Yes, red light therapy modestly softened fine wrinkles around the eyes in small, short trials, with reductions near 30% in some. Lasting benefit and effects on deeper aging are unknown.
- Who it's for
- Adults with mild sun damage and fine lines; not shown to help sagging or deep wrinkles.
- What to expect
- Modest softening of fine wrinkles after about 4 to 12 weeks of regular sessions.
- Watch out for
- Side effects were mild and brief; long-term safety and durability are not well studied.
What guidelines say
A 2025 expert consensus in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology calls light therapy (photobiomodulation) safe for adults and says red light doesn't damage DNA2Guideline · 2025Evidence-based consensus on the clinical application of photobiomodulation.The systematic literature search and structured Delphi consensus approach culminated in an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for safe and effective use of PBM in medical and aesthetic applications. Future research will further bolster our understanding of this evolving noninvasive technique.J Am Acad Dermatol. Its list of conditions with proven benefit (nerve damage, hair loss, wounds, radiation skin burns) doesn't include skin aging2Guideline · 2025Evidence-based consensus on the clinical application of photobiomodulation.The systematic literature search and structured Delphi consensus approach culminated in an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for safe and effective use of PBM in medical and aesthetic applications. Future research will further bolster our understanding of this evolving noninvasive technique.J Am Acad Dermatol.
What the studies show
- A trial of 137 women aged 40 to 65 gave 10 sessions over 4 weeks. Wrinkle volume around the eyes fell about 32% with red light and 30% with amber light. Skin hydration and elasticity did not improve. This was a split-face design with no dummy-light group1Randomized trial · 2023 · 137 peoplePhotobiomodulation Reduces Periocular Wrinkle Volume by 30%: A Randomized Controlled Trial.PBM, both at red and amber wavelengths, is an effective tool for rejuvenation, producing a 30% wrinkle volume reduction. The technique has strong potential in patients with diabetes or those presenting with keloids, conditions for which highly inflammatory rejuvenating procedures are not indicated. Clinical trial…Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg.
- A trial of 95 women aged 45 to 60 compared a red light mask with a sham (dummy) mask for 4 weeks. Specialist wrinkle scores did not differ between groups. Computer measurements showed shorter wrinkles between the brows and at one eye corner. Satisfaction was higher with real light (about 73% to 80%)4Randomized trial · 2025Role of photobiomodulation application frequency in facial rejuvenation: randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial.The quantity of PBM sessions did not significantly alter the positive results achieved in terms of the satisfaction of the participants with their facial esthetics or the photographic assessments performed 30 days after treatment. Thus, two weekly sessions seem to be sufficient for improving patient satisfaction.Lasers Med Sci.
- A trial of 76 people used red (633 nm), infrared, or combined LED light twice weekly for 4 weeks, with a sham group. Wrinkles fell by up to 36% and elasticity rose up to 19% against baseline. Skin samples showed more collagen3Randomized trial · 2007A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, and split-face clinical study on LED phototherapy for skin rejuvenation: clinical, profilometric, histologic, ultrastructural, and biochemical evaluations and comparison of three different treatment settings.This therapy was well-tolerated by all patients with no adverse effects. We concluded that 830 and 633nm LED phototherapy is an effective approach for skin rejuvenation.J Photochem Photobiol B.
- A trial of 136 volunteers (113 treated, 23 controls) found red-heavy broadband light for 30 sessions improved skin feel, roughness and collagen density versus controls. Broadband light was no better than red alone5Randomized trial · 2014 · 136 peopleA 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.Broadband polychromatic PBM showed no advantage over the red-light-only spectrum. However, both novel light sources that have not been previously used for PBM have demonstrated efficacy and safety for skin rejuvenation and intradermal collagen increase when compared with controls.Photomed Laser Surg.
- A trial of 52 women compared red and white LEDs worn daily for 12 weeks. Both improved wrinkle measures. The difference between them was too small to rule out chance, and blinded dermatologists saw no clear difference7Randomized trial · 2017The Efficacy and Safety of 660 nm and 411 to 777 nm Light-Emitting Devices for Treating Wrinkles.Low-level light therapy using 660 nm LEDs or 411 to 777 nm LEDs significantly improved periocular wrinkles. Especially, 660 nm LEDs could be an effective and tolerable treatment option for wrinkles.Dermatol Surg.
