Red Light Therapy for Scar Healing: Can LED Therapy Improve Scars?

Scars are a natural part of the skin's healing process, but that doesn't mean you have to simply accept the way they look or feel.

Whether it's a surgical scar, acne scar, burn scar or an old injury, scar tissue can look different from the surrounding skin and may feel thicker, firmer or less flexible. This has led to growing interest in red light therapy as a non-invasive way to support the skin while it goes through the repair and remodelling process.

So, can red light therapy actually improve scars?

Research suggests that red and near-infrared photobiomodulation can help improve several characteristics of scar tissue, including colour, thickness, texture, pliability and overall appearance.

A 2026 review of clinical studies found that red and near-infrared photobiomodulation showed benefits across burn, hypertrophic and post-surgical scars, with particularly encouraging results for newer scars.

Here's how it works and what the research says.

What Is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation (PBM), uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to interact with cells.

Unlike ultraviolet light, red and near-infrared wavelengths are not designed to damage the skin. Instead, they are being studied for their effects on cellular activity, circulation, inflammation and tissue repair.

Red light is generally used for more superficial tissues, while near-infrared light can penetrate further into tissue.

This makes red and near-infrared light particularly interesting when looking at skin health, recovery and the remodelling of scar tissue.

How Can Red Light Therapy Help Scars?

Scar formation involves a complex process of inflammation, collagen production and tissue remodelling.

Once a wound has closed, the skin continues to change over time. Collagen fibres are reorganised, the scar can become softer or flatter, and its colour and texture can gradually change.

This is where red light therapy may have a role.

1. Supports Collagen Production

Collagen is one of the most important proteins involved in the structure and strength of the skin.

During wound healing, the body produces collagen to help repair damaged tissue. The way that collagen is produced and remodelled can influence how a scar ultimately looks and feels.

Red and near-infrared photobiomodulation have been studied for their effects on cellular processes involved in collagen production and tissue repair.

By supporting these processes, red light therapy may help encourage healthier skin remodelling and improve the appearance and texture of scar tissue.

2. May Improve Scar Texture and Thickness

Some scars become raised, thick or firm compared with the surrounding skin.

Research into photobiomodulation has found improvements in several characteristics associated with these types of scars.

The 2026 clinical scoping review found that red LED treatment improved scar thickness in burn scars, while near-infrared photobiomodulation was associated with improvements in thickness and malleability in several hypertrophic and post-surgical scar studies.

This is particularly interesting because scar improvement isn't only about colour. A scar can still be noticeable because of the way it feels or sits within the skin.

3. Can Improve the Appearance of Scar Colour

New scars can often appear red, pink, purple or darker than the surrounding skin.

Clinical research has reported improvements in scar pigmentation and colour following photobiomodulation.

In the 2026 review, red LED therapy was associated with improvements in pigmentation in burn scars, while near-infrared treatment also showed improvements in scar colour in hypertrophic scars.

A 2025 clinical study also found significant improvements in scar colour following photobiomodulation treatment across several types of scars.

This suggests that red light therapy may be useful not only for the physical characteristics of scar tissue, but also for some of the visible colour changes that can make scars stand out.

4. Supports the Skin's Natural Repair Process

Red light therapy is often associated with cellular energy production.

Photobiomodulation is thought to influence mitochondrial activity, which is important because mitochondria are responsible for producing much of the energy cells need to function.

Skin cells require energy for processes such as repair, regeneration and remodelling.

This is one reason red light therapy has attracted so much interest in skincare and tissue recovery: rather than physically resurfacing the skin, it works by interacting with cellular processes.

5. May Improve Scar Flexibility and Pliability

Scar tissue can sometimes feel tight or less flexible than the skin around it.

This can be particularly noticeable with larger scars or scars that form across areas of movement.

Clinical studies have reported improvements in scar pliability and malleability following photobiomodulation.

The 2026 review found improvements in malleability in studies involving near-infrared treatment, alongside improvements in other scar characteristics.

Improving the flexibility and quality of scar tissue is therefore another potential benefit being investigated with red and near-infrared light.

Red Light Therapy for Surgical Scars

Surgical scars are one of the areas where red and near-infrared light have been studied most directly.

A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial investigated home-based 830 nm LED photobiomodulation following thyroid surgery. Participants began treatment one week after surgery and were followed for six months.

At six months, the LED group had significantly better patient satisfaction and scar assessment scores, along with lower pain scores. The treatment group also showed greater improvements in measurements including scar colour, height, pigmentation and vascularity, although not all of those differences reached statistical significance.

Other clinical research has similarly reported improvements in post-surgical scar characteristics following red or near-infrared photobiomodulation.

This makes surgical scars one of the more interesting areas of research for LED-based photobiomodulation.

Red Light Therapy for New vs Old Scars

Does red light therapy work better on a new scar or an old scar?

Research suggests that newer scars may respond particularly well, although older scars have also been studied.

A 2025 clinical study involving 60 participants looked at recent scars, surgical scars, old scars and acne scars. Significant improvements were reported in scar colour, size and patient satisfaction, with recent scars showing the most favourable improvements in appearance and contour.

The 2026 review also found greater benefits from red LED treatment in burn scars that were less than 12 months old.

This makes sense when you consider that scar tissue continues to remodel over time.

However, an older scar isn't necessarily beyond the point of improvement. Research has included scars more than a year old, meaning photobiomodulation is being investigated for both newer and established scars.

Can Red Light Therapy Help Acne Scars?

Acne scars are different from surgical or burn scars because they can include changes in skin texture, pigmentation and depressions in the skin.

Photobiomodulation has been investigated for acne scarring, including in the 2025 clinical study that reported improvements in scar colour and appearance across different scar groups.

 

 

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations. If you have concerns about a scar, a healing wound or changes to your skin, speak with a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist.