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December 05, 2025

Can Red Light Therapy Treat Vitamin D Deficiency?

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Key Takeaways:

Red light therapy cannot produce vitamin D or treat vitamin D deficiency.
Only UVB light can trigger the skin to synthesize vitamin D.
Red light therapy still offers meaningful wellness benefits that complement, but do not replace, vitamin D-focused strategies.

Vitamin D synthesis in the skin requires ultraviolet B (UVB) light, which is not emitted by red or near-infrared LEDs.

However, that doesn’t make red light therapy any less valuable — it just means it plays a different role. PBM (photobiomodulation) supports cellular energy, skin health, recovery, and inflammation in ways that are completely separate from the UVB-driven pathway your body uses to make vitamin D.

At Mito Red Light, we want users to be crystal clear on that distinction. In this guide, we’ll break down how vitamin D is actually made, what red light therapy does, and what you can do to correct a vitamin D deficiency.

What Is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D plays a role in far more than most people realize. It’s a fat-soluble nutrient that your body depends on for foundational functions — especially bone strength, immune health, and calcium absorption.

Where things get complicated is how common low levels have become. Modern indoor living, limited sunlight, certain health conditions, and even geography all contribute to widespread deficiency.

Current estimates show that more than 50% of the global population is vitamin D-deficient or has suboptimal levels at any given time. And because vitamin D influences so many systems, low levels don’t stay quiet for long.

What Are the Signs of Low Vitamin D?

Vitamin D deficiency can affect the body in multiple ways, including:

Reduced calcium absorption leading to weaker bones
Increased risk of fractures or conditions like rickets and osteomalacia
Impaired immune function
Higher susceptibility to chronic health issues
Muscle weakness or low energy
Mood changes linked to insufficient vitamin D

Some groups are more prone to deficiency, including:

Older adults
Individuals with minimal sun exposure
People with darker skin tones
Anyone living in northern climates
Those with malabsorption conditions
Individuals who wear full-coverage clothing daily

How Does the Body Produce Vitamin D?

Your body has a built-in system for making vitamin D, but it only switches on under one very specific condition: exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) light. This is the key distinction most people miss. Visible light, red light, and near-infrared light don’t activate this pathway — only UVB does.

When UVB rays hit the skin, they interact with a compound called 7-dehydrocholesterol, converting it into vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). From there, the liver and kidneys turn that raw material into the active, usable form of vitamin D.

This is the only way your body makes vitamin D on its own, which is why time in the right kind of sunlight still matters, and why light type (not brightness) is the whole story.

What Is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy (RLT) is often confused with sunlight because both involve light exposure, but they behave completely differently in the body. RLT doesn’t use UV light at all — it works in the visible red and near-infrared ranges, which support cellular function in ways unrelated to vitamin D.

Because these wavelengths don’t contain UV radiation, they cannot trigger vitamin D production. Instead, RLT is known for supporting:

Skin rejuvenation and collagen activity
Inflammation management
Muscle recovery
Sleep quality and circadian rhythm support
Cellular energy production (ATP)

The benefits are real, just completely different from what UVB light does.

How Are Red Light Therapy and UVB Light Different for Vitamin D?

Now that both pathways are clear, the distinction becomes straightforward. Red light therapy and UVB light sit in completely different parts of the spectrum and trigger entirely different biological responses.

Red light therapy uses visible red and near-infrared wavelengths (about 620-1100 nm) that support cellular repair, energy production, and reduced inflammation. UVB light, on the other hand, occupies the much shorter 280-320 nm range — the only band of light capable of activating the chemical reaction in the skin that produces vitamin D.

Because they act on different structures, their uses diverge. Red light therapy is commonly used for skin rejuvenation, recovery, mood, and sleep support. UVB is used for vitamin D deficiency and certain dermatology treatments.

Their skin effects also differ: red light doesn’t tan or burn the skin, while UVB can cause tanning or sunburn if overexposed. This is why RLT is generally safe for all skin types, while UVB requires careful, controlled use.

Scientific Evidence on Red Light Therapy and Vitamin D Production

Red light therapy does not increase vitamin D levels. Multiple studies have tested this, and the results are consistent — there’s no evidence that red light therapy increases vitamin D levels.

The wavelengths used in RLT simply don’t have the right amount of energy to trigger vitamin D synthesis.

A lot of confusion online comes from mixing up different forms of light therapy, so here’s how the myths stack up against what the science actually shows.

