Why Red Light Therapy Isn’t Safe for Melasma
What is Melasma and Why Light Therapy Requires Caution
Melasma is a common skin condition that causes brown or greyish patches to appear on the face, most often on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, or nose. It’s especially common among women and is often triggered by hormonal changes, sun exposure, heat, and even visible light.
Although melasma is harmless from a medical perspective, it can be persistent and emotionally challenging to treat. Many people unknowingly worsen it through home treatments or popular skincare trends—such as LED light masks.
At Areté Beauty and Wellness in Haarlem, we’ve noticed a rise in clients concerned about pigmentation who are also experimenting with LED masks—now even sold in stores like Primark. Unfortunately, not all light therapy is safe for melasma, and using the wrong kind of light, like red or near-infrared, can actually deepen pigmentation.
The Problem with Red Light Therapy for Melasma
Red light therapy—typically using wavelengths between 630–660nm, and sometimes up to 850nm in the near-infrared range—is widely praised for benefits like:
Stimulating collagen
Reducing inflammation
Accelerating healing
However, for melasma-prone skin, these effects may come with unintended consequences. Red light can:
Increase circulation and cellular activity
Produce warmth in the skin (a known melasma trigger)
Stimulate melanocytes, the cells responsible for pigment production
This stimulation may worsen existing melasma or trigger new pigmentation in sensitive individuals.
Why At-Home LED Masks May Do More Harm Than Good
With LED light masks now available at retailers like Primark and other mainstream stores, more people are using these tools at home without understanding how they affect their skin.
What many don’t realize is that:
Most budget LED masks don’t clearly list their light wavelengths or intensity
There's no skin analysis, customisation, or professional guidance
They may emit heat or the wrong type of light, leading to irritation or pigmentation
Overuse is common, and the “one-size-fits-all” approach doesn’t work for conditions like melasma
If you’re dealing with uneven pigmentation or dark patches on your face, we recommend avoiding red or infrared LED masks unless professionally advised.
Safe Alternatives: Yellow and Green Light Therapy
At Areté Beauty and Wellness, we use clinically approved light therapy as part of our advanced skin treatments. For clients with melasma or pigmentation concerns, we recommend safer, targeted wavelengths:
Yellow Light Therapy (570–590nm)
Calms inflammation
Soothes sensitive skin
Ideal post-treatment to reduce redness
Supports healing and skin regeneration
Green Light Therapy (around 525nm)
Helps to balance melanin production
May assist in reducing surface pigmentation
Promotes a more even skin tone over time
These options are gentle, effective, and can be used safely after facials to enhance results without triggering melasma.
When Red Light Therapy Is Useful
While red light therapy is not suitable for treating melasma, it still has value in other areas of professional skincare. At Areté, we may use red light on areas not affected by pigmentation to:
Speed up wound healing
Calm post-acne redness
Support anti-aging treatments where pigment is not a concern
We always assess the condition of your skin first and choose wavelengths based on what’s safest and most effective for you.
Professional LED Options at Areté: Simple Device & Oxygen Dome Therapy
At Areté Beauty and Wellness, we offer two types of LED light therapy—each designed for specific needs and skin conditions:
1. Simple LED Light Device
Our compact, professional-grade LED panel delivers controlled, targeted light at safe wavelengths. This option is ideal for:
Post-facial calming
Pigmentation control with green or yellow light
Boosting results after treatments like peels or enzyme therapy
It’s a quick, effective add-on that supports skin healing and enhances your glow without overstimulating pigment.
2. Oxygen Dome Therapy with LED
A luxury facial experience that combines LED light with a pure oxygen infusion. The oxygen dome creates a high-pressure environment that:
Boosts cellular repair
Increases circulation and hydration
Allows deeper LED light absorption without heat or irritation
It’s especially beneficial for tired, dull, or stressed skin—and suitable even for sensitive or pigmentation-prone clients when used with the correct light.
Both options are used under expert supervision, tailored to your skin condition and goals. Whether you're addressing pigmentation, sensitivity, or general skin rejuvenation, we select the right wavelength and device for the safest and most effective outcome.
Light Therapy at Areté: Safe, Personalised, and Professional
Whether you’re managing melasma or simply looking to improve your skin’s appearance, LED therapy at Areté is always tailored to your skin type, condition, and treatment goals. We offer it as:
A standalone service for skin maintenance and brightening
An add-on after facials or advanced treatments like enzyme therapy, peels, or microneedling
Our approach ensures that your skin is never overstimulated, irritated, or exposed to light that could undo your progress.
Final Thoughts
Light therapy is a powerful tool in modern skincare—but only when used wisely. If you have melasma or are prone to pigmentation, using at-home LED devices—especially those with red or infrared light—can worsen your condition rather than help it.
At Areté Beauty and Wellness in Haarlem, we provide expert guidance and clinically proven treatments to help you achieve radiant, even-toned skin—safely and professionally.
If you are not sure which light therapy you need, book a Meet & Treat appointment to experience personalized light therapy designed to enhance your skin’s health and glow.
