Summary of Use during Lactation

Laser therapy and phototherapy are considered acceptable during breastfeeding.[1,2] Phototherapy for psoriasis is also generally acceptable; however, nursing should be withheld for 24 hours after ingestion of an oral psoralen, such as methoxsalen.[2-4] Laser therapy was used in some Russian and Austrian studies to prevent and treat lactation mastitis and nipple fissures.[5-9] However, these studies are rather old and not well controlled. A more recent, well-controlled trial found that laser treatment of the nipples resulted in greater nipple pain relief than sham therapy.[10] Meta-analysis of 7 more recent studies found that diode laser light at various frequencies was effective in reducing pain in nipple trauma, defined as fissures, excoriations, cracks, abrasions, or erosions.[11] Some small studies have found that application of laser light to the breasts increases serum prolactin and milk production. Laser application to cesarean section wounds did not adversely affect serum prolactin.[12] A study from China indicated that high-intensity red light (630 nM) plus antibiotics were more effective than antibiotics alone in healing mastitis and preventing recurrence.[13] Laser light has also been used as part of a 5-step procedure to treat mastitis.[14]

Effects in Breastfed Infants

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects on Lactation and Breastmilk

Use of low-level laser therapy to enhance healing of the surgical incision following cesarean section was evaluated in a small, poorly controlled study. Laser light was applied for 15 minutes on 3 consecutive days postoperatively. On the third day, serum prolactin levels were not significantly different in the two groups. The treatment appeared to help wound healing.[12]

A small, randomized study compared primiparous mothers who were supplementing their infants with formula during the first month postpartum and who received either 12 sessions of low-level laser light to the breasts over 3 weeks (n = 20) or no treatment (n = 20). All mothers received similar counseling by a blinded physician certified in lactation counseling. The treated group had greater increases in serum prolactin, and breastmilk lactose, protein and fat at 3 weeks and 3 months after the start of therapy.[15]

A randomized study of women (n = 20 in each group) who were mixed feeding their infants in the first month postpartum compared 12 sessions of electroacupuncture or low-level laser therapy to the breast over 1 month and control women. All women also received oral domperidone 10 mg three times daily. Laser therapy increased serum prolactin, infant weight and maternal perception of milk production more than domperidone alone, but less than electroacupuncture.[16]

A controlled study in Egypt in breastfeeding women with nipple pain and fissures at 1 to2 weeks after delivery compared photobiomodulation to a topical cream. Photobiomodulation consisted of 12 sessions of low-level laser treatment, and the topical cream contained tocopherol, panthenol, almond oil, paraffin oil, petrolatum, and olive oil applied after each feed. The group that received the photobiomodulation had lower values on the visual analogue pain scale and greater infant weight gain at the second, third and fourth week of therapy.[17]

References

1.

Lee KC, Korgavkar K, Dufresne RG, Jr, et al. Safety of cosmetic dermatologic procedures during pregnancy. Dermatol Surg 2013;39:1573–86. [PubMed: 24164677]

2.

Yaghi M, McMullan P, Truong TM, et al. Safety of dermatologic medications in pregnancy and lactation: An Update - Part II: Lactation. J Am Acad Dermatol 2024;91:651–68. [PubMed: 38280680]

3.

Menter A, Korman NJ, Elmets CA, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: Section 5. Guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis with phototherapy and photochemotherapy. J Am Acad Dermatol 2010;62:114–35. [PubMed: 19811850]

4.

Moore H, Stevenson A. Breast and nipple dermatoses during lactation. Australas J Dermatol 2025;66:e386–e407. [PMC free article: PMC12633704] [PubMed: 40817612]

5.

Dotsenko AP, Chinchenko EI, Khodos VA. Use of carbon dioxide laser in the treatment of acute lactation mastitis. Sov Med 1989;(9):39–42. [PubMed: 2513650]

6.

Kovalev MI. Prevention of lactation mastitis by the use of low-intensity laser irradiation. Akush Ginekol (Mosk) 1990;(2):57–61. [PubMed: 2339766]

7.

Skobelkin OK, Brekhov EI, Chegin VM, et al. The carbon dioxide laser in the complex treatment of acute suppurative lactation mastitis. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek 1984;132:67–9. [PubMed: 6424314]

8.

Skobelkin OK, Derbenev VA, Velikii PIa, et al. Use of lasers in the treatment of acute suppurative lactation mastitis. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek 1988;141:46–9. [PubMed: 3149064]

9.

Pietschnig B, Pani M, Kafer A, et al. Use of soft laser in the therapy of sore nipples in breastfeeding women. Adv Exp Med Biol 2000;478:437–8. [PubMed: 11065120]

10.

Gaitero MV, Mira TA, Gondim EJ, et al. Low-level laser therapy for breastfeeding women with nipple pain in the early postpartum period: a randomized controlled trial. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2026;39:2636360. [PubMed: 41740971]

11.

de Oliveira Alves R, Faccioli Ragghianti MH, Nunes LP, et al. Photobiomodulation as a promising approach in the management of nipple lesions during breastfeeding: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Lasers Med Sci 2025;40:276. [PubMed: 40500396]

12.

Mokmeli S, Khazemikho N, Niromanesh S, et al. The application of low-level laser therapy after cesarean section does not compromise blood prolactin levels and lactation status. Photomed Laser Surg 2009;27:509–12. [PubMed: 19405857]

13.

Miao M, Fan CN, Liu N, et al. Clinical application research on the use of carnation photon therapeutic apparatus in treatment for acute postpartum mastitis. Proc 2016 Int Conf Biol Sci Technol 2016:154–7.

14.

Yao Y, Long T, Pan Y, et al. A 5-step systematic therapy (FSST) for treating plugged ducts and mastitis in breastfeeding women: A case control study. Asian Nurs Res (Korean Soc Nurs Sci) 2021;15:197–202. [PubMed: 34048977]

15.

El Taweel A, Yousef A, Hasanin M, et al. Effect of low level laser therapy of the breasts on milk production and composition in supplement dependent mothers. Breastfeed Med 2017;12 (Suppl 1):S13. doi:10.1089/bfm.2017.29058.abstracts [CrossRef]

16.

Maged AM, Hassanin ME, Kamal WM, et al. Effect of low-level laser therapy versus electroacupuncture on postnatal scanty milk secretion: A randomized controlled trial. Am J Perinatol 2020;37:1243–9. [PubMed: 31327162]

17.

Elseody MHAA, Mohamed MAE, Alsharnoubi J. Could photobiomodulation help lactating women and their newborns? Lasers Med Sci 2024;39:192. [PMC free article: PMC11269476] [PubMed: 39046567]

Substance Name

Phototherapy

Drug Class

Breast Feeding

Lactation

Milk, Human

Laser Therapy

Low-Level Light Therapy

PUVA Therapy