What is LED Light Therapy?
‘LED light therapy’ is short for Light-Emitting Diode therapy. It’s a skincare treatment that uses varying wavelengths of light to penetrate the skin, promote healing and target a range of skin concerns.
How does LED Light Therapy work?
Just like plants, our skin has the ability to absorb light and convert it into energy. LED light therapy delivers beneficial light energy to our skin in a similar way to how photosynthesis works in plants. Unlike sunlight, it does not contain ultraviolet (UV) rays and will not cause damage to your skin.
LED light therapy is measured in very small wavelengths known as nanometers (nm).
Red light at 660 nm is readily absorbed by skin tissue leading to improved skin health and collagen production. Near-infrared light at 850 nm is invisible to the human eye and penetrates into deeper tissue, leading to benefits like increased muscle recovery and decreased joint pain.
In my office, I can use a LED therapy light device over both skin tissue and over muscle and joints needing recovery.
The ideal wavelength for light therapy ranges from 600 to 660 nm (red) and 810 to 880 nm (infrared). This band, described as the "therapeutic window" by photomedicine experts, is essential to improve cellular biology.
Red light stimulates the lymphatic system, which strengthens the body's immune system and combats viral infections. In simple words, LED therapy offers a broad range of uses related to cosmetic and health applications.
How does Infrared Light Therapy work?
In contrast, infrared therapy makes use of infrared radiation to generate local heat on the surface of the skin. It emits invisible lights between the wavelengths of 800 nm up to 1 millimeter that can penetrate about three inches in the body. Once the rays reach the body, they raise the core body temperature, stimulating sweat production and the release of cholesterol, fat, toxins, and other metabolic waste.
Infrared therapies are particularly effective when treating wound-healing disorders or autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. This is because these rays improve blood circulation to affected areas. Improved circulation aids in pain alleviation and results in faster healing.
Infrared heat lamps are low-powered products with their irradiance reducing as you move further away. This means that you would need to spend more time with an infrared heat lamp for a meaningful energy dosage and to stimulate therapeutic benefits. This is why infrared lamps are used for the entire treatment duration.
What are the benefits of LED Light Therapy?
There are so many incredible benefits:
Soothes redness and inflammation
Improves blood flow and circulation
Stimulates collagen production
Skin healing and rejuvenation
Reduces signs of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles
Eliminates acne-causing bacteria and regulates oil production
Brightens the skin
How often can you do LED Light Therapy?
For best results, LED therapy should be performed consistently - In my clinic, I will offer a 10-20 minute treatment (depending on the overall length of the treatment each time a facial acupuncture/microneedling session is booked.
Who can use LED Light Therapy?
LED light therapy is safe for all skin types and is totally non-invasive with zero downtime.
How effective is LED Light Therapy?
The best part about LED light therapy is the clinical research behind it. Here are a couple articles for further information:
Takeaways..
When healing skin conditions that develop on the more surface level, red light should be the primary option. However, if the problem lies deeper into the skin, muscles, and joints, an infrared lamp is the choice used in my clinic.
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