Effect of Photobiomodulation on Ecchymosis after Rhinoplasty: A Randomized Single-Blind Controlled Trial

Karimi S, Sadeghi M, Amali A, Saedi B.

What this paper says

In 60 rhinoplasty patients randomized to receive low-level light therapy on the first day after surgery or not, bruising around the eyes was significantly reduced in the treated group, p 0.005.

Overview

Bruising around the eyes is a visible and unwelcome consequence of rhinoplasty. Photobiomodulation, also called low-level laser therapy, uses red and infrared light at intensities too low to heat tissue. This randomized single-blind trial tested whether it reduces that bruising.

Sections of note

60 rhinoplasty candidates were randomly divided into two groups.
The treatment group received photobiomodulation on the first postoperative day.
Light used comprised red light at 660 nm, infrared light at 840 nm, and an infrared laser.
The outcome assessed was periorbital bruising.
Low-power laser reduced bruising significantly, p 0.005.
The authors conclude photobiomodulation may be effectively used for reducing bruising after rhinoplasty.
Level of evidence II; trial registration IRCT20080820001056N3. The abstract gives no numeric bruising scores or assessment timings.

What it means for a patient

A single light treatment on the day after surgery reduced visible bruising in this trial.
The light does not heat or cut tissue; it is applied to the skin surface.
Limits: 60 patients in two groups of 30, single-blind so only the assessor was masked, one center, and no numeric scores or timings reported in the abstract.
Swelling was not among the reported outcomes.

Why this paper matters

Bruising determines how soon a patient can appear in public, and non-drug measures avoid the side effects of steroids or antifibrinolytics. A registered randomized trial gives this more weight than most such reports. The absence of effect size and timing detail in the abstract limits interpretation.

Terms

Photobiomodulation: Applying low-intensity red or infrared light to tissue to influence healing.
Low-level laser therapy: Another name for the same treatment.
Periorbital: Around the eye.
Ecchymosis: Bruising under the skin.
Single-blind: Only one side, usually the assessor, is unaware of the treatment assignment.

Summary written by rhinoplasty.cc from the abstract, 2026-09-09; not medical advice. The authors' own abstract follows.

From the abstract

“This study was conducted to compare the effect of photobiomodulation therapy (low-level laser therapy) on ecchymosis after rhinoplasty. Subjects And Methods: Sixty rhinoplasty candidates were randomly divided into two groups. Photobiomodulation, including red light (660 nm), infrared light (840 nm), and infrared…”

Excerpt; the full abstract is on PubMed.