Reading Red Light Therapy Before-and-After Photos

Before-and-after photos are one of the most common ways light therapy devices are marketed. They can be persuasive, but a pair of images on its own provides limited information. This article explains how clinical researchers handle photographs, what factors can affect how a photo looks, and what U.S. advertising guidance says about testimonials and results. It is informational only and does not evaluate any specific product, image, or advertisement.

Why photo conditions matter

Dermatology researchers have emphasized that photographs are only comparable when they are taken under the same conditions. A methods paper on standardized photography in procedural dermatology states that "reproducing the settings of before photos after interventions allows more accurate evaluation of treatment outcomes," and it presents standards covering the studio, camera, photographer, patient, and framing.¹

A 2021 consensus study among plastic surgeons on before-and-after photographs described the goal of clinical photography as "reproducibility through standardization." The panel endorsed criteria including consistent lighting before and after, the same body position, consistent framing and background, standard views, and unaltered images with no editing or filters.²

How clinical trials use photographs

In controlled trials, photographs are typically one of several outcome measures, and they are often assessed by evaluators who do not know which participants received treatment. For example:

• A 2014 randomized controlled trial of red and near-infrared light used blinded evaluation of clinical photographs alongside instrument-based measures of skin roughness and collagen density.³
• A 2007 randomized, sham-controlled, double-blinded split-face trial combined blinded assessments with objective profilometric measurements and skin biopsy analysis.⁴

These designs aim to reduce the influence of expectation and to compare treated participants against a control group. A marketing image, by contrast, typically shows one person, without a comparison group, and without information about how the photos were taken or selected.

What U.S. advertising guidance says

The Federal Trade Commission's Health Products Compliance Guidance describes the FTC's views on health-related advertising. Among its points:

• Health benefit claims are expected to be supported by "competent and reliable scientific evidence," generally meaning randomized, controlled human clinical testing.⁵
• Individual consumer experiences "are never sufficient to substantiate claims about the effects of a health product."⁵
• Before-and-after images can convey an implied claim about effectiveness even without explicit wording, and the guidance gives an example in which dramatic before-and-after results would need to be accompanied by a clear disclosure of what typical consumers can expect; a "results not typical" disclaimer alone was described as insufficient.⁵

This summary is provided for general context about how a U.S. regulator views health advertising. It is not legal advice.

Questions to consider when viewing before-and-after images

• Were both photos taken with the same lighting, angle, distance, and camera?
• Is there any indication the images were edited or filtered?
• How much time passed between photos, and what else may have changed (skin care, season, other treatments)?
• Is the image presented as a typical result, or as a selected example?
• Is the device's claimed effect supported by published, controlled research?

Summary

Clinical researchers standardize photographs carefully and pair them with blinded assessments and objective measurements, because photo conditions can affect how skin appears. Marketing images may not follow those standards. U.S. advertising guidance from the FTC indicates that individual experiences, including before-and-after testimonials, are not a substitute for scientific evidence.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. It does not evaluate any specific product, image, or advertisement and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition, or to suggest that any device will produce a particular result. Descriptions of FTC guidance are general summaries, not legal advice. Regulatory clearance of a device does not guarantee its effectiveness. Redlight Ratings is not a medical provider. Anyone with health questions should consult a qualified healthcare professional.

References

1. Hexsel D, Hexsel CL, Dal'Forno T, Schilling de Souza J, Silva AF, Siega C. Standardized methods for photography in procedural dermatology using simple equipment. International Journal of Dermatology. 2017;56(4):444-451. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28197993/
2. Valiquette CR, Forrest CR, Kasrai L, et al. Can we reach a consensus on the appropriate use of before and after photos in breast surgery? Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2021;9(7):e3682. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8284704/
3. Wunsch A, Matuschka K. A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. 2014;32(2):93-100. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24286286/
4. Lee SY, Park KH, Choi JW, et al. A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, and split-face clinical study on LED phototherapy for skin rejuvenation. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B. 2007;88(1):51-67. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17566756/
5. U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Health Products Compliance Guidance. 2022. https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/health-products-compliance-guidance