Brush up on your LED knowledge and have all your questions answered with our definitive light therapy guide.
We hear so much about the benefits of red light therapy and the many ways it can improve our skin, but what about the need-to-know details? Is it the best option for your skin? What do you need to look out for when shopping for your own device? Whether you’re new to red light therapy or simply need a refresher on all things LED, we’ve got you covered.
What is it and does it actually work?
Put simply, LED light therapy is a popular, pain-free, non-invasive skin treatment for various skin issues including acne, rosacea, eczema, sun damage, and more. It utilises light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with different wavelengths to trigger the skin’s natural healing processes, which can lead to noticeable results. LED has even shown great results in wound healing, tissue growth and skin rejuvenation. How does it work? Each session uses different light wavelengths to penetrate the skin at various depths, with blue, red and near infrared light clinically proven in various studies to have an impact on your skin. Best of all, some studies have also shown positive outcomes for cosmetic procedures, with LED devices demonstrating effectiveness in treating psoriasis and mild-to-moderate acne. Remember, it’s not a one-off treatment though. You’ll need consistent sessions across 6-8 weeks if you’re hoping to see noticeable improvements in your skin. Thankfully, LED treatment doesn’t contain UV rays, so it’s considered safe for regular use.
Why are there multiple wavelengths and colours?
There are three wavelengths clinically proven to yield results – blue, red, and near-infrared. Each serves its own purpose and has its own benefits. Blue is best for treating acne and does this by eliminating acne-causing bacteria from your skin while reducing the amount of oil produced. Red stimulates Fibroblast skin cells, which are responsible for collagen production. It can penetrate the skin and stimulate cellular processes, promoting healing and reducing inflammation, which may reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles whilst boosting blood circulation and the stimulation of collagen and elastin. Last but by no means least, near-infrared increases blood flow and oxygenation, which helps to increase collagen and elastin production to reduce skin inflammation.
Go with your gut
Beyond the impact to our skin, red light therapy can play a role in our general wellbeing too. Studies shared in the American National Library of Medicine has revealed that light can positively influence the human intestinal microbiome and shows that photobiomodulation (PMB), which is defined as the use of red (630-700 nm) and near-infrared light (700 and 1200 nm) can affect the circadian rhythm of the gut microbiome. This encourages healing, relieving pain, reducing inflammation and even plays a beneficial role in the treatment of a number of diseases. What’s more, PBMT has also been shown to reduce inflammation in the gut and increase our levels of Vitamin D. This occurs due to the ability of PBMT to reduce the oxidative stress and increase antioxidant capacity, which can have a positive effect on the composition of our gut microbiota.
Can anyone use LED light therapy?
While it sounds almost too good to be true – LED light therapy isn’t always the best option for everyone. If you’re taking certain medications that make you more photosensitive, it’s best to avoid LED treatments. This also applies to anyone with a history of skin cancer, those who experience light-induced headaches, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you’re unsure whether LED is right for you, always check with your doctor first.
Is there a difference between treatments at home vs in-clinic?
There are – and this comes down mostly to the strength of treatment you’ll receive. While using your own device at home regularly will deliver results, the best outcome would be to engage in a mix of treatments at home and in-clinic. Most at-home LED devices will recommend regular use (3-4 times per week) for a certain amount of time to see results. For in-clinic treatments, you may consider attending two sessions per week for four weeks for the best outcome.
Which device should I get?
If you’re thinking of purchasing an LED light therapy device for home, be mindful of the specifications, quality and whether it’s TGA approved. Trudermal Glow is a custom at-home, hands-free wearable phototherapy device with the first-ever silicone upper lip treatment that includes all three clinically proven wavelengths in the one mask. It’s also stocked at over 400+ skin clinics across Australia and New Zealand.
