Article

In Vivo Application of the Effects of Red-to-Near-Infrared

Light Spectroscopy on Skin-Brightening and Anti-Aging
Properties via LED Facial Masks
Sunghoon Lee 1,*, Mohammad M. Afandi 2, Jungah Lee 1 and Jongsu Kim 2,*

1 Cell Bio Korea Co., Ltd., Bucheon-si 14445, Republic of Korea

2 Department of Display Science and Engineering, Pukyong National University,
Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; [email protected]
* Correspondence: [email protected] (S.L.); [email protected] (J.K.)

Abstract: Most people want effective anti-aging and skin-brightening products. Although
red-to-near-infrared (R/NIR) spectroscopy has recently been used in cosmetology, its
practical use with high efficacy for anti-aging and skin brightening remains challenging.
Herein, we aimed to determine the efficacy and improvement effects of a newly developed
anti-aging and skin-brightening facial mask. A face study was conducted to assess efficacy
and improvement effectiveness, with 21 female volunteers with oily, dry, and normal skin
conditions applying the product under study (CF Magic Mask) to their face for 4-week
periods. The dermatologist investigator evaluated the skin brightness, skin elasticity, eye
wrinkles, dead skin cells on the scalp, dermal density, face lifting, scalp sebum, and global
appearance. The mean skin-brightening and anti-aging parameters were improved (p <
0.05) after the use of the newly developed CF Magic Masks for 4-week periods. Signifi-
cantly, the scalp sebum and dead skin cells on the scalp showed the greatest improvement,
being reduced by about 26.71% and 21.96%, respectively. The global assessment by the
volunteers showed moderate efficacy and preference, with no adverse effects or skin irri-
tation indicated after the use of the test product.

Keywords: facial mask; skin brightening; anti-aging properties; red-to-near-infrared light;

Academic Editor: Remo Campiche
cosmetics
Received: 18 November 2024
Revised: 6 December 2024
Accepted: 23 December 2024
Published: 1 January 2025
1. Introduction
Citation: Lee, S.; Afandi, M.M.; Lee,
In the dynamic realm of cosmetology, there is a growing recognition of the im-
J.; Kim, J. In Vivo Application of the
Effects of Red-to-Near-Infrared Light portance of personalized skincare tailored to individual needs and preferences. In this
Spectroscopy on Skin-Brightening context, cosmetology is evolving, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to meet the grow-
and Anti-Aging Properties via LED ing demand for facial skin treatments [1]. One observable trend accompanying this evo-
Facial Masks. Cosmetics 2025, 12, 4. lution is the increasing adoption of non-invasive treatments for facial skin enhancement,
https://doi.org/10.3390/
aligning with the pursuit of an ideal appearance. This trend is reflected in the utilization
cosmetics12010004
of cutting-edge technologies such as rhodamine-intense pulsed light [2], black gold deli-
Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. cate pulsed light [3], line-field confocal optical coherence tomography [4], near-infrared
Submitted for possible open access
diffuse reflectance spectroscopy [5], and nonsurgical modalities [6]. Among the innova-
publication under the terms and
tive approaches being explored, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been applied in the
conditions of the Creative Commons
Attribution (CC BY) license field of cosmetology as a non-invasive method for analyzing human skin [7]. The cosmetic
(https://creativecommons.org/li- industry continues to face a significant challenge in effectively addressing skin brighten-
censes/by/4.0/). ing and aging concerns. Skin aging is characterized by several visible signs, including the

Cosmetics 2025, 12, 4 https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12010004

