Podcast Summary: The Human Upgrade with Dave Asprey
Episode 1421: The Home Laser That Reverses Skin Age By 20 Years
Guest: Lucy Gough, Creator of LYMA Laser
Date: February 24, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the cutting-edge technology of at-home laser therapy for skin rejuvenation, featuring Lucy Gough, the founder of LYMA Laser. Host Dave Asprey explores the science and real-world effects of cold laser technology, highlighting its potential to reverse skin aging by up to 20 years, improve muscle regeneration, and support overall cellular health far beyond what current LED or hospital lasers offer for consumers. The discussion spans from the device’s origin and science to personal stories and practical applications, placing it firmly at the intersection of biohacking, longevity, and performance optimization.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Accidental Discovery of Consumer-Grade Cold Laser Technology

• Professor Paul Clayton’s Breakthrough: While researching cartilage regeneration in a 62-year-old man, Prof. Clayton noticed that treated skin looked 20 years younger than untreated skin—prompting the pursuit of a consumer-safe equivalent to powerful clinical cold lasers.
  (01:43, 06:50-10:38)
• Why LED Doesn’t Stack Up: Most consumer devices use LED, which lacks the biological penetration and coherence of cold lasers, resulting in less effective outcomes for collagen production and skin regeneration.

Notable Quote:

“This specific technology is, it's so interesting because it doesn't damage in order to stimulate collagen production. … the body prioritizes the speed of healing over the quality of the collagen fibers.”
— Lucy Gough (01:43, 06:50)

How the LYMA Laser Works

• Technical Specs:
  • Wavelength: 808 nm near-infrared (scientifically proven for penetration and safety) (11:55–12:01)
  • Penetration: 9 centimeters deep (17:26)
  • Dose: 12 joules of light in three minutes (17:45)
• Coherence & Patented Lens:
  • Maintains coherence, polarization, and monochromaticity for deep tissue effects.
  • Patented honeycomb lens disperses laser to be eye safe without losing potency (12:32–13:34)
• FDA Clearance: Approved for skin; anecdotal and published evidence supports systemic, muscular, joint, and intimate health benefits (18:27–22:29)

Notable Quote:

“Light is a drug, it's a nutrient, just like food ... Light is as important as food.”
— Dave Asprey (05:24)

The Science & Differentiator: Cold Laser vs. LED

• Deep, Non-Destructive Stimulation: Unlike typical lasers or treatments that damage the skin to induce collagen, the LYMA Laser stimulates cell renewal without damage, favoring youthful Type I collagen over rigid Type III.
• Wavelength & Mitochondrial Health: The 808 nm laser energizes mitochondria, supporting increased energy, improved blood flow, and surplus collagen—key to anti-aging. (12:01–12:32)
• Gene Expression Breakthrough:
  • Clinical Study: Using human skin samples, LYMA Laser increased expression of 45 genes; notably, SIRT1 (associated with longevity) increased sixfold compared to only one gene activated with LED exposure. (38:19–41:38)
• Comparison to Ancient Light Therapies: Historical use of gemstones and colored light framed as precursors to today’s advanced lasers. (33:25–35:10)

Notable Quote:

“So in the Lima laser skin there were 45 genes that were expressed and … there was a six-fold increase on SRT1.”
— Lucy Gough (39:00)

Practical Applications & Real-World Results

Skin, Muscle, and Beyond

• Aging & Sagging Skin: Effective for post-weight loss, post-pregnancy, or GLP-1-induced sagging. (29:03–29:24)
• Jowls & Jawline: Lifts by stimulating underlying muscle, not just skin.
• Scar Rehabilitation: Flattens even older or keloid scars; speeds C-section and hysterectomy healing, helping restore fascia and electrical flow. (53:09–55:16)
• Hair Growth: Used on the hairline for improved density.
• Pigmentation/Sun Spots: Breaks down excess pigment; prevents sun-induced spots when used pre-exposure. (51:03)
• Thread Veins (Spider Veins): 10 minutes daily for two weeks can remove them. (50:22–50:39)
• Workout Recovery, Joints, and Pain: Used by athletes for injury recovery and joint health. (24:45–26:06, 32:34–33:25)
• Intimate Health & Fertility: Promising evidence for supporting vaginal tissue health post-menopause and potentially sperm health. (21:16–22:29)
• Travel/Blood Health: Keeps blood ‘less sticky’—reducing clot risk and fatigue during long-haul flights (44:24–46:07)

