Is Yellow Light Therapy the Next Big Thing in Skincare?

What Is Yellow Light Therapy?

As board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Shereen Teymour, MD, notes, “Yellow light therapy, sometimes called amber light therapy, is a form of LED photobiomodulation that uses visible light, generally in the yellow wavelength range of about 570 to 590 nanometers.” 

Double board-certified plastic surgeon Frank Agullo, MD, shares that it sits between green and red wavelengths, working as a low-level light treatment similar to red and blue light therapy.

More specifically, licensed esthetician Aly Mac mentions that yellow light therapy interacts with melanocyte and keratinocyte cells to reduce pigmentation, along with Langerhans and Merkel cells to calm inflammation, redness, and more.

5 Potential Benefits of Yellow Light Therapy for Skin

1. It Reduces Redness

Because it has a wavelength range up to 590 nanometers, this measurement has “demonstrated reductions in erythema, including studies looking at sensitive skin and post-procedural redness,” according to board-certified menopause expert Vanessa Coppola, APN, FNP-BC, MSCP.

2. It Calms Sensitive or Reactive Skin

The gentle amber wavelengths are incredibly soothing for sensitive or reactive skin types. Board-certified physician Carol Eisenstat, MD, says it can help offer mild support to those experiencing rosacea-type flushing. It’s also cooler than red light therapy, so if you find the LED too warm, you can use this mellow option.

3. It Can Even Out Skin Tone

There have been a few studies linking yellow light therapy to an improvement in overall skin tone, especially when it comes to signs of photoaging such as pigmentation or discoloration. Board-certified nurse practitioner Natia Rufolo, FNP, NP-C, is a proponent of using it on patients who want to improve texture and even out their skin tone.

4. It Aids in Post-Procedure Recovery

Treatments like chemical peels and extractions can leave the skin inflamed and irritated. This increased blood flow and resulting redness can be calmed using red light therapy during the post-procedure recovery process, according to Dr. Coppola.

5. It Potentially Offers Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects

Yellow light therapy is still relatively new to the skincare world, so the jury is still out, but Dr. Coppola notes that some research suggests “yellow light may influence oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling.”

Who Should Try Yellow Light Therapy—and Who Should Avoid It?

Based on the above benefits, it’s clear that those struggling with red or irritated skin may benefit the most from yellow light therapy. However, Dr. Teymour does caution those who experience persistent facial redness from using this as a form of self-treatment. It’s important to understand what is causing your redness, as “rosacea, dermatitis, and other conditions can look similar but require very different treatment approaches.”

While most people can try yellow light therapy at home or during a facial treatment, the experts do warn that those who experience photosensitivity may need to steer clear of the light.

Yellow vs. Red vs. Blue Light Therapy What's the Difference?

Yellow Light Therapy

• Wavelengths: 570 to 590 nanometers

• Where it treats: Epidermis and upper dermis

• Best for: Reducing redness, calming sensitive skin, and evening out skin tone

Red Light Therapy

• Wavelengths: 630 to 660 nanometers

• Where it treats: 2 to 5 millimeters into the dermis

• Best for: Stimulating collagen, reducing signs of aging, and decreasing inflammation

Blue Light Therapy

• Wavelengths: Around 415 nanometers

• Where it treats: Epidermis and upper dermis

• Best for: Targeting acne and superficial skin conditions

TL;DR: Use yellow for redness, red for anti-aging, and blue for acne. They can also be used together if you’re experiencing multiple skin issues.

Can You Use Yellow Light Therapy at Home?

Red and blue light therapy are often used at home in the form of LED treatments. Can the same be done with yellow light therapy? Yes.

Dr. Agullo does note that at-home devices “deliver a fraction of the energy of a clinical panel.” However, you will see a payoff if you stay consistent. If you use a device for “roughly 10 to 20 minutes, three to five times a week, on clean, product-free skin, with eye protection if the device is bright,” you should notice a difference in six to 12 weeks, though it won’t be a total transformation.

Is Yellow Light Therapy Worth Trying?

LED treatments are not the be-all and end-all of skincare. While yellow light therapy, along with red and blue light therapy, does offer many benefits, that’s not where your skincare should end. You still need a proper routine and some additional maintenance to achieve the flawless complexion you crave. 

“LED is generally an adjunct, not a substitute for evidence-based dermatologic or aesthetic treatment,” says Dr. Coppola. “If someone has persistent redness, significant inflammation, acne, rosacea, or a changing skin lesion, the first step isn’t choosing a color on an LED mask—it’s getting the correct diagnosis.”