Methylene Blue + Photobiomodulation
The published research, summarised.
By Dr. Dorra Frikha-Benayed, PhD · Founder & Scientist, DKGlow · About the author →
References updated October 16, 2026
What the studies examined, and what they did not.
DKGlow's interest in methylene blue and light technologies draws on separate research fields. Below, each summary links to its source and identifies the study context. None of these sources is a clinical trial of DKGlow's finished products or a validation of a combined skincare-and-device routine.
Methylene blue and light: separate research.
Original experiments and reviews answer different questions. The setting and limitations of each source matter when interpreting its findings.
Methylene Blue in the literature
Ingredient and mechanism research provides a starting point for questions about skincare. It does not replace testing the finished formulation.
Skin cells and reconstructed skin
Xiong and colleagues reported lower oxidative-stress markers, changes in cell growth, and changes in hydration and other properties of reconstructed skin. These were laboratory experiments, not a clinical trial of a finished skincare product.
Source: Methylene blue in skin models →Mitochondrial mechanisms
Tucker and colleagues review how methylene blue can participate in electron transfer and influence oxidative stress in research systems. The review focuses on neurological research; it does not establish neurological benefits from a cosmetic spray or serum.
Source: Methylene blue and mitochondrial mechanisms →Results can differ between models
In a study coauthored by Dr. Frikha-Benayed, cell experiments showed biological effects, but the tested methylene-blue and mitoquinone interventions did not improve bone mineral density or skeletal morphology in the mouse studies. Positive laboratory findings do not guarantee an effect in a living organism.
Source: Methylene blue and skeletal aging →
Photobiomodulation in the literature
Photobiomodulation studies examine low-intensity light under specified conditions. This is distinct from assuming every light or heating device works alike.
Mechanisms and light dose
Hamblin’s 2017 review discusses cellular responses to red and near-infrared light, including mitochondrial and inflammatory pathways. Responses depend on exposure conditions; increasing the dose does not necessarily improve the response.
Source: Photobiomodulation mechanisms and inflammation →Skin-related research
Avci and colleagues review laboratory and clinical studies using low-level light in skin. The studies use varied devices, doses, and outcomes. A result under one set of conditions cannot be assumed for a different device.
Source: Low-level light research in skin →What a review establishes
A review summarizes a field; it is not itself a new clinical trial. These reviews do not establish the efficacy of every DKGlow device, and photobiomodulation findings do not automatically apply to IPL, heating, or EMS/RF functions.
Source: Photobiomodulation mechanisms and inflammation →
What these sources do not establish.
General research can inform a product philosophy without proving a product result. The distinctions below apply to the sources on this page.
Separate evidence is not a combination trial
The sources below study methylene blue or light in specific settings. They do not establish additive or synergistic benefits from combining DKGlow’s topical formulas with its devices.
A mechanism is not a product outcome
Changes in cells or reconstructed skin do not establish visible results, absorption, or long-term effects for a finished face spray, body spray, or hair serum.
Dose, formulation, and device matter
Concentration, formulation, light source, exposure, and study population all affect how findings can be interpreted. A wavelength alone cannot establish penetration depth or a universal session schedule.
Research is not a combined-use instruction
Do not infer that a topical should be applied before a light session from these papers. Follow the product label and device manual, and confirm compatibility before combining products.
Dr. Frikha-Benayed’s published work.
Dr. Dorra Frikha-Benayed is DKGlow's founder and the formulator of its blue topical products. Her research record includes bone-cell metabolism and methylene-blue studies. The Xiong, Hamblin, Tucker, and Avci papers are the work of other researchers.
First-author work in bone-cell metabolism
Dr. Dorra Frikha-Benayed led the 2016 Bone paper on regional differences in osteocyte oxidative metabolism and mitochondrial activity. This is part of her academic research background; it is not a skincare efficacy study.
Read the cited study →Coauthored methylene-blue research
She is a coauthor of Poudel and colleagues’ 2024 skeletal-aging study. Its lack of an observed skeletal benefit under the tested conditions is important to report alongside its laboratory findings.
Read the cited study →Selected citations
Methylene blue in skin models
Xiong ZM, O’Donovan M, Sun L, Choi JY, Ren M, Cao K. (2017). Anti-Aging Potentials of Methylene Blue for Human Skin Longevity. Scientific Reports, 7, 2475.
Original research: cultured human cells and reconstructed skin
Reported lower oxidative-stress markers and changes in cell growth and reconstructed-skin properties. This was not a human clinical trial or a test of DKGlow formulas.
Read source →Photobiomodulation mechanisms and inflammation
Hamblin MR. (2017). Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophysics, 4(3), 337–361.
Narrative review: mechanisms, laboratory studies, animal studies, and clinical literature
Discusses cellular responses and the importance of light dose. It is not evidence that every light device has the same effects, and it does not establish a methylene-blue/device routine.
Read source →Methylene blue and mitochondrial mechanisms
Tucker D, Lu Y, Zhang Q. (2018; online 2017). From Mitochondrial Function to Neuroprotection—an Emerging Role for Methylene Blue. Molecular Neurobiology, 55(6), 5137–5153.
Review: mitochondrial mechanisms and neurological research
Discusses electron transfer and oxidative stress, largely through preclinical research. It does not establish neurological benefits from a topical cosmetic.
Read source →Low-level light research in skin
Avci P, Gupta A, Sadasivam M, Vecchio D, Pam Z, Pam N, Hamblin MR. (2013). Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring. Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 32(1), 41–52.
Review: laboratory and clinical skin research
Surveys skin-related light research using varied devices and study designs. Those findings cannot be assumed for an untested device or combined skincare routine.
Read source →Methylene blue and skeletal aging
Poudel SB, Frikha-Benayed D, Ruff RR, et al. (2024). Targeting mitochondrial dysfunction using methylene blue or mitoquinone to improve skeletal aging. Aging (Albany NY), 16(6), 4948–4964.
Original research: cell experiments and mouse studies
Cell experiments showed biological effects, but the mouse studies did not show improved bone mineral density or skeletal morphology with the tested interventions. This was not a skincare trial.
Read source →Osteocyte oxidative metabolism
Frikha-Benayed D, Basta-Pljakic J, Majeska RJ, Schaffler MB. (2016). Regional differences in oxidative metabolism and mitochondrial activity among cortical bone osteocytes. Bone, 90, 15–22.
Original research: osteocytes in mouse cortical bone
Examines regional differences in bone-cell metabolism and mitochondrial activity. It documents Dr. Frikha-Benayed’s research background, not finished-product skincare efficacy.
Read source →
Dr. Frikha-Benayed's full publication list is available on Google Scholar.
More from Dr. Frikha-Benayed.
Read about Dr. Frikha-Benayed's research background, peer-reviewed publications, and the founding story behind DKGlow.