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.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial
PubMed 24286286 · doi:10.1089/pho.2013.3616
What was done
A prospective, randomized, controlled study of 136 volunteers investigated the safety and efficacy of two novel polychromatic non-thermal light sources for skin rejuvenation. Participants were allocated into four treatment groups (n=113 total) receiving twice-weekly sessions for 30 sessions with either 611–650 nm or 570–850 nm light (normalized to ~9 J/cm² in the 611–650 nm range), or an untreated control group (n=23). Irradiances and durations varied across treatment arms. Outcomes measured at baseline and after 30 sessions included blinded photographic evaluation, ultrasonographic collagen density, computerized digital profilometry of skin roughness, and patient satisfaction.
What was found
Treated subjects experienced statistically significant improvements compared with controls in skin complexion, skin feeling, profilometrically measured skin roughness, ultrasonographically measured collagen density, and blinded clinical photographic evaluations. Broadband polychromatic light (570–850 nm) showed no clinical advantage over red-only light (611–650 nm). The abstract reports no numerical values, effect sizes, or p-values.
Why it matters
The study demonstrates that broad-area red and near-infrared photobiomodulation can stimulate intradermal collagen density and improve skin texture compared to no treatment. It also indicates that extending the spectrum beyond red light does not provide additive therapeutic benefit.
Limits
The abstract provides no raw numbers, confidence intervals, or p-values. Control participants (n=23) were unblinded, and long-term durability following cessation of the 30 sessions was not reported.
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