The Impact of LED Therapy on Skin: The Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2025.86.66942Keywords
LED, phototherapy, skin therapy, skin rejuvenation, rosacea, skin and wound healing, photobiomodulation, red led light, blue led light, infrared light therapy, yellow light therapy, led treatment, acne vulgaris, hair loss, melasma, skin fibrosisAbstract
Skin health can significantly impact quality of life and mental health. Erythema, acne or aging-related changes are leading reasons for dermatological consultation. It has been proven, that one third of dermatological patients struggle with mental health issues (1). In recent years, light-emitting diode (LED) technology gained massive popularity for offering clinicians and patients a non-invasive, safe and effective method for treating a wide spectrum of skin conditions. LED phototherapy uses specific wavelengths of visible and near-infrared light to modulate cellular activity, resulting in the rejuvenation of skin, accelerating wound healing and modulation of the inflammatory response. The comprehensiveness and excellent safety profile of the LED devices have led to their wide use in both medical and cosmetic fields. Clinical studies have shown significant benefits of use LED technology in coping with acne vulgaris, melasma, skin fibrosis and aging signs, among many others. As research on this technology develops, it is becoming an integral part of protocol in many therapies (2–4).
References
1. Jafferany M. Special Report: Psychodermatology: Bridging Dermatology and Psychiatry. Psychiatr News. 2025 Mar 1;60(3):appi.pn.2025.03.3.2.
2. Ablon G. Phototherapy with Light Emitting Diodes: Treating a Broad Range of Medical and Aesthetic Conditions in Dermatology. J Clin Aesthetic Dermatol. 2018 Feb;11(2):21–7.
3. Jagdeo J, Austin E, Mamalis A, Wong C, Ho D, Siegel DM. Light-emitting diodes in dermatology: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Lasers Surg Med. 2018 Jan 22;50(6):613–28.
4. Ngoc LTN, Moon J, Lee Y. Utilization of light‐emitting diodes for skin therapy: Systematic review and meta‐analysis. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2023 Jul;39(4):303– 17.
5. Hönigsmann H. History of phototherapy in dermatology. Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2012 Jan;12(1):16–21.
6. Opel DR, Hagstrom E, Pace AK, Sisto K, Hirano-Ali SA, Desai S, et al. Light-emitting Diodes: A Brief Review and Clinical Experience. J Clin Aesthetic Dermatol. 2015 Jun;8(6):36–44.
7. Hernández-Bule ML, Naharro-Rodríguez J, Bacci S, Fernández-Guarino M. Unlocking the Power of Light on the Skin: A Comprehensive Review on Photobiomodulation. Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Apr 19;25(8):4483.
8. Schmidt TR, Mármora BC, Brochado FT, Gonçalves L, Campos PS, Lamers ML, et al. Red light-emitting diode on skin healing: an in vitro and in vivo experimental study. An Bras Dermatol. 2025 Jan;100(1):54–62.
9. Rai R, Natarajan K. Laser and light based treatments of acne. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2013;79(3):300–9.
10. Pei S, Inamadar AC, Adya KA, Tsoukas MM. Light-based therapies in acne treatment. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2015;6(3):145–57.
11. Lee JH, Roh MR, Lee KH. Effects of infrared radiation on skin photo-aging and pigmentation. Yonsei Med J. 2006 Aug 31;47(4):485–90.
12. Al Balah OF, Rafie M, Osama AR. Immunomodulatory effects of photobiomodulation: a comprehensive review. Lasers Med Sci. 2025 Apr 11;40(1):187.
13. Rocha Mota L, Motta LJ, Duarte IDS, Horliana ACRT, Silva DDFTD, Pavani C. Efficacy of phototherapy to treat facial ageing when using a red versus an amber LED: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2018 May;8(5):e021419.
14. Sorbellini E, Rucco M, Rinaldi F. Photodynamic and photobiological effects of light- emitting diode (LED) therapy in dermatological disease: an update. Lasers Med Sci. 2018 Sep;33(7):1431–9.
15. Khanna R, Nowah A, Morris D, Desai SR. Pathogenesis of melasma. Dermatol Rev. 2023 Feb;4(1):12–6.
16. Espósito ACC, Cassiano DP, da Silva CN, Lima PB, Dias JAF, Hassun K, et al. Update on Melasma-Part I: Pathogenesis. Dermatol Ther. 2022 Sep;12(9):1967–88.
17. Rajanala S, Maymone MBDC, Vashi NA. Melasma pathogenesis: a review of the latest research, pathological findings, and investigational therapies. Dermatol Online J [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2025 Jul 3];25(10). Available from: https://escholarship.org/uc/item/47b7r28c
18. Galache TR, Sena MM, Tassinary JAF, Pavani C. Photobiomodulation for melasma treatment: Integrative review and state of the art. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2024 Jan;40(1):e12935.
19. Chen L, Xu Z, Jiang M, Zhang C, Wang X, Xiang L. Light-emitting diode 585nm photomodulation inhibiting melanin synthesis and inducing autophagy in human melanocytes. J Dermatol Sci. 2018 Jan;89(1):11–8.
