The Efficacy and Safety of Red Light Therapy

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Introduction
●Red Light Therapy (RLT) has shown to increase
collagen production, skin hydration, and skin
elasticity.
●Despite initial success, lack of long term studies on
safety and continuation of initial results are lacking.
Methods
•A literature review was performed using PubMed to
identify studies on the efficacy and safety of RLT for
skin rejuvenation, utilizing keywords "RED LIGHT
THERAPY" and "SKIN TREATMENT" focusing on
articles published from 2020 onward.
•Twenty relevant articles were selected based on
their design and outcomes.
•Key findings were extracted, summarizing efficacy
measures, safety assessments, and patient
satisfaction ratings.
•Statistical analyses were applied to evaluate
treatment outcomes and guide future research.
Conclusion
•Red Light Therapy (RLT) has gained significant attention as a non-invasive treatment for skin
rejuvenation, showing remarkable effectiveness in diminishing visible signs of aging.
•However, rapid commercialization of RLT has outpaced comprehensive scientific validation, revealing
a significant gap between the treatment's market presence and the depth of research conducted.
•Although the current literature reflects a growing body of evidence supporting RLT's efficacy, it
predominantly consists of short-term studies, leaving a need for more extensive clinical trials that
evaluate long-term safety and effectiveness.
•Ongoing investigations into RLT are essential to substantiate its long-term benefits and develop
standardized clinical protocols.
Hypothesis and Objectives
●While RLT is becoming more popular of a treatment
option, this may not correlate to a proportional
increase in proven efficacy.
●This may warrant further study on long term impact
and possible side effects of the treatment.
What have we found to date?
●Wrinkle Reduction: Multiple studies show that RLT can reduce wrinkle volume by up to 30%,
particularly in periocular areas, indicating its effectiveness in improving visible signs of aging.
●Collagen Stimulation: RLT works by stimulating collagen production, which plays a crucial role in
enhancing skin elasticity and overall texture.
●High User Satisfaction: Studies of home-use LED devices show high levels of user satisfaction, with
participants reporting noticeable improvements in skin quality, especially in texture and appearance.
●Safety Profile: Initial studies indicate that RLT is a safe treatment with minimal side effects, although
long-term studies are still needed to confirm these findings
●Need for More Research: Despite the promising short-term results, there is still a gap in research
regarding the long-term efficacy and safety of RLT, particularly for ongoing, repetitive use over several
years.
Acknowledgments: I would like to thank my research colleagues and Dr. Burkhart for their continued support.
The Efficacy and Safety of Red Light Therapy
Andrew Fickert, Sahil Kapur, Mario Markho, Mark Houdi, Craig G. Burkhart, MD
The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences Department of
Medicine