Skin appearance
590 nm LED photomodulation for photoaging (full-panel array)
Weiss, McDaniel, Geronemus & Weiss · 2005 · Lasers in Surgery and Medicine
Weiss RA, McDaniel DH, Geronemus RG, Weiss MA. Clinical trial of a novel non-thermal LED array for reversal of photoaging: clinical, histologic, and surface profilometric results. Lasers Surg Med. 2005;36(2):85-91.
What they found
A 590 nm full-panel LED array delivering just 0.1 J/cm2 in a pulsed sequence improved photoaging signs in about 90% of 90 patients, with histology showing increased collagen I and reduced MMP-1.
Evidence grade
low
Effect direction
positive
Panel relevance
not panel replicable
Key outcomes
- ~90% showed reduced photoaging signs (texture, periorbital lines, erythema, pigmentation)
- Increased collagen I deposition and reduced MMP-1 on histology
- Very low per-session dose (0.1 J/cm2) delivered as a specific pulse sequence
Protocol details
| Device | 590 nm full-panel non-thermal LED array (GentleWaves) |
|---|---|
| Wavelengths | 590 nm |
| Irradiance | Not reported |
| Dose (fluence) | 0.1 J/cm2 |
| Session time | Not reported |
| Frequency | Not reported |
| Sessions / course | Not reported |
| Study length | Not reported |
| Treatment area | Full face |
| Pulsing | Specific proprietary pulse sequence |
| Study size | 90 patients with a range of photoaging; prospective, no randomized control arm |
Caveats
- 590 nm is amber/yellow light, not red - most consumer red/NIR panels do not emit it.
- Uncontrolled design; improvements were judged largely on digital imaging.
- The pulsed, ultra-low-dose protocol is device-specific and not replicable on a continuous-wave panel.
- Investigators were associated with the device technology.