Not since gua sha has a beauty gadget managed to dominate vanities, Instagram feeds, and bathroom counters quite like red-light therapy devices. Once dismissed as futuristic gimmicks, they’ve now entered the mainstream in full force. The numbers don’t lie: the red-light therapy device market was estimated at $350 million in 2024 and is projected to surge past $620 million by 2031.
These glowing masks, wands, goggles, and even full-on helmets promise everything from stimulating collagen production to softening fine lines and brightening uneven tone. For many beauty lovers, it feels like the ultimate shortcut to firmer, more youthful skin. But even as the tech becomes more popular, there’s still plenty we don’t fully understand about how red light works—or how best to use it.
One of the biggest new questions? When should you actually be using your red-light therapy device?
My Red-Light Reality Check
As a longtime beauty editor, I’ve seen trends come and go, and I’ve had access to high-tech devices for most of my career. But I’ll admit—I didn’t really commit to red light until recently. Now, my Therabody TheraFace vibrating mask and CurrentBody LED Neck & Décolletage Mask are regular fixtures in my routine, and I credit them for keeping my skin smooth and luminous.
Like many people, I often reach for them at night, right before bed. It seemed logical: skincare always feels like an evening ritual, and winding down with a mask seemed like the perfect way to end the day. But recently, I stumbled across research suggesting that red light doesn’t just impact your skin—it could also be tinkering with your hormones and sleep cycles. That was news to me, and honestly a little alarming, considering I’ve been battling insomnia for years.
Could my beloved nighttime ritual actually be sabotaging my rest?
What the Science Is Saying
Red-light therapy isn’t new—it’s been studied for over 60 years, originally in medical and scientific fields before making its way into the beauty industry. What we know for sure: specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light can penetrate the skin, stimulate mitochondria, and encourage healing at a cellular level. That’s the foundation of its skincare benefits, from boosting collagen to improving circulation.
But here’s the twist: emerging studies suggest that exposure to certain types of light, red included, might also influence your body’s cortisol levels. Cortisol, often called the “stress hormone,” naturally peaks in the morning to help wake you up and dips in the evening to prepare your body for sleep. If late-night red-light sessions nudge cortisol upward, that could interfere with the very sleep hygiene so many of us are trying to protect.
So, When’s the Best Time to Glow?
Experts don’t all agree—yet. Some suggest that morning or early afternoon might be optimal, syncing your treatment with your body’s natural rhythms. Using red light earlier in the day could help energize your cells without messing with nighttime melatonin production.
Others believe the intensity and duration of most at-home devices are unlikely to significantly disrupt sleep, especially compared to harsher blue-light exposure from phones and laptops. Still, for anyone sensitive to light or struggling with insomnia, it may be worth experimenting with timing.
Think of it this way: your skin might not care when you zap it, but your body might.
A Balanced Approach
If you’re loving the results of your nightly red-light ritual, there’s no need to panic. For many people, it remains a soothing, effective part of a wind-down routine. But if you’ve noticed stubborn sleep troubles—or you just want to maximize both beauty and wellness—try shifting your sessions to the morning or post-workout. The collagen-boosting benefits will be the same, and you might even find your sleep improves.
And of course, red light is just one piece of the puzzle. Consistent sunscreen use, a balanced diet, stress management, and tried-and-true skincare ingredients like retinoids and vitamin C still play starring roles in maintaining youthful, healthy skin.
The Takeaway
Red-light therapy is more than a fleeting beauty fad—it’s a fascinating technology with real potential. But like so much in wellness and skincare, timing matters. What started as a question of “Does this work for wrinkles?” has now expanded to “When should I be using this for the best results?”
As the science continues to evolve, one thing is clear: glowing skin is only half the story. The other half is making sure your beauty tools are working with your body, not against it. And that may mean swapping your bedtime glow session for a morning pick-me-up instead.