Cosmetics 2025, 12, 4 2 of 11

appearance of wrinkles, an uneven skin tone, and dryness [8]. These manifestations are
the result of a combination of internal factors inherent in an individual’s biology and ex-
ternal factors, such as exposure to oxidative radicals induced by ultraviolet light, which
contribute to the overall aging process [9]. Furthermore, hyperpigmentation can arise
from prolonged exposure to UV (ultraviolet) radiation, hormonal imbalances, and the nat-
ural aging of the skin, as well as inflammation, injuries, and the accumulation of hemo-
siderin [10]. Brightening approaches are considered an efficient alternative to commonly
used brightening agents.
Recent advancements in esthetic dermatology incorporate a growing comprehension
of skin physiology to stimulate response mechanisms at both the tissue and molecular
levels, aiming to achieve skin rejuvenation and brightening. Previous research provides
robust evidence for the superiority of delicate pulsed light therapy over intense pulsed
light treatment for the management of facial pigmented dermatoses [3]. Other technolo-
gies for facial skin treatment with rhodamine-intense pulsed light are the result of im-
provements in photodamaged facial skin, including reductions in vascular and pigment
irregularities and improvements in skin texture [2]. NIR spectroscopy has been widely
embraced for clinical purposes in several fields, due to its general effects on the body [11],
especially the skin [12,13]. These supplementary approaches provide insights into skin
hydration [14], an essential facet of cosmetology, thereby enriching our broad comprehen-
sion of skin physiology. Furthermore, NIR spectroscopy, known for its swiftness and non-
intrusiveness, has been complemented by the development of advanced tools such as elec-
trical conductance and capacitance analysis for assessing skin hydration [15,16]. By inte-
grating NIR spectroscopy into these advanced tools, researchers and practitioners are bet-
ter equipped to assess skin health, develop targeted interventions, and tailor personalized
skincare regimens to meet individual needs effectively.
This study investigated the development and composition of a novel non-invasive
facial mask integrated into R/NIR spectroscopy. The mask incorporates a set of R/NIR
LEDs emitting light at wavelengths of 630, 655, and 842 nm, strategically positioned to
ensure safety. These LEDs are utilized to stimulate cell renewal and boost collagen syn-
thesis, aiming to improve skin brightness and reduce signs of aging. Clinical trials involv-
ing female participants were conducted to assess the efficacy of the product, with the find-
ings showcasing its positive effects on skin appearance.

2. Methods
2.1. Product
Figure 1a is a photograph of the CF Magic Mask test product that is equipped with
480 red-to-near-infrared (R/NIR) LEDs. To eliminate the risk of direct light radiation
through the eyes, a safety guard is implemented with a thick molding mask with a depth
of 15 mm and a distance to the nearest LEDs of 20 mm, which completely blocks the light
radiation to the eyes, as illustrated in Figure 1b. In detail, the LED groups consist of 144ea
655 nm LEDs, 112ea 630 nm LEDs, and 224ea 842 LEDs with a total rated output of 14.5
W, and the optical spectrum is depicted in Figure 2 and was recorded using a UV–Vis–
NIR fiber optic spectroradiometer (USB 4000, Ocean Optics, Orlando, FL, USA).
Cosmetics 2025, 12, 4 3 of 11

Figure 1. (a) The photograph of the CF Magic Mask equipped with 480 red-to-near-infrared (R/NIR)
lights and (b) safety placement and eye-shield design to eliminate direct radiation from the lights to
the eyes, with the arrow showing the 3D-rendering image.
Intensity (arb. units)

655 nm

842 nm

630 nm

400 500 600 700 800 900

Wavelength (nm)
Figure 2. The optical spectrum of the CF Magic Mask consists of three main peaks in the R/NIR
region.

The mask is provided with a strap for securing it in a circular fashion around the
cranial region, coupled with a remote activation mechanism aimed at simplifying the op-
erational procedure. Moreover, a ventilation system incorporating eight linear slits and a
circular aperture is established at the oral region to enhance respiratory function for the
patients. It has dimensions of 215 × 309 × 161 mm, with a light weight of 670 g.

2.2. Subjects
Twenty-one female volunteers (aged 29~59) without chronic disease involving the
skin were enrolled after being screened and approved by the Review Board of P&K Skin
Research Center and Chung-Ang University Hospital Dermatology Department. Written
informed consent was obtained from all participants after the risks and benefits of the
procedure were explained in detail. Enrolled participants could freely terminate their par-
ticipation at any time. Participants were excluded if they reported a history of active ster-
oid treatment in the last month and/or had undergone immune-suppressive treatment
and scaling therapy in the last three months.
Cosmetics 2025, 12, 4 4 of 11

2.3. Treatment Protocol

Subjects were provided with the study product (CF Magic Mask) for 15 min of daily
use during the study period of 4 weeks. Before utilization, the participants were required
to cleanse their facial skin with water and subsequently pat it dry using a towel. Following
this preparatory step, the CF Magic Mask was affixed and securely fastened utilizing the
accompanying strap prior to the activation of the LED system. The LED system was sub-
sequently activated for a duration of 15 min for the treatment procedure. The test area was
assessed before, 2 weeks after, and 4 weeks after the test product was applied. After the
test was completed, a global assessment of efficacy and product preference was conducted
through a survey among the subjects. A compliance diary was provided to record the use
of the study product. For the safety evaluation, on each visit, researchers comprehensively
took into consideration the results of the visual evaluation and safety questionnaire.

