LED Light Therapy Facial: Everything You Need to Know

FACTS CHECKED BY  Bob Smith

You may have seen people with bright red faces walking around. Or, maybe you’ve seen ads for LED light therapy facial in your social media feeds. LED light therapy is a treatment suitable for all skin types and uses light to improve the appearance of the skin.

In this article, I will talk about what an LED light therapy facial is, what it does, who should not have one, the different types of it, how it works, and what to expect from a professional or at-home treatment.

What Are LED Light Facial Treatments?

LED light therapy is a non-invasive, painless treatment that uses different wavelengths of light to heal specific skin concerns.

The most common LEDs used in facial treatments are red and blue. Red LED penetrates deep into the skin to stimulate collagen and elastin production, while blue LED therapy targets acne-causing bacteria, sebaceous glands, and oil glands.

What Do Light Therapy Treatments Do?

LED light therapy can improve the overall appearance of your skin by providing a range of benefits, including:

  • Reducing fine lines and periorbital wrinkles
  • Evening out skin tone
  • Increasing collagen production
  • Treating acne breakouts using blue light
  • Reducing inflammation
  • Increasing circulation
  • Tissue repair
Healing acne-prone skin

Healing acne-prone skin

Who Should Avoid LED Therapy?

While LED light therapy is generally safe for most people, a few should avoid this treatment.

First, if you’re taking medication that increases your sensitivity to sunlight, you should avoid LED light therapy. And this includes medicines like isotretinoin and lithium. Second, you should also steer clear if you have skin cancer or inherited eye disease.

In these cases, the light can make your condition worse. Therefore, it’s essential to consult with a doctor or a dermatologist beforehand to see if this treatment is proper for you.

The Different Types of Led Therapy Treatments

Different types of LED light therapy can address other skin concerns depending on the light color and penetration depth.

  • Blue light is most effective on the uppermost layer of skin and treats acne.
  • Red light penetrates deeper and reduces inflammation, and stimulates collagen production.
  • Greenlight is effective in reducing melasma and other skin discoloration issues.
  • Purple light eliminates acne-causing bacteria while reducing facial inflammation. So no matter what your skin concern may be, there’s a LED light therapy that can help address it.
  • Infrared light can stimulate blood circulation and give you a healthy glow If your skin looks dull and lifeless.
Different types of light therapy treatments

Different types of light therapy treatments

How Does LED Treatment Work?

LED treatments utilize different wavelengths and colors of light to penetrate the skin at different depths and trigger a response at a cellular level.

The cellular activity then leads to positive changes in the skin, such as reduced inflammation or increased collagen production, resulting in healthier, more youthful-looking skin.

Professional vs. At-Home Light Therapy Devices

You can do LED light therapy professionally at a healthcare provider’s office or spa or in the comfort of your home with at-home LED devices.

During Professional treatment, wear protective goggles (eye protection) and lie on a table or bed. The therapist will then move the device around your face, making sure to hit all of your trouble spots. The full treatment usually takes about 20-30 minutes.

On top of that, at-home devices such as LED masks or wands are becoming increasingly powerful, and you can use them as often as you please.

Reduces wrinkles and age spots

Patient getting a professional light treatment

What to Expect from LED Therapy?

Most people report feeling nothing during an LED light therapy session. The bright lights won’t disturb you, and there is no recovery time afterward – you can go about your day as usual immediately after the treatment. Some people may experience slight redness or swelling after a cure, but this subsides within a few hours.

You may notice some results after a single session. Still, a course of 6-8 sessions is usually recommended for the best results.

These should be spaced 1-2 weeks apart for maximum effectiveness. Once you complete your course, you may require maintenance treatments to keep your skin looking its best.

Advantages of an LED Light Therapy

If you’ve been considering LED light therapy, then you might be wondering about all the beneficial effects it has to offer. Here are just a few of the ways that LED light therapy can help you:

  • Boosts the production of collagen, leading to smoother, firmer skin.
  • Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Diminishes the appearance of dark spots and improves overall skin tone.
  • Reduces inflammation and soothes sensitive skin cells.
  • Improve circulation.
  • Wound healing.
Reduces wrinkles and age spots

Reduces wrinkles and age spots

Side Effects of an LED Light Therapy

A clinical study by the American Academy of Dermatology approves LED light therapy as a safe treatment for various skin conditions. However, there are some potential side effects associated with this treatment, including:

  • Increased inflammatory skin conditions
  • Rash
  • Redness
  • Pain

More severe side effects, such as burns or eye damage, can occur in rare cases. Still, these are not long-term effects and only last for a short period. If you experience any side effects from LED light therapy, be sure to consult with your dermatologist right away.

Face suffering from a rash

Face suffering from a rash

Summary

LED light therapy is a safe, non-invasive treatment that can improve various skin conditions. It effectively reduces inflammation, boosts collagen production, and stimulates blood circulation.

LED treatments are available professionally and at home; most people report no discomfort or downtime afterward.

I hope you found this article helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

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