Notable Quotes:

“If you've got thread veins…use the Lima laser over the thread vein for 10 minutes daily for two weeks and it will be gone.”
— Lucy Gough (50:22)

“That is one of the most profound changes that you'd think that you'd had like a skin tightening procedure.”
— Dave Asprey (30:36)

Safety, Usage & Accessibility

• Safety: Retinal-protected; battery limits overuse by design. No goggles necessary.
• Dosing: Three minutes per area daily; for scars, three minutes twice daily.
• Cost: Early versions cost ~$3,000, but value justified by efficacy, longevity features, and travel portability.
• Not Overuse: You cannot overuse it except in extremely unlikely (hours-long) scenarios – with additional thread vein reduction observed at high doses. (46:10–47:37)

Memorable Anecdotes:

• Lucy’s own “tragic knees” were transformed in 12 weeks after daily use, a visual testament leading her to bring the product to market. (27:55–28:52)
• Dave’s story of a journalist using the laser on half his face, resulting in a dramatic, lopsided rejuvenation. (26:50–27:16)
• Dave’s “facial circumcision” tale and plans to use the LYMA Laser for scar optimization. (52:15–54:06)
• Commentary on historic “light therapies”—from gemstones in crowns to early 20th-century hospital use. (33:25–35:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:43 — Lucy introduces the accidental discovery of LYMA Laser effects on aging skin.
• 06:50 — Explanation of cold laser vs. LED; the origin story of adapting clinical lasers for home use.
• 10:38–13:34 — Technical breakdown: How power, wavelength, and lens technology determine safety and effectiveness.
• 15:08–16:24 — Coherence explained through audio/visual analogies (Dolby sound, noise-canceling headphones).
• 17:26–17:45 — Dosage: 9cm penetration, 12 joules in three minutes.
• 21:16–22:29 — Use in menopause, intimate health, fertility, consumer self-experimentation.
• 24:45–26:06 — Injury, post-surgery recovery, and pro athlete use.
• 27:55–28:52 — Lucy’s before/after knee results; psychological impact of visual transformation.
• 38:19–41:38 — Landmark gene expression study: SIRT1 upregulation and why lasers outperform LEDs for anti-aging.
• 44:24–46:07 — Application for travel and blood health; reducing clot risk and improving circulation.
• 50:22–50:39 — Removing thread veins: practical protocol.
• 51:03 — Effects on pigmentation and sun spots.
• 53:09–55:16 — Scar healing (C-section, hypertrophic/keloid scars), fascia, and electrical flow restoration.

Notable Quotes

• Lucy Gough:

  • “If you damage … to stimulate collagen production, the body prioritizes the speed of healing over the quality of the collagen fibers.” (06:50)
  • “We defined what it means to have a longevity laser— … a six fold increase on SIRT1.” (39:00)
  • “If you've got thread veins … 10 minutes daily for two weeks and it will be gone.” (50:22)
  • “On the jowls and the neck, it's unbelievable.” (29:25)

• Dave Asprey:

  • “Light is as important as food.” (05:24)
  • “That is one of the most profound changes … like a skin tightening procedure.” (30:36)
  • “You couldn't go out in the sun … to get this level of coherence or penetration.” (19:40)
  • “If you see me at an airport, ask me if I have the LYMA with me and I'll show it to you.” (57:40)

Instructions for Listeners

• More Info / Purchase: Visit lymalife.com (L-Y-M-A dot life)
• Discount: Use code DAVE10 for a rare discount on the LYMA laser.

Episode Tone and Takeaways

Asprey’s trademark playful, witty, and data-driven tone guides a rich, engaging conversation full of personal anecdotes and scientifically grounded facts. Lucy Gough’s passionate explanations and real-life case studies ground the technological innovation in practical reality. Both highlight a future where tech-enabled consumers can dramatically influence the aging process, skin health, and recovery via precise at-home interventions.

Best For:

• Biohackers and longevity enthusiasts
• Anyone seeking non-invasive, at-home skin and scar therapies
• Medical professionals interested in evidence-based cosmetic technology
• Fitness enthusiasts and athletes focused on rapid recovery

Bottom Line:
The LYMA Laser isn't just promising skin deep—clinical evidence and user experiences both point to a device that upgrades cellular health, triggers longevity genes, and makes the possibility of “turning back the clock” at home more real than ever.