Will Red Light Therapy Fade Tattoos? Effects, Risks & Results

Regretting that tattoo you swore you’d “always love”? It happens. So, will Red Light Therapy fade tattoos? Short answer: it can lighten them slightly, but it won’t erase them. Curious how much fading you can realistically expect, and whether it’s worth trying? Keep reading.

Will Red Light Therapy Fade Your Tattoos?

The Definitive Answer for Tattoo Owners

A lot of people scroll through social media hoping red light therapy tattoo removal will be some kind of gentle, pain-free miracle. But the reality is far less dramatic. Red Light Therapy isn’t built to break down ink, and while some users claim their tattoos softened a little, the change is usually subtle and inconsistent. If you’re expecting major fading, Red Light Therapy won’t give you that, but it won’t harm your tattoo either. Most results come from healthier skin, not pigment breakdown, which is why people often ask how long will red light therapy fade tattoos and end up surprised by the minimal change.

The Short Answer: No, Red Light Therapy is Safe for Tattoos

Why Your Body Art is Safe from Therapeutic Light

Red Light Therapy works on skin cells, not pigment particles. That’s why even people who worry about whether red light therapy tattoos can blur their ink can breathe easy. The wavelengths simply don’t behave like lasers. The same goes for anyone curious about does red light therapy affect microblading, once the skin is healed, the light doesn’t target those pigments either. Your tattoo sits in the dermis, and Red Light Therapy doesn’t have the power to disturb it, which makes it one of the safer wellness tools you can use around body art.

Red Light Therapy vs. Tattoo Removal Lasers: A Tale of Two Lights

How Tattoo Removal Works: Shattering Ink Particles with Intense Heat

Laser tattoo removal uses high-intensity pulses that act like a microscopic hammer, breaking pigment into tiny pieces. It’s powerful, targeted, and often uncomfortable, which is why results can be dramatic. Those lasers reach ink because they’re designed to hit pigment with enough heat to break it apart, which Red Light Therapy simply doesn’t do.

How Red Light Therapy Works: Stimulating Cells with Low-Level Light

Red Light Therapy works at a completely different pace and purpose. It boosts circulation, encourages skin repair, and supports cellular energy production. None of these actions involve attacking ink. So when people ask does infrared light fade tattoos, the answer mirrors Red Light Therapy: it reaches deeper, but it doesn’t disrupt pigment.

Non-Ablative and Non-Thermal: Why Red Light Therapy Doesn't Affect Ink

The biggest difference comes down to intensity. Red Light Therapy is non-ablative, low-heat, and not destructive, which means it never acts on tattoo ink the way a laser does. It’s designed for recovery and skin health, not pigment alteration. If anything fades, it’s typically due to better skin texture or reduced inflammation, not ink breakdown.

The Potential Benefits of Using Red Light Therapy on Tattooed Skin

Speeding Up the Healing of a New Tattoo (After Initial Healing)

Once the peeling stage is over and the skin has fully sealed, Red Light Therapy can be a helpful tool to calm leftover irritation. It can support healing, reduce redness, and encourage healthier skin turnover. Some people mistake this for tattoo fading, but it’s just your skin settling into its final healed appearance.

Improving the Health of the Skin Underneath and Around the Tattoo

Better skin often makes ink look sharper or more vibrant. Red Light Therapy boosts collagen, circulation, and cell repair, which can smooth the surface and support long-term tattoo clarity. It won’t lighten ink, but it can help the tattoo age more gracefully.

Best Practices for Using Red Light Therapy with Tattoos

Using Red Light Therapy on a Fresh Tattoo: When to Wait

Fresh tattoos are still open wounds, so using Red Light Therapy too early can cause irritation or disrupt healing. Stick to your tattoo artist’s aftercare routine first. Only use Red Light Therapy once the tattoo is fully closed and past the peeling stage, which typically takes a few weeks depending on skin type and placement.

What to Expect: Does Tattooed Skin Feel Different During Red Light Therapy?

Most people notice no difference at all. Dark pigments may feel slightly warmer, but it’s usually mild and short-lived. If you’ve had microblading or cosmetic tattooing, the same rule applies, once healed, Red Light Therapy is typically safe and doesn’t alter pigment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can red light therapy cause tattoo ink to blur?

No. The light doesn’t migrate or disturb pigment, so blurred lines aren’t a concern.

Does near-infrared light affect tattoos differently?

Not significantly. Even with greater depth, NIR wavelengths still lack the energy needed to break ink apart.

My tattoo artist told me to avoid the sun; why is Red Light Therapy different?

Sunlight contains UV radiation, which can bleach or distort pigment. Red Light Therapy contains zero UV, so it doesn’t fade ink like sun exposure can.