Can Red Light Therapy Help Nails Grow Stronger?

How Does Red Light Therapy Support Nail Health?

Gel, Acrylic, or Polygel: What’s the Impact?
Manicures can be a game-changer, but they come with questions. Here’s a quick look:
- Gel Nails – Lightweight and glossy, but improper removal can weaken your natural nails.
- Acrylic Nails – Durable and bold, yet heavy, sometimes thinning the nail bed over time.
- Polygel Nails – A gentler hybrid, strong but still needing careful application and removal.
We often hear, “I love my manicure, but I’m worried about damage.” Studies confirm that harsh removal—like peeling—strips nail layers, slowing growth. If these leave your nails feeling fragile, red light therapy might offer a recovery boost. Let’s see how it can help.
Manicure Choices: Benefits & Risks
Gel, Acrylic | Polygel | Polygel | |
---|---|---|---|
Gel | Choose among gel light in gel, acrylic manicures | Acrylic: Resor acrylic and manicure’s acrylic | Relate to a gel-opposite to risk manicure |
Acrylic | Below and polygel gels manicure | Map the cap terms | Relent among ployges and polygels |
Polygel Manicure | Advice benefits in comparing manicures | Acrylic-ledgeable design use as specificity | Narrator and hisfactorie trandcies |
Manicure Benefits & Risks
Manicure Type | Benefits | Risks |
---|---|---|
Gel |
- Natural, glossy finish - Lasts 2-3 weeks without chipping - Quick curing time |
- UV exposure during curing - Potential nail bed damage - Difficult removal process |
Acrylic |
- Strong and durable - Ideal for lengthening short nails - Wide variety of designs and colors |
- Can be harsh on natural nails - Risk of fungal infections if improperly fitted - Acrylic fumes may be irritating |
Polygel |
- Lighter and more flexible than acrylics - Easier to apply than acrylics - Combines the best properties of gel and acrylic |
- Requires UV light for curing - Limited availability in some areas - Removal requires soaking and filing |
Can Red Light Therapy Repair Manicure Damage?
Getting the Most Out of Red Light Therapy

Start Your Nail Health Journey Today
REFERENCE
Several studies have explored the potential of red light therapy (RLT) in promoting nail health and growth:
- Rerknimitr, P., Wongthanakitcharoen, P., & Chatdokmaiprai, C. (2021). Red light emitting diode as an adjuvant treatment for epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor-induced paronychia: A randomized controlled trial. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 37(5), 392–398.
In this study, eight patients with paronychia induced by epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors received red light therapy on one hand or foot 2–3 times per week for six weeks, while the contralateral side served as a control. The red light-treated areas showed significantly lower erythema, severity, and pain scores at weeks 4, 6, and 8, with no adverse events reported.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov - Zang, K., Trela, C., & Goettsch, W. (2017). A retrospective study of non-thermal laser therapy for the treatment of toenail onychomycosis. Journal of Lasers in Medical Sciences, 8(Suppl 1), S8–S12.
This retrospective analysis evaluated the efficacy of a 635 nm/405 nm dual-diode laser in treating toenail onychomycosis. Subjects received 12-minute treatments weekly for 2 or 4 weeks. Results indicated a significant improvement in nail clarity and reduction in fungal presence, suggesting that red light therapy can effectively treat fungal nail infections.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov - Hamblin, M. R. (2017). Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 35(1), 37–50.
This comprehensive review discusses how red light therapy reduces inflammation by modulating cellular pathways, which can be beneficial for inflammatory nail disorders such as psoriasis. - Huang, Y. Y., Chen, A. C., Carroll, J. D., & Hamblin, M. R. (2009). Biphasic dose response in low level light therapy. Dose-Response, 7(4), 358–383.
This study explores how low-level light therapy, including red and near-infrared light, promotes tissue repair and healing, which may aid in the recovery of nail injuries and trauma-related conditions. - FDA 510(k) Premarket Notification for POLY Rejuv (K180875).
The POLY Rejuv device is a Class II FDA-cleared medical device for red light therapy at 633 nm, clinically proven for skin rejuvenation and tissue health. Mechanical and safety testing indicate that the POLY system provides a safe and predictable therapeutic irradiance, appropriate for use in sensitive areas such as nails and skin.
Regarding the use of red light therapy over gel or acrylic nails, it’s important to note that while red light therapy can promote nail health, the presence of gel or acrylic overlays may affect the therapy’s efficacy. These materials can act as barriers, potentially reducing the penetration of red light to the natural nail bed. For optimal results, it is advisable to remove such coverings before undergoing red light therapy sessions.