RED LIGHT PROTOBIOMODULATION – THE WAY TO STAY YOUNG AND CURE DISEASE – A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Keywords: Low-Level Laser Therapy, Photodynamic Therapy, Androgenic Alopecia, Acne Vulgaris, Skin Rejuvination, LED Masks, Wound Healing

Abstract

Red light and infrared light are key in application of Low level laser therapy and Photodynamic therapy. Their use ranges from wound healing and acne therapy to skin rejuvenation and treatment of androgenic alopecia. Many clinical studies have proven its effectiveness and compatibility with other treatment forms.

Background: Visible red light (RL, 620-700 nm) and the near-infrared (NIR, 700-1440 nm) are key in process called photobiomodulation (PBM) in which absorbed light causes physiologicaleffects in the skin at cellular level. Light of this wavelength penetrates into the dermis and interacts with melanocytes, as well as fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells residing within the dermal layer. Changes in biological processes resulting from this include: increased RNA and protein synthesis, and increases in oxygen consumption, membrane potential, and NADH and ATP synthesis. Observed physiological effects range from enhancement in cell signaling and growth factor synthesis to reduction of oxidative stress and decrease in IL-1β, IL-10, and TNF-α levels.

Aim: The aim of this article is to present different ways red light therapy has been utilized in medical fields and the results accomplished with it.

References

Couturaud V, Le Fur M, Pelletier M, Granotier F. Reverse skin aging signs by red light photobiomodulation. Skin Res Technol. 2023 Jul;29(7):e13391. doi: 10.1111/srt.13391. PMID: 37522497; PMCID: PMC10311288.

Maghfour J, Ozog DM, Mineroff J, Jagdeo J, Kohli I, Lim HW. Photobiomodulation CME part I: Overview and mechanism of action. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024 Nov;91(5):793-802. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.10.073. Epub 2024 Feb 1. PMID: 38309304.

Huang YY, Chen AC, Carroll JD, Hamblin MR. Biphasic dose response in low level light therapy. Dose Response. 2009 Sep 1;7(4):358-83. doi: 10.2203/dose-response.09-027.Hamblin. PMID: 20011653; PMCID: PMC2790317.

Mester E , Szende B, Gartner P. The effect of laser beams on the growth of hair in mice. Radiobiol Radiother.1968;9(5):621-626.

Schmidt TR, Mármora BC, Brochado FT, Gonçalves L, Campos PS, Lamers ML, Araújo AA, Medeiros CACX, Ribeiro SB, Martins MAT, Pilar EFS, Martins MD, Wagner VP. Red light-emitting diode on skin healing: an in vitro and in vivo experimental study. An Bras Dermatol. 2025 Jan-Feb;100(1):54-62. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.2024.02.008. Epub 2024 Nov 8. PMID: 39521711; PMCID: PMC11745292.

Fan H, Tuo H, Xie Y, Ju M, Sun Y, Yang Y, Han X, Ren Z, Zheng Y, He D. Comparison of blue laser and red light-emitting diode-mediated aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy for moderate and severe acne vulgaris: A prospective, split-face, nonrandomized controlled study. PhotodiagnosisPhotodyn Ther. 2024 Oct;49:104325. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2024.104325. Epub 2024 Sep 6. PMID: 39245305.

Kessel D. Photodynamic Therapy: A Brief History. J Clin Med. 2019 Oct 2;8(10):1581. doi: 10.3390/jcm8101581. PMID: 31581613; PMCID: PMC6832404.

Basford JR. Low-energy laser treatment of pain and wounds: hype, hope, or hokum? Mayo Clin Proc. 1986 Aug;61(8):671-5. doi: 10.1016/s0025-6196(12)62034-5. PMID: 3523062.

Kurtti A, Nguyen JK, Weedon J, Mamalis A, Lai Y, Masub N, Geisler A, Siegel DM, Jagdeo JR. Light emitting diode-red light for reduction of post-surgical scarring: Results from a dose-ranging, split-face, randomized controlled trial. J Biophotonics. 2021 Jul;14(7):e202100073. doi: 10.1002/jbio.202100073. Epub 2021 May 4. PMID: 33788987; PMCID: PMC8919713.

Schmidt TR, Mármora BC, Brochado FT, Gonçalves L, Campos PS, Lamers ML, Araújo AA, Medeiros CACX, Ribeiro SB, Martins MAT, Pilar EFS, Martins MD, Wagner VP. Red light-emitting diode on skin healing: an in vitro and in vivo experimental study. An Bras Dermatol. 2025 Jan-Feb;100(1):54-62. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.2024.02.008. Epub 2024 Nov 8. PMID: 39521711; PMCID: PMC11745292.

