Red Light Therapy for Hands: Will You Get the Same Anti-Aging Effect?

Red Light Therapy has quickly become a favorite in the world of skincare, celebrated for its ability to visibly rejuvenate and refresh the appearance of skin. While many people focus on using Red Light Therapy for the face and neck, our hands often reveal signs of skin aging just as prominently. Hands are exposed to the same daily stressors like sun, environmental factors, and frequent washing, which can lead to wrinkles, discoloration, and a loss of radiance over time. Here's how Red Light Therapy works and how it can help visibly rejuvenate other parts of the body, too.

What Causes Skin Aging on the Hands?

Your hands are one of the first places to show visible signs of skin aging, often even before your face. Several factors contribute to the development of wrinkles, discoloration, and a loss of radiance on the hands.

Sun Exposure and UV Damage The skin on your hands is frequently exposed to sunlight, making it especially vulnerable to UV damage. Over time, this UV exposure breaks down collagen—the protein that helps keep skin looking smooth and firm. UV rays can also trigger the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone, leading to a dull or mottled look.

Natural Aging Process and Loss of Collagen As you age, your body naturally produces less collagen. This gradual decline means the skin on your hands becomes thinner and less elastic, making fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable. The loss of underlying fat can also cause veins and tendons to become more prominent, further aging the appearance of your hands.

Environmental Factors and Frequent Hand Washing Daily exposure to harsh weather, chemicals, and repeated hand washing can strip the skin of its natural oils. Without these protective oils, your hands are more prone to dryness, rough texture, and irritation. Over time, this can accelerate the look of aging and make the skin appear less luminous.

Genetics and Lifestyle Habits Your genetic makeup plays a role in how quickly your skin shows signs of aging. Additionally, lifestyle habits such as smoking, poor nutrition, and lack of sun protection can speed up the visible effects of aging on your hands.

How Red Light Therapy Works

Red Light Therapy uses specific wavelengths of visible red light to support the skin’s natural rejuvenation processes. When this light is absorbed by the skin, it reaches the deeper layers, where it energizes cells and encourages healthier-looking skin from within. This process is known as photobiomodulation, which helps your skin appear more radiant and refreshed.

Red Light Therapy is celebrated for its ability to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, brighten the look of dark spots and discoloration, and support healthy collagen production. Collagen is a key protein that helps skin look smooth, firm, and luminous. By encouraging your skin to maintain healthy collagen levels, Red Light Therapy helps your skin look smoother and more glowy.

Can You Use Red Light Therapy for Hands?

Yes! Red Light Therapy isn’t just for your face and neck—your hands can benefit just as much from this innovative approach to skincare. The skin on your hands is exposed to many of the same daily stressors as your face, including sun exposure, environmental pollutants, and frequent washing. Over time, these factors can lead to visible signs of skin aging, such as wrinkles, discoloration, and a loss of radiance.

The skin on your hands responds to Red Light Therapy in much the same way as the skin on your face and neck do. Hands, like the face, are exposed to environmental stressors and naturally lose collagen over time, which can lead to visible signs of skin aging. The structure of the skin on your hands is similar to that of your face, which means it can absorb and respond to Red Light Therapy effectively. 

Both areas experience a gradual loss of collagen and elasticity as you age, making them especially receptive to treatments that support healthy collagen production and skin rejuvenation.

With regular Red Light Therapy sessions, you may notice several visible improvements on your hands:

• Smoother-looking skin, with a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

• Brighter, more even-looking skin tone, as Red Light Therapy helps reduce the look of discoloration and dark spots

How To Use Red Light Therapy for Hand Wrinkles

When choosing a Red Light Therapy device for hand rejuvenation, look for one specifically designed for skincare. Red Light Therapy devices made for the face or hands typically use wavelengths and intensities that are safe and effective for delicate skin. Avoid using devices intended for muscle recovery or pain relief, as these are engineered differently and may not be suitable for skin treatments.

Incorporating Red Light Therapy into your hand care routine is simple and effective, especially with a device designed for targeted skin rejuvenation.

Cue the Radiant Renewal 2-in-1 Skincare Mini.

This compact, travel-friendly tool is engineered to deliver both Red Light Therapy and Near-Infrared Light Therapy, helping to visibly smooth, brighten, and refresh the appearance of not just your hands, but wherever else you want to give your skin a visible pick-me-up!

