Skin appearance
Split-face LED phototherapy (830 nm and 633 nm) for facial wrinkles
Lee et al. · 2007 · Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B
Lee SY, Park KH, Choi JW, et al. A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, and split-face clinical study on LED phototherapy for skin rejuvenation. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2007;88(1):51-67.
What they found
Eight split-face LED sessions over four weeks produced up to a 36% reduction in wrinkles and up to a 19% increase in elasticity on treated sides, with histological increases in collagen and elastic fibers. The combined 830+633 nm arm performed best.
Evidence grade
moderate
Effect direction
positive
Panel relevance
panel replicable
Key outcomes
- Up to 36% reduction in wrinkles (objective profilometry)
- Up to 19% increase in skin elasticity
- Increased collagen and elastic fibers on histology
- Combined 830 nm + 633 nm outperformed either wavelength alone
Protocol details
| Device | Quasi-monochromatic LED arrays |
|---|---|
| Wavelengths | 633, 830 nm |
| Irradiance | Not reported |
| Dose (fluence) | Not reported |
| Session time | Not reported |
| Frequency | 2x per week |
| Sessions / course | 8 sessions |
| Study length | 4 weeks (8 sessions) |
| Treatment area | Half-face (split-face design) |
| Study size | 76 subjects; four arms (830 nm, 633 nm, 830+633 nm, sham); split-face (treated vs untreated half) |
Caveats
- Per-session irradiance and fluence are not clearly or consistently reported, and some secondary reviews appear to confuse this study's doses with other Omnilux trials - so we list its dose as unreported rather than guess.
- Short four-week course; durability beyond the study window was not assessed.
- Outcomes are skin-appearance measures.