If you’ve been researching ways to manage your lymphedema, you’ve probably come across claims about red light therapy for lymphedema. Maybe you’re wondering if it’s worth trying, or if it’s just a wellness trend that won’t help your swelling.

The short answer is that red light therapy can be a helpful addition to your lymphedema management routine. The research is still developing, but the results so far are encouraging.

As a certified lymphedema therapist (CLT-LANA), I’ve seen patients experience noticeable improvements when they use red light therapy consistently alongside their other treatments. It’s not a magic fix, but it does help improve lymphatic function.

Here’s everything you need to know about red light therapy for lymphedema.

What Is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is a chronic condition where lymph fluid builds up in your body and causes swelling, usually in your arms or legs.

Some people are born with lymphatic system problems that lead to this (primary lymphedema), but most cases develop after something damages the lymphatic system, like cancer treatment, surgery, or infection (secondary lymphedema).

Up to 250 million people worldwide live with lymphedema, including about 10 million in the US. That’s more than HIV, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and ALS combined.

There’s no cure for lymphedema, but you can effectively manage it through compression garments, manual lymphatic drainage, exercise, and skin care.

When you stay consistent with treatment, you can significantly reduce lymphedema swelling.

In early-stage lymphedema, some people can even eliminate visible swelling, though the underlying lymphatic damage still remains.

As a certified lymphedema therapist (CLT-LANA), I’m always looking for new tools to help my patients manage their swelling. Red light therapy is one option that has shown promising results.

What Is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy, sometimes called photobiomodulation, uses wavelengths of light to boost your cells’ energy production.

There are two types of light:

• Red light (around 660nm): Works on superficial lymph vessels just under your skin
• Near-infrared light (830-905nm): Penetrates deeper to reach muscles, lymph vessels, and connective tissue

When you use red light therapy, a few different things happen in your body that can help with lymphedema:

• Your lymphatic vessels open up and drain fluid better
• Swelling and inflammation go down, so your lymphatic system can work more easily
• Blood flow improves, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the affected area
• Your cells make more energy, which helps your lymphatic vessels pump fluid out

The anti-inflammatory effects are particularly important. When inflammation goes down, your lymphatic system can function more efficiently and drain lymphatic fluid.

Will Red Light Therapy Help with Lymphedema?

The research on red light therapy for lymphedema is still developing, but the results we have are very positive.

One study found that 93% of breast cancer patients with arm lymphedema experienced a 16-22% reduction in swelling after red light therapy treatments. 

These patients also saw improvements in grip strength and shoulder mobility, which are two issues that I often see in people with arm lymphedema.

Another study showed that two sessions of red light therapy improved tissue softness and reduced swelling in people with long-term lymphedema, and the benefits lasted three months.

Overall, red light therapy for lymphedema seems to work well and helps meaningfully improve lymphatic flow. It’s also something I’ve seen personally with my patients at the physical therapy clinic.

That said, it’s important to note that most of this research was conducted using medical-grade devices (low-level laser therapy) in clinical settings. These aren’t the same as the red light panels you can buy to use at home.

Medical-grade lasers cost thousands of dollars and penetrate much deeper into tissue. Does this mean home devices won’t help? Not at all. It just means that home devices are less powerful but still provide benefits when you use them consistently.

Learn more about lymphedema self-care and how red light therapy can fit into your routine.

Medical-Grade vs At-Home Red Light Therapy

Medical-grade devices are what we use in clinical settings.

These are low-level lasers that cost anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000. They deliver concentrated light at specific wavelengths (usually 905-950nm) with high power output. Treatment sessions are short, typically 3-6 minutes per area, and the light penetrates deep into tissue.

At-home devices use LED lights instead of lasers.

They’re less powerful (usually 20-100 mW/cm²) and work mostly on superficial to moderate tissue depth. Most use a combination of red light (620-660nm) and near-infrared light (830nm). Treatment sessions are longer, about 10-20 minutes, and these devices cost between $250 and $2,000.

The main difference is penetration depth and power.

Clinical lasers work faster and reach deeper tissue, making them better for severe lymphedema or dense fibrosis. 

Home devices take longer to show results, but can still improve lymphatic flow, reduce inflammation, and support tissue health when you use them consistently.

Learn more about effective treatments for lymphedema.

Are Home Red Light Therapy Devices Worth It?

