Clinical Effectiveness of Broad-band Infrared Light Therapy for Wrinkles and Skin Laxity of the Face

Background: Infrared light therapy, as a nonablative phototherapy, is known to improve wrinkles and skin laxity. Objectives: To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of broad-band infrared light therapy in patients with wrinkles and skin laxity of the face. Methods: We performed an open study in 29 patients who received broad-band infrared light therapy with onemonth interval up to 5 times. Results: Twenty-one percent of patients had marked improvement, 30% had moderate improvement, and 28% had slight improvement in wrinkles at the corners of the eyes, while 21% unchanged. Wrinkle grades in the tested area significantly reduced more than pre-treatment (p<0.005). Thirty-one percent of patients had marked improvement, 31% had moderate improvement, and 28% had slight improvement in laxity of the cheek skin, while 10% unchanged. No patients discontinued due to adverse effects and no patients showed hyperpigmentation or scarring after the treatments. Patient's satisfaction revealed satisfied to very satisfied rates in 76% of subjects. Conclusion: Phototherapy using this broad-band infrared light source was effective and well tolerated in the patients, suggesting that this phototherapy may be a new modality for the treatment of wrinkles and tightening of the face