More Favorite Red Light Tools
As a specialist in the red light world I’m sent a lot of devices to try out. Companies hope that I’ll like the device and recommend it, but I only recommend devices I’ve personally used and found helpful. There are times when I’ll send feedback and let a company know why I don’t feel a particular device is a good fit for my followers in it’s current form and suggest ways to improve the device before I’m comfortable writing about it. Not every device manufacturer welcomes the feedback. For the devices shared below I’m happy to share my insights and the available evidence (and I’m an affiliate for these brands too - please consider using the links below).
A firm favorite in our family is the LifeZoom wand. The manufacturer stalked me for several months to get feedback and write a blog but I’m glad they did. The blog is a few months late as I wanted my 22 year old and 15 year old sons to test it out for their face for spots and for cold sores through the Summer. As a 3-in-1 cold sore device to reduce cold sores, this handheld red light wand has 3 wavelengths: blue light (460 nm), red light (660 nm) and NIR (850 nm) to maximize the therapeutic effects on mouth ulcers, eczema, acne and other skin conditions. Sometimes the devices I’m sent are made of cheap materials - but this device is surprisingly sleek and well considered, especially the removable silicone cone that fits over the tip to focus the light (handy when we’re using it on the dog’s nose while they’re snoozing to avoid getting the light in their eyes).
LifeZoom Wand - $129
There are several similar devices on the market that offer very similar wavelengths for close to $400 so for below $130 this is a bargain.
Below are recent pics of Dexter our Frenchie who had a fight with a fence and if you know Frenchies they have a weird little nose so I’ve been treating him twice daily with blue to start and then the combined blue/red for healing. Samantha (standing in the background) has had multiple ear and eye surgeries and is one of the reasons we fell in love with red light therapy after seeing how well it worked for her. We use laser for joint pain and overall vitality for her (she’s 14) and we want to keep her around for as long as we can. Learn more about using red light therapy for pets here.
Here’s a few ways we use this device at home:
Cold sores (as soon as you feel the tingle put the wand on it and it reduces the time to healing as well as the pain significantly).
Spots (great for teens).
Minor cuts (pets and humans)
Canker sores
In my birth work I recommend it to new parents to use for:
Breastfeeding (to reduce harmful microbes in nipple abrasions).
Perineal healing (to reduce infection).
Post-cesarean wound healing and also for baby belly button after the cord falls off (red and blue combined).
Diaper rash.
Blue/Red Oral Light Therapy for Fertility & Pregnancy
Why Gum Health Matters When You're TTCing and During Your Pregnancy
For most women TTCing or during pregnancy, nutrition, exercise and your careprovider are usually the most often discussed factors when it comes to improving outcomes for you and your baby. But there’s another key element overlooked: gum health. Studies show that gum/periodontal disease (PD) isn’t just about sore, bleeding gums; it’s linked to serious pregnancy complications like preeclampsia (PE), preterm birth, and low birth weight. Until recently, we didn't really understand how light could impact maternal and fetal health but new research is emerging and we need to take notice.
The Connection Between Gum Disease and Pregnancy Complications and Your Baby's Health
Periodontal disease affects approximately 60-75% of expectant moms worldwide. Untreated gum disease doesn’t just stay in in your mouth - it sends inflammatory signals throughout your body, increasing the risk of pregnancy complications such as:
Preeclampsia (PE) – risk increased by over 3 times in women with PD.
Preterm birth – a 60% higher risk of delivering before 37 weeks.
Low birth weight – a twofold increase in risk for babies under 2,500 grams.
These complications are largely driven by inflammation/infection, which can disrupt placental function and blood flow to your baby.
Oral health matters - no matter what your age or stage in life but especially if you are planning to conceive or are pregnant.
Your Microbiome Matters
Oral bacteria have been found in the gut, where they can contribute to intestinal inflammation and trigger immune responses.
Gut health, affects the balance of bacteria in the mouth, creating a cycle of inflammation that impacts the whole body.
Disruptions in either microbiome increase systemic inflammation, which is already implicated in complications like preeclampsia.
Treating oral inflammation could have downstream benefits for gut health, immune regulation, and pregnancy outcomes.
When these systems are overactivated, as they often are in chronic inflammation, the risk of placental dysfunction and preeclampsia increases.
Get ‘Bluetooth’ Protection for Your Body and Baby
Oral Health and Gum Challenges in Menopause or Post Oncology Treatments
During menopause, falling estrogen levels can dry out the mouth, alter the balance of oral bacteria, and accelerate collagen and bone loss around the teeth, which together increase the risk of gum disease and receding gums. Women often notice more sensitivity, exposed roots, and inflammation at the gumline in their 40s and 50s, yet these changes are rarely linked back to hormonal shifts in routine dental visits. Low‑level red and near‑infrared light therapy has shown benefits in periodontal settings - supporting blood flow, reducing inflammation, and helping tissue healing which makes it a promising adjunct for menopausal gum problems. I’ve used it in the past to tide me over until I could get to a dental appointment but it’s not specifically designed for pain management but blue light does fight infection.
