Can You Use Red Light Therapy While Pregnant?
Pregnancy brings new questions about what's safe for you and your growing baby, and red light therapy is one treatment many expectant mothers wonder about. The good news is that red light therapy is generally considered low-risk when used appropriately on specific body areas, though direct research in pregnant populations remains limited.
Let's walk through everything you need to know to use red light therapy devices safely and confidently during your pregnancy. You'll learn what the current evidence says, which body areas are safe to treat, and practical usage tips for approved sessions.
Quick Answer
Yes, you can use red light therapy while pregnant, but with important safety guidelines. Red light therapy is a treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to support your body's natural healing processes.
Most experts agree that localized, low-intensity sessions on areas away from your abdomen are generally safe. This means you'll want to stick to treating your face, neck, arms, and legs while completely avoiding your belly and lower back.
The most important step is getting your doctor's approval before starting any light therapy during pregnancy.
What the Evidence Says
Red light therapy uses non-thermal wavelengths of light, typically between 630-850 nanometers. Unlike lasers or UV treatments, this means the light doesn't create heat that could potentially harm you or your baby. Because it carries minimal risk of systemic side effects, it's a gentle option for expectant mothers when used correctly.1
Current research shows no documented harm when RLT is used properly during pregnancy. However, since pregnant women are rarely included in clinical trials for ethical reasons, we rely on indirect evidence and expert opinions to guide our safety recommendations.
Why is Data Limited?
Clinical trials avoid including pregnant participants to protect both mother and baby. Instead, researchers use animal studies and data from non-pregnant populations to make safety recommendations.
This research gap means we take a cautious approach rather than claiming definitive safety, which is why medical approval is so crucial.
Expert Consensus
Most medical experts agree that a conservative approach to red light therapy is the best way to support your wellness during pregnancy.
Here's what experts recommend for safe use:
- Localized treatment only: Focus on areas far from your womb like face, neck, and limbs
- Low intensity: Use gentle settings and avoid high-powered devices
- Medical approval: Always consult your healthcare provider first
- Avoid abdomen: Never direct light toward your belly or lower back
Where You Can Use It
You can safely target specific areas during pregnancy with your doctor's permission. The key is focusing on regions far from your baby with brief, comfortable sessions lasting 5-15 minutes per area.
Face & Neck
Pregnancy often brings skin changes or sensitivity, and red light therapy for acne may help address these concerns. Additionally, you can use it to ease neck tension that develops from posture changes as your body adapts.
Always protect your eyes with goggles or keep them closed during facial treatments. If you feel any warmth or notice skin irritation, stop the session immediately.
Shoulders & Upper Back
Your changing posture during pregnancy can strain your upper body muscles and joints. Gentle red light sessions may provide relief for shoulder and upper back discomfort that commonly develops.
Keep treatments to the upper half of your torso only, maintaining the recommended distance of 6-12 inches from your device.
Arms & Hands
Red light can help alleviate arm and hand discomfort, especially if you're experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome that sometimes occurs during pregnancy. Use handheld devices or small panels at a comfortable distance for these targeted treatments.
Since pregnancy increases sensitivity to treatments, monitor your skin closely for any reactions.
Knees, Legs, Ankles & Feet
You can treat swelling and soreness in your lower legs, but only below the knee. Focus specifically on your calves, ankles, and feet while carefully avoiding your pelvic area.
For best results, combine sessions with hydration, gentle movement, and leg elevation throughout the day.
Areas to Avoid During Pregnancy
To protect your developing baby, you should avoid treating certain body areas completely until after delivery.
Abdomen/Womb
Never direct red light at your belly or womb area during pregnancy. Even though red light doesn't generate heat, we lack sufficient safety data about its effects on developing babies.
It's much safer to save abdominal treatments for your postpartum recovery period when you can use them without concern.
Lower Back
Red light can penetrate skin and potentially reach tissues near your uterus when used on your lower back. For this reason, postpone these treatments until after birth.
If you're experiencing persistent lower back pain, discuss safe alternatives like prenatal massage, therapeutic percussion, or physical therapy with your provider instead.
Potential Pregnancy-Related Uses
With medical approval, you might use red light therapy to address common pregnancy discomforts. Keep in mind that RLT is a complementary tool that works alongside, not as a replacement for, proper medical care.
Back/Joint Discomfort in Non-Abdominal Areas
Pregnancy shifts your center of gravity and can strain joints in your shoulders, knees, and neck. If you're feeling this, you're not alone; three‐fifths of pregnant women experience lumbopelvic pain, so finding relief is a top priority for many.2 Short, localized sessions of red light therapy for joint pain may help ease this inflammation and provide comfort.
To maximize benefits, combine treatments with approved activities like stretching or prenatal yoga.
