Should I be looking into red light therapy and can I trust some of these device companies?
Customer: Gretchen M.
Skin Type: Combination
Skin Concern: Wrinkles, Fine Lines, Hyperpigmentation
Skin Stage: Mature+
Question From Gretchen
MHi Saranghae,
I’ve recently been seeing ads for at-home red light therapy devices using LEDs. They even say that they’re Korean. My daughter says that it’s really popular and very effective. But before I consider purchasing one of these I wanted to get the opinion of Saranghae scientists.
Should I be looking into red light therapy and can I trust some of these companies?
Thank you
Gretchen
Saranghae Recommendation
Hi Gretchen,
This is a great question and you’re right, my dermatologist contacts all agree that LED therapy seems to be rising in popularity. Even though there seems to be a ton of clinical data online, the jury on whether or not it is truly effective is still out.
Red light therapy (RLT) is a non-invasive treatment that involves exposing the skin to low-level red or near-infrared light. It’s sometimes referred to as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation. RLT is widely used in dermatology and wellness for its potential to promote skin health, reduce inflammation, and encourage tissue repair.
It uses wavelengths of light, typically between 600 and 850 nanometers, which penetrate the skin to a depth of about 5–10 millimeters. This light is absorbed by the mitochondria in cells, stimulating the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the cell’s energy source.
This process is thought to:
Enhance cellular repair
Reduce oxidative stress
Promote collagen production
Stimulate blood circulation
In the anti-aging world, the primary goal is to help reduce wrinkles and fine lines by stimulating collagen production.
So does it work?
A 2014 study published in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery found significant improvements in skin texture, smoothness, and collagen density after 30 sessions of red light therapy over 15 weeks.
Another study in Dermatologic Surgery (2013) demonstrated visible reductions in wrinkles and increased skin elasticity in participants undergoing RLT.
However, both studies have been questioned recently, mainly, the effects of the studies could not be replicated afterward AND both studies were funded by organizations that financially benefitted from a positive result. It’s kind of like having a candy bar company fund a study to prove sugar is good for kids.
The dermatologists I speak to say that there is something there with Red Light Therapy but it doesn’t work for everyone. It also takes much longer than some vendors would have you believe (we’re talking months, not weeks or days), and you must use clinical-grade equipment, not the at-home versions because of the strength of the LED. Lastly, LED treatment is always offered as part of a wholistic routine, not by-itself, so is it really the red light therapy?
If you really want to try this therapy out, I recommend consulting with a professional you trust to get the truth behind the marketing.
Lastly, regarding these devices, you see advertised online, I would stay away from them until you speak to a professional and do your research. One of the things you should love for is are they FDA-cleared? Because if not, chances are they’re just an online scam.
I hope this helps clarify things for you and let us know if we can help with anything else.
Warmest Regards
Peter Lee
Co-founder & CEO
Saranghae | Orora
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