2.4. Assessments
For the evaluation, the test subjects were stabilized for 30 min in an atmosphere room
under constant temperature and humidity conditions, with an indoor temperature of 20–
25 °C and a humidity of 40 to 60%, allowing the skin surface temperature and humidity
to adapt to the environment of the measurement space, and while resting, water intake
was restricted. For objective measurement, one researcher performed all the measure-
ments, and the same area was measured at each measurement. The investigator evaluated
the quality of skin hydration (Corneometer CM825, Courage-Khazaka GmbH, Cologne,
Germany), skin elasticity (Cutometer CM580, Courage-Khazaka GmbH, Cologne, Ger-
many), eye wrinkles (PRIMOS premium, GFMesstechnik GmbH, Berlin, Germany), and
dermal density using a skin scanner (TPM taberna pro medicum, Lueneburg, Germany).
Face lifting and skin brightness measurements were conducted using F-ray and Janus (Im-
age pro plus v7.0), respectively. Dead skin cell measurements on the scalp was recorded
using Visioscan VC98. The measurement was performed by extracting keratin using a
special film (Coneofix, Medelink, Brossard, QC, Canada), and the image was photo-
graphed and measured as the D.I. (Desquamation Index) from Equation (1):
2𝐴+ ∑5𝑛=1 𝑇𝑛×(𝑛−1)
𝐷. 𝐼. = , (1)
6
where D.I. is in %, A is the percentage of the area covered by corneocytes, Tn is the per-
centage of corneocytes in relation to the thickness, and n is the thickness level (1–5.) Fi-
nally, the scalp sebum measurement was scanned using a Sebumeter SM815 (Courage-
Khazaka GmbH, Cologne, Germany). All criteria were evaluated at baseline, week 2, and
week 4. The global assessment of efficacy and product preference survey were evaluated
on a 5-point ordinal scale (0 = very bad, 1 = bad, 2 = moderate, 3 = good, 4 = very good).
Statistical significance was defined as a p-value less than or equal to 0.05. The ordinal non-
parametric data obtained were evaluated as a change from baseline using the paired sam-
ples t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

3. Results
All 21 subjects successfully completed the 4-week assessment of the test product with
no adverse effects, no skin abnormalities, and no medical or drug history that affected the
study. The average age of the 21 participants was 46.67 years, with one in their 20s, two
in their 30s, ten in their 40s, and eight in their 50s. To evaluate the skin quality of the test
product, the skin parameters were measured before and after the use of the test product.
After two weeks of the use of the test product, the skin brightness (L*) had changed from
68.23 ± 3.16 to 69.25 ± 2.96, the value for dead skin cells on the scalp (D.I.) had improved
from 12.69 ± 5.89 to 7.74 ± 3.24, and scalp sebum (µg/cm2) was reduced from 59.95 ± 75.58
Cosmetics 2025, 12, 4 5 of 11

to 19.81 ± 23.31. A significant improvement was seen in probability at p = 0.0005, p = 0.001,

and p = 0.001 for skin brightness, dead skin cells on the scalp, and scalp sebum, respec-
tively, after the product was used. A population comparison can be seen in the graph in
Figure 3. Photographs of participants who applied for the test product after two weeks
are depicted in Figure 4. A noticeable increase in skin brightness is observed, indicating
the improvement after the use of the test product.

Sebum
mg/cm2
60
26.71%
30

0
15 Dead skin cell on scalp
D.I.

10 21.96%

100
0
Skin Brightness
75 1.51%
L*

50

25

0
Baseline After 2 Weeks

Figure 3. Improvements in skin brightness (L*), dead skin cells on the scalp (D.I.), and skin sebum
(µg/cm2) after 2 weeks of the use of the test product.

Figure 4. Clinical photographs comparing the skin brightness of the participants at baseline and
after 2 weeks of treatment, black shape is used to protect patient privacy.
Cosmetics 2025, 12, 4 6 of 11

To evaluate the anti-aging parameters of the test product, skin hydration, elasticity,
eye wrinkles, dermal density, and face lifting were investigated by the dermatologist in-
vestigator. After the use of the test product for 4 weeks, there was a statistically significant
improvement in subject-reported skin hydration of 6.36% (p = 0.003) and in skin elasticity
of 4.81% (p = 0.002), a decrease in eye wrinkles of 4.13% (p = 0.001), an improvement in
dermal density of 5.52% (p = 0.0001), and a decrease in face lifting of 6.37% (p = 0.0002).
The clinical photographs in Figure 5 show major improvements in the area with a red
circle, with fewer eye wrinkles observed.

Figure 5. Photograph of the subject showing eye wrinkles at baseline and after 4 weeks of treat-
ment, the red circle highlighting the skin improvement.

