Women's Health July 6, 2026 0 Comments

Unlock the Power of Green Light Therapy: The Skin Secret Top Athletes and Celebrities Swear By—Are You Ready to Glow Like a Champion?

Ever wondered if the secret to glowing skin could be as simple as flipping on a colored light? Light therapy has long dazzled us with its futuristic glow and legit skin benefits, popping up from high-end spa menus to your local beauty aisles. Red light zaps wrinkles and sparks hair growth. Blue light battles those pesky breakouts. Yellow light chills inflammation and puffiness. But here’s the curveball—green light therapy. It’s taking the skincare scene by storm, especially on TikTok, with folks raving about its magic touch on dark spots and inflammation while bathing their faces in an enchanting emerald glow. Though the science behind green light is just budding compared to its red and blue siblings, the buzz is hard to ignore. So, before you swipe that card on another trendy beauty gadget, let’s dive deep into what green light therapy really offers, and how you might just make it your skin’s new best friend.

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Light therapy is more than just an aesthetically appealing skin treatment. Beyond the “looks cool on social” vibes, it offers several proven benefits for addressing your most pressing skin concerns—which is why it’s easy to find the treatment modality on spa menus, at dermatologists’ offices, and even on the shelves of beauty stores.

Red light therapy, for instance, has been shown to treat certain skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, as well as reduce wrinkles and stimulate hair growth. Blue light, meanwhile, can help battle acne, and yellow light may quell inflammation to get rid of puffiness.

But there’s yet another color in this rainbow of beauty solutions: green light. And on social media, people are raving about the benefits of using the wavelength, namely, reducing inflammation and fading pesky dark spots. Plus, the visual and sensorial experience of bathing your skin in a bright green hue is simply mesmerizing.

Meet the experts: Kiran Mian, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery. Hadley King, MD, is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. Ellen Marmur, MD, is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist.

Compared to red light therapy or blue light, the research investigating the benefits of green light for your skin is admittedly thin. But what we do know is exciting. So before you go running to the store to pick up another light therapy device, here’s what experts want you to know—including the potential benefits green light therapy provides the skin, and how to incorporate it into your beauty regimen.

What is green light therapy?

Green light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses a specific wavelength of light to target certain cosmetic concerns, primarily relating to pigment and inflammation, explains Ellen Marmur, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

It typically utilizes wavelengths ranging from 500-570 nanometers, which is considered short and means green light doesn’t penetrate the skin quite as deeply as other light therapies. Instead, green light therapy is thought to target cells in the epidermis, or the outermost layer of skin, as well as the upper dermis, or middle layer, experts explain.

When it comes to treating dark spots and inflammation, green light’s short wavelength is a good thing: The cells responsible for producing pigment are called melanocytes. And when melanocytes are activated—whether it be through sun exposure, inflammation, or hormone level changes—you can be left with unwanted hyperpigmentation. Melanocytes are located in the deepest layer of the epidermis, which means green light can effectively interact with those cells to reduce extra pigment production.

It’s a similar story for capillaries, the tiny blood vessels in the upper layer of the dermis, that can contribute to redness. “That is why [green light] works well to decrease visible pigment and help with superficial redness,” says Kiran Mian, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery.

Although green light can be effective for all skin types, our doctors say it may be particularly effective for those looking to brighten and even their skin tone since its known to target dark spots. Beyond that, “it may have anti-inflammatory effects, which could potentially promote wound healing,” explains Hadley King, MD, a board-certified New York City-based dermatologist. Green light may also improve blood circulation contributing to a more healthy-looking, glowy complexion, she adds.

But here’s the caveat: Research on green light is limited: There are very few, well-designed studies that actually prove the treatment can effectively address the aforementioned cosmetic concerns. Among the ones that do exist, many are funded by companies that sell beauty devices. And there’s even some research to suggest that green light can actually increase melanin production instead of preventing it. All that’s to say, we need more reliable data about the therapy to confirm its efficacy, even though the science makes sense in theory.

