Effectiveness of green, yellow, orange, red light therapy in the reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness and skin collagen production
Introduction to red/infrared light therapy for skin health
Understanding photobiomodulation with red / infrared light therapy
Comparing green, yellow, orange and red and infrared light therapy
Red and infrared light therapy study overview for skin improvement
Importance of power density in infrared/red light therapy
Results of infrared and red light therapy on skin quality
Mechanisms behind infrared/red light therapy benefits
A 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
Advanced, infrared / blue / red light therapy treatments in London at LipoTherapeia
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Introduction to red light therapy for skin health
A science paper published in 2014 explored the effectiveness of photobiomodulation (PBM) using novel polychromatic light sources vs red light for skin rejuvenation.
The study investigates how non-thermal red and infrared light can improve skin appearance and stimulate collagen production, offering a gentler and more effective alternative to traditional skin rejuvenation methods like laser resurfacing or intense pulsed light (IPL).
The study also compares red/infrared light therapy versus green, yellow and orange light therapy, in terms of skin rejuvenation (fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness and skin collagen content).
Understanding photobiomodulation with red light therapy
Photobiomodulation, also known as low-level light therapy (LLLT), uses low-intensity light to alter cellular function without generating heat. Unlike ablative or non-ablative laser techniques that cause controlled damage to prompt tissue repair, PBM directly stimulates regenerative processes in the skin.
This non-traumatic approach avoids the inflammation, pain, and recovery time associated with more invasive procedures. The light wavelengths, ranging from 600 to 1300 nm, penetrate the skin effectively and are absorbed by cellular components, promoting wound healing, tissue repair, and skin rejuvenation.
The study highlights that fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and immune cells—key players in skin regeneration—respond to specific wavelengths, enhancing cellular proliferation, migration, and adhesion.
Comparing green, yellow, orange and red light therapy
The researchers aimed to assess whether a broader, multi-colour light spectrum could outperform the typical red/infrared bandwidths of LED light therapy. LEDs emit light in a dot-like pattern with limited wavelengths, whereas the action spectra for tissue repair involve multiple wavelengths.
To test this, they employed two innovative light sources: mid-pressure lamps (energising light technology, ELT) emitting 570–850 nm (green yellow, yellow, orange, red, infrared), and low-pressure lamps (red light technology, RLT) focusing on 611–650 nm (red only).
These devices allowed large-area and full-body treatments, a practical advantage over the pinpoint application of lasers.
Red light therapy study overview for skin improvement
The study involved 136 volunteers, with 113 receiving treatment and 23 serving as controls. Participants were treated twice weekly for 30 sessions, with the treatment groups exposed to varying irradiances and durations but a consistent energy dose of approximately 9 J/cm² in the 611–650 nm range.
Outcomes were measured through patient satisfaction surveys, clinical photography, ultrasound scans for collagen density, and digital profilometry for skin roughness. The control group did not receive light therapy but participated in the same clinical assessments, providing a baseline to evaluate skin improvement.
Importance of power density in red light therapy
Notably, the efficacy of LED-based PBM hinges on power density.
Most target tissues, like fibroblasts in the dermis, lie beneath the epidermis. Low-power LED devices often lack sufficient penetration to deliver adequate energy density to these deeper layers, rendering them less effective.
In contrast, higher power density LEDs, as used in this study, achieve greater tissue penetration, ensuring therapeutic light reaches the intended cells.
This distinction underscores why the novel light sources tested here succeeded where lower-powered alternatives might fail.
Results of red light therapy on skin quality
Results showed that both multi-colour therapy and red light therapy significantly improved skin complexion, skin feel, and collagen density compared to the control group.
Participants reported a noticeably better skin texture and appearance, corroborated by objective measures: ultrasound scans revealed increased intradermal collagen, and profilometry indicated reduced skin roughness.
Blinded evaluations of photographs confirmed a visible reduction in fine lines and wrinkles in the treatment groups.
Interestingly, the broader polychromatic (multi-colour) spectrum showed no clear superiority over the red-light-only spectrum (RLT), suggesting that the specific wavelength range of 611–650 nm might be the key driver of efficacy.
[This simply means that green, yellow, orange light does NOT work. This is something we keep repeating here at LipoTherapeia: the only proven and researched wavelengths are red and infrared. Green, yellow, orange, turquoise, violet and other wavelengths/colours have no proven research benefits behind them, don’t work and are just marketing gimmicks for equipment manufacturers to sell pointless LED devices and clinics to sell pointless LED therapy treatments.]
