Everything You Need to Know About LED Light Therapy
With so many treatments available in the treatment room, and at home, it can be very overwhelming to make a decision about what can make an impact on the health and appearance of the skin.
This article will add even more options to choose from, but you can be confident that with regular use of this technology, you will see tremendous skin benefits
LED, which stands for Light Emitting Diode, is a type of light therapy that uses varying wavelengths of light, like red and blue, and is applied to the skin for a period of time.
Light therapy has been shown to cause a positive physiological response in the skin. Some of these responses include improved wound healing, reduced inflammation, and a reduction in acne lesions on the skin.
HISTORY OF LED
Light therapy for therapeutic use was discovered as early as the 1900’s by a medical researcher known as Niels Finsen. In the 1960’s, many European medical facilities were using this powerful technology to aid in injury recovery, chronic pain, and more.
As recent as the 1990’s, the technology was harnessed by NASA to grow plants in outer space. That technology was then shared and studied for cancer patients with chemotherapy and radiation burns and irritations to help speed up healing time. Patients saw marked improvement in skin.
Additionally, that same research was the catalyst to realize the amazing benefits of LED Light Therapy for skin. Since this time, hundreds of studies[1] by medical researchers, dermatologists and other skin expert groups have been conducted, and the results have been astounding.
DIFFERENT WAVELENGTH = DIFFERENT RESULTS
Different types of LED bulbs emit a specific wavelength, or color, that the skin will react to at certain levels within the skin. As a result of the skin coming into contact with these low-level wavelengths, a different and unique response in the skin will occur.
Before we continue on about those specific skin responses, we must talk about the different types of light available for skin therapy.
Visible Light Spectrum vs. Infrared
Skin professionals can work with two types of wavelengths in LED Light Therapy, and in many cases, use them synergistically to get a profound effect on a client’s skin. These wavelengths are categorized into two types: LED within the Visible Light Spectrum, and Infrared. In the Visible Light Spectrum, we see the most common lights used- Red Light and Blue Light, but there is also Green Light, and Amber Light.
- Red Light is the most common type of LED used for beauty, health, and wellness. It has a wavelength of about 630nm-680nm, and casts a lovely, warm, relaxing hue. It is primarily used in skin care to reduce inflammation, produce Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) in cells, stimulate collagen production, increase circulation, improve wound healing, and may help to even the tone and texture of skin. All this in one light? Amazing, right?
- Blue Light is a wavelength of 430nm-470nmand is commonly used in skin care application as an acne treatment. This will definitely be the most stimulating light available. The Blue Light wavelength has been shown to penetrate to sebaceous glands, where it can have a balancing effect on oil production and even help to reduce sebaceous activity. More importantly, the Blue Light has been proven to kill the acne-causing bacteria not only on surface of the skin, but within the skin as well.[2] This would be a fabulous post-extraction tool. Can’t feel blue about that!
- Green light is used to help to improve pigmentation concerns like age spots and melasma. We also see professionals using this wavelength for overly stimulated or irritated skin, making it a good option to use post-treatment after harsh chemical peels. Finally, there is evidence that it can help with the appearance of vascular conditions like distended capillaries, and dark under eye circles. Typically, this light is used in conjunction with red light for more broad-spectrum results.
- Amber light (also known as Yellow Light or Orange Light) is in a small wavelength range of 580nm-590nm, and though it has not been studied as thoroughly as Red Light or Blue Light, Amber Light wavelength has been showing some promising results.I’ve heard of this light being referred to as “The Botox of Light”. While there is definitely some more research to be done on this light, there’s some solid anecdotal evidence that it is impacting skin – in a positive way.
Similar effects to Red light and Near Infrared and Infrared light have been reported, as well as being a beneficial light for those that have Rosacea. Additionally, beside Red Light, this light will have the most calming effect on the Nervous System.
Infrared/Near Infrared
Near Infrared (NIR) is similar to the Red Light wavelength, but is outside of the Visible Light Spectrum, therefore making it typically invisible to the naked eye. Near Infrared (NIR) wavelength ranges from 750nm-2500nm, with Infrared (IR) going up to 10,000nm (although typically for cosmetic purposes, is used in the range of 750nm-1200nm).
These lights are much longer wavelengths than the previous lights mentioned, thus producing heat in the skin. In other words, you can’t see this light, but you can feel it.
The heat produced makes this technology ideal in rejuvenation, and specifically skin-tightening. There have been multiple published, peer-review studies showing the powerful effects of these lights for cosmetic and wellness purposes.
Most often, Near Infrared (NIR) is used in conjunction with Red Light, and simultaneously. In addition to the rejuvenation effects of NIR/IR, the benefits of Near Infrared (NIR) are almost exactly as those with Red Light, although a bit more powerful.
RISKS OR CONTRAINDICATION OF LIGHT THERAPY IN SKINCARE
Light Therapy in the form of LED has little to no side effects. This is largely due to the fact that LED treatment is mostly non-thermal. Because of this, LED Light Therapy is considered a very low-risk and safe treatment to add to a treatment room, as well as for clients to utilize at home with a home-care version of the device.
Please note that all of the wavelengths we’ve discussed in this education article are outside of the Ultraviolet (UV) wavelength range. Those wavelengths are mostly absorbed through sun exposure, which cause damage to skin cells, ultimately resulting in signs of aging, and even skin cancer. You can feel confident that the use of LED Light Therapy is not contributing to the major contributor of aging that is UV radiation and exposure.
There are some precautions though that must be considered, like proper eye wear, but typically this is a generally safe treatment. Some of the few contraindications include those with epilepsy (specifically if a light device has flashing modes), photo allergies, or photo sensitivities. Clients with Rosacea would not be good candidates for NIR/IR, as this does produce some heat, which can trigger a Rosacea flare, but the Visible Light Spectrum LED would be appropriate.
Individuals who are very susceptible to hyperpigmentation might also want to avoid NIR/IR as the heat can exacerbate current pigment issues.
BEST PRACTICES
Typically speaking, LED Light Therapy is most effective with regular and consistent use[3]. Though you can get an impact in the treatment room with a professional-level device, the client may find that supporting the treatments at home with a home-care version of a device would enhance the results of the treatment room.
Think of it similarly to Professional Product vs. Homecare Product. Professional product used in the treatment room can create some noticeable change in the skin in even one treatment, however, the client will really start to see benefits when they take the lesser concentrated, home-care versions to their vanity and use daily. The same can be said for LED Light Therapy. Home-use devices might suggest 30-60 minutes daily to see great results. Keep in mind that professional level devices will have more lights, with greater surface area, more saturation, and a higher power output, thus creating more dramatic results in the treatment room
LED Light Therapy is the wave (pun intended) of the future! Though it has been around for just under two decades for cosmetic purposes, it has really gained traction in the last three years. I believe the hype will continue, and more advanced research will be done just to show the Power of Light.
As a review, LED Light Therapy can enhance and beautify the skin with virtually no risk or side effect by:
- Reducing Inflammation
- Promoting Collagen Synthesis
- Healing Wounds
- Oxygenating the Skin
- Promoting Circulation
- Killing Bacteria that causes Acne
Have you tried LED Light Therapy in a treatment or at home? What benefits have you seen? Would you like me to work on a device review? Sound off in the comments below!
[1] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22146-led-light-therapy
[2] https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/led-lights-are-they-a-cure-for-your-skin-woes