In my experience, at-home red light therapy devices can be worth trying as part of your overall lymphedema management plan.

You still need the gold standard treatments, which include manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, exercise, and skin care. Red light therapy doesn’t replace any of these. But it can be a helpful addition if your swelling responds to it.

Many of my patients see noticeable improvements in tissue softness, reduced swelling, and better overall lymphatic flow when they use their home device regularly. But the only way to know if it will work for you is to try it consistently for a few weeks.

If you decide to invest in a home device, here are my recommendations:

How to Use Red Light Therapy for Lymphedema

There isn’t a strict protocol for using red light therapy for lymphedema, but I recommend making it a regular part of your overall management routine.

Here are my general recommendations:

• Use it 3-5 times per week for consistency without overdoing it
• Treat each area for 10-20 minutes, depending on the device and manufacturer’s instructions
• Keep body panels 10-20 centimeters away from your skin (face masks sit directly on skin)

It’s important to combine red light therapy with other gold standard treatments for lymphedema, including manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, regular movement, and taking care of your skin.

 It works best as part of a complete approach and is not a replacement for proven treatments.

Learn more about physical therapy for lymphedema and the different treatments that it can include.

Is Red Light Therapy for Lymphedema Safe?

Yes, red light therapy is generally safe for most people, but you should check with your doctor first if you:

• Have active cancer or a history of cancer
• Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• Take medications that increase light sensitivity
• Have any implanted medical devices

Sometimes, you may experience side effects like skin redness or eye irritation if you keep the device too close to your eyes. 

To avoid these issues, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and don’t use the device for longer than recommended (typically, 10-20 minute sessions, 3-5 times per week).

FAQs

How long does it take to see results from red light therapy?

It largely depends on how severe your lymphedema is and how well your body responds to the treatment. It often takes 2-4 weeks of consistent use to start noticing better lymph flow and less swelling. For severe lymphedema and chronic swelling, you may need to use a medical-grade device at a clinic to start noticing a big difference in your lymphatic health.

Can I use red light therapy if I’ve had cancer treatment?

Generally speaking, yes. However, you should talk to your doctor before starting red light therapy, especially if you’re still in active treatment or have recently finished. Red light therapy has been proven to be effective for reducing swelling in breast cancer-related lymphedema of the arm, but don’t start any new treatment without getting a green light from your medical team first.

Can red light therapy replace compression garments and manual lymphatic drainage?

No. Red light therapy is a helpful addition to your lymphedema management routine, but it doesn’t replace the proven gold standard treatments of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), such as compression therapy and manual lymphatic drainage. It can be one tool in your toolbox, but not the only tool.

Will red light therapy help with fibrosis from long-term lymphedema?

Red light therapy can help soften fibrotic tissue to some degree, especially when you use it consistently over a few months. Research shows it improves tissue quality and reduces the hardness that develops with chronic lymphedema. However, home devices have limitations with deep or severe fibrosis. If you have a lot of tissue hardening, you might need clinical-grade low-level laser treatment, which penetrates deeper and works faster than home LED panels.

Can I do red light therapy at home, or do I need to go to a clinic?

You can do red light therapy at home with consumer LED devices. These can work well for mild to moderate lymphedema and to generally support a healthy lymphatic system. Clinic treatments use medical-grade lasers that are more powerful and penetrate deeper, which makes them better for severe, persistent swelling and dense fibrosis. That said, you can always start with a home device and see if it helps improve lymphatic drainage before getting professional treatment.

Get More Support with Lymphedema Treatment

As a certified lymphedema therapist (CLT-LANA) and physical therapist, I want to make education about living with lymphedema and improving swelling more accessible to everyone.

For many people, it’s hard to see a therapist in person because of time constraints or cost, so I’ve created helpful resources you can access online:

• Lower Body Lymphedema Rehab: A comprehensive program for people with lymphedema in the legs, feet, and lower body.
• Breast Cancer Rehab: Designed specifically for breast cancer-related lymphedema in the arms, chest, and upper body.
• Digital guides: Step-by-step instructions for exercises, manual lymphatic drainage massage techniques, and other self-care strategies to help you take control of your lymphedema at home.

Lymphedema management can often feel confusing and overwhelming, but once you build a toolbox with treatments that work for you, you can really improve your quality of life!