For skin conditions like cold sores, canker sores, and genital sores, it’s best to use light therapy treatments when you first feel a tingle and suspect that an outbreak is emerging. Then, use light therapy every day while you’re experiencing symptoms. When you’re not experiencing symptoms, it can still be beneficial to use light therapy regularly, to prevent future outbreaks and improve general skin health. [1,2,3,4]
Conclusion: Consistent, Daily Light Therapy is Optimal
There are many different light therapy products and reasons to use light therapy. But in general, the key to seeing results is to use light therapy as consistently as possible. Ideally every day, or 2-3 times per day for specific problem spots like cold sores or other skin conditions.
Sources and References:
[1] Avci P, Gupta A, et al. Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring. Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. Mar 2013.
[2] Wunsch A and Matuschka K. A Controlled Trial to Determine the Efficacy of Red and Near-Infrared Light Treatment in Patient Satisfaction, Reduction of Fine Lines, Wrinkles, Skin Roughness, and Intradermal Collagen Density Increase. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. Feb 2014
[3] Al-Maweri SA, Kalakonda B, AlAizari NA, Al-Soneidar WA, Ashraf S, Abdulrab S, Al-Mawri ES. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in management of recurrent herpes labialis: a systematic review. Lasers Med Sci. 2018 Sep;33(7):1423-1430.
[4] de Paula Eduardo C, Aranha AC, Simões A, Bello-Silva MS, Ramalho KM, Esteves-Oliveira M, de Freitas PM, Marotti J, Tunér J. Laser treatment of recurrent herpes labialis: a literature review. Lasers Med Sci. 2014 Jul;29(4):1517-29.