- A review of 8 studies (365 people) on at-home LED devices found improvements in wrinkles, texture and elasticity, with mild, brief side effects. Protocols varied widely and few skin tones were included6Systematic review · 2026 · 365 peopleEfficacy and Safety of At-Home Light-Emitting Diode Photobiomodulation for Facial Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review.At-home LED photobiomodulation devices appear to be safe and effective for improving facial aging parameters, particularly those emitting red and near-infrared wavelengths. However, variability in treatment protocols, limited comparative data, and underrepresentation of diverse skin phenotypes highlight the need for…Aesthetic Plast Surg.
Improvements compared before and after treatment can overstate the effect, because some studies had no sham group.
Key studies
| Study | Who | What it found |
|---|
| Trial, 20231Randomized trial · 2023 · 137 peoplePhotobiomodulation Reduces Periocular Wrinkle Volume by 30%: A Randomized Controlled Trial.PBM, both at red and amber wavelengths, is an effective tool for rejuvenation, producing a 30% wrinkle volume reduction. The technique has strong potential in patients with diabetes or those presenting with keloids, conditions for which highly inflammatory rejuvenating procedures are not indicated. Clinical trial…Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg | 137 women, 40 to 65 | Eye wrinkle volume fell about 30%; no sham group |
| Sham-controlled trial, 20254Randomized trial · 2025Role of photobiomodulation application frequency in facial rejuvenation: randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial.The quantity of PBM sessions did not significantly alter the positive results achieved in terms of the satisfaction of the participants with their facial esthetics or the photographic assessments performed 30 days after treatment. Thus, two weekly sessions seem to be sufficient for improving patient satisfaction.Lasers Med Sci | 95 women, 45 to 60 | Mixed wrinkle results; higher satisfaction than sham |
| Sham-controlled trial, 20073Randomized trial · 2007A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, and split-face clinical study on LED phototherapy for skin rejuvenation: clinical, profilometric, histologic, ultrastructural, and biochemical evaluations and comparison of three different treatment settings.This therapy was well-tolerated by all patients with no adverse effects. We concluded that 830 and 633nm LED phototherapy is an effective approach for skin rejuvenation.J Photochem Photobiol B | 76 adults with wrinkles | Wrinkles down up to 36%; more collagen |
| Trial, 20145Randomized trial · 2014 · 136 peopleA 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.Broadband polychromatic PBM showed no advantage over the red-light-only spectrum. However, both novel light sources that have not been previously used for PBM have demonstrated efficacy and safety for skin rejuvenation and intradermal collagen increase when compared with controls.Photomed Laser Surg | 136 volunteers | Better roughness and collagen than controls |
| Review of 8 studies, 20266Systematic review · 2026 · 365 peopleEfficacy and Safety of At-Home Light-Emitting Diode Photobiomodulation for Facial Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review.At-home LED photobiomodulation devices appear to be safe and effective for improving facial aging parameters, particularly those emitting red and near-infrared wavelengths. However, variability in treatment protocols, limited comparative data, and underrepresentation of diverse skin phenotypes highlight the need for…Aesthetic Plast Surg | 365 people | At-home LED improved wrinkles; protocols varied |
Safety
Trials reported no side effects in one study3Randomized trial · 2007A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, and split-face clinical study on LED phototherapy for skin rejuvenation: clinical, profilometric, histologic, ultrastructural, and biochemical evaluations and comparison of three different treatment settings.This therapy was well-tolerated by all patients with no adverse effects. We concluded that 830 and 633nm LED phototherapy is an effective approach for skin rejuvenation.J Photochem Photobiol B, and a review found side effects infrequent, mild and brief6Systematic review · 2026 · 365 peopleEfficacy and Safety of At-Home Light-Emitting Diode Photobiomodulation for Facial Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review.At-home LED photobiomodulation devices appear to be safe and effective for improving facial aging parameters, particularly those emitting red and near-infrared wavelengths. However, variability in treatment protocols, limited comparative data, and underrepresentation of diverse skin phenotypes highlight the need for…Aesthetic Plast Surg. The consensus calls light therapy safe for adults2Guideline · 2025Evidence-based consensus on the clinical application of photobiomodulation.The systematic literature search and structured Delphi consensus approach culminated in an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for safe and effective use of PBM in medical and aesthetic applications. Future research will further bolster our understanding of this evolving noninvasive technique.J Am Acad Dermatol.
What we don't know
- Whether results last beyond a few months, and whether repeat sessions are needed.
- Which wavelength, dose and schedule work best, and how well it works on a range of skin tones.
Written by AI from the studies listed, without review by a clinician, and graded with the GRADE method. It can be wrong, so check the studies it cites. Education, not medical advice.