Photobiomodulation: A Systematic Review of the Oncologic Safety of Low-Level Light Therapy for Aesthetic Skin Rejuvenation

Objective

As red light therapy becomes increasingly popular for skin rejuvenation, some concerns have been raised about whether stimulating cellular activity could potentially increase cancer risk. This systematic review examined available clinical and laboratory evidence to determine the oncologic safety of photobiomodulation (PBM) used for aesthetic skin treatments.

Study Design

Researchers reviewed:

• Clinical trials involving PBM for skin rejuvenation
• Human cell culture studies
• Preclinical tumor studies
• Evidence involving red and near-infrared wavelengths commonly used in aesthetic devices (approximately 625–1100 nm)

What Researchers Evaluated

The review analyzed whether PBM:

• Promotes abnormal cell growth
• Increases cancer risk
• Causes dysplastic (pre-cancerous) changes
• Increases tumor invasiveness
• Leads to new or recurrent malignancies in clinical use

Key Findings

Researchers found:

• Red and near-infrared light generally stimulated healthy cell function and repair.
• PBM did not induce dysplastic or cancer-like changes in healthy cells.
• Many studies showed reduced proliferation or no significant effect on cancer cells.
• Clinical trials reported no evidence of new cancers or cancer recurrence associated with PBM skin rejuvenation treatments.
• Only mild and temporary side effects, such as transient skin redness, were reported in a small number of participants.

Safety Conclusion

The authors concluded that current clinical and preclinical evidence supports the oncologic safety of red light photobiomodulation for aesthetic skin rejuvenation. They found no evidence suggesting that properly administered PBM should be avoided by individuals who have previously undergone cancer treatment. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36722207/