“The reason the wound healing research gives us confidence in red light for skin rejuvenation is that the mechanism for wound healing is the same as for skin rejuvenation.” That is how Dr. Frank Agullo explains why Southwest Plastic Surgery uses LED red light therapy as more than a feel-good add-on.
The Mechanism Is Pretty Well Established
In Dr. Agullo’s words, the mechanism for LED red light therapy is pretty well established. That’s the mechanism of action on the wound healing side. The light at red and near-infrared wavelengths is absorbed by the mitochondria of the cells. This raises ATP, or energy production, and drives the proliferation of specific cells active in wound healing, like fibroblasts and keratinocytes. It increases collagen synthesis and local blood flow. This has been described in peer-reviewed publications. And the same mechanism of action is activated in aesthetic applications.
What the Studies Show
There are randomized controlled trials showing reduction in the wrinkles around the eyes up to thirty percent. There’s also a controlled trial that showed increased intradermal collagen density, which in turn reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the skin. And there have been other multicenter randomized studies that have shown measurable crow’s feet improvement.
Why the Device Matters
Now, it’s important to know that results do vary by wavelength, dose, and device, and many home consumer units are weaker than the devices used in clinical trials. That is why the practice uses Elixir MD, an FDA-cleared LED device that helps plastic surgeons cut post-surgical downtime. It uses a spectrum of wavelengths: red for mitochondrial stimulation and blood flow, infrared for deeper tissue repair, blue to reduce bacterial load, and yellow for cellular repair.
How the Practice Uses It
At Southwest Plastic Surgery, LED red light earns its place two ways. After surgery, it helps cut downtime, since it supports the same wound-healing cascade the body is already running. For skin, it supports collagen, and it pairs naturally with microneedling and the rest of the Med Spa skin program.
About Dr. Frank Agullo
Dr. Frank Agullo is the founder of Southwest Plastic Surgery in El Paso, Texas. He is double board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and completed a plastic surgery fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine and has been named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for thirteen consecutive years.
Ready to Talk?
Whether you are recovering from a procedure or supporting your skin quality, ask about LED red light therapy with ElixirMD at Southwest Plastic Surgery.
For the surgeon’s editorial take on the wound-healing science, see Dr. Agullo’s essay on drworldwide.com. For the clinical patient guide, see the companion post on agulloplasticsurgery.com.
Call (915) 590-7900, text 1-866-814-0038, or book online at swplasticsurgery.com. #StayBeautiful.
@RealDrWorldWide on Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, @Agullo on X, or @AgulloPlasticSurgery on Facebook.
