The Science of Light

Does LED light therapy actually work? Yes – and the evidence is substantial, peer-reviewed and growing. Here is an honest account of what the science says, what our technology does and what you can expect.

Treat Your Skin Concern Book Treatment

What LED Light Therapy  Actually Does

LED (light-emitting diode) therapy works through a process called photobiomodulation – the use of specific wavelengths of light to trigger biological responses within the skin's cells.

When the right wavelength reaches the right depth of tissue, it is absorbed by the mitochondria, the energy-producing structures within each cell.

This stimulates increased production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the molecule that powers cellular activity. With more ATP available, cells are better able to repair themselves, produce collagen and elastin, and reduce inflammation. The key distinction: LED therapy does not add anything to the skin from the outside, nor remove anything. It activates what is already there – supporting the skin's own natural regenerative processes.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) was first identified in the 1960s when NASA researchers observed that red light accelerated wound healing in astronauts. Subsequent decades of research established the cellular mechanism: specific wavelengths of light are absorbed by chromophores – light-sensitive molecules – within the mitochondria, particularly cytochrome c oxidase. This absorption increases the mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP synthesis rate, triggering a cascade of downstream biological effects including collagen synthesis, reduced oxidative stress and modulated inflammatory response.

The therapeutic window for PBM sits between approximately 600nm and 1000nm – the range at which light can penetrate tissue without being blocked by the skin’s surface. Below this range, absorption by melanin and haemoglobin prevents penetration. Above it, water absorption limits depth. Éramai’s treatments use wavelengths specifically selected within this therapeutic window for targeted, clinically relevant effect.

The Wavelengths  and What They Do

Red Light (633nm – 660nm)

Penetrates the dermis to stimulate fibroblasts – the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin.

Key benefits include firmer skin, softened fine lines, improved skin density and luminosity.  The most extensively researched wavelength  in LED therapy, with multiple randomised controlled trials supporting its efficacy for collagen stimulation and wrinkle reduction.

Near-Infrared (850nm)

Penetrates deeper than visible light, reaching the dermis and underlying tissue.

Mechanisms include enhanced cellular metabolism, improved circulation, deeper inflammation reduction and tissue healing. Used in Éramai's full-body treatment for deeper tissue regeneration and recovery support.

Blue (415nm)

Operates primarily at the surface of the skin.

The key mechanism is the antibacterial action against Cutibacterium acnes – the primary driver of inflammatory acne – through a photochemical process that destroys bacteria without harming surrounding tissue. Benefits include reduction in active breakouts and calmed inflammatory response.

Green

Yellow Light

Supports a more balanced, even-looking complexion. Helps calm irritated skin and improve the appearance of uneven pigmentation.

Which treatment uses  which wavelengths?

The LED Lift & Glow Facelift uses four wavelengths of light - red, blue, yellow and green - to target the face, eyes, neck, jawline, jowls and décolletage through a comprehensive multi-spectrum protocol.

The Full Body LED Light Therapy uses all five wavelengths – Red, Near-Infrared, Blue, Yellow and Green – across the entire body, making it the most complete LED protocol in the Éramai portfolio. 

The depth of light penetration is determined by wavelength: shorter wavelengths (blue, 415nm) act primarily at the epidermal surface, while longer wavelengths (near-infrared, 850nm) penetrate several centimetres into tissue. Clinical efficacy depends not just on wavelength but on irradiance – the power of the light delivered per unit area – and treatment duration. Professional LED systems, including those used at Éramai, are calibrated to deliver clinically relevant irradiance. Consumer devices operate at significantly lower irradiance, which limits their depth of penetration and biological effect. This is the fundamental difference between at-home LED masks and professional in-clinic treatment.

What the Evidence Says

LED photobiomodulation is one of the most studied non-invasive skin treatments available. The peer-reviewed literature supports its use across several key applications:

See Sources dropdown:  Avci P, et al. "Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring." Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 2013.

Barolet D, et al. "Prophylactic low-level light therapy for the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids: a case series." Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2010.

Ngoc LTN, et al. "Utilization of light-emitting diodes for skin therapy: Systematic review and meta-analysis." Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 2022.

Bhat S, et al. "Photobiomodulation therapy for acne vulgaris: a systematic review." Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery, 2020.

Wunsch A, Matuschka K. "A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase." Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 2014.

Collagen stimulation & wrinkle reduction
Collagen stimulation and wrinkle reduction – Multiple randomised controlled trials have demonstrated significant improvements in skin firmness and reduction in fine lines following a course of red LED treatments.
A 2014 study published in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery found statistically significant improvement in both wrinkle severity and skin elasticity in subjects receiving combined red and near-infrared LED therapy.
Acne reduction
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine found that both red and blue LED therapy play a statistically significant...
role in the treatment of acne vulgaris, with meaningful reductions in lesion count across multiple studies.
Wound healing and inflammation
A substantial body of research supports LED therapy's role in accelerating wound healing and reducing inflammatory markers, with applications in both dermatology and sports medicine.
Full-body recovery
Red and near-infrared therapy applied  to the full body has demonstrated  benefits for muscle recovery, pain management and inflammation reduction in peer-reviewed sports science literature.

Our Devices

Éramai's in-clinic treatments use professional-grade multi-spectrum LED systems, calibrated to deliver clinically relevant wavelength output at the irradiance levels required to produce real, measurable results.

For at-home use, the Cupère Phantom LED Face Mask and Eye Device are available to purchase in-store.

LED Face device

LED Neck device

Cupère Aurora Glow

Cupère LED BED

Cupère Eye device

Cupère Phantom LED Face Mask

Realistic Outcomes  and Honest Limits

LED therapy is not a surgical procedure. What it will do consistently, progressively and without downtime is improve skin firmness, clarity, tone and health over a sustained treatment course.

The clients who achieve the most visible and lasting results are those who commit to a consistent treatment schedule and support their in-clinic sessions with the right skincare at home. A single session delivers real benefit. A programme delivers transformation.
Results may vary; outcomes are typical, not guaranteed.

Our science

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LED light therapy proven by science?

Yes. LED photobiomodulation has a substantial peer-reviewed evidence base across multiple applications including collagen stimulation, acne reduction, wound healing and inflammation management. The science is well-established – the key variable is treatment quality, specifically the wavelengths used, the irradiance of the device, and the consistency of the treatment course.

Is it safe?

LED therapy is one of the safest clinical skin treatments available. It is non-invasive, non-thermal in its primary mechanism, and carries no known risk of tissue damage at therapeutic irradiance levels. It is suitable for most skin types and tones, including sensitive and reactive skin.

How is a professional LED different from at-home masks?

Professional in-clinic systems deliver significantly higher irradiance – the power of the light per unit area – than consumer devices. This greater irradiance enables deeper tissue penetration and a more pronounced biological effect. At-home devices complement in-clinic treatment; they do not replicate it.

Can it really stimulate collagen?

Yes. Red LED wavelengths at approximately 633–660nm have been shown in multiple peer-reviewed randomised controlled trials to stimulate fibroblast activity and increase collagen synthesis in the dermis. This is one of the most robustly evidenced effects in LED therapy research.

Are there side effects?

LED therapy at therapeutic irradiance produces no known adverse side effects for most clients. Some clients with specific photosensitising medications or conditions may need to avoid LED therapy – your practitioner will review your medical history before treatment.

Reviewed by the Éramai clinical team