Exploring the Safety and Efficacy of Organic Light-Emitting Diode in Skin Rejuvenation and Wound Healing

Abstract

Purpose Photobiomodulation (PBM), encompassing low-energy laser treatment and light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy, has demonstrated positive impacts on skin rejuvenation and wound healing. Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) present a promising advancement as wearable light sources for PBM. However, the biological and biochemical substantiation of their skin rejuvenation and wound healing effects remains limited. This study aimed to ascertain the safety and efficacy of OLEDs as a next-generation PBM modality through comprehensive in vitro and in vivo investigations. Materials and Methods Cell viability assays and human ex vivo skin analyses were performed after exposure to OLED and LED irradiation to examine their safety. Subsequent evaluations examined expression levels and wound healing effects in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and wound healing assays post-irradiation. Additionally, an in vivo study was conducted using a ultra violet (UV)-irradiated animal skin model to explore the impact of OLED exposure on dermal collagen density and wrinkles, employing skin replica and tissue staining techniques. Results OLED irradiation had no significant morphological effects on human skin tissue, but caused a considerably higher expression of collagen than the control and LED-treated groups. Moreover, OLED irradiation reduced the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) more effectively than did LED on HDFs. OLED irradiation group in HDFs had significantly higher expression levels of growth factors compared to the control group, but similar to those in the LED irradiation group. In addition, OLED irradiation on photo-aged animal skin model resulted in increased collagen fiber density in the dermis while reducing ultra violet radiation-mediated skin wrinkles and roughness, as shown in the skin replica. Conclusion This study established comparable effectiveness between OLED and LED irradiation in upregulating collagen and growth factor expression levels while downregulating MMP levels in vitro. In the UV-irradiated animal skin model, OLED exposure post UV radiation correlated with reduced skin wrinkles and augmented dermal collagen density. Accelerated wound recovery and demonstrated safety further underscore OLEDs’ potential as a future PBM modality alongside LEDs, offering promise in the realms of skin rejuvenation and wound healing.

Protective Effect of Red Light-Emitting Diode against UV-B Radiation-Induced Skin Damage in SKH:HR-2 Hairless Mice

“…This not only ameliorated photoaging symptoms but also facilitated skin regeneration. These findings align with previous research, which has also highlighted the potential of LED therapy in reversing the structural damage caused by UV exposure and promoting the recovery of skin health [ 43 ].…”

Unlocking the Power of Light on the Skin: A Comprehensive Review on Photobiomodulation

“…This ease of use, together with its portability, has allowed the patient to apply their own treatment, which provides them with greater independence and quality of life [188,189]. (5) Integration with smart devices: The new devices are designed to be able to connect through wireless networks such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to smart devices such as mobile phones, tablets, etc. [189,190].…”

“…PBM involves the use of various light sources [2], including low-level lasers (LLL) and light-emitting diodes (LED), to deliver therapeutic light [3]. Reviews on the matter have already been conducted [1,[3][4][5][6][7].…”