Role of photobiomodulation application frequency in facial rejuvenation: randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Double-blind, sham-controlled randomized clinical trial
PubMed 40167796 · doi:10.1007/s10103-025-04383-1
What was done
Ninety-five women aged 45 to 60 years were randomized to evaluate red LED photobiomodulation (660 ± 10 nm, 6.4 mW/cm², 8.05 J/cm², 21 min per session) over four weeks. Group 1 received three sessions weekly (12 total), Group 2 received two sessions weekly (8 total), and a control group received sham photobiomodulation twice weekly. Outcomes evaluated at 30 days post-treatment included physician-graded Wrinkle Assessment Scale (WAS), automated ImageJ wrinkle length measurements across forehead, glabellar, and periorbital areas, and participant satisfaction via the FACE-Q questionnaire.
What was found
Clinician ratings on the Wrinkle Assessment Scale showed no statistically significant differences among the three groups. Digital ImageJ analysis showed statistically significant reductions in glabellar and right periorbital wrinkle lengths in both active photobiomodulation groups compared to sham (p < 0.001). FACE-Q participant satisfaction rates were 79.6% in Group 1 (p = 0.001 vs control) and 73.4% in Group 2 (p = 0.034 vs control). No significant differences in photographic assessments or satisfaction scores were found between twice-weekly and thrice-weekly treatment regimens.
Why it matters
These findings suggest that two weekly sessions of red-light photobiomodulation achieve comparable wrinkle reduction and patient satisfaction to three weekly sessions, lowering the treatment burden.
Limits
Follow-up was limited to 30 days post-treatment, and the sample was restricted to women aged 45 to 60. While automated software detected reductions in wrinkle length, the primary clinical scale (WAS) evaluated by blinded specialists showed no statistically significant difference between active treatment and sham.