LED Light Therapy
What is LED Light Therapy?
LED (light emitting diode) light therapy is a non-invasive, pain-free, soothing, and rejuvenating skincare treatment that uses varying wavelengths of light to treat acne, scarring, wrinkles, redness and inflammation, and promote anti-aging effects. Unlike other types of light therapy, LEDs do not comprise harmful ultraviolet rays and are hence considered safer form of light therapy for regular use for all skin colours and types.
LED light therapy can be utilised on any part of the body, although its most popular use is for the face. It can also be utilised on areas of neck and chest that tend to show signs of aging other than face.
How Does LED Light Therapy Works
LED light therapy has been chiefly noted for its properties of increasing collagen and tissues that can smooth out your skin and decrease the appearance of damage from acne, wrinkles, and age spots. It helps in healing of wounds quickly and regenerating injured or damaged muscle tissues. There are different frequencies used with LED light therapy, such as red and blue light frequencies. While blue is utilised for acne treatment, red is mainly utilised for anti-aging properties and has been used by aestheticians to aid in regenerating the skin from aging.
Red light or infrared is utilised for treating the outer layer of the skin. When the light is applied to the skin, the skin absorbs it and triggers production of collagen proteins. More collagen means that your skin appears fuller, smooth, young, glowing with decreased appearance of wrinkles and lines.
Overactive oil glands lead to oily skin and acne. Blue light works by targeting the sebaceous glands or oil glands that are located underneath the hair follicles and making them less active thereby resulting in reduced acne breakouts. Blue light can also eliminate acne-causing bacteria that can help to treat cysts, nodules, and severe acne pimples.
What Happens During LED Light Therapy?
Each LED light therapy treatment lasts about 20 minutes or so and you will likely require up to 10 rounds of treatments or more in total depending upon the results you are looking for.
Your provider will either have you lie down directly under the lights or use LED light-infused wands directly over your skin. The choice purely depends on the treatment setting like office or home and the treatment area.
If you are unable to visit your provider’s office, arrangements can be made to try LED light therapy in your home environment. At-home devices are designed in the shape of a mask or wands that can be applied to your face for many minutes at a time by carefully following manufacturer’s instructions while using.
What to Expect Post LED Light Therapy?
Since LED light therapy is non-invasive, no recovery time is needed. Once your treatment is complete, you should be able to carry on with your activities of daily living. The results of LED light therapy are not permanent. Regular maintenance treatments every couple of months is required to manage the outcome achieved post in-office or home LED therapy treatments. As your skin cells turn over, you may lose some collagen and start to see signs of aging again as well as acne breakouts, hence follow-up with your provider is advised to maintain good results.
Benefits of LED Light Therapy
LED light therapy has been known to be beneficial for a broad range of aesthetic and medical conditions. The treatment modality offers an exceptional profile and can be effectively utilised for the treatment of:
- Wound healing and tissue repair
- Acne vulgaris, also known as acne
- Actinic keratosis (a crusty, scaly growth caused by damage from exposure to ultraviolet radiation)
- Rejuvenating aged skin
- Chemotherapy-induced rashes
- Scars
- Post-procedural erythema
Side Effects and Risks of LED Light Therapy
LED light therapy is non-invasive and has very few risks. Potential side effects and risks may include:
- Rashes
- Redness
- Inflammation