Light Emitting Diode-Red Light (LED-RL) Phototherapy for Skin Scarring Prevention

Skin fibrosis is a significant global health problem that has a profoundly negative impact on quality of life. Characterized by excessive fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition, skin fibrosis underlies a wide spectrum of dermatologic conditions ranging from pathologic scars secondary to injury (e.g., burns, surgery, trauma) to immune‐mediated diseases. Effective anti‐scarring therapeutics remain an unmet need, underscoring the importance of developing novel approaches to treat and prevent skin fibrosis. In vitro data show that LED‐RL can modulate key cellular and molecular processes involved in skin fibrosis. Two phase I clinical trials (STARS 1 and STARS 2) demonstrated the safety and tolerability of LED‐RL at fluences of 160 J/cm2 up to 480 J/cm2 on normal human skin. The administration of LED‐RL phototherapy in the early postoperative period may optimize wound healing and prevent excessive scarring. The results from this study may change the current treatment paradigm for fibrotic skin diseases and help to pioneer LED‐RL as a safe, non‐invasive, cost‐effective, portable, at‐home therapy for scars.