And while light therapy is generally considered safe, those who are sensitive to sun exposure or eye conditions such as macular degeneration or retinopathy may want to avoid it because exposure could make these conditions worse, says Dr. Marmur.. It’s also a good idea to avoid light therapy while pregnant due to the dearth of research validating its safety profile, she adds.

How can I add green light to my beauty routine?

Green light therapy isn’t typically used in-office by dermatologists on its own, but at-home devices using this wavelength are a big trend, which means incorporating the therapy into your beauty routine is as easy as clicking “add to cart.”

But not all light therapy devices are created equal, so be sure to buy a good one. “You want to buy from a brand that’s transparent about the energy specifications,” says Dr. Mian. “These devices are not standardized, so purchase from a company that provides you with as much information as possible.”

In particular, look for a device that’s been evaluated and cleared by the Food and Drug Administration—something any reputable brand will proudly display on its label—or has clinical data to back up it’s efficacy, which can usually be found on the brand’s website. Here’s a few that are Women’s Health-approved to get you started:

Green Light Therapy Devices

Best for Wrinkles

MMSkincare MMSphere Luxe

Credit: mmskincare.com

This a good option if you want a tool that features other light therapy options beyond green to target fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration. Plus, it’s FDA-cleared, offers nine different light settings, and should be used at least three times a week for 20 minutes each for best results.

Best for Sagging Skin

FOREO UFO 2

Now 15% Off

Credit: foreo.com

Beyond offering LED light therapy in 8 colors (including green) this device includes refreshing cooling technology to visibly minimize pores, lock in moisture and diminish puffiness. It also helps fight inflammation while instantly lifting and firming.

Best for Dark Spots

Lumara Illuminate Green

Now 17% Off

Credit: lumarasystems.com

This one’s a real financial investment. But it is also FDA-cleared and designed to be used for just five minutes a day. It doesn’t get much easier than that! Bonus: This one comes with a set of goggles, a carrying case, and an adjustable strap.

If you use any of the above picks, you can—and should—still continue your regular skincare routine, says Dr. King. And if your primary reason for using green light is to fend off dark spots, there are multiple skincare ingredients actually proven to help.

For one, hydroquinone is considered the most powerful topical skin-lightening agent available, Women’s Health previously reported. It’s so strong, in fact, that it’s only available by prescription. There are plenty of over-the-counter choices, too: Namely, vitamin C, an antioxidant that works by preventing free radical damage and inhibiting the activity of an enzyme responsible for producing pigment; niacinamide, which helps prevent the transfer of pigment in the skin; retinoids, which fight dark spots by accelerating skin cell turnover; and tranexamic acid, another dermatologist-approved ingredient that combats hyperpigmentation from multiple angles at once. (And that’s not even all of it!)

But when it comes to at-home green light therapy, you’ll want to closely follow the instructions that come with your device, Dr. King says. It’s also a good idea to wear protective eyewear whenever you do a treatment on your own, she adds. And to maximize results, the key is to make sure you actually use your device regularly. “Consistency is key when it comes to using LED therapy at home,” says Dr. Mian. “Results are slow, but progressive.”

Here’s the bottom line: Compared to skincare ingredients actually proven to work, the science to support green light therapy is in its infancy. But the treatment is safe for almost everyone and has a plausible mechanism to back it up. And who doesn’t love treating themselves to a luxurious light therapy facial every now and then? So, if you’ve been curious about this skincare trend, consider this…your green light.

Katie Mogg is the beauty editorial assistant at Women’s Health. Since starting college at Northeastern University in 2020, her bylines have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NBC News and The Boston Globe. She strives to help readers lead happier and healthier lives through science-backed stories that explain how to care for hair, skin and nails. When she’s not working, Katie enjoys live music, strolling through Central Park, planning her next beach getaway, and sharing hotpot with friends.