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Reverse skin aging signs with photobiomodulation @ 630nm red light
Summary of Reverse skin aging signs by red light photobiomodulation
Couturaud, Le Fur, Pelletier, and Granotier (2023) present a clinical study investigating whether red light photobiomodulation (via a LED mask) can reverse visible signs of skin aging. PubMed Central
Background & Rationale
• Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a process in which cells absorb red or near-infrared light, leading to enhanced mitochondrial activity, elevated ATP production, modulated reactive oxygen species, and stimulated cell signaling and growth factor expression. PubMed Central+1
• In dermatological use, low-level red light (600–700 nm) penetrates into the dermis and is known to stimulate collagen and elastin production, reduce oxidative stress, and thereby act against aging changes like wrinkles, loss of firmness, and reduced skin density. PubMed Central+2PubMed Central+2
Methods
• The study used a Skin Light Dior × Lucibel mask, emitting cold red light at ~630 ± 10 nm, delivering 15.6 J/cm² over 12 minutes per session. PubMed Central
• Twenty healthy adult volunteers (aged 45–70) with visible signs of facial aging used the mask twice weekly for 3 months, with sessions spaced ~72 hours apart. PubMed Central+1
• Outcome measures included wrinkle depth (especially crow’s feet), skin sagging (facial “oval”), firmness/elasticity (via cutometry), dermal density (ultrasound), surface roughness, pore size, skin tone homogeneity, sebum production, and participant satisfaction (via questionnaire). PubMed Central
• In addition, follow-up measurements were taken 14 and 28 days after cessation of treatment to assess durability of effects. PubMed Central
Key Results
• Wrinkle depth (crow’s feet) decreased by ~15.6 % after 1 month, ~34.7 % after 2 months, and ~38.3 % after 3 months. PubMed Central
• Facial sagging of the jawline (“oval”) improved by 5.4 % at 1 month, 14.7 % at 2 months, and 24.8 % by month 3. PubMed Central
• Firmness (R0 value) dropped (i.e. firmness improved) by ~13.6 % after 1 month, ~19.7 % after 2 months, ~23.6 % after 3 months. PubMed Central
• Elasticity (R5) increased by 17.1 % at month 2 and 18.7 % at month 3. PubMed Central
• Dermal density rose ~26.4 % at month 1, ~41 % at month 2, ~47.7 % at month 3. PubMed Central
• Surface roughness decreased (i.e. smoother skin) by 6.8 % at 1 month, 18.2 % at 2 months, 23.8 % at 3 months. PubMed Central
• Pore diameter shrank by ~28.5 % after 1 month, ~30.7 % at 2 months, ~32.8 % at 3 months. PubMed Central
• Sebum (oil) levels fell ~34.9 % after 1 month, ~63.9 % after 2 months, ~70.3 % after 3 months. PubMed Central
• Importantly, many of the improvements persisted 14 and 28 days after stopping the treatment, indicating a durable structural effect. PubMed Central
• On subjective satisfaction, 100 % of participants felt the mask improved their skin overall; 85 % reported feeling good after sessions. PubMed Central
Discussion & Considerations
• The study supports that red-light photobiomodulation can reverse multiple signs of aging in facial skin, with effects visible as early as one month and lasting after treatment. PubMed Central
• However, the authors note limitations: there is no comparison group (e.g. placebo or sham treatment), and optimal parameters (wavelength, energy dose, frequency) are not universally agreed upon in the field. PubMed Central
• The authors caution that the dose–response relationship in photobiomodulation is biphasic (i.e. too little has no effect; too much can inhibit) — so proper calibration is essential. PubMed Central
• They also emphasize practical usability: this mask treats the entire face in just 12 minutes, which supports user compliance. PubMed Central
Conclusion
This study provides clinical evidence that red light photobiomodulation, delivered via a 12-minute LED mask session twice weekly, can measurably improve facial skin signs of aging (wrinkles, sagging, firmness, elasticity, density, pore size, oiliness) and that many of these improvements persist for at least several weeks after stopping treatment. PubMed Central
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