Not all red light masks are effective.

Red light and photobiomodulation: how to tell science from marketing?

Red light devices promising to erase wrinkles and scars are multiplying online, fueled by marketing campaigns that leave little room for nuance. The problem? There is currently no regulation governing this market, leaving the door open to all sorts of claims.

Asked about the topic on Moteur de recherche, available on Radio-Canada OHdio, dermatologist Daniel Barolet offers a more nuanced answer: some photobiomodulation devices do have a demonstrated effect on skin texture and fine lines — but that’s not the case for every product sold on the market.

This distinction between what’s proven and what’s marketed rests on nearly 30 years of Dr. Barolet’s research into the interactions between light and skin: photoaging, collagen, and, more recently, nitric oxide.

To understand how this technology really works and make an informed choice, listen to the full interview.