Light therapy studies report scar improvements, but treatment details remain unsettled
A scoping review describes changes in scar appearance and symptoms after red or near-infrared light therapy, while calling for larger controlled trials.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review reports improvements in scar appearance, texture and some symptoms across studies of red and near-infrared light treatment. These findings suggest a possible role in scar care, but the abstract does not establish how large or reliable the benefits are, or which treatment settings would work best for a particular scar.
The underlying studies were small and varied. This abstract-based summary cannot assess their individual comparisons or results, and the abstract provides no effect sizes or confidence intervals for the reported improvements.
Different scars, different outcomes
Reported changes included pigmentation and thickness in burn scars, firmness and scar ratings after surgery, and color and elasticity in raised scars. Pain and itching also improved in some surgical settings. These outcomes describe different aspects of scarring.
Tolerability needs context
Temporary redness and warmth were the most commonly reported reactions, with occasional blistering at higher light exposures. The authors call for larger controlled trials to clarify treatment timing and settings across scar types and skin tones.
The original publication
Red and near-infrared photobiomodulation for burn, hypertrophic, and post-surgical scars: a scoping review of clinical trials.
Gaumond SI, Dreifus EM, Mittal A et al.
Lasers Med Sci · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 42026334
- Record checked
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