Does Red Light Therapy for Cellulite Work? (Research + Photos)

Does Red Light Therapy for Cellulite Work?

Red light therapy for cellulite shows promise backed by science. It reduces body circumference, particularly in areas prone to cellulite.

Studies show significant fat thickness reduction and improved skin firmness caused by increased collagen and elastin production.

Also, it enhances lymphatic drainage, which is crucial for preventing swelling.

This non-invasive, painless method can be conveniently used at home to complement other cellulite treatments like gels, massagers, exercise, and detox.

While results may vary, combining red light therapy with traditional approaches offers a holistic approach to treating cellulite.

How Does Red Light Therapy Reduce Cellulite?

Red light therapy (which can be used at home whenever you want to) is now proven to supercharge any cellulite treatment.

Here’s how:

1. Red light therapy is proven to reduce overall body circumference measurements of the hips, waist, thighs, buttocks, and upper arms,  with recent studies demonstrating the long-term effectiveness of results.

2. Red & infrared rays are proven to boost blood circulation and thus collagen and elastin production (reversing the breakdown of collagen typical to cellulite, fixing damaged skin, and improving skin firmness)

3. Infrared heat improves lymphatic drainage, essential to any cellulite treatment to prevent swelling.

Most women don’t know about this little-known secret; that’s why they are surprised to find their cellulite almost diminished after a few infrared sauna sessions!

(Keep reading to see a few amazing stories)

Below, you’ll find out how to use red cellulite light therapy to finally see a visible reduction in your cellulite when you combine it with other common cellulite treatments.

👉 Here are my top picks in case you’re in a hurry:

This post may contain affiliate links at no extra cost to you.

How to Use Red Light Therapy for Cellulite at Home

There are plenty of ways to use red light therapy for cellulite at home in a way that will finally work.

You will get the results you want from a high-output LED device that can deliver the light intensity needed for absorption into the body’s tissues.

You’ll get the best results by combining red and NIR (near infrared) light.

1. Infrared Slimming Massager for Cellulite

Have you massaged your thighs vigorously only to find no visible results?

It’s because you didn’t know about red light therapy for cellulite.

Can infrared heat break down fat?

YES!

 This study has proven that combining vibration massage with infrared light therapy results in a “significant reduction of fat thickness”.

This fat thickness reduction was proven with objective tools such as photographic evaluation, blood tests, and echographic evaluation.

The study concluded:

In this study we have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the combination between low-level laser therapy and vibration therapy for the resolution of localized adiposity and fibrous cellulite.

Another study has found:

The low-level, dual-wavelength laser energy and massage device safely improves the appearance of cellulite while reducing thigh circumference

👉 See how to use an infrared sauna for weight loss, calorie-burning, and belly fat reduction!

You can boost your anti-cellulite home treatment by using a handheld massager with infrared heat, like this one.

And there’s a bonus:

You can use your infrared massager to naturally and effectively relieve muscle pain anywhere in your body!

👉 Want more options? See my infrared massager reviews for 2025!

2.  Anti-Cellulite Gel & Red Light Therapy

Did you ever try an anti-cellulite gel for weeks, only to be disappointed by the results?

It’s probably because you haven’t supercharged it with red and infrared light therapy (phototherapy).

A promising study has found that 90% of subjects, treated twice a day with an anti-cellulite gel and 15-minute red & infrared LED light therapy twice a week, were downgraded to a lower cellulite grade by clinical examination, digital photography, and pinch test assessment.

The results of this small but well-documented, randomized, double-blinded study:

Eight of nine thighs with Grade II-III cellulite responded positively to a novel, combined 3-month treatment program of a phosphatidylcholine-based, anti-cellulite gel and LED exposure, as determined by the clinical determinants obtained

Treat your cellulite areas with a good anti-cellulite gel twice a day, and use a red light therapy massager, an infrared heat lamp, or a professional LED Panel twice a week for 15 minutes.

3. Infrared Sauna for Cellulite (Or a Sauna Blanket)

Most people use infrared sauna treatments for full-body detox, weight loss, pain relief, and overall immunity.

