Red light therapy is a safe, natural, and effective treatment for rejuvenating your skin, reducing wrinkles & fine lines, lessening the appearance of scars & blemishes, treating acne, and boosting collagen.
Red light therapy is also backed by a huge base of clinical research. Across study after study, red light treatments have improved appearance, cut down on swelling & inflammation, and helped people look younger. This article breaks down the research and the experiences of leading skincare pros and Joovv users, to show how red light therapy can help you look younger and feel better.
How Red Light Therapy Naturally Rejuvenates Skin
Red light therapy is a powerful natural skin treatment that’s been proven safe and effective across a large base of clinical research. If you’re not familiar with red light and its benefits, this article gives a good overview of what it is and how it works.
The short version is this: light therapy delivers safe, concentrated wavelengths of natural light to your skin, with no chemicals, UV rays, or excess heat. These wavelengths of natural light stimulate the mitochondria in your cells, reducing oxidative stress and increasing circulation, so your body is able to make more ATP energy.
Red light therapy improves skin health and appearance by helping your cells rejuvenate and heal. Studies have also identified an increase in circulation following red light therapy, indicating tissues are receiving more oxygen and other nutrients important for healing—while also ridding themselves of toxic byproducts. [1]
Especially important for skin, red light therapy has a proven anti-inflammatory effect and has been shown to boost your own natural collagen levels in numerous trials. You can read more about red light therapy increasing natural collagen here.
Red Light is a Natural Anti-Inflammatory Treatment for Skin
Red light therapy alleviates both acute and chronic inflammation by increasing blood flow to the damaged tissues, and it’s been found in numerous clinical trials to increase the body’s antioxidant defenses as well. This natural anti-inflammatory effect of red light therapy, shown in study after study, is a key to its skin rejuvenating and appearance-improving effects.
More Natural Collagen with Red Light Therapy
In addition to helping you make more energy, improving your circulation, and reducing your inflammation, red light therapy also boosts your own collagen production, for healthier, younger-looking skin.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies, and it’s critical for skin health (and joint and bone health). Collagen literally holds us together, and the more you can produce naturally, the better for your skin, joints, and general appearance. Many people take collagen supplements or use creams, but there’s no substitute for your body making more of the real thing naturally.
In numerous studies, researchers have measured much higher natural collagen levels in the models and patients treated with natural light, especially with infrared light. [2,3,4,5]. The boost seen in natural collagen production as a result of red light therapy is crucial for younger-looking skin and faster healing [6,7,8].
Red Light Therapy Reduces Wrinkles, Lessens Fine Lines, and Rejuvenates Skin
A randomized, controlled study in 2013 analyzed the effects of red light therapy on 136 people. Those in the red light therapy group were between 27 and 79 years old and received red light therapy twice a week for 15 weeks. Along with the initial trial results, there was also a long-term follow up which analyzed continued red light treatment. The results were very positive:
Red Light Reduces Wrinkles and Improves Complexion: Those treated with red light therapy saw significantly improved skin complexion including visible reduction in wrinkles, fine lines, and signs of aging.
Skin Feeling Improved with Red Light Therapy: After 30 treatment sessions, nearly every person in the red light therapy group reported improved that their skin felt and looked better. Additionally, volunteers that continued with red light therapy for an additional 30 treatments continued to see improvements.
