Skin changes are among the most visible signs of aging. The process of aging affects the skin in multiple ways. The epidermis thins and turnover rate slows dramatically, even though the number of cell layers remains unchanged. The number of pigment-containing cells (melanocytes) decreases. The remaining melanocytes increase in size. Aging skin looks thinner, paler, and clear (translucent). Pigmented spots including age spots or ‘liver spots’ may appear in sun-exposed areas. The medical term for these areas is lentigos.
Changes in the connective tissue reduce the skin’s strength and elasticity and skin may become much drier. This is known as elastosis. It is more noticeable in sun-exposed areas (solar elastosis). Elastosis produces the leathery, weather-beaten appearance common to farmers, sailors, and others who spend a large amount of time outdoors.
Skin aging depends on various factors such as lifestyle, diet, heredity, and other personal habits. Smoking can produce free radicals, and because once-healthy oxygen molecules become overactive and unstable, it can damage cells, leading to, among other things, premature wrinkles.
Exposure to the sun (photoaging) and pollution, loss of subcutaneous support (fatty tissue between your skin and muscle), stress, gravity, daily facial movement, obesity, and even sleep position, are all also contributors to skin aging.
Various clinical studies have shown that red and infrared LED light therapy has a positive effect on aging skin, with decreases in dryness and wrinkling noted, while collagen production was increased.
1.      In a study titled: 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, it was found that ‘The treated subjects experienced significantly improved skin complexion and skin feeling, reduced skin roughness, and improved collagen density.’[1]
- ‘A possible strategy for treating and preventing clinical manifestations of skin aging is the restoration of collagen deficiency by the induction of new collagen synthesis. It has been shown that light-emitting diode (LED) therapy, can trigger natural intracellular photo-biochemical reactions (Karu and Kolyakov, 2005; Karu et al., 2005a, b; Hamblin and Demidova, 2006; Barolet, 2008). A number of clinical studies provide evidence of the effectiveness of LED therapy in photorejuvenation using a variety of LED light sources (Weiss et al., 2004; Bhat et al., 2005; Russell et al., 2005; Weiss et al., 2005; Goldberg et al., 2006; Baez and Reilly, 2007; Lee et al., 2007).’[2]
- ‘It has been reported that skin aging is associated with a reduction in collagen production. Our study showed that LED therapy reversed collagen reduction. This could explain the improvements in skin appearance observed in LED-treated individuals.’[3]
- ‘Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are considered to be effective in skin rejuvenation. In the results, objectively measured data showed significant reductions of wrinkles (maximum: 36%) and increases of skin elasticity (maximum: 19%) compared to baseline on the treated face in the three treatment groups. There was a marked increase in the amount of collagen and elastic fibres in all treatment groups.’[4]
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24286286/[1]
[2] https://www.jidonline.org/action/showPdf?pii=S0022-202X%2815%2934174-9
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19587693/
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17566756/
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