Explore published research on facial electrical stimulation, LED light and mechanical massage. Each summary names the treatment studied, the schedule and the findings.
Facial electrical stimulation
Kavanagh et al. randomized 108 women to facial NMES or an untreated control group for 12 weeks. Treatment lasted 20 minutes, five days a week. The NMES group showed increased cheek-muscle thickness and improved self-rated facial appearance.
Kavanagh et al., 2012
Omatsu et al. studied a facial electrical-stimulation system in 24 women over eight weeks, recording facial contour and skin measurements. The original paper and its 2026 correction are linked below.
Omatsu et al., 2024 · 2026 correction
Red and amber light
Mota et al. compared 590 nm amber and 660 nm red LED light on opposite sides of the face. After 10 sessions over four weeks, wrinkle-volume measurements improved on both sides. Hydration and skin viscoelasticity measurements were unchanged.
Mota et al., 2023
Blue and red light
Papageorgiou et al. studied 415 nm blue and 660 nm red light therapy for acne, reporting fewer inflammatory lesions with the combined light treatment. Follow FLOW+'s use instructions and keep the device off active breakouts.
Papageorgiou et al., 2000
Broad-spectrum white light
Nam et al. compared 660 nm red light and 411–777 nm white light in 52 women over 12 weeks. Skin-replica measurements improved; blinded dermatologist ratings showed no statistically significant change.
Nam et al., 2017
Facial massage
Ahn et al. compared facial rollers and gua sha in 34 women over eight weeks, measuring facial contour and skin properties in the two treatment groups.
Ahn et al., 2025
Mechanical suction
A professional suction-and-flap study followed 30 adults and assessed facial sagging and skin measurements. The main comparison of sagging responders was not statistically significant; the paper reports its other measurements in detail.
Read the mechanical-treatment study
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