Red-Light Therapy During Pregnancy
Red-light therapy (low-level light therapy/photobiomodulation) appears to be safe during pregnancy based on available evidence, though data is limited to case reports and series rather than controlled trials.
Evidence for Safety
The available evidence, while not specifically addressing "red-light therapy" as commonly marketed for wellness purposes, provides reassurance about light-based therapies during pregnancy:
Cutaneous Laser and Light Therapy Safety
A systematic review of 380 pregnant women treated with various laser wavelengths across all trimesters found no cases of maternal or fetal morbidity, mortality, premature labor, or identifiable fetal stress (with one questionable case of premature rupture of membranes) 1.
Laser physics and optics indicate there should theoretically be no risk of fetal laser exposure from commonly used cutaneous lasers, as the energy does not penetrate deeply enough to reach the fetus 1.
Carbon dioxide laser therapy for genital condylomas has considerable evidence supporting its safety during pregnancy 2.
Bright Light Therapy Studies
While bright light therapy (9,000 lux) differs from red-light therapy in wavelength and intensity, studies provide relevant safety data:
Bright light therapy has been studied in pregnant women with depression and is described as combining "high safety, taking the safety for the unborn child into account" 3.
Multiple randomized controlled trials of bright light therapy in pregnant women reported no adverse maternal or fetal outcomes 4, 5.
Bright light therapy is characterized as having "minimal side effects for the mother and no known risk for the unborn child" 4.
Important Distinctions
Red-Light Therapy vs. Radiation Therapy
It is critical to distinguish red-light therapy (photobiomodulation) from radiation therapy (RT) used in cancer treatment:
Radiation therapy is contraindicated during pregnancy and should only be used in rare instances with low therapeutic doses and adequate uterine shielding 6.
Red-light therapy uses non-ionizing light in the visible spectrum (typically 600-700nm wavelengths) and does not involve ionizing radiation, making it fundamentally different from cancer radiation therapy.
Clinical Recommendation Algorithm
For patients considering red-light therapy during pregnancy:
Confirm the type of therapy: Ensure it is truly red-light/low-level light therapy (photobiomodulation) and not any form of ionizing radiation 6.
Consider the indication:
Avoid abdominal application: While systemic risk appears minimal, direct application to the abdomen should be avoided out of abundance of caution, particularly in the first trimester 2.
Use established devices: Ensure the device is from a reputable manufacturer with appropriate wavelength specifications (typically 600-700nm for red light) 1.
Key Caveats
The evidence base consists primarily of case reports and case series rather than randomized controlled trials 1, 2.
Most cosmetic procedures during pregnancy lack controlled trials addressing safety, and definitive recommendations cannot be made for all light-based therapies 2.
It is advisable to delay elective cosmetic procedures until after the baby is born when there is no urgent medical indication 2.
The first trimester represents the period of highest teratogenic risk, and extra caution is warranted during this time even for procedures with theoretical safety 7.