What pulsed red light changed in skin

How the study worked

Lab-grown human skin received 11 pulsed 660 nm treatments or sham treatments. Researchers measured a collagen-building protein and MMP-1, which helps break collagen down.

They then treated one side of adults’ faces for 12 sessions. A blinded assessor compared wrinkles with the untreated side.

The results

In lab skin, the collagen-building protein rose by 31%, while MMP-1 fell by 18%.

In the face study, surface scans showed improvements in more than 90% of participants. A blinded assessor gave 87% a lower wrinkle score. No side effects or downtime were reported.

What is still unclear

The abstract does not state the number of people in the face study. The exact pulse pattern may not be available on consumer masks.

What to take from this

The work offers a possible explanation for red light’s effects. Its treatment pattern may differ from a home mask.

Devices that list similar light

One of the 5 masks in the comparison list a wavelength in the band used here (red near 660 nm). They are examples, listed alphabetically, each with our specification page and the manufacturer’s own product page. Related devices are examples, not evidence that a study tested that retail model.

• Dr. Renú SpectraLift Advanced465 · 530 · 630–660 · 850 nm · Dr. Renú product page

Matching a wavelength is not the same as matching the study. Dose, irradiance, session length and schedule also differ, and a mask’s reported output is not independently measured. See how dose works and home vs clinic doses.