LED LIGHT THERAPY
What is LED Light Therapy?
LED (light emitting diode) therapy is a non-invasive and painless skincare treatment that uses infrared lights in different wavelengths to penetrate deep into the skin. It can trigger natural intracellular processes and interactions to rejuvenate damaged skin.
What are the main benefits of LED Light Therapy?
Each frequency of light targets particular areas, thus, solving specific skin concerns. The LED light therapy is mainly noted for the following benefits:
-
Stimulates collagen and elastin production
-
Restores damaged cells and tissues
-
Smoothens the skin
-
Treats acne
-
Minimises the appearance of wrinkles and age spots
-
Regulates the skin’s natural oil production
How does it work?
LED light devices usually come with varying wavelengths of light – including blue, yellow, green, amber and red – which can be absorbed by the receptors in the skin. The light acts as a source of energy that can catalyse the renewal of your skin’s tissues.
As mentioned, each spectrum or colour corresponds to a specific target treatment in your skin. Note that LED lights can render varying biological effects depending on the depths of their penetration. You need to understand what each of these frequencies or LED light colour settings do in order for you to utilise the one that can better address your skin woes.
Red Light
Also known as infrared light, the red LED light works on the outer layer of skin called epidermis. Generally, it can help soothe inflammation and reverse the signs of ageing.
The lighter shades of red usually help reduce the appearance of redness and improve circulation. Meanwhile, the deeper end of the spectrum focuses more on cell regeneration.
When absorbed by the epidermis, red light acts on fibroblasts (cells in the skin) to boost the natural production of collagen and elastin. Note that these are proteins that support the structure of your skin, making it look fuller and plumped up.
Some studies also found that red LED light therapy can significantly increase hair density, preventing hair loss and providing hair growth solution for those with androgenetic alopecia.
Blue Light
Used to target the sebaceous glands, the Blue LED light can control the oil production, purify the skin, and help prevent breakouts and acne lesions. It possesses an antibacterial property that can kill the acne-causing bacteria that sits below your skin.
From small zits to severe pimples such as cysts and nodules, this wavelength is your effective acne remedy that does not irritate the skin. This LED light colour can also help treat psoriasis and eczema.
Tip: You’ll never go wrong with this LED light combination that can further treat acne: blue light that fights the bacteria plus red LED light that alleviates the redness.
Green Light
Green LED light therapy hands you the beauty solution to skin discolouration, such as hyperpigmentation, broken capillaries, sunspots, and dark circles. It evens out the skin tone and can definitely take your complexion care a notch higher.
By theory, this LED light targets the bottom layer of the epidermis, specifically the melanin-producing cells. It works by inhibiting excess melanin from developing and travelling up the skin’s surface.
Yellow Light
This LED light colour can infiltrate in the further depths of your skin, targeting the light receptors on the cells. It can be your greatest weapon to combat fine lines, wrinkles, and other factors that indicate ageing. Yellow LED light therapy can also improve circulation on your skin and minimise redness.
White Light
Also referred to as near infra-red light, this LED light colour setting has the longest wavelength, thus, it can penetrate deepest into the skin. This way, you can ensure that your skin does not only look radiant on the outside but most especially stays healthy when extended far down the skin’s layers. White LED light therapy comes with a myriad of benefits, including:
-
Heals acne scars
-
Tightens the skin
-
Reduces inflammation
-
Clears sun damage and dark spots
-
How safe is LED Therapy
LED light facial therapies are completely safe so long as they are performed properly. Since the spectrum of light does not use UV rays, they are guaranteed harm-free and will not give you a tan. In fact, this procedure has shown no reported side effects during clinical trials.
When is LED Light Therapy not recommended?
However, it is important to note that certain illnesses can make you a poor candidate to undergo an LED light facial therapy. If you have the following conditions, you might want to approach the procedure and LED face mask products with extra caution.
-
Active rash
-
Migraines
-
Seizures
-
Epilepsy
-
Eye conditions
-
Haemorrhage
-
Cancer
-
Pregnancy
It is also not advisable for people who use Accutane or isotretinoin for acne. This drug can make your skin sensitive to light, therefore, increases the risk of scarring. Other medications that might affect your exposure to LED light facial masks include tetracycline or steroids.
Furthermore, don’t neglect to look out for post-procedure symptoms such as pain, rash, hives, redness, or intensified inflammation.
It always pays to consult with professionals if you feel unsure about undergoing facial light th