Red light LED stimulates fibroblast cells that generate collagen proteins, which reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps with healing and recovery after a traumatic event.
Blue light targets the oil glands, which can overproduce and clog pores leading to breakouts. It then zaps acne-causing bacteria and calms inflammation.
Reduces Wrinkles
The skin goes through a process called photoageing, which can cause wrinkles and other changes. One way to reduce the signs of photoaging is with light therapy. This uses low-level lights to boost collagen production and help recover damaged skin. The device is called a photobiomodulator, and it uses different frequencies of light to target specific skin problems.
For example, red LED light works by penetrating the outer layer of the skin and triggering natural intracellular reactions. That increases collagen and minimizes fine lines, stretch marks, sun damage, and rosacea. Blue LED light targets oil glands to reduce cytokines that can lead to acne, and it also kills acne bacteria.
Another popular treatment is microneedling with a dermaroller. This can also rejuvenate the skin and reduce fine lines. Most offices combine LED light therapy with microneedling in a single session, to get the most out of both treatments.
There are many different types of LED devices on the market, but this one by Dennis Gross is FDA-cleared and has 72 LEDs. It’s a bit on the pricier side, but it can deliver visible results over time if you use it at least three times per week. It’s best if you sit with the device about an arm’s length away from your face, but you don’t have to stare directly at it.
Reduces Acne
Unlike topical acne treatments that ease inflammation and bacteria on the surface of the skin, light therapy eliminates the bacteria responsible for breakouts. This is important for preventing future acne and reducing the severity of existing breakouts.
Blue light is able to penetrate hair follicles and pores where the bacteria that cause acne reside. When these bacteria absorb the blue light, a chemical reaction occurs that kills the bacteria. This results in a significant reduction in acne outbreaks. In one study, subjects who received blue light treatment twice a week for five weeks reported a 65% improvement in inflammatory acne lesions and 54% improvement in noninflammatory acne lesions (J. Am. Acad. Dermatology 2008;58:56-9).
Red light stimulates cells known as fibroblasts that help the skin to produce collagen, which is a protein that makes up most of the tissue in the body and helps the skin to repair damage caused by sun exposure or injuries. Red light also regulates sebum production, preventing overproduction that can clog pores and lead to breakouts.
Studies combining a topical application of the acne medication methyl aminolevulinate with red and blue light (Photodynamic Therapy, or PDT) have shown promising clinical results for inflammatory acne lesions, including a reduction in blackheads and whiteheads, but further well-planned trials are needed before it can be recommended as standard therapy. In addition, more research is needed to determine whether LED light therapy can restore hair growth for those with androgenetic alopecia, male or female pattern baldness.
Reduces Pain
For those with irritated and itchy complexions, LED light therapy is a powerful weapon. The energy from the red and infrared light penetrates deep into the skin, correcting vulnerability, strengthening the barrier and diminishing inflammation. Unlike topical treatments, it treats the root cause of your itchiness so you don’t have to constantly apply more and more products that just mask the problem.
Research has shown that the light therapy stimulates fibroblast cells, which are responsible for producing collagen. This boost in collagen reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and makes the skin look plumper and firmer. It also helps to diminish the appearance of scars and improve skin tone.
Infrared LED (light emitting diodes) energy penetrates the body’s tissue, triggering several natural metabolic events on a cellular level. It is thought that the light activates the nitric oxide in your blood vessels, causing them to relax and increase flow of oxygen. This, in turn, enhances blood circulation, fights free radicals to reduce oxidative stress, and prevents platelets from clumping together and clogging your arteries.
The light therapy also kills bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains, to treat acne and cuts down on redness associated with rosacea. It can even kill psoriasis pimples and plaques and promote hair growth in people with androgenetic alopecia. It is also known to lower pain from arthritis, sports injuries and backaches.
Reduces Inflammation
The light waves of the red and near infrared spectrum penetrate deep into skin and tissue to stimulate fibroblast cells to produce new proteins for collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid (a naturally-occurring acid that is crucial to the integrity of healthy tissue). In this way, it reduces fine lines and wrinkles, rehydrates the skin, boosts circulation and improves the skin’s texture and tone.
In the case of vitiligo, visible red light accelerates the repigmentation of vitiligo patches by stimulating melanocyte activity and cell regeneration. In preparation for a light therapy session, clients are asked to remove all makeup and any other substances that could inhibit penetration of the beneficial light waves. Clients are then given goggles to wear throughout the treatment.
While scientists have known for decades that various wavelengths of light can alleviate a host of conditions, the evidence hasn’t caught on, perhaps because it seemed too incredible to be true. The work of physicist Tiina Karu – who received a Nobel Prize for her research on photosynthesis and other life processes – has brought some attention to this remarkable discovery.
Studies have shown that light can make wounds heal 2.5 times faster, reduce pain and scabbing, alleviate psoriasis and dermatitis, and stanch the inflammation of multiple sclerosis. Blue light has also been found to obliterate the bacteria that cause acne and other conditions, including the antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Red light Therapy