4 Powerful Results: Red Light Therapy for Skin in Clinical Trials

Red light therapy for skin is one of the best-studied uses of light in wellness. Clinical trials have measured fewer visible wrinkles, better elasticity, smoother texture and more collagen after a course of red and near-infrared light. Aeva’s red light therapy beds use wavelengths of about 600 to 900 nm in 20 to 30 minute sessions. Here are four powerful results of red light therapy for skin and what each study measured. For the service itself, see Aeva’s red light therapy page.

Red Light Therapy for Skin at a Glance

Across two very different trials, red light therapy for skin delivered measurable change:

• Wrinkles: reduced by up to 36% in a randomised Korean trial of 76 people.
• Elasticity: up to 19% higher in the same trial.
• Texture: skin roughness improved in a controlled trial of 136 volunteers, while untreated controls got rougher.
• Collagen: both trials found more collagen after treatment.

1. Red Light Therapy for Skin in Seoul: Wrinkles Down 36%

This Korean study of red light therapy for skin was a randomised, placebo-controlled, split-face trial from the Department of Dermatology at the National Medical Center in Seoul. It treated 76 people with facial wrinkles with 633 nm red light, 830 nm near-infrared light, both together, or a sham light, twice a week for four weeks, with three months of follow-up.

All three active light groups improved. Wrinkles were reduced by up to 36%, skin elasticity rose by up to 19%, and biopsies showed more collagen and elastic fibres with highly active fibroblasts. No adverse effects were reported.

Source: Lee et al., Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B, 2007.

2. A German Trial: Smoother, Denser Skin

A second study of red light therapy for skin, by Wunsch and Matuschka, enrolled 136 volunteers aged 27 to 79. Participants had 30 sessions of red light at about 611 to 650 nm, twice a week, and 23 untreated volunteers served as controls.

• Wrinkles: an expert rated 69% of red light participants as improved, against 4% of controls.
• Roughness: skin roughness improved by 1.79 units in the red light group, while controls worsened by 0.95.
• Collagen: the collagen intensity score rose by 5.75, while controls stayed flat.

The trial was funded by a light-device manufacturer, so it reads best alongside independent work such as the Korean trial above.

Source: Wunsch and Matuschka, Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 2014.

3. How Light Supports Collagen

Researchers explain red light therapy for skin through the mitochondria. A review by de Freitas and Hamblin describes how red and near-infrared light is absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase, boosting ATP production and activating signalling that affects cell proliferation and repair. The Seoul biopsies, which showed active fibroblasts surrounded by collagen and elastic fibres, fit this picture of energised skin cells.

Source: de Freitas and Hamblin, IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 2016.

4. Building a Routine With Red Light Therapy for Skin

Both trials used repeated sessions, so consistency is the theme. Many people enjoy a regular weekly routine of red light therapy for skin, and it pairs well with hyperbaric oxygen, which has its own research on skin structure.

Aeva’s team can tailor red light therapy for skin to your goals. For the wider picture, read our guide to red light therapy benefits.

Related Reading

• 5 powerful red light therapy benefits backed by research
• Red light therapy for recovery: 4 essential findings
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy benefits for skin and recovery
• The science of whole body cryotherapy
• The Aeva approach to longevity
• More longevity insights from Aeva

FAQ

What can red light therapy for skin do?

Red light therapy for skin was linked in trials with fewer visible wrinkles, better elasticity, smoother texture and more collagen after a course of treatments.

How often did the studies use red light?

The Korean trial used twice-weekly sessions for four weeks, and the German trial used 30 sessions at twice weekly.

Is red light therapy for skin comfortable?

Yes. It is a non-invasive, relaxing session of about 20 to 30 minutes in a red light bed.

Can I combine it with other treatments?

Many people do. Our team can suggest a routine that suits your goals, and a quick chat with your doctor helps if you have a skin condition or take medication.

Sources

• Lee SY et al. LED phototherapy for skin rejuvenation: a randomized, placebo-controlled, split-face study. J Photochem Photobiol B, 2007.
• Wunsch A, Matuschka K. A controlled trial of red and near-infrared light for fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness and collagen density. Photomed Laser Surg, 2014.
• de Freitas LF, Hamblin MR. Proposed mechanisms of photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy. IEEE J Sel Top Quantum Electron, 2016.

General information only, not medical advice. Red light therapy supports wellness and does not replace medical care. Speak to your doctor if you have a skin or health condition.