How it works

LED light therapy has been around for years and was used by the U.S. Navy SEALs in the 1990s. It can be used to both heal wounds quickly and help regenerate damaged muscles, among other uses.

The treatment was first developed in 1917, and since then, it has been researched and successfully used to treat different conditions. It’s best known for working on skin full of collagen & tissues, which can be good for reducing the appearance of damage from everything from wrinkles to inflammation.

• age spots, acne
• wrinkles

There are different frequencies or wavelengths used with LED light treatment. These include red and blue light frequencies that contain fewer ultraviolet rays. Therefore, they are readily absorbed into the skin.

Red light

When the red light is applied, the dermis absorbs it & stimulates collagen proteins. This leads to a reduction in wrinkles, among other things.

More collagen, in theory, means that your skin will look smoother, fuller, and more youthful. In addition, using red LED light can reduce inflammation and improve circulation, which may help you feel healthier.

Blue light

Blue LED light therapy benefits you in several different ways, with one track being to treat your sebaceous glands. They are located beneath the hair follicles in close contact with your skin.

Sebaceous glands lubricate skin and hair so that it doesn’t dry out. But for some people, these glands might become overactive, leading to oily skin and acne.

Acne sufferers may want to try blue LED light therapy, which has been proven to reduce oil production and make acne less frequent. It can also work as a supplementary acne treatment by killing the bacteria on top of extreme pimples.

It is often seen that blue LED light is used in conjunction with red LED light to:

• help treat acne
• decrease scarring
• promote anti-inflammatory effects

One 2018 animal study found that blue LED light improved the healing of third-depth burns.

Procedure for LED light therapy

According to EstheticianEDU, each LED light therapy treatment lasts about 20 minutes. So you’ll likely need up to 10 treatments, depending on your desired results.

Some providers have you lie under the lights, while others use LED light-infused wands directly over your skin. The choice often depends on the office and the area being treated.

Targeted areas

While LED light therapy can technically be used on any part of the body, it is most often used on the face to counter skin damage because it’s exposed to so many elements.

LED light therapy can be used on areas found on the neck and chest which are commonly associated with aging.

Risks and side effects

The American Academy of Dermatology deems this procedure safe; led light therapy is a safer alternative to UV therapy and will not cause long-term damage to your skin. The procedure is also non-invasive and has few risks associated with it.

Your doctor may recommend LED light therapy if you have darker or more sensitive skin. Unlike more invasive treatments like lasers, LEDs don’t burn your skin and usually don’t cause pain.

Advocates of light therapy believe in the risks of LED light therapy.

Accutane can cause light sensitivity and scarring, so be careful with how much you use.

The LED light therapy will not work for you if you use any product sensitive to sunlight.

You may also want to avoid this treatment if you have a rash on your skin. Please follow up with your doctor before proceeding to red light therapy – it can help psoriasis, but only if combined with other treatments you are already taking.

LED light therapy has shown to be very safe in clinical trials and is safe enough to use. There are some rare cases of adverse reactions post-treatment, but they were not noted in most cases. If you experience any signs or symptoms after treatment, call your doctor.

• increased inflammation
• redness
• rash
• pain
• tenderness
• hives

What to expect after the therapy

LED light therapy is a safe & non-invasive therapy. You can continue your daily activities as soon as you’re done with the treatment.

In-office LED light therapy requires about ten sessions, spaced out with a week between each. Therefore, you may start seeing minor results after the first session but notice more significant changes as you finish them all.

Your oral health is an investment and can take over two weeks to show noticeable improvements. Therefore, it’s best to maintain your routine even after feeling better.

As your skin cells turn over, you may lose some collagen and see signs of aging again. So it’s essential to go in for treatments every few months or as recommended to maintain a fresh new look.

Home LED light therapy treatments don’t produce dramatic results because they don’t have high enough frequencies. So please follow the instructions carefully as detailed by the manufacturer.

Preparing for LED light therapy

One in-office LED light therapy session typically lasts for 20 minutes. Wear protective goggles to ensure the rays don’t cause any damage to your eyes.

Never wear makeup when using LED lights at home or seeing a provider for treatment.