Many who have undergone cancer treatment can find an oral device helpful, especially if you’ve struggled with oral mucositis, dry mouth, pain, or delayed healing during or after therapy. Low‑level laser and LED‑based PBM are now recommended in major supportive‑care guidelines for preventing and treating oral mucositis in patients receiving chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or stem cell transplant, because they reduce severity of ulcers, pain, and treatment interruptions without compromising cancer control. Recent trials with intraoral LED devices in head and neck cancer patients show these tools can safely lower rates of severe mucositis and improve quality of life, suggesting that a well‑designed oral PBM device could be a valuable supportive option for survivors dealing with persistent oral sensitivity or fragile mucosa (ideally under guidance from their oncology and dental team - but unfortunatley most of them don’t know a lot about this science). I’m hoping to change that!
How Red Light Therapy Supports Placental Health
A recent 2025 study looks at how preeclampsia (PE) and gum disease (periodontitis) might be connected. Both are inflammatory conditions, and research has shown that women with gum disease may have a higher risk of developing preeclampsia, a serious complication during pregnancy. However, we still don’t fully understand why they're linked. This study aims to find out if they share similar genes or immune system responses that could explain the connection.
Another 2022 study explored how 670 nm red light therapy could directly improve placental health in late-onset preeclampsia by repairing oxidative damage[7]. The results were quite remarkable:
Preeclampsia placentas showed high levels of oxidative stress and tissue damage.
Trophoblast cells (responsible for embedding the placenta) had reduced migration and higher cell death when exposed to this damaged environment.
After red light therapy, trophoblasts regained their ability to migrate, survive, and produce vital growth factors like Placental Growth Factor (PLGF) and Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGFβ).
Red light also increased nitric oxide (NO) levels, improving blood flow and supporting healthy placental function (a healthier placenta is associated with healthier babies).
This suggests that red light therapy doesn’t just manage symptoms, it may actively restore healthy placental environments, even in complicated pregnancies. Why isn’t this big news - especially when PE is such a dangerous complication? That’s a blog for another day.
Exploring the Role of PBM/Red Light Therapy Inside The Mouth
Given that inflammation and immune dysfunction are key drivers of both PD and PE, photobiomodulation (PBM) may offer a novel therapeutic approach to breaking this connection.
How Red and Blue Light in the Mouth, May Impact PD and PE
Reducing Periodontal Inflammation at the Source
Blue light (405–470 nm) has antimicrobial properties, helping to kill bacteria in the mouth/gums, which is the root cause of periodontal disease.
Red Light Therpy can decrease inflammatory cytokines that contribute to both PD and systemic inflammation.
Modulating the Immune Response
PBM, particularly near-infrared (NIR) and red light, has been shown to regulate immune cell function by reducing excessive inflammation while promoting proper immune responses.
This could help balance immune pathways like PI3K-AKT and NF-kappa B, which were found to be dysregulated in both PD and PE.
Improving Microvascular Function & Blood Flow
PBM improves circulation and endothelial function, which is critical in both periodontal health and placental function in PE.
Studies show PBM can help reduce oxidative stress, a key factor in both PD and PE.
Potential for Direct Effects on Pregnancy Outcomes
Treating periodontal inflammation with PBM before or during pregnancy could reduce systemic inflammatory load and lower the risk of vascular dysfunction that contributes to PE.
Given that PBM has been explored for wound healing and immune regulation, it may also have positive effects on placental health.
Light as Medicine: A New Frontier in Women’s Health
While red light therapy is well-known in skincare and pain relief, its potential for reproductive health and menopause is only just beginning to be explored. By addressing inflammation at its source, whether in the gums, gut, or placenta, red light therapy offers a powerful, natural tool for improving outcomes.
Order your red light oral care device today.
These studies strengthen the case for a targeted approach to oral and systemic inflammation in pregnancy and for those TTCing. PBM, especially blue light therapy applied inside the mouth for periodontal health and red/NIR for immune modulation, could be a safe, non-invasive strategy to reduce inflammation and potentially lower the risk of PE in pregnant individuals with PD.
***Is Oral Red and Blue Light Therapy Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes - when used appropriately, oral photobiomodulation (PBM) devices are considered safe, gentle, and non-invasive. It's important to remember that we’re all exposed to blue light daily from screens, indoor lighting, and sunlight. However, with oral PBM devices, the blue light is precisely targeted, used for short, controlled sessions, and paired with beneficial red and near-infrared light to support tissue healing and reduce inflammation. Unlike the chronic, unbalanced blue light exposure from devices that can disrupt circadian rhythms, this therapeutic blue light is used to reduce harmful oral bacteria without systemic absorption or risk to your baby.
*As always, talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new therapy during pregnancy.
More recommendations to come!
Tracy
My Red Light Therapy Recommended Products for Women’s Health
