Background: Previous laboratory research has shown that human lymphocytes pre-irradiated with 1072 nm light are afforded some protection against subsequent ultraviolet light toxicity.
Objective: To investigate the possibility that 1072 nm light can prevent or reverse skin ageing which itself is known to be accelerated by ultraviolet light.
Methods: A randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, self-reporting study was performed to assess the effect of one daily treatment episode for a period of between 6 and 8 weeks on wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes as well as the appearance of bags under the eyes.
Results: Between 52% and 57% of volunteers were able to accurately identify an improvement in the fine lines and wrinkles of the treated areas of skin. Fewer volunteers, between 37% and 46%, observed an improvement in the bags under the treated eye or eyes, albeit with an emphatic statistical significance.
Conclusion: Regular application of a non-thermal quantity of 1072nm light around the eyes demonstrated efficacy as an anti-ageing agent.