Light therapy for the face is a non-surgical procedure that involves the skin to light-emitting diode (LED) lamps of different spectra. These devices light of a specific wavelength:
- Blue light penetrates the upper layers of the skin and is used to fight acne-causing bacteria.
- Red light works deeper, stimulating collagen production and promoting skin regeneration.
- Yellow light penetrates even deeper and is used to reduce redness and improve blood circulation.
- Near infrared light reaches the deepest layers of the skin.
The procedure can in beauty salons or using home devices. This technique popularity due to its simplicity and the absence of a rehabilitation period.
In clinics and salons, specialists use professional equipment with more powerful LEDs. At home, LED masks or portable devices are used, which offer a less intense effect.
During the LED radiation session, the patient special glasses to protect the eyes from bright light. The process itself is painless and takes from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the device and the selected light spectrum.
Why use light therapy
Manufacturers and cosmetologists claim that light therapy can solve many skin problems. According to them, LED radiation helps:
- reduce acne ;
- smooth out wrinkles and improve skin elasticity;
- reduce redness and inflammation;
- accelerate skin healing after cosmetic procedures;
- lighten age spots;
- stimulate hair growth in androgenetic alopecia, a form of hair loss associated with hormones and genetics.
Does Light Therapy Help Keep Your Skin Young?
Light therapy can indeed have an effect on the condition of the skin, but not always and not for everyone.
Light therapy is believed reduce acne, but results vary. Some patients see significant improvement, while others see only a slight reduction in inflammation. Most often, experts recommend combining light therapy with other acne treatments to achieve lasting results.
Red LED light to stimulate collagen production, which makes skin firmer and helps reduce wrinkles . Harvard experts that after a few sessions, skin appears smoother and its tone and texture are improved. However, the degree of improvement may vary, and regular use is required to see significant results.
When it comes to pigmentation and redness, some experts at the American Academy of Dermatology that red light can reduce hyperpigmentation, especially when used in combination with laser treatments. After this combination therapy, patients report lightening of dark spots and a reduction in the appearance of vascular changes.
Sagging skin is another problem that manufacturers claim light therapy can help with. Research that red light therapy can slightly improve skin density and elasticity, but the effect is not always pronounced and may require additional cosmetic procedures .
Light therapy is also not only for the face, but also to stimulate hair growth in people suffering from androgenetic alopecia. Regular exposure to red light is thought to help increase hair density. However, as with other aspects of light therapy, it must be combined with other treatments to achieve noticeable results.
We do not routinely prescribe this therapy in clinical practice for the treatment of acne or male-pattern or female-pattern hair loss due to its absence from international guidelines and the small number of high-quality studies.
However, it is worth mentioning that European recommendations for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia include low-intensity laser radiation (this is a slightly different method) as an additional therapy option.
It turns out that despite promising results, light therapy is not a universal solution. The long-term effect depends on the individual characteristics of the skin, the regularity of the procedures and their combination with other care methods.
Can light therapy be harmful?
Light therapy relatively safe, especially in the short term. Unlike ultraviolet radiation, which can cause skin cancer, studies such risks with red light.
But in any case, if you buy a device for home use, it must be safe. Pay attention to whether it has a passport, certificate and declaration of conformity with state standards. If the documents are not included, you can request them from the seller. And if there is no confirmation of safety, it is better to return the device to the manufacturer.
If LED therapy is used incorrectly, you can get a burn. The probability is, of course, much lower than with lasers or IPL, but there are several factors that can contribute to this: excessive procedure time, inappropriate power or wavelength of light, low quality of the device, increased photosensitivity of the skin, violation of the rules of use.
If redness, burning or signs of a burn occur after LED therapy, it is important to discontinue use and, if necessary, consult a dermatologist.
It is also important to protect your eyes when using it, as prolonged exposure to bright light negatively affect your vision .
The most common side of light therapy are mild pain or skin irritation, which usually resolve on their own. However, the long-term effects of light therapy are not fully understood.
Photosensitivity of the skin may increase, for example, due to taking a retinoid – isotretinoin. In this case, light therapy, including LED masks, should be used with important precautions.
For safe use, Ekaterina advises to adhere to the following rules:
- use the LED mask 2-3 times a week, no more often;
- start with short sessions of 5-10 minutes and observe the skin’s reaction;
- After the procedures, be sure to moisturize your skin;
- avoid other aggressive procedures on the same day as LED;
- If irritation increases, discontinue use of light therapy.
What to replace light therapy with
To keep your skin young and healthy, proper daily care is important . Dermatologists following several key principles that will help slow down aging:
- Sun protection. Ultraviolet rays accelerate skin aging, causing wrinkles and age spots. Therefore, it is important to use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily, as well as wear sunglasses and hats.
- Avoid tanning. Tanning, both natural and in a solarium, damages the skin and accelerates its aging. To avoid this, you can use safe self-tanners.
- Gentle cleansing. Harsh cleansers and scrubs can damage the skin and cause irritation. It is better to cleanse the face with gentle products twice a day and after sweating.
- Moisturize: Regular use of moisturizer helps maintain skin elasticity and prevents it from drying out.
- Healthy eating. Fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants help skin stay young longer. At the same time, excess sugar and refined carbohydrates can accelerate aging.
- Quit smoking and drinking alcohol. Smoking and alcohol contribute to dehydration and worsen your complexion.
- Regular physical activity. Moderate physical activity improves blood circulation and promotes a healthy complexion.
- Control of facial expressions. Frequent contraction of the same facial muscles can lead to the formation of persistent wrinkles. For example, wearing sunglasses helps to avoid wrinkles from squinting.
Acne treatment requires an individual approach and depends on the severity of the problem. Dermatologists using over-the-counter products. One of the effective components is adapalene, a retinoid that helps fight blackheads and inflammation. Azelaic acid is also widely used, as it not only reduces inflammation, but also lightens acne spots.
For mild acne, dermatologists often recommend benzoyl peroxide, which reduces sebum production and kills bacteria. Salicylic acid , with its cleansing and exfoliating properties, helps prevent new breakouts.
Pigment spots can be with:
- Creams and lotions that lighten the skin, but require regular use over several months.
- Laser treatments, which work faster but can cause side effects such as temporary darkening of the spots.
- Cryosurgery, which freezes the spots, leaving the skin with a more even tone.
- Microdermabrasion is a mechanical peeling that helps smooth out pigment spots.
- Chemical peeling, which is especially effective for removing age spots on the hands.