20. Samuels DV, Rosenthal R, Lin R, Chaudhari S, Natsuaki MN. Acne vulgaris and risk of depression and anxiety: A meta-analytic review. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020 Aug;83(2):532–41.
21. Lee SY, You CE, Park MY. Blue and red light combination LED phototherapy for acne vulgaris in patients with skin phototype IV. Lasers Surg Med. 2007 Feb;39(2):180–8.
22. Oge’ LK, Broussard A, Marshall MD. Acne Vulgaris: Diagnosis and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Oct 15;100(8):475–84.
23. Dessinioti C, Katsambas A. Propionibacterium acnes and antimicrobial resistance in acne. Clin Dermatol. 2017 Mar;35(2):163–7.
24. Lodi G, Cassalia F, Sannino M, Cannarozzo G, Baroni A, Amato S, et al. Blue Light Therapy in Dermatological Practice: A Review. Cosmetics. 2025 Feb 18;12(1):30.
25. Deda A, Hartman-Petrycka M, Wilczyński S. Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Using LED Light Combined With Chromophore Gel in Treating Acne Vulgaris – Preliminary Study. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2025 Jan;Volume 18:207–21.
26. Morton CA, Scholefield RD, Whitehurst C, Birch J. An open study to determine the efficacy of blue light in the treatment of mild to moderate acne. J Dermatol Treat. 2005 Jan 1;16(4):219–23.
27. Scott AM, Stehlik P, Clark J, Zhang D, Yang Z, Hoffmann T, et al. Blue-Light Therapy for Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Ann Fam Med. 2019 Nov;17(6):545–53.
28. Papageorgiou P, Katsambas A, Chu A. Phototherapy with blue (415 nm) and red (660 nm) light in the treatment of acne vulgaris: BLUE-RED LIGHT TREATMENT OF ACNE. Br J Dermatol. 2000 May;142(5):973–8.
29. Sadowska M, Narbutt J, Lesiak A. Blue Light in Dermatology. Life. 2021 Jul 8;11(7):670.
30. Gether L, Overgaard LK, Egeberg A, Thyssen JP. Incidence and prevalence of rosacea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Dermatol. 2018 Aug;179(2):282–9.
31. Sharma A, Kroumpouzos G, Kassir M, Galadari H, Goren A, Grabbe S, et al. Rosacea management: A comprehensive review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022 May;21(5):1895–904.
32. Farshchian M, Daveluy S. Rosacea. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 [cited 2025 Jul 4]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557574/
33. Li A, Fang R, Mao X, Sun Q. Photodynamic therapy in the treatment of rosacea: A systematic review. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2022 Jun;38:102875.
34. Sorbellini E, De Padova MP, Rinaldi F. Coupled blue and red light-emitting diodes therapy efficacy in patients with rosacea: two case reports. J Med Case Reports. 2020 Dec;14(1):22.
35. Bryld L, Jemec G. Photodynamic therapy in a series of rosacea patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2007 Oct;21(9):1199–202.
36. Phillips TG, Slomiany WP, Allison R. Hair Loss: Common Causes and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2017 Sep 15;96(6):371–8.
37. Yang K, Tang Y, Ma Y, Liu Q, Huang Y, Zhang Y, et al. Hair Growth Promoting Effects of 650 nm Red Light Stimulation on Human Hair Follicles and Study of Its Mechanisms via RNA Sequencing Transcriptome Analysis. Ann Dermatol. 2021;33(6):553.
38. Pillai J, Mysore V. Role of low-level light therapy (LLLT) in androgenetic alopecia. J Cutan Aesthetic Surg. 2021;14(4):385.
39. Avci P, Gupta GK, Clark J, Wikonkal N, Hamblin MR. Low‐level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) for treatment of hair loss. Lasers Surg Med. 2014 Feb;46(2):144–51.
40. Chaves MEDA, Araújo ARD, Piancastelli ACC, Pinotti M. Effects of low-power light therapy on wound healing: LASER x LED. An Bras Dermatol. 2014 Jul;89(4):616–23.
41. Da Rocha RB, Araújo DD, Machado FDS, Cardoso VS, Araújo AJ, Marinho‐Filho JDB. The role of light emitting diode in wound healing: A systematic review of experimental studies. Cell Biochem Funct. 2024 Jul;42(5):e4086.
42. Kurtti A, Nguyen JK, Weedon J, Mamalis A, Lai Y, Masub N, et al. 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.
43. Nguyen JK, Weedon J, Jakus J, Heilman E, Isseroff RR, Siegel DM, et al. A dose- ranging, parallel group, split-face, single-blind phase II study of light emitting diode-red light (LED-RL) for skin scarring prevention: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2019 Dec;20(1):432.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Marta Prager-Zimny, Michalina Simachi, Michalina Janiszewska, Beata Imbirska, Michał Hładki, Michalina Cyrulik, Natalia Ramlau, Dominika Kolenda, Zuzanna Fischer, Marcin Podolak
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The periodical offers access to content in the Open Access system under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 1101
Number of citations: 0
