Last updated: July 2026 · Written by the Dermfix phototherapy team
Important: This article is a summary of independent published research, provided for general information only. It is not medical advice, and it does not describe the intended purpose, indications or claimed benefits of any Dermfix product. Dermfix red light panels are general wellness devices and are not medical devices, are not intended to treat any condition, and are not intended for post-operative or clinical use. Recovery after any surgical procedure should be managed only by your surgeon or treating clinician. Never use any light device on a surgical site without the explicit approval of the clinician responsible for your care. |
Short answer: In a small controlled clinical trial, patients who received red LED light therapy (633nm) after eyelid surgery and periocular laser resurfacing showed faster resolution of swelling, bruising, redness and pain on the treated side of the face than on the untreated side. It is a small study, but the half-face design — each patient acting as their own control — makes it a carefully constructed piece of clinical evidence.
The study
Spanish researchers Mario A. Trelles and Inés Allones, working at the Instituto Médico Vilafortuny in Cambrils, Spain, designed a trial to test whether red LED therapy could speed up healing after a combination of blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) and periocular laser ablative resurfacing — two procedures known for lingering bruising, swelling and downtime. The study was published in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy in 2006.
Ten patients took part, ranging from 44 to 59 years old, with a mix of skin types. After surgery, each patient had one half of their face treated with red LED light (633nm, delivered continuously for 20 minutes per session), while the other half was shielded and left untreated — giving every patient a built-in comparison against their own healing process.
What the treatment looked like
Sessions were given immediately after surgery, again at 48 hours, and then twice during the following week. Patients were assessed at 24 and 48 hours, then at 7, 10, 14, and 21 days, and again at 6 weeks. A plastic surgeon blinded to which side had been treated independently reviewed clinical photographs at each stage to assess swelling, redness, bruising, and overall time to full healing.
What the results showed
The difference between treated and untreated sides was reported as substantial and statistically significant across every measure. Full healing took an average of about 13.5 days on the treated side, compared to roughly 26.8 days on the untreated side. Swelling, redness, and bruising all resolved two to three times faster on the LED-treated side, and patients reported that post-operative pain eased in about one hour on the treated side versus nearly three hours on the untreated side.
By six weeks, both sides looked similar in final skin quality — the light did not change the ultimate outcome, but in this trial it shortened the uncomfortable recovery window in between.
Why 633nm specifically
The researchers point to 633nm as a wavelength with a long history in phototherapy, since it matches the output of the helium-neon lasers used in some of the earliest low-level laser therapy research. They describe this wavelength's interaction with tissue as well documented for supporting wound healing, easing pain, and improving local blood circulation — and note that because red light scatters usefully through tissue at this wavelength, an LED panel can build up a strong photon density at the treatment site even without the focused beam of a laser.
Worth knowing: the study's own caveats
The authors are upfront about the trial's limitations. With only 10 patients, the statistical power is modest, and they cannot make sweeping claims about how the results would generalise. They also flag a more interesting wrinkle: because red light's effects can spread through the body via the blood and lymphatic systems (sometimes called a “systemic effect”), the untreated side of each patient's face may have received some indirect benefit too — meaning the true difference between treated and completely untreated skin could differ from what this study captured.
It is also worth stating plainly: this was a clinical procedure carried out by clinicians, in a clinical setting, using a clinical device, on patients under medical supervision. It is not a description of home use.
Frequently asked questions
How was the light delivered?
Continuous-wave red LED light at 633nm, at an incident power density of 80 mW/cm² and a total dose of 96 J/cm², for 20-minute sessions, using an LED panel system positioned over the face under clinical supervision.
How much faster was healing in the study?
Treated sides averaged 13.5 days to full healing versus 26.8 days for untreated sides, in a trial of ten patients.
Did the light change the final cosmetic outcome?
Not by 6 weeks — both sides looked similar in final skin quality. The reported benefit was in the speed and comfort of recovery, not the end result.
Is this a large, definitive study?
No — it is a small trial (10 patients) intended as a first, carefully controlled look at the question. The authors themselves call for larger studies to confirm the findings.
Can I use a red light panel after surgery?
That is a decision for your surgeon, not for us. Dermfix panels are general wellness devices and are not intended for post-operative or clinical use. Do not use any light device on a surgical site without the explicit approval of the clinician responsible for your care.
Sourced from: Trelles, M.A. & Allones, I. “Red light-emitting diode (LED) therapy accelerates wound healing post-blepharoplasty and periocular laser ablative resurfacing.” Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 8, 39–42 (2006). DOI: 10.1080/14764170600607731.
Disclaimer: this article summarises independent published research for general information. It is not medical advice, and it does not describe the intended purpose or claimed benefits of any Dermfix product. Dermfix red light panels are not medical devices and are not intended to treat any condition or to be used after surgery. Always follow the guidance of your surgeon or treating clinician.