Red-Light Hats and $2,700 Laser Kits: The Evolution of At-Home Beauty

Skin and at-home dermatology treatments, like light therapy, have flooded the consumer market and promised healthier skin. Joel Gelfand, MD, the James J. Leyden, M.D. Endowed Professor in Clinical Investigation and director of Penn’s Psoriasis and Phototherapy Treatment Center, spoke about his research which found self-administered at-home light therapy, specifically for psoriasis, was as effective as therapy in the clinic. Nevertheless, he said most at-home technology for the skin is not thoroughly investigated. “Because it’s a very murky area, most people would be best off speaking to a dermatologist and seeing if a light modality would have some effect on their skin,” said Gelfand.