Swelling, Leg Cramps & Circulation
Red light therapy on your calves, ankles, and feet may support circulation and reduce fluid retention. Pair your sessions with these healthy habits for optimal results:
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day
- Move gently: Take short walks or do approved exercises
- Elevate legs: Prop your feet up when resting
- Avoid prolonged standing: Take frequent breaks
Lymphatic Support
Some people use red light therapy for lymphatic drainage because light exposure may support circulation and help reduce fluid buildup in localized areas. While research in pregnancy is limited, gentle, doctor-approved lower-leg treatments may complement other strategies like hydration, movement, and elevation
Sleep, Fatigue & Mood Support
Some evidence suggests red light may support energy and mood, though pregnancy-specific research is limited. When using it for these purposes, time your sessions earlier in the day and avoid overdoing duration or intensity.
It's important to distinguish red light therapy from bright light therapy used for seasonal depression. Always consult your provider about any light-based mood treatments during pregnancy.
How to Use Red Light Therapy While Pregnant
Maintain a conservative and consistent approach if your doctor approves red light therapy. Follow device instructions carefully and stop immediately if you feel overheated or dizzy during any session.
You can explore user-friendly red light therapy devices designed for adjustable intensities, making them perfect for safe pregnancy routines.
1. Session Length & Frequency
Start with 5- to 10-minute sessions per area, a few times a week. Only gradually increase the duration if your body tolerates the treatment well without any adverse reactions.
During pregnancy, consistency matters more than intensity. Regular, gentle sessions are much safer than occasional long exposures that might overwhelm your system.
2. Intensity & Device Choice
Choose low- to moderate-intensity devices during pregnancy and check specifications for adjustable settings and clear power output information. Look for devices that are FDA-cleared, as this clearance indicates they meet federal safety standards for consumer use.3 Handheld devices or smaller red light panel options offer better control for localized treatments.
Avoid whole-body sauna-style setups entirely during pregnancy, as these may be too intense for safe use.
3. Positioning & Prep
Maintain the manufacturer's recommended distance, typically 6 to 12 inches from your skin. Always use eye protection when applying face and neck treatments to prevent potential damage.
Since pregnancy increases heat sensitivity, monitor your body's response closely during each session and adjust accordingly.
Safety First: When to Pause or Skip
Your safety and your baby's well-being always come first when considering any treatment, especially for those with specific contraindications who should not use red light therapy. As with any therapy during pregnancy, it's essential to talk to a healthcare provider before beginning treatment.4 Certain conditions require avoiding red light therapy completely until after delivery.
High-Risk Situations
Avoid red light therapy if you have any of these pregnancy-related conditions:
- Placental abnormalities: Any issues with placenta placement or function
- History of miscarriage: Previous pregnancy losses require extra caution
- Preeclampsia: High blood pressure during pregnancy
- Gestational diabetes: Pregnancy-related blood sugar issues
- Bleeding disorders: Any conditions affecting blood clotting
Always share your complete medical history with your healthcare provider when discussing any form of light therapy.
First Trimester Caution
The first trimester is critical for your baby's development, making it the most cautious period for any new treatments. Many providers recommend waiting until the second trimester or postponing treatments until postpartum.
Never start any new therapy during early pregnancy without explicit medical approval from your healthcare team.
Adverse Responses
Stop using red light therapy immediately if you experience rash, swelling, or persistent discomfort. Since pregnancy can heighten skin sensitivity to treatments, what was once tolerable may now cause reactions.
Report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider and always choose caution over potential benefits when in doubt.
Postpartum Considerations
After delivery, you can explore red light therapy more broadly as many protocols paused during pregnancy become safe options for postpartum recovery. Clinical research has specifically examined red light therapy for perineal pain and healing in the immediate postpartum period, showing promise for wound healing from C-sections or tears, skin recovery, and mood support during this transition period.5
Adjustable red light devices can help you start conservatively and expand your routine postpartum with medical guidance. For full-body treatments after birth, consider a red light therapy mat designed for comprehensive wellness support.
Explore Lifepro Red Light Therapy Devices
User-friendly panels and handhelds are designed for consistent, comfortable light therapy sessions at home.
Our devices feature adjustable intensities and clear usage guidelines, making it easy to create safe routines during pregnancy and expand treatments postpartum with your clinician's approval.
Finding a supportive community of wellness experts can give you the guidance you need for every step of your wellness journey.
Sources:
- MDPI. Unlocking the Power of Light on the Skin: A Comprehensive Review on Photobiomodulation. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/8/4483
- PubMed National Institutes of Health. Prevalence of lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37997035/
- Harvard Health Publishing. Red light therapy for skin care. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/red-light-therapy-for-skin-care
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). What You Can Do to Stay Healthy in Hot Tubs. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-swimming/safety/what-you-can-do-to-stay-healthy-in-hot-tubs.html
- PubMed National Institutes of Health. Effects from a single application of photobiomodulation on pain intensity from perineal trauma related to childbirth: A randomized controlled trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41255349/