To get started, follow these steps:

Step 1: Begin with clean, dry skin. Make sure your hands are free of lotion, sunscreen, or any other type of heavy cream.

Step 2: Pop out the comfort grip on the Radiant Renewal 2-in-1 Skincare Mini and slide it comfortably between two fingers. Press and hold the power button until the device turns on.

Step 3: Move the Mini in slow, gentle motions over each area of your hands for 3 minutes. The device’s lights will flash to let you know when it’s time to move to the next area. The Mini automatically turns off after 12 minutes, ensuring you get the optimal treatment time.

Treatment Time: Use the device for 3 minutes per treatment area, with a total of 12 minutes for both hands.

For best results, use the 2-in-1 Skincare Mini consistently as part of your regular routine.

Can Red Light Therapy Help Hand Pain?

Red Light Therapy has gained attention not only for its visible skin benefits but also for its potential in other realms. Researchers are exploring how Red Light Therapy can help with overall wellness, muscle soreness, joint discomfort, healing, and inflammation in various parts of the body, including the hands. These studies often use specialized devices that deliver specific wavelengths and intensities of light, targeting deeper tissues to support recovery and comfort.

Several studies have examined the effects of photobiomodulation — another term for Red Light Therapy — on arthritis, pain relief, and inflammation in the hands. A 2023 systematic review found that photobiomodulation can help reduce pain and improve hand function in individuals with hand osteoarthritis, with many participants experiencing noticeable relief and increased mobility. Another recent review in Cureus highlighted that Red Light Therapy may decrease inflammation and support pain management for various musculoskeletal conditions, including those affecting the hands. While these findings are promising and suggest that photobiomodulation may offer a non-invasive option for comfort and mobility, Red Light Therapy is not yet widely accepted as a standard treatment for hand pain or arthritis.

While these uses are promising, it’s important to understand that the devices designed for pain management are fundamentally different from those created for skincare. Red Light devices for skincare are engineered to target the surface layers of the skin, using wavelengths and intensities that are safe and effective for promoting a healthier-looking, more luminous appearance.

In contrast, devices for pain management are designed to penetrate deeper into muscles and joints. They often use different wavelengths, higher intensities, and unique safety features to address discomfort and support recovery. They're also often larger, more powerful, and designed to cover broader treatment areas. They may be used in physical therapy clinics or recommended by healthcare professionals for targeted relief.

Because of these differences, it’s essential not to use a skincare-focused Red Light device expecting pain relief, or vice versa. Using the wrong device may not deliver the intended benefits and could potentially cause irritation or discomfort.

If you’re interested in using Red Light Therapy for hand pain or inflammation, consult with your primary care provider on whether or not it's a good fit for your case specifically, then look for a device that is specifically engineered for therapeutic use.

Conclusion

Red Light Therapy can be a versatile addition to your skincare routine, offering visible benefits for the hands such as smoother-looking skin, a brighter and more even-looking tone, and healthy-looking skin. Just as with the face and neck, your hands can respond well to consistent Red Light treatments when you use a device designed for skin health. If you’re considering Red Light Therapy for hand pain or inflammation, it’s important to remember that these results require specialized therapeutic devices, which are different from those made for skincare. As you shop for a device, make sure you're looking for one that aligns with your goals, whatever they may be!

The good news is if you're looking to further explore Red Light Therapy for skincare, you're already in the right place! 

You can check out our most popular, dermatologist-recommended, FDA-cleared Red Light Therapy devices here, or if you want a little more evidence on how well this tech actually works, check out our Red Light Therapy Before & After Photos here!

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice or guidance. Always seek medical advice and care from a trusted healthcare professional. 

Sources:

1. UV Damage of Collagen: Insights from Model Collagen Peptides - PMC 

2. Frequent hand-washing can cause dry, cracked skin. A dermatologist offers tips for care. - VUMC News 

3. Effects of light-emitting diode therapy on hand stiffness and pain in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-refractory patients with tenosynovitis - PMC 

4. Efficacy and Safety of High Density LED Irradiation Therapy for Patients With Hand Osteoarthritis: A Single-Center Clinical Study