Shah D, Ponappa MC, Ponnappa KC. Evaluation of effect of low level laser therapy with intracanal medicament on periapical healing: A randomised control trial. Indian J Dent Res. 2021 Jul-Sep;32(3):299-304. doi: 10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_896_20. PMID: 35229767.

Huang C, Mao M, Peng Y, Wang B, Deng Y, Xie H, Jian D. Efficacy and safety of single microneedle radiofrequency vs . photodynamic therapy on moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris: A prospective, randomized, controlled study. Chin Med J (Engl). 2024 Apr 20;137(8):1006-1008. doi: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000002911. Epub 2024 Jan 9. PMID: 38192026; PMCID: PMC11046016.

Liu Y, Sun DD, Chang SY, Ma LL, Jiang G. Study of different pre-treatments in the comparison of the efficacy of photodynamic therapy for moderate to severe acne vulgaris. PhotodiagnosisPhotodyn Ther. 2024 Oct;49:104298. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2024.104298. Epub 2024 Jul 30. PMID: 39089477.

Wang D, Yan Y, Wang P, Zhang H, Cao Y, Wang B, Zhang L, Wang X. A prospective, split-face, randomized controlled trial of intense pulsed light-photodynamic therapy for seborrhea. PhotodiagnosisPhotodyn Ther. 2024 Feb;45:103973. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2024.103973. Epub 2024 Feb 3. PMID: 38316341.

Zhang H, Zhao Y, Tao H, Feng C, Wang P, Zhang L, Liu X, Chen Y, Wang X. A chlorin e6 derivative-mediated photodynamic therapy for mild to moderate acne: A prospective, single-blind, randomized, split-face controlled study. PhotodiagnosisPhotodyn Ther. 2024 Oct;49:104304. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2024.104304. Epub 2024 Sep 2. PMID: 39226754.

Yang X, Qiao R, Cheng W, Lan X, Li Y, Jiang Y. Comparative efficacy of 2% minoxidil alone against combination of 2% minoxidil and low-level laser therapy in female pattern hair loss-A randomized controlled trial in Chinese females. PhotodiagnosisPhotodyn Ther. 2024 Feb;45:103966. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2024.103966. Epub 2024 Jan 10. PMID: 38211777.

Egger A, Resnik SR, Aickara D, Maranda E, Kaiser M, Wikramanayake TC, Jimenez JJ. Examining the Safety and Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Review of the Literature. Skin Appendage Disord. 2020 Sep;6(5):259-267. doi: 10.1159/000509001. Epub 2020 Jul 7. PMID: 33088809; PMCID: PMC7548873.

Gentile P, Dionisi L, Pizzicannella J, de Angelis B, de Fazio D, Garcovich S. A randomized blinded retrospective study: the combined use of micro-needling technique, low-level laser therapy and autologous non-activated platelet-rich plasma improves hair re-growth in patients with androgenic alopecia. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2020 Sep;20(9):1099-1109. doi: 10.1080/14712598.2020.1797676. Epub 2020 Jul 27. PMID: 32678725.

Zargaran D, Zoller F, Zargaran A, Weyrich T, Mosahebi A. Facial skin ageing: Key concepts and overview of processes. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2022 Aug;44(4):414-420. doi: 10.1111/ics.12779. Epub 2022 Jul 8. PMID: 35426152; PMCID: PMC9543134.

Glass GE. Photobiomodulation: The Clinical Applications of Low-Level Light Therapy. Aesthet Surg J. 2021 May 18;41(6):723-738. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjab025. Erratum in: Aesthet Surg J. 2022 Apr 12;42(5):566. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjab396. PMID: 33471046.

Austin E, Geisler AN, Nguyen J, Kohli I, Hamzavi I, Lim HW, Jagdeo J. Visible light. Part I: Properties and cutaneous effects of visible light. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021 May;84(5):1219-1231. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2021.02.048. Epub 2021 Feb 25. PMID: 33640508; PMCID: PMC8887026.

Views:

22

Downloads:

13

Published
2025-09-30
Citations
How to Cite
Aleksandra Magdalena Furczyńska, Patryk Kowalczyk, Filip Bracichowicz, Aleksandra Gęsińska, Hanna Paszkiewicz, Kamil Nowak, Igor Winogrodzki, Bartłomiej Trzciński, Alicja Stryczek-Schlusche, & Oliwia Gugała. (2025). RED LIGHT PROTOBIOMODULATION – THE WAY TO STAY YOUNG AND CURE DISEASE – A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science, 5(3(47). https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.3(47).2025.3939

Most read articles by the same author(s)