"The LED Revolution": The ultimate guide to LED Light Therapy
- Rebecca Knubley
- Jul 5, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 20, 2024
Say goodbye to dull skin and hello to a radiant glow - LED light therapy is taking the beauty world by storm, and if you don't know much about it or perhaps your thinking its another marketing gimmick? Keep reading!
Let’s dive into the origins of LED light therapy, originally known as phototherapy. The earliest research dates back to 1903, with significant advancements beginning in the 1960s.
Red and near-infrared light therapy have gained popularity as devices and treatment options have evolved. Originally developed by NASA for astronauts on long-term space missions, LED therapy is now a safe and natural treatment for various skin and pain conditions. NASA’s interest in medical light therapy began when they observed that abrasions on astronauts’ hands were healing faster than normal. Subsequent studies by NASA showed that red and near-infrared LEDs could significantly accelerate the healing of oxygen-deprived wounds and promote the growth and cell turnover of skin, bone, and muscle cell cultures.
In 2001, the proven success of red light therapy led to the development of blue and infrared light therapy devices that combined these colours. Near-infrared light was found to accelerate wound healing, especially for oxygen-deprived wounds, by boosting the production of growth factors, collagen, and blood vessels.
More recently, blue light therapy has been extensively studied. As a derivative of UV therapy, it has been used for conditions like psoriasis, immune system stimulation, bacterial infections, acne, actinic keratosis (AK), seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and inflammatory conditions such as gout, gouty arthritis, and bursitis.
THE REVIEW; IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER:
Finding the right LED light therapy device can be a daunting task with so many options on the market. As a spa and skin specialist, I’ve done extensive research on products for both at-home use and professional clinic settings. I understand the frustration when people feel their device isn’t effective or believe they’ve wasted their money. This often happens because not all LED light therapy devices ARE NOT ALL MADE THE SAME.
It’s crucial to remember that quality matters when investing in LED therapy. Cheaper options, like those from Aldi with 10 differant colours or the so-called “professional grade” £75 masks on Amazon, often don’t live up to their promises.
Don’t be tempted by the allure of “something is better than nothing” – when it comes to LED light therapy, this simply isn’t true. Investing in a high-quality device is essential for seeing real benefits.
Top #3 LED Light therapy mask to use at home under £500
Omnilux - https://omniluxled.com/products/omnilux-contour-face £350.90
DermaCeuticals - https://dermapenworld.co.uk/collections/led-light-therapy/products/led-face £344.40
Dr.Dennis Gross - https://www.spacenk.com/uk/accessories/electronic/skincare-devices/drx-spectralite-faceware-pro-MUK200023150.html £465
Top #3 pricer LED Light Therapy for professional or home
Elipsa - https://lightstim.com/products/lightstim-elipsa £2,000
Dermalux Flex MD - https://www.currentbody.com/products/dermalux-flex-md £1,895
Celluma Pro - https://cellumauk.co.uk/products/celluma-pro £1995
The Top #3 professional in clinic only
Lightstim Pro Panel https://lightstim.com/products/lightstim-propanel £5217
Celluma Elite https://cellumauk.co.uk/collections/all/products/celluma-elite £3250
Dermalux Compact Lite https://www.dermaluxled.com.au/device/compact/ £8500
Omnilux -
Skin concern: Fine lines, Wrinkles, Younger looking skin, regeneration, pigmentation, redness, scarring.
Usage: 3 to 5, 10-minute treatments per week for 4-6 weeks followed by maintenance as desired
Dermatologist recommended: YES
FDA Cleared: YES
Safe for all skin types: YES
Warrenty: 2 years, 1 year controller
Red Light - Anti ageing Therapy: YES
Blue light - Acne/Blemish Therapy: NO
Wave Length Strentgh: 633nm (red) and 830nm (near-infrared)
Clinical Studies: YES
Wireless: NO
Worldwide: YES
Dermaceuticals -
Skin concern: Fine lines, Wrinkles, Younger looking skin, regeneration, pigmentation, redness, scarring.
Usage: Three to five, 10-minute treatments per week for 4-6 weeks followed by maintenance as desired
Dermatologist recommended: YES
FDA Cleared: YES
Safe for all skin types: YES
Warrenty: 2 years
Red Light - Anti ageing Therapy: YES
Blue light - Acne/Blemish Therapy: NO
Wave Length Strentgh: 633nm (red) and 830nm (near-infrared)
Clinical Studies: YES
Wireless: NO
Worldwide: YES
Dr Dennis Groth-
Skin concern: Fine lines, Wrinkles, Younger looking skin, regeneration, pigmentation, redness, scarring.