That’s why they are extremely surprised to wake up one morning and see their cellulite almost gone or diminished.

There is little scientific evidence that infrared saunas help with cellulite, but there are many success stories you’ll find when you research infrared sauna results online (which I do. A lot).

Here’s one example from checkinfrared.com:

I am a couple of kilo’s overweight, but not obese in any way. Yet, I have had a severe cellulite problem all my life.
Just like my mother.I was diagnosed with Lyme disease 2 weeks ago. Because of it, I bought an infrared cabin to help me detox.
Since then, I have been sweating every day.
It’s wonderful. I feel better, I am happier, the pain in my shoulder has significantly diminished.
I sleep better. Not only me, but the whole family also enjoy the sauna. But the absolutely cool thing is…………My cellulite is clearly diminishing. WOW.
No joking. It works. It really really works.

Use regular infrared sauna treatments to finally get rid of your cellulite.

Regular sauna treatments in spas or clinics are not budget-friendly and can get very expensive in the long run.

However:

There are a few ways to save a lot of money on infrared sauna treatments (especially if you consider the other amazing health uses for infrared saunas).

1. Buying your own infrared sauna (you can see the best 2-person infrared saunas) will allow you to use it 24/7 for years to come.

2. Buying a portable infrared sauna is just as effective, yet costs much less.

3. Building your own zero-EMF near-infrared sauna – for less than $100

4. Exercise & Infrared Light Therapy

We all know exercise can help reduce body fat and release toxins through sweat.

Exercise improves lymphatic drainage, which carries toxins out of the body. Those experiencing challenges with drainage often notice more cellulite in their bodies.

But:

Here’s what happens when you add infrared light therapy to the mix:

This study has found that a group of women working out on stationary bicycles 3 times a week for 4 weeks and exposed to infrared light therapy lost an average of 8 cm or 444% (!) more body fat, compared to 20 women doing the same without infrared radiation.

Isn’t that incredible?

There are a few great options:

1. Buy your own low EMF infrared sauna – see the 4 best 2 person infrared saunas (there’s a high-quality one for less than $1000!)

2. A lower-cost alternative – a portable infrared sauna.

3. The lowest cost option – DIY near infrared sauna (for less than $100)

Conclusion

You’ve just found the proven secret to finally seeing a visible, clear cellulite reduction anywhere in your body for the first time in your anti-cellulite battle.

Red and infrared light therapy.

This natural wavelength, the heat you feel from the sun, will supercharge any anti-cellulite treatment you do and can bring amazing results even if used alone via an infrared sauna.

Infrared light therapy offers all the amazing healing benefits of sunbathing without the dangerous UV rays.

There are many ways to use infrared light therapy at home:

• Infrared saunas
• Red light therapy mats
• Portable infrared sauna
• Infrared massager
• Red Light Therapy massager
• Infrared lamp

The technology exists. Use it and reap the benefits.

(Don’t forget to check out 3 more proven skin benefits of red light therapy!)

What about you? Have you ever tried infrared light therapy for cellulite or anything else? Share your experience with me in the comments below.

To your health and happiness,

Meital

Studies

Avci, Pinar et al. “Low-level laser therapy for fat layer reduction: a comprehensive review.” Lasers in surgery and medicine vol. 45,6 (2013): 349-57. doi:10.1002/lsm.22153

Savoia, Antonella et al. “Low-level laser therapy and vibration therapy for the treatment of localized adiposity and fibrous cellulite.” Dermatology and therapy vol. 3,1 41-52. 23 May. 2013, doi:10.1007/s13555-013-0026-x

Wunsch A, 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. Photomed Laser Surg. 2014;32(2):93–100. doi:10.1089/pho.2013.3616

Savoia, A., Landi, S., Vannini, F. et al. Low-Level Laser Therapy and Vibration Therapy for the Treatment of Localized Adiposity and Fibrous Cellulite. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 3, 41–52 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-013-0026-x