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LED light therapy is a fairly new and somewhat ultramodern technology. Like so many other space-agey, avant-garde luxuries that we enjoy today, So, how to use Led Light therapy at home?
Before we head to that, let’s first provide some important facts about this technology. The original idea for LED therapy was discovered quite by accident; NASA, who used it to promote plant growth during missions in the ‘80s, famously patented and utilized the idea originally. Later, it became apparent that the benefits didn’t stop with tomato plants in space. When applied to open wounds and tissue abrasions, it appeared to not only reduce inflammation but speed healing significantly.
According to the myriad of studies that cropped up to explore this phenomenon more closely, the LEDs used appear to pass through the topmost layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production and creating a smoother, more healthy appearance. The implications of this discovery didn’t quite gain the type of traction it deserves until fairly recently, but now that it’s established and well researched, its therapeutic benefits and use seem to be ever-flourishing.
It would be lovely for us to go on believing that blinking a bright light in our faces will give us that red carpet glow we all covet, but the fact is that there’s quite a bit more sciencey stuff going on beneath the surface.
First of all, LED therapy is a method that uses cold light at very specific wavelengths that penetrate the skin’s surface without damaging it, the light triggers chemical reactions in skin cells and activate them, and therefore, they will produce collagen to heal, moisturize and reduce wrinkles in your skin.
LED therapy is an excellent way to help combat acne, wrinkles, inflammation, and stretch marks.
The best part? It’s non-invasive, and there are no chemicals, retinoids or antibiotics involved.
What are The Different Colors of Led Light and What Do They Do?
As any rave enthusiast will surely tell you, LED comes in many different variations, mostly to do with the size of the light waves themselves and therefore the colors, as we perceive them. There are seven distinct colors that are available for LED light therapies, with some minor variants:
- Red Light (650nm). Red light is the king of increasing blood flow and collagen production. With its stimulating properties, red LED light can help the effects of aging and sun damage as well as more generalized conditions like rosacea and some kinds of acne.
- Blue (463nm). An LED for the rest of us with more specific issues to tackle, blue LED light is a great hue for relieving the progression of acne and killing the inflammation associated with it, and it also features a fantastic tightening quality which will encourage smoother, more youthful skin.
- Green (527nm). An effective anti-aging tool, green LED is also notorious for its ability to smooth uneven pigmentation and helping to rejuvenate loose or sagging skin to its original supple quality.
- Yellow (590nm). This color can provide many benefits including reducing inflammation, rosacea, and redness, and also gives the skin a smoother look. A good medium color for related issues, yellow Led light might be a good place to begin with your home LED light therapy session.
- Purple (600nm). Purple LED is a cool, relaxing color that soothes the mind as well as the body, creating a gentle sense of well-being. It can also improve lymph metabolism, which in turn can help to combat obesity and many other debilitating disorders.
- Light blue (510nm). A cool and calming LED color with appropriately freshening properties, light blue can be valuable for those of us who are extra sensitive to sunburn and inflammation. It is also a powerful combatant of seasonal allergies and can lessen the negative effects.
- NEW White (470nm). The white LED is a brand new feature and in many ways the best of all its constituents with none of the particulars. If you feel that you’re suffering from most of the problems described above in one way or another, white LED light therapy could be perfect for you. It helps to abet inflammation, acne, rosacea, wrinkles and open wounds, speeding the healing process and helping to revive damaged cells. Interestingly, white LED also possesses mood- and sleep-regulating qualities, making it a good choice for insomnia and anxiety sufferers. It also stimulates and accelerates tissue metabolism, resulting in new, healthy skin emerging more quickly.
How to Use Led Light Therapy at Home?
Led light therapy can be practiced at home, in a beauty salon or in a doctor’s office. At home, it is very practical thanks to the high-performance handheld light therapy devices available in the market. That will allow you to schedule your session any time you want to.
Whether you want to eliminate acne, rejuvenate your face, remove pigment spots or remove stretch marks, LED light sessions are done the same way; here are the steps to follow to get the maximum benefits from your treatment:
Steps to Follow
The first thing to do is to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions, especially regarding the distance between your skin and the device.
For a successful session, you must first remove any traces of make-up, foundation or cream and cleanse your skin thoroughly. It is also recommended to apply a cream specially formulated to be used with light therapy treatments to enhance the effects of your light therapy device.
Afterwards, you will have to adjust your LED device, you will switch light color based on the problem to be treated, set treatment time (usually between 20 and 30 minutes), and the intensity.
If you have an led mask, put yourself in a comfortable position, place makeup cotton on your eyes, and put the mask on your cleansed skin and relax.
In case you have an led facial wand, you will need to protect your eyes by wearing eye protective goggles, you will then slowly move the wand from the corner of the mouth to the area near the eyes. Then you will continue upward from the chin to the bottom of the ear and corners of the mouth.
As a last step, it is recommended to apply a serum or cream specially formulated to maintain the effects of the treatment.
Are Home LED Light Therapy Devices Safe to Use?
Fear not; the efficacy of LED light therapy is just as well studied as its safety, and it appears that the side effects are few and far between when the procedures are followed correctly.
Just like anything else, moderation appears to be key; too much LED light therapy can result in mild redness and irritation, much like overexposure to the sun. Keeping your therapy times at the recommended limits can help to reduce the risk of these issues.
Many doctors as always recommend that you not use LED light therapy if you’re currently on any sort of medication that increases your sensitivity to sunlight, including Accutane.
Home LED light therapy devices are indeed among the safest methods out there, due to their reduced output capacities; if anything, they’re much safer than clinical visits in many ways.
If you want to find out more about at-home Led light therapy, check out our article about the best LED light therapy devices for home use.
Does it Hurt?
Nope! LED therapy is completely non-invasive and therefore should be without any kind of discomfort. In fact, it’s considered to be very relaxing and tranquil, more like spa treatment than anything else. Easier still, home LED light therapy devices are designed to be activated with a press of a button and left on your face for the duration of the therapy. Just lay back in a comfortable position, relax, and enjoy your session.
Conclusion
LED light therapy is a newfangled idea that’s still gaining traction, but it’s definitely worth a shot. The scores of positive reviews speak for themselves. And using LED light therapy devices at home can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to reap the benefits of these therapies on your own couch.
Hi, it’s Judy!
I’m a passionate skincare specialist and writer. I have more than 7 years of experience as a beauty, fashion, and lifestyle writer and editor, and I’m extremely passionate about what I do.
