At Erase & Embrace Tattoo Removal in Temecula, we love using Red Light Therapy (RLT) as a powerful, non-invasive way to calm inflammation, boost collagen, and support healing after treatments like microneedling or laser. But here’s something most people don’t realize:
The products you apply before and after red light sessions can make a huge difference in your results.
Just like your skin responds differently to certain ingredients during microneedling or laser sessions, RLT works best when paired with gentle, targeted skincare. Whether you’re coming in to heal, hydrate, or glow, here’s what we recommend using—and what to avoid—for optimal results.
Why Skincare Matters With Red Light Therapy
Red Light Therapy works by penetrating the skin with low-level wavelengths (usually 630–660 nm), which stimulates energy production in your skin cells. This helps:
- Speed up healing
- Reduce redness
- Improve tone and texture
- Stimulate collagen and elastin
But RLT doesn’t work through makeup, SPF, or heavy occlusive products. So your skin needs to be clean, hydrated, and free of ingredients that block light absorption—or worse, cause photosensitivity.
Ideal Products to Use Before Red Light Therapy
Before your session, we want your skin to be:
- Clean
- Free of SPF or retinoids
- Prepped with calming and hydrating ingredients that support healing and repair
Here are the kinds of products we recommend:
Gentle Cleanser
Use a fragrance-free, non-foaming cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin.
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Red light therapy increases cellular energy—give those cells the hydration they need to do the work.
🚫 Avoid:
- Retinoids
- Acids (glycolic, salicylic)
- SPF (remove it before RLT)
- Occlusives like heavy oils or balms
Ideal Products to Use After Red Light Therapy
Once your skin has been energized, it’s primed to soak up the good stuff. Post-treatment, we recommend layering on products that:
- Lock in hydration
- Calm any residual heat or redness
- Support skin barrier repair
Calming Serum or Gel
Look for ingredients like aloe vera, niacinamide, or centella asiatica to soothe the skin.
Lightweight Moisturizer
Seal in hydration without suffocating the skin.
SPF (if going outside afterward)
Once you’ve finished your session and left the spa, don’t forget to protect all that fresh, glowing skin!
What to Avoid After Red Light Therapy
Skip anything that could cause sensitivity or barrier disruption while your skin is still in healing mode:
- Retinol or retinoids
- Chemical exfoliants (AHAs, BHAs)
- Harsh scrubs or physical exfoliants
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact our clinic at 951-540-6524 for more advice or schedule a consultation.
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