Safe and Effective At-Home LED Light Therapy Tools

At-home LED light therapy utilizes the NASA-studied, non-invasive effects of red and blue light to promote healthy skin without the recovery time of a chemical peel or the discomfort of microneedling.

Contents

1. Using light in space

2. Wavelengths, colors, and effects

3. Treatment

Key Points

• LED light therapy is proven to ameliorate a variety of skincare conditions.
• In addition to clinical and professional treatments, there are many at-home devices available across price ranges.
• Red light, blue light, and near-infrared light are the only light frequencies known to have beneficial properties. 

Using light in space

NASA started investigating LED's potential to speed up the healing of astronauts' wounds by stimulating the growth of cells and tissues in the 1990s. As a result, LED (light-emitting diode) light therapy was discovered and is now widely used today.

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LED light treatment is increasingly being offered by medical offices, and the devices are widely accessible, making it easier for patients to utilize at-home LED light therapy. The main goals of LED light therapy are inflammation reduction and anti-aging effects on the skin.

Today, a variety of skin conditions are often treated by dermatologists and estheticians using LED light treatment. To achieve the greatest results for you, skin specialists frequently combine LED light therapy with additional treatments including lotions, ointments, and facials. Other conditions for which LED light therapy is used include acne, dermatitis, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, hair loss, and sun damage.

Wavelengths, colors, and effects

The visible light spectrum is made up of several wavelengths, each of which corresponds to a distinct hue and penetrates the skin to a different depth. The effectiveness and purpose of each color correspond with how deeply the wavelength penetrates the skin. Red, near-infrared, and blue wavelengths are the most common frequencies used in LED light treatment. They are easily absorbed by the skin and do not include damaging UV light.

• Blue light: Treats the epidermis, which is the top layer of skin. The skin may seem smoother as a result of increased collagen synthesis.
• Red light: Red light focuses on the deeper skin layers. It is believed that the fibroblast cells in charge of producing collagen proteins activate when the skin layer absorbs infrared light. If this frequency reduces the quantity of oil produced by these glands, the skin may become drier and see fewer acne outbreaks. 
• Near-infrared light: This frequency is used to treat pain, as it is able to penetrate the deepest. On a cellular level, this wavelength functions similarly to red light. It is also not visible to the human eye. 

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*A combination of red and blue light is typically used in a clinic and in an at-home LED light therapy session. Other wavelengths, including green, yellow, orange, and amber are not scientifically supported to induce any benefits.

Treatment

The majority of the time, several therapy sessions are necessary, with a typical treatment lasting up to 30 minutes per session. You may lay down directly beneath the light source, depending on the equipment being used, or use a more specialized device such as a mask or wand to spot treat small areas.

While LED light treatment may be applied to any part of the body, it is most frequently used to repair sun and other environmental other damage to the face. Luckily, you can access several at-home LED light therapy devices.

LED masks are among the many household appliances that you can purchase that employ LED light therapy. Be aware that these devices are on the newer and higher end of skincare and will run you at least $60. However, LED light therapy at a dermatologist will be around $50-150 per treatment.  Here are some of the at-home LED light therapy devices available today:

1. NORLANYA Red LED Light photon Therapy Device

If you are looking for an affordable way to try out at-home LED light therapy, this might be your best option. Costing $60, this handheld wand only covers small areas at a time, however, it will still offer the benefits of both red and near-infrared light. 

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2. Trophy Skin RejuvaliteMD Red Light Therapy

This $162 at-home LED light therapy lamp offers a variety of red, yellow, amber, and infrared wavelengths. You can place it on your countertop, sit back, and enjoy the benefits. They offer a separate blue light panel for purchase as well. 

3. dpl II a-Professional Wrinkle Reduction and Acne Treatment Light Therapy Panel

This is a class II FDA-cleared LED light panel that combines red, blue, and infrared light. It is $399 and comes as a compact panel that unfolds allowing you to cover large areas of skin. 

LED light treatment is noninvasive, has low risk, and requires no recovery time. It offers benefits for all skin types with no risk of burns, redness, peeling, blistering, swelling, or discomfort while using LED phototherapy alone. In fact, LED light treatment is wholly painless. Not to mention convenience; patients can receive therapy during a lunch break and then head back to work right away. Overall, at-home LED light therapy seems like a pretty great option. 

Written by Kiana St. Onge

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SOURCES:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5843358/
2. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-is-led-light-therapy-and-what-are-the-benefits
3. Photo by Steve Barker on Unsplash