Does Red Light Therapy Actually Reduce Wrinkles? Two Clinical Trials Say Yes

Red light therapy is one of the more heavily marketed uses of photobiomodulation for skin — but unlike a lot of skincare claims, this one has real randomized controlled trials behind it, not just before-and-after photos.

The landmark collagen trial

A 2014 randomized, controlled trial published in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery treated 136 volunteers with red (611–650nm) or broadband red/near-infrared (570–850nm) light, twice a week, and compared them against an untreated control group. Researchers measured results with blinded clinical photography, ultrasound collagen density scans, and digital skin profilometry — not just subjective impressions.

After 30 sessions, both light treatments showed measurable improvements in collagen density, skin texture, and patient-reported satisfaction compared to the control group, with the study reporting an average 29% increase in collagen density on ultrasound.

The newer wrinkle-volume trial

A 2023 randomized controlled trial focused specifically on the delicate skin around the eyes (periocular wrinkles) — an area where visible aging shows up early. Using 3D imaging to measure wrinkle volume precisely, rather than a visual rating scale, the trial found an average 30% reduction in periocular wrinkle volume after a course of photobiomodulation treatment.

What this means in practice

Both trials point the same direction: repeated red/near-infrared light sessions over several weeks — not a single treatment — produce measurable, objectively-measured improvements in skin texture and wrinkle depth. It's not a substitute for sun protection or a dermatologist's advice for significant skin concerns, but the collagen-stimulating effect is genuinely backed by controlled trials, not just marketing.