What Are the Benefits of Red Light Therapy?

Even though red light therapy doesn’t create vitamin D, it still plays a supportive role in overall skin health — and healthier skin can influence how well your body handles UV exposure.

Research shows that red light therapy benefits skin health and reduces inflammation. By supporting the skin’s resilience, RLT may help people tolerate safe sun exposure.

UVB rays need to reach specific layers of the skin for vitamin D synthesis to happen efficiently. When the skin is inflamed, easily irritated, or overly thin — which can happen with age — UVB exposure can feel harsher or become harder to tolerate. Some studies suggest that RLT may support epidermal thickness and collagen networks, potentially making the skin healthier and less prone to damage.

For older adults, people with sensitive skin, or anyone who burns easily, combining good sun habits with a regular red light routine may create a better overall environment for vitamin D synthesis — not because RLT makes vitamin D, but because it can help the skin stay strong, calm, and functional.

How To Address Vitamin D Deficiency

If your vitamin D levels are low, the good news is that the most effective fixes are simple and well-studied.

For most people, natural sunlight is the best source of vitamin D, because UVB rays are essential for vitamin D synthesis. Spending short, safe periods outdoors is often enough to help maintain healthy levels. Just be mindful of your skin type, location, and season, since sunlight strength varies more than most people realize.

Food can help too. Focus on foods like:

Fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel
Egg yolks
Beef liver
Fortified milks or cereals

Supplements are often recommended when sunlight or diet alone isn’t enough. They’re especially helpful for people who live in northern climates, work indoors, have darker skin, or have absorption issues. Your provider can tell you whether you need vitamin D2, D3, or a specific dose.

During winter or in situations where sunlight is limited, UVB lamps can be an option — but this is where caution matters. Because they deliver actual ultraviolet light, they come with sunburn risk and need to be used under clear guidelines (and ideally medical oversight).

If you’re unsure where you stand, a simple blood test measuring serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D can show whether you’re low, borderline, or already in a healthy range. It’s quick, inexpensive, and a much better strategy than guessing.

Safety Considerations When Using Light Therapy for Vitamin D

Light therapy can be incredibly useful, but only when you understand the safety differences between red light and UVB light. They’re not interchangeable, and they don’t carry the same risks.

Red light therapy is generally safe for all skin types and does not burn or tan the skin because it doesn’t use UV light. That’s why people can use RLT daily without worrying about sun damage.

UVB light, on the other hand, needs a much more careful approach. Because it contains the same wavelengths that cause sunburn, UVB exposure comes with real risks like skin irritation, burning, and increased long-term skin cancer risk. This doesn’t make UVB therapy “bad” — it just means it must be used intentionally and never casually.

Anyone considering UVB lamps for vitamin D should get guidance from a healthcare professional, especially if:

You burn easily
You have a history of skin cancer
You’re photosensitive
You’re already supplementing, but still have low levels

If you’re working through a vitamin D deficiency and still not improving despite sunlight, supplements, or lamps, that’s another sign to loop in your provider.

The Bottom Line

Red light therapy can’t treat a vitamin D deficiency. Instead, focus on supplements, spending time outdoors, and a balanced diet. Red light therapy can complement your wellness routine, working to support overall skin health and integrity.

DISCLAIMER : Mito Red Light devices are Class II wellness devices aimed at affecting the body through supporting cellular function. The information provided in this article and on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to imply effectiveness of Mito Red Light devices for any specific application. The information provided in this article and on this site is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed medical provider and should not be construed as medical advice. Click here to read our article on potential contraindications of red light therapy.

FAQs

Can red light therapy treat vitamin D deficiency?

No. Red light therapy does not produce vitamin D and cannot correct a deficiency. Only UVB light has the right amount of energy to kick off the chemical reaction in your skin that makes vitamin D.

Is red light therapy the same as UV light therapy for vitamin D production?

Not at all. UVB therapy is what triggers vitamin D synthesis. Red light therapy uses completely different wavelengths and supports completely different biological processes.

What are the benefits of red light therapy compared to UV light therapy?

Red light therapy focuses on cellular repair, inflammation support, recovery, and skin health — all without UV exposure. UVB light therapy helps the body make vitamin D but comes with risks like tanning, burning, and long-term skin damage if misused.

Is red light therapy safe for all skin types?

Yes. Because RLT doesn’t use ultraviolet wavelengths, it doesn’t burn, tan, or damage the skin. People with all skin tones and sensitivities generally tolerate it well.