targeting pigment can actually worsen melasma or trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Research on low-level photobiomodulation for melasma has shown promise precisely because it uses nonthermal parameters. The key factor is avoiding heat accumulation. Devices that pulse the light with longer pauses between pulses appear to reduce the risk of triggering melanocyte overactivity. If you have melasma, choosing a low-level device and keeping sessions short reduces the likelihood of worsening pigmentation.
Eye Safety
Near-infrared light penetrates the eye more easily than visible light because the cornea and lens absorb only about 10% of it. At the low power levels used in LED therapy, studies in both animals and humans have reported no side effects, and researchers have actually explored near-infrared light as a treatment for eye diseases. Still, because infrared light is invisible and you won’t reflexively blink or look away, wearing the protective goggles that come with most devices is a simple precaution that eliminates the risk entirely.
Higher-powered infrared lasers (Class IIIb and Class IV) are a different story. These carry immediate risk of eye and skin injury from direct or even reflected beams. The FDA classifies laser products into hazard categories from I through IV, and devices in the higher classes require professional supervision and proper protective equipment.
Who Should Be Cautious
People taking photosensitizing medications deserve extra caution. Guidelines from professional laser organizations have historically contraindicated aesthetic laser use in patients on medications that cause whole-body photosensitization. Common photosensitizing drugs include certain antibiotics (tetracyclines, nitrofurantoin), heart rhythm medications like amiodarone, and some acne treatments. If you take any of these, check with your prescriber before starting infrared therapy.
People with active skin infections, open wounds in the treatment area, or inflammatory skin conditions like active dermatitis may also want to hold off until those resolve. In the clinical study mentioned earlier, the one notable adverse event was a flare of existing perioral dermatitis.
Practical Guidelines for Safe Use
Most at-home infrared and red light devices are designed for sessions of 10 to 20 minutes. If you’re new to it, starting with 5 to 10 minutes three to five times per week and adjusting based on how your skin responds is a reasonable approach. Avoid daily sessions for more than two to three consecutive weeks without taking a break.
Keep the device at the distance recommended by the manufacturer. Moving it closer does not speed up results but does increase heat exposure. Wear eye protection, even if the light doesn’t feel bright. Clean the treatment area beforehand so the light isn’t absorbed or scattered by products on your skin. And pay attention to how your skin feels during and after treatment. Mild warmth is normal. Anything that feels hot, stings, or leaves redness lasting more than a few hours means you should reduce the session time or increase the distance.
Consumer LED devices fall into the lower FDA hazard classes and pose minimal risk when used as directed. Professional-grade devices with higher power outputs should be operated by trained practitioners who can adjust parameters for your skin type and condition.