Both light sources proved safe, with no severe adverse effects reported; minor issues, such as temporary redness, resolved quickly.
Mechanisms behind red and infrared light therapy benefits
The study’s findings align with prior research on PBM’s mechanisms:
Red and infrared light likely boosts cellular energy production by stimulating the electron transport chain, increasing ATP levels
It may also activate water molecules and ion transport systems, enhancing metabolic activity
Fibroblasts, responsible for collagen synthesis, appear particularly responsive, with previous studies linking red light exposure to increased fibroblast activity and dermal remodelling
The paper notes that light-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) might further enhance fibroblast proliferation via specific signalling pathways, supporting the observed collagen increase
A 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
Research paper link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24286286/
Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of two novel light sources for large area and full body application, providing polychromatic, non-thermal photobiomodulation (PBM) for improving skin feeling and appearance. Background data: For non-thermal photorejuvenation, laser and LED light sources have been demonstrated to be safe and effective. However, lasers and LEDs may offer some disadvantages because of dot-shaped (punctiform) emission characteristics and their narrow spectral bandwidths. Because the action spectra for tissue regeneration and repair consist of more than one wavelength, we investigated if it is favorable to apply a polychromatic spectrum covering a broader spectral region for skin rejuvenation and repair. Materials and methods: A total of 136 volunteers participated in this prospective, randomized, and controlled study. Of these volunteers, 113 subjects randomly assigned into four treatment groups were treated twice a week with either 611-650 or 570-850 nm polychromatic light (normalized to ∼ 9 J/cm(2) in the range of 611-650 nm) and were compared with controls (n=23). Irradiances and treatment durations varied in all treatment groups. The data collected at baseline and after 30 sessions included blinded evaluations of clinical photography, ultrasonographic collagen density measurements, computerized digital profilometry, and an assessment of patient satisfaction. Results: The treated subjects experienced significantly improved skin complexion and skin feeling, profilometrically assessed skin roughness, and ultrasonographically measured collagen density. The blinded clinical evaluation of photographs confirmed significant improvement in the intervention groups compared with the control. Conclusions: 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.
Advanced, infrared / blue / red light therapy treatments in London at LipoTherapeia
At LipoTherapeia we are passionate about phototherapy (also known as photobiomodulation/PBM, red light therapy, infrared light therapy, blue light therapy, LED light therapy etc) and we use the most powerful equipment available today (up to 200mW/cm2), for best results and treatment of large body areas.
We use specialised therapy protocols for skin rejuvenation / anti-ageing, pigmentation / post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), moderate/severe acne, skin redness, sensitive/inflamed/irritated skin, wound healing, sports injuries / musculoskeletal pain and overall wellness / well-being.
Our LED phototherapy sessions are comfortable, deeply relaxing and super-safe and are great to enhance our radiofrequency/ultrasound treatments for skin tightening / cellulite reduction.
On our booking page you can book stand-alone phototherapy sessions or combine them with our other treatments, as an add-on.
Learn more or check prices and book an expert LED phototherapy treatment at our London clinic.
Have a skin tightening/cellulite treatment in London with the experts
At LipoTherapeia we have specialised 100% in skin tightening and cellulite reduction for more than two decades and 20,000+ sessions.
This is all we study and practise every day and have researched and tried hands-on all the important skin tightening equipment and their manufacturers.
As strong, deep acting radiofrequency and deep-acting, high-power ultrasound cavitation are the technologies of choice for skin tightening and cellulite reduction, we have invested in the best RF/ultrasound technologies in the world.
Furthermore, over the last two decades we have developed advanced RF and cavitation treatment protocols in order to make the most of our technologies, for maximum results, naturally and safely.
And for even better, faster results, we now combine our RF/ultrasound treatments with high-power red/infrared light LED treatment.
Our radiofrequency/ultrasound/LED treatments are comfortable, pain-free, downtime-free, injection-free, microneedling-free, 99.5%+ safe and always non-invasive.
And our focus is on honest, realistic, science-based treatment, combined with caring, professional service, with a smile.
We will be pleased to see you, assess your cellulite, skin laxity or fibrosis, listen to your story, discuss your case and offer you the best possible treatment.
The Cellulite School™: Get advanced training in cellulite reduction and skin tightening
Do you want to deeply understand radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, LED phototherapy, cellulite and skin tightening?
Attend a half-day, 1-day, 2-day or 3-day one-to-one masterclass and confidently offer your clients the safest, strongest and most effective treatment possible.
Service available via Zoom or at our central London practice.
Learn more or check prices and book training at our London clinic or via Zoom.