The Skin Benefits of LED Therapy
LED Therapy is one of the most scientifically backed skincare treatments on the market and is loved for its wide range of healing benefits – including: reduces inflammation, builds collagen and elastin, kills acne causing bacteria, and helps fade scars and hyperpigmentation. Specifically, Red Light Therapy is sought after because of its anti-aging benefits. If you're looking for a natural, non-invasive way to boost your skin’s health, read on to discover how LED Therapy can transform your complexion.
WHAT IS LED THERAPY FOR SKIN?
LED Therapy, or Light Emitting Diode Therapy, is a non-invasive skincare treatment that uses different wavelengths of light to address various skin concerns. This treatment involves exposing the skin to light of specific colors – each targeting different layers of the skin and promoting healing, rejuvenation, and overall skin health. The most commonly used types of LED Therapy for skin are red, infrared, and blue light therapy.
HOW LED THERAPY WORKS
LED therapy works by emitting light at different wavelengths, which are absorbed by skin cells and trigger various biological processes. The light energy penetrates the skin’s surface to stimulate collagen production, increase blood flow, and reduce inflammation. Essentially, the light acts as a form of energy that energizes skin cells, encouraging them to function more effectively.
BLUE LIGHT THERAPY
For the purpose of this blog, I want to mostly shine a light on Red Light Therapy in particular (get it?). But first, I’d like to briefly talk about Blue Light Therapy. Blue light targets the bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) responsible for acne outbreaks. By disrupting their ability to reproduce, blue light helps reduce breakouts, making it an effective option for those with acne-prone skin. For those who suffer with acne, I would suggest a combination of blue and red light for comprehensive results: blue light for clearing blemishes, and red light for healing and reducing scarring.
RED LIGHT THERAPY
Now on to my favorite – Red Light Therapy, which uses specific wavelengths of red light (typically around 630-650nm) to penetrate the skin at various depths. These longer wavelengths reach deeper into the dermis, stimulating collagen production, promoting healing, and improving skin elasticity. It’s a powerful treatment that harnesses the natural energy of light to enhance your skin’s overall function and appearance.
Red light therapy stands out due to its ability to work at a deeper level than many other topical treatments. It’s a non-invasive, pain-free treatment with minimal side effects, making it ideal for those looking to improve their skin without going under the needle or relying on harsh chemicals. Plus, the results build over time, making it a sustainable option for long-term skin health.
BENEFITS OF RED LIGHT THERAPY FOR SKIN
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Collagen Boosting & Skin Rejuvenation: One of the primary benefits of red light therapy is its ability to stimulate collagen and elastin production. Collagen is a crucial protein that keeps skin firm, plump, and youthful. As we age, collagen production slows down, contributing to fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. By penetrating deep into the dermis, red light stimulates the cells responsible for collagen production, helping to smooth out wrinkles and improve skin texture. This makes red light therapy an effective anti-aging treatment.
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Enhanced Skin Healing & Repair: Red light therapy accelerates the healing process by increasing blood flow and oxygen supply to skin cells. This promotes tissue repair and can significantly speed up recovery after procedures like microdermabrasion, chemical peels, or even sunburn. Whether you're dealing with post-acne scars, irritated skin, or general skin damage, red light helps regenerate damaged cells, leaving your skin looking healthier and more vibrant. Plastic surgeons and dermatologists use red light therapy after skin procedures and facial plastic surgery all the time to accelerate healing and reduce swelling.
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Improved Skin Tone & Texture: Over time, regular red light therapy can help even out skin tone and texture. By stimulating collagen and promoting cell turnover, it can reduce the appearance of rough, uneven skin or hyperpigmentation (such as age spots and sunspots). This makes your skin look smoother and more luminous.
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Reduced Inflammation & Redness: For those with sensitive or inflammatory skin conditions such as rosacea, redness, or sunburn, red light therapy can help calm inflammation and reduce redness. The anti-inflammatory properties of red light therapy work by increasing circulation, which helps clear out toxins and promotes healing from within.
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Boosted Skin Hydration: Red light therapy has also been shown to enhance skin hydration. By stimulating the deeper layers of the skin, it improves the skin’s ability to retain moisture. As a result, your skin will feel more nourished, softer, and healthier.
HOW TO USE RED LIGHT THERAPY
Many devices are available for at-home use, including handheld units, masks, and panels. For the best results, consistency is key. Typically, using red light therapy for about 10-20 minutes, 3-4 times a week is recommended to see the most visible improvements. However, results can vary depending on your individual skin needs and the device used.
MY FAVORITE DEVICES
I have used all of these devices and swear by them! They are all available for purchase on my site, either on my personal shop or under the “Stuff I Love” tab.
LED Lightstim Handhelds (FDA cleared, 630-840 nm): This device has the highest concentration of energy due to the density and variety of lights (deep red, red, amber and infra-red, 72 lights per handheld). This is for someone who is serious and willing to commit the time and energy for skin healing. I pair a face yoga practice while holding this device on specific areas of my face that I want to address. When LED has direct contact with the skin the light absorption is much more efficient, that’s why these little guys work SO well! The lights vary from offering 630-840 nm of light directly into the skin. They are $249 each, I recommend purchasing 2 and using them together to cut the time down; they beep after 3 minutes to tell you when the light is fully absorbed and you can go to the next area.
If you’re looking for a high concentrated device that has treatment area flexibility, this is the best one!
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LED Aduro Mask (465 - 870 nm): This mask has variation in lights and programs so you can target all layers of the skin. It’s great for someone who like
s to multitask and be mobile while wearing the mask. Treatments can be up to 20 minutes long. If you have acne and aging concerns this may be the best mask option for you
as it has a larger variety of lights that will target acne bacteria. With any LED mask, be mindful that lights will be more spread apart which means it’s less energy efficient. Results will take longer (compared to the handhelds or the Elipsa panel), but consistent use will still help stimulate collagen, fibroblast production, etc.
If you’re looking for a mask that can treat multiple skin issues, this is the best one!
Laser Light JOVS Mask (630-1064 nm): This is a laser mask, meaning these lights are more targeted and less diffused compared to LED, so they will yield results faster in plumping collagen, reducing redness, and smoothing texture. Since this works faster, you only need to do 20 min treatments at a time. This mask only has red light so it won’t treat acne specifically, but will still help calm inflammatory breakouts. This is also a great option for the busy multitasker, plus the mask is super comfortable.
If you’re specifically looking for a mask for anti-aging, this is the best one!
Bon Charge Demi Light Panel (660-850 nm): This is a high powered half body red light therapy device, ideal for those seeking to target a larger surface area in one convenient session. This is great for turning on while you do your skincare routine, meditation, or any other ritual as it covers half your body without you needing to hold it. I personally love doing my Gua Sha while sitting in front of it. This device gives you the option to use red and infrared light at the same time which allows for deeper penetration, more powerful skin healing, and enhanced collagen and elastin production.
If you’re looking for a device that’s hands-free and offers more body coverage – this is the best one!
LightStim Elipsa (FDA cleared, 630-840 nm): The best ever! This is a professional grade panel with 800 LED bulbs (professional panels have about 1,000 lights). This uses the patented multiwave technology (red, deep red, amber and infrared) which is unique to LightStim and used by plastic surgeons and derms all over the nation. This is more of a treatment where you dedicate time to lay down with the panel over your face for about 15-20 minutes. The panel is about an inch away from the face so you get great skin absorption with an adequate density of lights to stimulate cellular ATP/energy within the cells. Out of all the LED products, this one is my personal favorite because you see results almost right away, it's the most powerful.
If you’re looking for the real deal, this is the best one!