The improvement in skin quality after the use of the product was evaluated with
global assessment surveys. The results are depicted in Table 1, with 100% of the volunteers
giving scores higher than “moderate” for the skin hydration, skin elasticity, face lifting,
and skin brightness aspects. Regarding the aspects of eye wrinkles, dermal density, dead
skin on the scalp, and scalp sebum, the volunteers were 95.2% in agreement with higher
than “moderate” satisfaction.
Cosmetics 2025, 12, 4 7 of 11

Table 1. Global assessment of the CF Magic Mask according to 21 volunteers.

Number of Subjects (Percentage, %)

Improvement Effect Average Standard Deviation
4* 3* 2* 1* 0*
Skin hydration 4 (19.0) 12 (57.2) 5 (23.8) 0 (0) 0 (0) 2.95 0.67
Skin elasticity 3 (14.3) 10 (47.6) 8 (38.1) 0 (0) 0 (0) 2.76 0.70
Eye wrinkles 2 (9.5) 10 (47.6) 8 (38.1) 1 (4.8) 0 (0) 2.62 0.74
Dermal density 3 (14.3) 9 (42.8) 8 (38.1) 1 (4.8) 0 (0) 2.67 0.80
Face lifting 3 (14.3) 9 (42.8) 9 (42.8) 0 (0) 0 (0) 2.71 0.72
Skin brightness 2 (9.5) 13 (62.0) 6 (28.5) 0 (0) 0 (0) 2.81 0.60
Dead skin on the scalp 3 (14.3) 7 (33.3) 10 (47.6) 1 (4.8) 0 (0) 2.57 0.81
Scalp sebum 3 (14.3) 10 (47.6) 7 (33.3) 1 (4.8) 0 (0) 2.71 0.78
Key: 4*, very good; 3*, good; 2*, moderate; 1*, bad; 0*, very bad.

4. Discussion
We initiated the evaluation by addressing the safety aspect of the CF Magic Mask
product. Given that exposure to high doses of near-infrared (NIR) light spectroscopy di-
rectly targeted at the eyes can cause injury [17,18], implementing a protective shield is
imperative in ensuring eye safety. As illustrated in Figure 1b, the CF Magic Mask design
features a safety guard crafted from molded silicone to shield against direct radiation from
red-to-near-infrared (R/NIR) LEDs. Additionally, there is a deliberate exclusion zone of
approximately 1.5 cm around the eyes that is not covered by the LEDs, contributing to the
smart and secure design of the device. Consequently, there were no adverse effects ob-
served among the subjects after undergoing four weeks of treatment with the product.
Cosmetology in facial skin treatment has been evolving over the last decade. The
trend in this technology is inclined toward non-invasive and reusable technology. Two of
the hot topics in cosmetology are skin brightening and anti-aging techniques. Since skin
brightening is multifactorial and encompasses abundant light reflection from evenly pig-
mented skin surfaces, the formulation was designed to brighten the skin tone with inno-
vative treatment. Meanwhile, anti-aging treatment relies on skin hydration to improve
skin elasticity. Previous works mentioned that exposure to 630 nm R/NIR LEDs in human
skin promotes acute and chronic dermal wound repair and generation [19,20]. The process
involves deeper penetration by R/NIR lights, which are absorbed by a set of cellular chro-
mophores to regenerate the cells in the dermal tissue. The 830 nm continuous R/NIR has
been successfully demonstrated to heal wounds in mice due to increased collagen pro-
duction [21]. Accordingly, we used this formulation to design a facial mask that was cov-
ered with R/NIR LEDs to promote skin-brightening and anti-aging treatment.
Since collagen is fundamental in providing structure and skin strength and helping
new cells grow, i.e., supporting skin health, increasing collagen production is critical in
anti-aging treatment. The newly developed CF Magic Mask showed a major improvement
in anti-aging parameters by reducing eye wrinkles in the subjects who used the product
for four weeks, as illustrated in the clinical photograph in Figure 5. In detail, the average
roughness (Ra) on the skin of the subjects near the eyes decreased by about 4.13%, from
23.74 to 22.68. The skin health of the subjects was also increased, indicated by the improve-
ment in dermal density from 17.17% to 18.62%. Furthermore, Figure 6 illustrates the de-
crease in dead skin cells on the scalp of the volunteers after two weeks of CF Magic Mask
treatment. The measurement was performed by extracting the skin keratin using a special
film. The results indicate that exposure to R/NIR LEDs promoted skin regeneration by
reducing dead skin cells.
Cosmetics 2025, 12, 4 8 of 11

Figure 6. Clinical photograph of the dead skin cells on the scalp at baseline and after 4 weeks of
treatment, obtained from Coneofixx.

