---
title: "A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and…"
description: "Red and near-infrared polychromatic light treatment can improve skin complexion, feeling, roughness, and collagen density, but a broader spectrum did not…"
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/redlight_skin.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/redlight_skin.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/redlight_skin.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "redlight_skin"
journal: "Photomedicine and Laser Surgery"
year: 2014
pmid: "24286286"
doi: "10.1089/pho.2013.3616"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# 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.

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## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Photomedicine and Laser Surgery |
| Year | 2014 |
| PMID | [24286286](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24286286/) |
| DOI | [10.1089/pho.2013.3616](https://doi.org/10.1089/pho.2013.3616) |
| Study key | redlight_skin |

## Takeaway

Red and near-infrared polychromatic light treatment can improve skin complexion, feeling, roughness, and collagen density, but a broader spectrum did not offer additional benefits over red light alone.

## The question

Does polychromatic red and near-infrared light treatment improve skin feeling, appearance, and intradermal collagen density compared to controls?

## Hypothesis

The study hypothesized that polychromatic light, covering a broader spectral region, would be favorable for skin rejuvenation and repair compared to narrower bandwidth light sources.

## Methods

This was a prospective, randomized, and controlled study with 136 volunteers. 113 subjects were randomly assigned to four treatment groups, receiving either 611-650 nm or 570-850 nm polychromatic light twice a week for 30 sessions, normalized to approximately 9 J/cm² in the 611-650 nm range. These groups were compared to 23 controls. Data collected included blinded evaluations of clinical photography, ultrasonographic collagen density measurements, computerized digital profilometry, and patient satisfaction.

## Results

Treated subjects showed significantly improved skin complexion, skin feeling, skin roughness (assessed profilometrically), and ultrasonographically measured collagen density. Blinded clinical evaluation of photographs confirmed significant improvement in the intervention groups compared to the control group. Broadband polychromatic PBM did not show an advantage over the red-light-only spectrum.

## Conclusion

Both novel polychromatic light sources demonstrated efficacy and safety for skin rejuvenation and increasing intradermal collagen when compared with controls. However, broadband polychromatic PBM did not offer an advantage over the red-light-only spectrum.

## Limitations

The abstract does not explicitly state limitations of the study.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> Red and near-infrared photobiomodulation improved skin complexion and feeling, reduced fine lines and wrinkles, and increased intradermal collagen density.

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Photobiomodulation (Red & Near-Infrared Light) | — | — |
| Red-Light Skin Therapy | — | — |

## Reference

1. **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.**
   Photomedicine and Laser Surgery 2014 · [PMID 24286286](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24286286/) · [DOI 10.1089/pho.2013.3616](https://doi.org/10.1089/pho.2013.3616)

   > Red and near-infrared photobiomodulation improved skin complexion and feeling, reduced fine lines and wrinkles, and increased intradermal collagen density.

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## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).