LED treatments are very popular in today’s skincare industry but I’m often asked by customers exactly what this treatment is. In a nutshell, LED Light Therapy utilises specific wavelengths to gain therapeutic benefits on our cellular activity. This concept isn’t new. In fact, it began in 1903, when Niels Finsen won a Nobel Prize Of Medicine for demonstrating the benefits of various wavelengths in the treatment of skin conditions. Over the last 100 years, these ideas have evolved, and the treatment has gone from a hidden tool – used by the likes of NASA to promote wound healing and tissue regrowth – to an established player in the advanced skincare industry. But why do these colourful lights affect our skin, and more importantly, do they work!?!
Our skin has this amazing ability to absorb light and turn it into energy (much like plants using chlorophyll to gain energy from the sun). The energy created is called adenosine triphosphate (or ATP) and it acts as a turbo booster for cellular activity. In fact, studies have shown that skin cells grow 150-200% faster when exposed to different wavelengths of light.
That said, as with any trends, you need to make sure you’re investing in high quality materials as opposed to good advertising. Unfortunately, just shining a red torch on your skin will not make you look 10 years younger. The specific wavelengths are very important to getting your desired skincare results. Most practices will focus on two main wavelengths:
Red Light (640nm): This stimulates fibroblasts to promote collagen and elastin within the skin. Red light is also a great anti-inflammatory so can be used in conjunction with more invasive treatments such as microneedling and chemical peels to calm the skin without reducing cellular activity.
Blue Light (450nm): This works at targeting bacteria growth inside the pores. Blue light is excellent for treating pustular break out sna sensitivity so is particularly effective on acneic skins as well as rosacea. It will reduce the inflammation and speed up the healing process whilst improving the overall condition of the skin.
You will mostly find skincare professionals using these two wavelengths, however, some machines have a full rainbow of wavelengths that we can benefit from. These benefits include:
- Strengthening the skin
- Improving skin tone and texture
- Increasing collagen and elastin production
- Treating active acne, dermatitis, rosacea and psoriasis
- Aids cell detoxification
- Smoothing fine lines and wrinkles
At A Room With A View, I like to use LED Light Therapy in combination with other skincare treatments in order to maximise results. Why not try adding it on to your Therapeutic Facial? LED allows enough time to enjoy a simultaneous head massage and will increase the efficacy of all the lovely products used in your treatment. It also sits beautifully alongside a Lifting Facial to strengthen the skin cells that support the lifted muscles. Alternatively, if you prefer a more intense skincare treatment, such as microneedling or chemical peels, LED Light Therapy will enhance your treatment and further boost your collagen synthesis whilst calming any redness as a result of your treatment. An excellent ‘Add-On’ to any skincare treatment!