LED light therapy masks, panels, and facial tools are everywhere, promising everything from wrinkle reduction to smoother, firmer skin. What many people, especially new buyers, don’t realise is that not all LED light is created the same.
Among the many wavelengths used in LED light treatment, one range stands out for its ability to do more than just refresh your complexion: 630 to 680 nanometres.
This precise segment of visible red light has been shown to stimulate collagen production from within. And collagen is the protein most responsible for keeping your skin smooth, firm, and resilient.
In this blog, our experts at Rojo Light Therapy NZ will guide you through exactly how 630–680nm light works and why your skin responds so well to it.
Collagen is often treated as a beauty buzzword, but in reality, it’s a structural protein that plays a central role in how your skin looks, feels, and functions. In fact, collagen makes up about 75% of the skin’s dry weight, providing the framework that keeps it firm, elastic, and youthful.
As we age, our natural collagen production begins to slow, declining by roughly 1% per year after the age of 20. External stressors like UV radiation, air pollution, poor nutrition, and chronic inflammation accelerate this breakdown, leading to visible signs of aging, including fine lines, sagging, dullness, and thinning skin.
Many skincare treatments aim to replace collagen with fillers or stimulate it indirectly through chemical exfoliants or microneedling. But there’s growing interest in non-invasive, bioactive approaches that target collagen at its source: the fibroblasts in your dermis.
This is where LED light treatment in the 630–680nm range comes in. Instead of covering up skin aging, this technology helps your body naturally rebuild collagen by triggering internal regeneration processes at the cellular level.
While the red light spectrum spans roughly 620 to 750 nanometres, research consistently points to the 630–680nm range as the most effective for stimulating collagen and supporting skin rejuvenation.
At wavelengths between 630 and 680 nanometres, red light can penetrate the skin’s surface layers (epidermis) and reach the dermis, where collagen-producing fibroblast cells reside. Unlike shorter wavelengths (which are mostly absorbed by the skin’s surface), or longer near-infrared wavelengths (which penetrate deeper tissues), this sweet spot strikes the ideal depth for skin-focused cellular activity.
Once absorbed by skin cells, red light in this range interacts with the mitochondria, the energy centres of the cell. It activates an enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase, which enhances the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule responsible for powering virtually every cellular function.
With more ATP available, fibroblast cells can function at higher capacity. This means they can produce more collagen and elastin, accelerate tissue repair, and support a healthier, more resilient skin matrix.
Facial skin contains a high concentration of blood vessels and mitochondria-rich cells, especially around high-expression zones like the forehead, crow’s feet, and nasolabial folds. When exposed to calibrated red light, these regions experience a boost in circulation, increased oxygenation, and a surge in ATP production, ideal conditions for collagen synthesis.
As we age, collagen and elastin fibres break down, leading to the gradual formation of fine lines, particularly in expressive areas like the eyes, forehead, and mouth. Red light within the 630–680nm encourages fibroblast cells to produce new Type I and III collagen, which rebuilds the dermal structure over time.
In one study, researchers combined microneedling treatment with 630nm red light therapy. After three months of consistent treatment, patients experienced a significant improvement in the appearance of their fine lines, pigmentation, sagging, and skin texture.
Loss of firmness is typically due to the deterioration of collagen scaffolding and elastin cross-links in the dermis. When red light stimulates ATP production in fibroblasts, it fuels the synthesis of structural proteins and glycosaminoglycans (like hyaluronic acid) that help maintain skin's integrity and hydration.
This leads to tighter, more supple skin, especially in areas prone to sagging like the jawline, cheeks, and under the eyes.
Red light therapy has the potential to increase microcirculation in the capillary networks beneath the facial skin. This promotes better oxygen and nutrient delivery while facilitating the removal of waste products. The result is a healthier skin tone with less congestion and dullness.
Facial skin is frequently exposed to environmental stressors and cosmetic treatments that can cause irritation, microtears, and inflammation. The 630–680nm wavelength has been shown to reduce the inflammatory response while enhancing cell proliferation and tissue repair.
In a 2013 study, researchers found that the 660nm red light therapy wavelength enhanced collagen deposition and increased the formation of new blood vessels, which accelerated the wound healing process.
Red light therapy creates a window after treatment where the skin is prepped and primed to absorb skincare products much more easily. This means that serums containing peptides, antioxidants, or hyaluronic acid applied immediately after a session may deliver amplified results.
However, it’s important to consider the ingredients of these topical products, as some may increase skin sensitivity or even contradict the benefits of the treatment.
One of the biggest factors that affect the efficacy of red light therapy is wavelength precision. For the case of skin benefits, if your device isn’t calibrated to emit therapeutic light specifically within the 630–680nm range, benefits may be minimal or nonexistent.
Many consumer-grade devices advertise “red light” without specifying the actual nanometre output. This lack of transparency often means the device emits light outside the biologically active range. It can either be too shallow to reach the dermis or too diffuse to stimulate the mitochondria effectively. In these cases, what you’re getting is visible red light, not therapeutic red light.
Even small deviations matter. For instance, 620nm may offer superficial skin benefits but lacks the penetration depth to influence dermal fibroblasts. On the other hand, 700nm starts entering the near-infrared zone, which targets deeper tissues but misses the collagen zone entirely.
To deliver real skin renewal, a red light therapy device must be engineered with:
At Rojo Light Therapy, our panels are designed with clinically validated wavelength targeting, ensuring every session delivers concentrated light in the 630–680nm sweet spot. Whether you’re just starting your red light journey or levelling up your skincare routine, our panels are engineered for real transformation.