Regarding the aspect of skin elasticity, after four weeks, R/NIR LED treatment suc-
cessfully enhanced it, increasing the R2 value by about 4.81%, from 0.70 to 0.74. This is
further confirmed for the face-lifting aspect, as shown in Figure 7. The lifting measure-
ment is expressed by the skin with contour lines. The contour was then evaluated by
drawing a straight line from the center of the circle near the cheekbones and measuring
the angle with the straight line spanning to the mouth. The angle of subject #12 was re-
duced from 31.34 degrees to 28.25 degrees, as illustrated in the clinical photograph in Fig-
ure 7. Overall, the average angle among 21 volunteers decreased by 6.37% after four weeks
of treatment with the newly developed CF Magic Mask. Thus, 97.6% of volunteers were
satisfied with the product, regardless of the skin-brightening and anti-aging parameters,
and the product preference survey resulted in 98.8% of volunteers having “moderate”
satisfaction, as depicted in Table 1 and Table 2, respectively.

Figure 7. The skin contour angle of subject #12 at baseline and after 4 weeks of the use of the CF
Magic Mask.
Cosmetics 2025, 12, 4 9 of 11

Table 2. Product preference survey results.

Number of Subjects (Percentage, %)

Average Standard Deviation
4* 3* 2* 1* 0*
Hydration 5 (23.8) 14 (66.7) 2 (9.5) 0 0 3.14 0.57
Smoothness 4 (19.0) 13 (61.9) 3 (14.3) 1 (4.8) 0 2.95 0.74
Applicability 4 (19.0) 12 (57.1) 5 (23.8) 0 0 2.95 0.67
Absorptiveness 3 (14.3) 14 (66.7) 4 (19.0) 0 0 2.95 0.59
Fragrance 0 9 (42.9) 11 (52.4) 0 1 (4.8) 2.33 0.73
Overall usability 6 (28.6) 11 (52.4) 4 (19.0) 0 0 3.10 0.70
Key: 4*, very good; 3*, good; 2*, moderate; 1*, bad; 0*, very bad.

The safety and efficacy of cosmetic products are essential because of their long-term
and continued use by consumers. Although the newly developed CF Magic Mask has a
shield that prevents direct R/NIR light reaching the eyes, proper use is essential, and the
instructions must be followed and understood prior to using it. A limitation of this study
is the assumption that all the volunteers followed the instruction to not take other supple-
ments for skin treatment during the study period; there are also external factors like
weather changes. However, with increasing usage, a significant change in skin tone and
health is expected. This study was performed in Seoul, Republic of Korea, during the sum-
mer period from 1 August to 31 August 2016, when the UV index was at its maximum
level.

5. Conclusions
Facial skin conditions treated with the newly developed CF Magic Mask equipped
with red-to-near-infrared (R/NIR) LEDs for four weeks demonstrated improvements in
skin-brightening and anti-aging parameters. The use of red LEDs promotes skin regener-
ation, while the utilization of NIR LEDs increases the production of collagen for healthy
skin. In total, 97.6% of the volunteers were 97.6% in agreement with “moderate” satisfac-
tion, and 98.8% preferred the product. Finally, there were no adverse effects or skin irri-
tation after the use of the test product during the four weeks of the study period, indicat-
ing excellence in safety aspects and continuity, which is important since cosmetic products
are used over a long time period.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, S.L.; Methodology, S.L. and J.L.; Validation, S.L. and
M.M.A.; Visualization, M.M.A. and J.L.; Writing—original draft, M.M.A.; Writing—review and ed-
iting, M.M.A., S.L. and J.K.; Supervision, S.L. and J.K. All authors participated in the research and
the writing of the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the
manuscript.

Funding: This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement: All volunteers who participated in this research signed a
consent form approved by the Review Board of P&K Skin Research Center and Chung-Ang Univer-
sity Hospital Dermatology Department, and clinical practice guidelines were followed (PNK-16801-
K1R, 13 September 2016).

Informed Consent Statement: Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the
study.

Data Availability Statement: Data will be made available on request.

Conflicts of Interest: Lee is the CEO of Cell Bio Korea Co., Ltd. and J. Lee has been involved as a
consultant and expert in Cell Bio Korea Co., Ltd. The authors declare that they have no known
Cosmetics 2025, 12, 4 10 of 11

competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the
work reported in this research paper.

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