Research suggests that LED light therapy may help reduce and improve some skin conditions and problems. However, to see improvements in your skin, you need to get regular treatments. LED light therapy appears to be a safe treatment for several skin conditions, such as acne, skin aging, skin wounds, and other problems. So what does this mean with respect to their respective benefits? According to Dr.
Chwalek, because of its longer wavelength, “infrared light” penetrates deeper into the skin, so it is used (often in combination with red light) not only to treat signs of aging, but also to aid in connective tissue healing and muscle recovery. One of the reasons red light therapy has become so popular is because it is a quick, safe, easy, and 100 percent painless procedure that requires no downtime. Chwalek explains: “These are light, painless treatments that vary in duration depending on the device in question. You may experience a slight warm feeling on your skin, but it shouldn't hurt or burn.
However, the lights can be quite bright, so be sure to follow the instructions and protect your eyes if you are prone to light sensitivity. Experts say it's too early to know if these devices are effective. Some small studies have shown promise for certain conditions, says Dr. Elizabeth Buzney, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School.
“I think it's a very exciting emerging area,” he says. But the evidence isn't there yet. For many years, scientists have studied how the sun's rays affect the skin. First, they focused their attention on the so-called burning rays of the sun, or ultraviolet B radiation, more commonly known as UVB.
Then, the focus changed to ultraviolet A or UVA rays. It's the sun's rays that age the skin, causing wrinkles and discoloration. We have recently started talking about the effects of visible light on the skin, not necessarily LED light, but visible light in general, says Dr. Researchers now aim to better understand how visible light and LED light affect skin.
Red and blue lights are often promoted in LED skin treatments. Experts believe that red LED light acts on skin cells known as fibroblasts, which play a role in the production of collagen, a protein that makes up a large part of connective tissue and helps the skin recover when damaged. So, in theory, red light could help reverse some of the signs related to photoaging in the skin, says Dr. In addition, some studies show that red light can help restore hair for people with androgenetic alopecia or male and female pattern hair loss, he says.
For the most part, these LED light therapies appear to be relatively safe, at least in the short term, says Dr. FDA has approved some products for home use. LED skin devices don't have a lot of power, so they're unlikely to burn your skin. However, it's important to protect your eyes from light while wearing them, says Dr.
One brand, Neutrogena, recalled its light therapy mask for acne in July in response to concerns about the device's potential to damage the eyes in people with underlying eye conditions or who are taking medications that make the eyes more sensitive to light. However, there is still much that is not known about the effects of these devices. The long-term safety of these phototherapies remains uncertain, says Dr. Marissa Heller, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School.
So, consider these unknowns when weighing the pros and cons of LED light therapy. LED phototherapy has gained popularity in recent years, both as an in-office treatment and for use at home. FDA-approved mask offers red light for collagen production and near-infrared light to stimulate circulation and reduce inflammation. At 630 nanometers, red light can touch the surface of the skin, but when you reach 680 nanometers, it now penetrates deeper into the dermis, where you can address things like collagen and elastin production.
Phototherapy treatments use light across the entire visible spectrum, including blue, yellow, amber and red, and light beyond the visible spectrum, that is, infrared. Skin specialists often use LED light therapy along with other treatments, such as creams, ointments, and facials, to give you the best results. In the 1990s, NASA began studying the effects of LED in promoting wound healing in astronauts by helping cells and tissues. But how does LED phototherapy actually work? What kind of skin benefits can it actually provide? And are LED light masks safe for home use? We Asked Board-Certified Dermatologists to Discuss Exactly What You Need to Know About LED Light Therapy.
In other words, when cells are treated with wavelengths of red light, a multitude of restorative effects can occur, leading to potential benefits, such as increased production of collagen (also known as younger looking skin), improved skin tone, and reduced inflammation and redness. In addition, some research has found that blue light therapy can contribute to aging by causing free radical damage to the skin. A very lively example is LED light therapy, which is said to help with a long list of skin problems, including everything from acne and inflammation to fine lines and even wound healing. The blame lies partly with celebrities, who regularly post selfies with their LED light masks that claim to attack acne and help them get that red carpet glow.
A study found that a combination of red and blue light between 415 nm and 633 nm was effective in treating acne. This FDA-approved light mask specifically addresses acne problems, which it treats with red and blue lights. That said, if you prefer to perform red light therapy at home, make sure you specify an output intensity that is capable of achieving the benefits you want (more information below). .
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