What You’ll Learn:
- How red light therapy works at the cellular level to promote collagen production
- Why collagen is essential for skin health and overall wellness
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What current research says about red light therapy’s effectiveness in boosting collagen production
The science behind how red light therapy helps to increase collagen production is not just interesting, but exciting, as well. The idea that we can combat signs of aging, get rid of achy joints, or improve the speed at which our wounds heal is enough to make anyone sit up and pay attention. And the culprit in all of the aforementioned issues is a lack of collagen production that gets more pronounced as we age.
Red light therapy might just be the best anti-aging remedy. It helps the body to produce more collagen naturally, stepping in as a kind of barrier between time and aging. Which all sounds great, but can you trust the hype? What do scientists actually say about whether or not red light therapy can help collagen production, and why is collagen so important to us anyway?
We’re going to look at the science behind red light therapy and collagen production, and help you get a better understanding of it so you can set your sights on a brighter future.
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Let’s take a step back here so we can introduce red light therapy to those of you who aren’t familiar with it. Red light therapy will sometimes be called low-level light therapy or photobiomodulation and involves exposing the body to specific wavelengths of red or near-infrared light. These wavelengths typically range from about 620 to 850 nanometers, which can penetrate the skin to different depths, depending on the setting and device.
A few of the things that have made it so popular over the last decade or so are that it’s non-invasive, painless, and accessible. It’s quite possible to do red light therapy treatments in the comfort of your own home, with devices like these. You just sit, lie down, or stand in front of the device, and let the light absorb into your skin.
There is no ultraviolet light produced by these devices, so no damage to skin cells. The lights from these devices are gentle and have been shown to stimulate healing and regeneration. But how does red light therapy increase collagen production?
How red light stimulates collagen production
We’ll have to take a closer look at how our bodies work to understand the mechanisms behind red light therapy and collagen production. When you do a red light therapy session, the light from the device will penetrate your skin. As this happens, the light is absorbed by your mitochondria, which we know as the “powerhouse” of the cell.
Getting even deeper, we find that red light stimulates a molecule called cytochrome c oxidase, which plays a key role in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of the cell.
Okay! Now that your cells have more ATP, they are fully equipped to do their job. They can repair damage faster, replicate at higher speeds, and, yep, you guessed it, they can produce more proteins like collagen, a process called “collagen synthesis.”
Our bodies have a kind of cell called a fibroblast, which isn’t just a super fun name for a cell, but also responsible for generating collagen. When we’re under red light, these cells get more active and more efficient.
Red light therapy does more than just help your body produce collagen—it helps to prevent the breakdown of collagen, as well. Because red light therapy may reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, you now have a healthier environment for new collagen to be produced by your body. In turn, your existing collagen structures are preserved, and you get to use a non-invasive skincare routine with no side effects.
Why is collagen important?
You may not know why collagen is so important to your body, so let’s get into its role a little bit. Collagen is the protein behind keeping skin rejuvenation, maintaining its elasticity, and its overall tone. When you have high collagen levels, you get smooth, firm, youthful-looking skin. And who doesn’t want all of that?
But more than just that, collagen also plays an integral part in maintaining the structural integrity of your body. You’ll find collagen in your ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and even the lining of your gut.
When you have low collagen levels, you are more susceptible to joint pain, it will take longer to recover after you exercise, and you may be more susceptible to digestive issues like IBS or acid reflux. If you are an athlete, or even just someone who is quite active, the amount of collagen your body produces can be the difference between being able to be as active as you want to be and sitting on the couch with an ice pack to recover from aches and pains.
Finally, collagen plays an important role in the healing of wounds. Collagen forms the building blocks of new tissue, which means higher collagen levels can help accelerate skin repair, reduce scarring, and strengthen skin resilience.
So, we can see that there are a lot of reasons to keep our bodies producing collagen at high levels.
Scientific studies on red light therapy and collagen production
Studies on red light therapy and collagen production are ongoing, but the results are promising.
One study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology demonstrated that red light therapy significantly improves skin complexion, feeling, and collagen density. Participants who received regular red light treatments experienced increased collagen and elastin levels, resulting in visibly healthier skin.
The article states that “the cascade of events leading to collagen production is thought to be initiated by the antenna molecule mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase,” which is, again, that “powerhouse” of the cells we discussed earlier.
It goes on to say that, “absorbed light converted to chemical kinetic energy would cause changes in membrane permeability, improve signaling between mitochondria, nucleus and cytosol, lead to nitric oxide formation, and increase oxidative metabolism to produce more ATP, ultimately leading to the normalization of cell activity, including increased collagen production.” Exciting!
Another study in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery evaluated red light therapy's impact on wrinkle reduction. After 12 weeks of treatment, participants demonstrated not only reduced wrinkle depth but also a noticeable improvement in skin smoothness and firmness. Which is great, because these are signs that are definitely consistent with improved collagen activity.
You’ll also be excited to learn that red light therapy goes beyond just increasing the quantity of collagen and also seems to enhance the quality of the collagen fibers your body produces. This makes them more organized and aligned. Now your skin feels nice and firm, elastic, and young-looking.
How long before red light therapy increases collagen production?
Consistency is key when it comes to red light therapy. There are therapies that you can get that offer temporary results, like facial fillers or other cosmetic procedures. Red light therapy, on the other hand, helps your body to repair itself naturally, which means you’ll get results over the long term with regular therapy.
People who use devices like the Rouge Nano will often find that they see results after just a few weeks of regular use, with the best results appearing around the 8 to 12-week mark.
Sessions typically last anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the device and the area being treated. We recommend that you start with three to five sessions per week so you can get a good idea of the right number of weekly therapy sessions for best results for you.
A natural way to increase collagen production
We believe strongly in red light therapy because it's a natural way of getting your body to repair itself through its own healing and regenerative abilities. Instead of adding something foreign to your system, it enhances what your cells are already trying to do: repair, rebuild, and regenerate.
By supporting mitochondrial function and stimulating fibroblast activity, red light therapy offers a non-invasive, science-backed way to increase collagen production. Whether your goal is smoother skin, better joint function, or faster recovery, red light therapy could be a valuable addition to your wellness routine.
Check out our red light therapy panels and start your journey today!
FAQs
How often should I use red light therapy for collagen production?
Most experts recommend starting with 3–5 sessions per week for the first 8–12 weeks. After that, you can reduce to 2–3 sessions per week to maintain results. Each session should last around 10–20 minutes, depending on your device and skin sensitivity.
Can red light therapy replace anti-aging creams or collagen supplements?
Red light therapy doesn’t have to replace other strategies—it can complement them. Topical creams and supplements can still support skin health from different angles. However, RLT works at a cellular level, which makes it a powerful tool when used in combination with a well-rounded skincare or wellness routine.
Is red light therapy safe to use around the eyes or on the face?
Yes, but eye protection is often recommended, especially with more powerful devices. The face is one of the most common areas treated, and many people report improvements in skin tone, fine lines, and texture with regular facial treatments. Always follow safety guidelines provided with your device.