Usage: 3 to 5, 10-15 minute treatments per week OR 3 minutes per day
Dermatologist recommended: YES
FDA Cleared: YES
Safe for all skin types: YES
Warrenty: 2 years
Red Light - Anti ageing Therapy: YES
Blue light - Acne/Blemish Therapy: YES
Wave Length Strentgh: 633nm (red) / 415nm (blue)
Clinical Studies: YES
Wireless: YES
Worldwide: YES
Elipsa ;
LightStim LED light therapy devices have been used and recommended by medical spas, estheticians, dermatologists, plastic surgeons. LightStim Elipsa utilizes wavelengths of Blue, Amber, Light Red, Dark Red and Infrared with a total of 868 LEDs.
Dermalux Flex MD;
Dermalux Flex MD is the most powerful and clinically accurate portable LED device on the market. In a market saturated with entry-level portable LED devices Dermalux Flex MD is a standout against competitors featuring our proprietary LED technology and the Dermalux guarantee of efficacy and quality. The Flex MD delivers clinically proven Blue 415nm, Red 633nm and Near-Infrared 830nm via single wavelength LEDs to ensure precision and optimum optical power. The Dermalux Flex boasts a range of 10-40 J/CM2.
Cellumapro;
This 3-mode Celluma PRO treating Acne, Wrinkles and Pain, is quite unlike any other LED panel device available today. Ideally sized for over the face, the Celluma PRO can be positioned easily over any part of the body, including the spine, hip or shoulder complexes, feet, knees, and more. Patented shape-taking design. While some LED machines claim to be flexible, unlike Celluma, none can hold their shape in position without stands or cradles to hold them in place, This one is great for travel!!!
We’ll dive into the Professional range another day, but I highly recommend it. These devices are significantly more powerful. For instance, the Compact Lite from Dermalux is five times more powerful than the Flex MD, reducing treatment time by half. This means you’ll need fewer sessions and shorter maintenance times. Adding LED treatments with a clinic-grade machine can yield quicker results compared to at-home devices, making it a great addition to any facial routine.
Sheet Masks to use; With the LED light on top!!!
Lightstim - https://lightstim.com/products/lightstim-sheetmasque 6 pack £65
DermaPen - https://dermapenworld.co.uk/collections/led-light-face-therapy/products/lumafuse-face-mask 5 Pack £88.70
Popular Questions Asked:
Arent they just all the same? Not all LED devices are made the same, hense the huge price differences. Look out for the things i've mentioned in this blog, but to tell the most effective Machiene its to look out for the - Joules per square centimeter (cm2) we can go in to this another day but in laymans terms - Joules per square centimeter (J/cm²) in LED light therapy measures how much light energy hits each square centimeter of your skin. It’s a way to ensure your skin gets the right amount of energy for the treatment to be effective.
How often do I have to use it? For results you have to using the minimum usage requirements that the machine recommend. For at home use - this is usually 10-15 mins, 3x per week for 4 - 6 weeks after that you can go to maintenance usage. Alternately you can use them every day for 3-5 mins. Using 1x per week for 5 minutes wont give you the change you want.
Can I use if I'm pregnant? Research is limited, however they have all be safe and results are from 2nd trimester no harm is done as long as its not directly on the little bump.
Will it affect my eye sight? Defiantly not, if using protective googles the whole time.
Can I use if I have sensitive skin? Yes, Red light & Infrared do miracles for sensitive skin.
Is there any downtime? No, 0 % downtime
What are the negative side effects? Nothing, Unlike many treatments LED therapy is completely non invasive and pain free, you can wear makeup, swim, sleep, go to dinner anything you want after. There is something called overexposure which could cause a slight headache, nausea and even rashes, or dryness due to it activating cell turnover.
Before beginning LED therapy, consulting a dermatologist or licensed aesthetician is vital. They can evaluate your skin type, existing conditions, and medical history to determine if LED rejuvenation is suitable for you. Professionals can also customise treatment plans to address specific skin concerns effectively. If you've tried any of the recommended products or have your own suggestions please leave me a comment on my blog and share your experience. I'd love to hear from you. Thank you so much for your support, and reading my blogs I really hope they are useful and give you some more insight in to this ever growing beauty + wellness industry. RK, x
Disclaimer:
The content provided in this blog post is for informational and educational purposes only. All information shared is based on personal experiences and insights. The author does not claim to be a medical professional, and the content should not be construed as medical advice or a substitute for professional medical guidance. It is essential to consult with your doctor, therapist, or counselor before implementing any practices discussed in this blog post. The author holds no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.
Thank you for your understanding.
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