What research has found about red light and skin

The short version

Red and near-infrared light have been studied on skin for decades. In controlled trials, people treated regularly with these lights saw smoother skin and better skin feel than people who went untreated. Dermatologists describe the results as subtle to noticeable, and they agree on two things: it takes regular use over weeks, and devices made for home are gentler than the machines in a clinic.³

How it is thought to work

Light at these colours is absorbed by parts of the cell called mitochondria, which make the energy cells run on. The idea is that with more energy, skin cells such as fibroblasts, the cells that make collagen, can work more efficiently.¹ Near-infrared sits just past the red end of what your eyes can see, so you feel the session more than you see it.

What the trials found

In one of the larger controlled trials, researchers treated 136 volunteers twice a week for 30 sessions with red light, or a broader red and near-infrared light, and compared them with an untreated group. The treated groups reported better skin complexion and skin feel. Measurements showed smoother skin and a rise in collagen density in the skin, and blinded reviewers saw fewer visible wrinkles in their photos. The untreated group did not see the same changes.²

That is encouraging, but it is not the whole picture. Many studies on light and skin are small, and researchers are still working out the best dose for each use.^{1, 4}

What dermatologists say

The American Academy of Dermatology says red light devices can give subtle to noticeable results for fine lines, wrinkles and rough skin. It stresses that this is not a one-off treatment, and that devices used in a dermatologist's office are more powerful than ones made for home.³ Harvard Health adds that home devices need to be used several times a week, for four to six months, to be effective.⁴

The research points one way: steady sessions over weeks, not one big session.

What it means at home

• Consistency beats intensity. The trial above used two sessions a week for months. At home, a short session most evenings is often easier to keep up.
• Give it time. Dermatologists talk in weeks and months, not days, and results vary from person to person.³
• Look after your eyes. Close them during a session and follow the directions that come with your device.⁵
• Check first if you need to. Talk to your doctor before you start if you are pregnant, have a skin condition, or take medication that makes you sensitive to light.

This article reports what published research and dermatology bodies have said about red and near-infrared light in general. It is not a claim about what the Sorisse Mask will do for your skin. Sorisse makes cosmetic devices, not treatments for any medical condition.