Red Light Increases Collagen Density: Volunteers who received red light therapy treatment saw increases in their collagen density compared to the control group, who saw no significant changes. [7]
A large base of other peer-reviewed clinical studies shows similar positive results for wrinkle reduction and younger-looking skin & complexion:
Red Light Therapy for Wrinkle Reduction: A 2008 study found similar results. Volunteers did red light therapy treatments twice a week, for a month. Eight weeks after the treatment was completed, researchers evaluated the effects on people’s skin and found that over 70% of patients reported lasting and clearly visible improvement in the reduction of wrinkles and fine lines. [9]
Getting Rid of Eye Wrinkles and “Crow’s Feet” With Red Light Therapy: Daily red light treatments help your skin regenerate faster, for a generally younger look. A 2017 trial assessed 30 women ages 30-55 who used red light therapy. After six weeks of treatment, the participants saw significantly reduced wrinkles around their eyes. The team concluded that red light therapy “had positive effects on wrinkle and moisture content of adult women’s faces.” [10]
Treating Sunburn with Red Light Therapy Improves Skin Tone: Excess sun exposure can damage skin and make us look older, with more wrinkles and fine lines. A 2007 study looked at red light therapy’s effects on facial sunburn damage. Researchers found that 91% of subjects reported improved skin tone and 82% reported enhanced smoothness of their facial skin. Red light therapy was found to be especially effective for wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes. [11]
Decrease The Appearance of Scars with Red Light: With many skin injuries—whether burns, cuts or surgical scars—there is a lasting (and usually unwelcome) blemish. Scientists have conducted studies looking at the effects of red light on reducing the appearance of scars. Red light has been found to reduce the visibility of scarring and decrease the prominence of raised scars. [12]
Red Light Therapy for Improving Acne
Researchers in 2013 highlighted studies showing red and near-infrared light to be effective for the treatment of acne. Of note, they explained that red light impacts sebum production, which contributes to acne, in addition to the control of cytokines, which impacts skin inflammation. [6]
The results of the 2013 study build on previous studies. A 2008 trial investigated the treatment of acne vulgaris with red light therapy. 15 women with moderate acne were treated with red light therapy twice weekly for four weeks. At the end of the trial, the women saw a significant reduction in their acne and a decrease of sebum excretion as well. The positive benefits were still apparent when the women returned for a 3-month follow up. [13]
Conclusion: Red Light Therapy Helps Rejuvenate Skin for a Healthier, Younger Look
In study after study, red light therapy has demonstrated how it reduces inflammation & wrinkles, and heals & rejuvenates skin, for an overall healthy, younger look. That’s why it’s trusted as a safe, effective natural skin treatment by some of the top esthetician skincare professionals in the world.
Scientific Sources and Medical References:
[1] Emília de Abreu Chaves M, Rodrigues de Araújo A, Piancastelli ACC, and Pinotti M. “Effects of low-power light therapy on wound healing: LASER x LED.” An Bras Dermatol. 2014 Jul-Aug; 89(4): 616–623.
[2] Brassolatti P, de Andrade ALM, et al. Photobiomodulation on critical bone defects of rat calvaria: a systematic review. Lasers in Medical Science. 2018 Dec;33(9):1841-1848.
[3] Pinheiro AL, Gerbi ME. Photoengineering of bone repair processes. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. 2006 April.
[4] Heo JH, Choi JH, Kim IR, et al. Combined Treatment with Low-Level Laser and rhBMP-2 Promotes Differentiation and Mineralization of Osteoblastic Cells under Hypoxic Stress. Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. 2018 Nov 17;15(6):793-801.
[5] Tschon M, Incerti-Parenti S, Cepollaro S, et al. Photobiomodulation with low-level diode laser promotes osteoblast migration in an in vitro micro wound model. Journal of Biomedical Optics. 2015 Jul;20(7):78002.
[6] Avci P, Gupta A, et al. Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring. Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. Mar 2013; 32(1): 41-52.
[7] Wunsch A and Matuschka K. A Controlled Trial to Determine the Efficacy of Red and Near-Infrared Light Treatment in Patient Satisfaction, Reduction of Fine Lines, Wrinkles, Skin Roughness, and Intradermal Collagen Density Increase. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. Feb 2014; 32(2): 93-100.
[8] Barolet D, Roberge CJ, et al. Regulation of skin collagen metabolism in vitro using a pulsed 660 nm LED light source: clinical correlation with a single-blinded study. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2009 December.
[9] Sadick NS. A study to determine the efficacy of a novel handheld light-emitting diode device in the treatment of photoaged skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2008 Dec.
[10] Kim HK, Choi JH. Effects of radiofrequency, electroacupuncture, and low-level laser therapy on the wrinkles and moisture content of the forehead, eyes, and cheek. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2017 February.
[11] Baez F, Reilly LR. The use of light-emitting diode therapy in the treatment of photoaged skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2007 Sep.
[12] Alsharnoubi J, Shoukry K, et al. Evaluation of scars in children after treatment with low-level laser. Lasers in Medical Science.
[13] Zane C, Capezzera R, et al. Non-invasive diagnostic evaluation of phototherapeutic effects of red light phototherapy of acne vulgaris. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, and Photomedicine. 2008 Oct.