Red light therapy has become a popular and effective therapy, providing patients with a plethora of health benefits. It’s even become a staple in common skincare or morning routines.
However, for pregnant women wanting to use red light therapy, it’s important to know whether red light therapy is safe to use while pregnant.
Pregnancy is a unique and sensitive time in a woman’s life. Red light therapy is generally considered non-invasive and low-risk. Still, the question of whether you can use red light therapy while pregnant requires careful consideration, thoughtful evaluation, and personalized guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy uses low-level wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to support mitochondrial function and improve cellular energy production (ATP). Because of its gentle nature, many people turn to it for the following benefits:
- Skin healing
- Muscle recovery
- Circulation support
- Inflammation reduction
- Mood support
- Improved sleep quality
These benefits often lead expecting mothers to wonder if they can continue their sessions or begin new ones.
What We Know and Don’t Know About Red Light Therapy in Pregnancy
It’s crucial to clarify that controlled, high-quality clinical research on whether you can use red light therapy while pregnant is very limited. Most existing studies exclude pregnant participants for safety reasons, leaving a gap in pregnancy-specific evidence.
Because of this, the decision to use red light therapy while pregnant should always be made with guidance from your obstetrician, midwife, or maternal-fetal specialist. While red light therapy is considered low-risk for the general population, pregnancy introduces the following side effects:
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Changes in vascular circulation
- Immune system shifts
- Skin sensitivity
- Increased heat sensitivity in certain individuals
These factors mean that what is safe for one person may not be ideal for another during pregnancy.
Potential Benefits People Seek During Pregnancy
Many of the reasons women ask whether they can use red light therapy while pregnant revolve around common pregnancy-related concerns, such as the following:
1. Skin Support
Stretching skin, hormonal acne, and increased pigmentation can be uncomfortable or frustrating. Red light therapy has been studied for collagen support and healthy skin turnover.
2. Mood and Energy Support
Some people rely on red light therapy to help with seasonal mood changes, energy dips, or circadian rhythm support.
3. Muscle Tension and Discomfort
Pregnancy naturally shifts posture and weight distribution, sometimes leading to muscle tightness or discomfort.
While these benefits are appealing, it is still essential to seek professional guidance before choosing to use red light therapy while pregnant.
Areas of Caution
Because research is limited, you should be aware of several considerations when evaluating whether you should use red light therapy while pregnant:
• Avoid direct use over the abdomen unless medically cleared
Even though red light therapy is generally considered gentle, applying any therapeutic modality over the abdomen during pregnancy without professional supervision is discouraged.
• Be mindful of heat exposure
Some devices produce mild warmth. Excess heat exposure is something pregnant individuals are commonly advised to avoid.
• Consider device variability
Not all red light therapy devices are created equal. Home devices can vary widely in wavelength, power output, and safety standards. Medical-grade devices used at the Center for New Medicine are carefully regulated, but at-home tools may not have the same quality assurance.
• Account for underlying health conditions
If you are managing a high-risk pregnancy, thyroid concerns, clotting disorders, hypertension, or other health factors, the question of whether you can use red light therapy while pregnant should be reviewed thoroughly with your healthcare team.
What Many Providers Recommend
Because there is no definitive research proving harm or confirming safety, many prenatal care providers prefer a cautious, individualized approach. This is why we ALWAYS recommend consulting your pregnancy care provider before you attempt to use red light therapy while pregnant, even if you have used it safely before pregnancy.
Some providers may give approval for localized use on non-abdominal areas such as the following:
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Back
- Knees
- Feet
- Face
Others may advise avoiding it altogether until after delivery. The important point is that the guidance is tailored to YOU.
A Functional Medicine Perspective
At the Center for New Medicine, our role is to help you make informed and empowered decisions about your health. From a functional and integrative standpoint, pregnancy requires the following priorities:
- Minimizing unnecessary risks
- Supporting your body’s natural healing and energy pathways
- Creating a calm, low-stress environment
- Prioritizing safety over trends
With these principles in mind, we encourage you to approach the decision to use red light therapy while pregnant with mindfulness and medical partnership.
Safe and Comfortable Red Light Therapy in Irvine
Whether or not you use red light therapy while pregnant depends on your unique situation. We recommend determining the choice in collaboration with a qualified prenatal healthcare professional. While red light therapy is considered low-risk for most people, the research on pregnancy is limited, and personalized guidance is essential.
If you are pregnant and interested in exploring red light therapy or other supportive wellness treatments, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our team at the Center for New Medicine. We will work with your prenatal provider to ensure any recommendations align with the safest and most supportive care plan for you and your baby.