LED light therapy: Types, uses, benefits & risks

Overview 

LED light therapy treats various skin conditions and concerns, including acne, fine lines, and Psoriasis. It is available in multiple types, including red, green, yellow near-infrared and blue light LED therapy, which are occasionally combined.

What is LED light therapy? 

Light emitting diode (LED) light therapy is a non-invasive procedure that penetrates the skin’s layers to improve the skin. NASA started investigating the potential of LEDs to speed up the healing of pilots’ wounds by stimulating cell growth and tissues.

Today, multiple skin conditions are frequently treated by dermatologists and aestheticians using LED light therapy. To achieve the best results, skin experts often combine LED light therapy with other treatments like creams, ointments, and facials.

LED masks are one of the numerous household appliances that are available for purchase and utilize LED light therapy.

What does LED light therapy treat? 

LED light therapy aids in treating a variety of skin concerns and conditions, including

• Eczema.
• Scaly, rough, precancerous spots on the skin (actinic keratosis)
• Hair loss
• Mild to moderate acne
• Sun damage
• Wounds
• Wrinkles
• Psoriasis
• Rosacea

In some cases, LED light therapy might also treat small and superficial basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

Different kinds of LED light therapy 

Different wavelengths that correlate to different visible colours are used in LED light therapy. Various shades penetrate the skin at different depths.

• Blue light impacts your skin’s outermost layer.
• Yellow light is more enveloping.
• Red light penetrates the skin more deeply.
• Near-infrared light has the most significant penetration.

Different LED colours do other things. For example, 

Blue light 

According to experts, the sebaceous glands, tiny oil-producing glands in the skin, become less active when exposed to blue LED light. The glands create less oil due to this decreased activity, which may help acne symptoms.

Inflammation brought on by blue light may also destroy a particular strain of bacteria that causes acne. Blue light may speed up the recovery from third-degree burns.

Red light

A red LED light may improve the effects of scarring and ageing indicators like wrinkles. It might accomplish this by influencing fibroblasts, skin cells producing collagen.

A protein found in connective tissues like the skin is called collagen. It aids in the repair of skin. As a person ages, their body creates less collagen, which causes their skin to age more quickly. Additionally, red light lessens skin inflammation.

Yellow light 

With a shallow penetration level and a 570–620 nm wavelength range, yellow (or amber) LED light helps treat redness-related skin conditions. Fundamental mechanisms change biological pathways and enhance the skin’s look when the light penetrates the skin.

This light encourages skin cell renewal. Additionally, it increases lymphatic flow, which flushes out debris and toxins from the dermis and delays the onset of ageing. 

Green light 

Green light is used in LED light to target broken capillaries, sunspots, dark circles, and pigmentation, which may affect skin pigmentation. Additionally, it soothes overexcited or inflamed skin. Therefore, choose green the next time the skin feels irritated. 

Uses and Benefits of LED Therapy 

Treats acne 

An LED face mask treatment can help people with acne that won’t go away and acne-prone skin. As previously stated, the light can penetrate deeply into skin pores and destroy the bacterial wall that causes acne, thereby preventing acne and clogged pores. 

Improves skin texture

Regular users of LED light therapy found an improvement in their skin’s general health. The skin might appear even-toned and healthy because these lights target other skin issues like sunspots and discolouration. 

Sun damage 

The majority of skin issues are caused by UV radiation. Regular exposure to UV radiation can cause premature ageing, pigmentation, and uneven skin tone. The LED face mask treatment fixes these issues. Most skin problems can be targeted, and sun harm can be reversed by combining red and blue light. 

How LED therapy works?

Red, blue, and near-infrared light are three specific light wavelengths that can send clinically validated doses of light energy to target receptors within the cells. Numerous natural bodily processes are activated when these receptors are stimulated because of the rise in cellular activity. 

This includes a 200% increase in collagen synthesis, an increase in cell renewal, and an improvement in skin plumpness and wrinkle reduction.

The main effects of near-infrared include an increase in the skin’s natural ATP levels. This is essential to many inter-cellular skin functions but depletes with age. Increasing ATP can improve hydration, decrease inflammation, and boost healing. 

Red light is widely recognized for its ability to improve the overall smoothness and texture of the skin, as well as regulate pigmentation, stopping breakouts, and regulating the skin’s pH; blue light targets the p-acne bacteria on the skin’s surface. Each treatment can be customized using a combination of wavelengths.

Procedure for LED light therapy 

You must have clean, makeup-free skin before treatment, whether in the office or home. You might receive additional treatments, like a facial, before LED light therapy at a spa or dermatologist’s office. Put on safety goggles to shield your eyes from the glaring lights.

After donning your goggles, you are lying on your back with the LED light therapy gadget above your face. Lie still throughout the entire procedure as the device does its job. Typically, the procedure takes 20 minutes.

LED light therapy is a harmless, non-invasive procedure. You might experience some warmth but no pain during the procedure.

After LED therapy

Since LED light treatment is non-invasive, there is no downtime. Once your treatment is over, you can continue your regular tasks. Up to ten in-office LED light therapy sessions are necessary, spaced one week apart between each appointment. 

After your first session, you may notice a few minor outcomes. The results will be more evident once you’ve completed all of your therapies. Your results will only last after you’ve completed the recommended amount of sessions.

You might lose some collagen as your skin cells renew themselves and reappear to age. Acne outbreaks may also start to appear. This is why it’s advised that you return for maintenance procedures every few months or as your doctor directs.

Because the light frequencies are less intense, home LED light therapy treatments are less severe. The manufacturer’s directions should be followed.

Risks of LED light therapy 

Since LEDs don’t emit UV rays, they are considered a safer type of light therapy that won’t harm your skin in the long run. Additionally, the process is non-invasive and poses few risks.

Your doctor might advise LED light therapy if you have sensitive skin or a darker complexion. LEDs don’t burn the skin like more invasive procedures like laser therapy. In addition, they are painless. There might still be risks connected to LED light treatment, though.

If you presently take Accutane to treat your acne, be aware that this potent medication, derived from vitamin A, makes your skin more sensitive to light and occasionally can leave scars on the skin.

When to see a doctor 

If you notice these signs after LED light therapy, contact your healthcare provider:

• Hives
• Inflammation
• Pain
• Rash or redness

Summary 

People shouldn’t anticipate a 100% recovery from this therapy, but the outcomes are encouraging. Additional therapies might be required since the effects are only sometimes long-lasting. Professional therapies are more efficient than home remedies. Speak with a dermatologist to learn more about LED light therapy.

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