LED LIGHT THERAPY FAQ

Your questions answered on LED light therapy as a facial treatment.

LED LIGHT THERAPY FAQ

LED light therapy uses concentrated light from the visible light spectrum (rainbow) to penetrate below the skin’s surface to target and treat different skin conditions such as fine lines + wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne, blemishes and scarring. It is used in a number of devices including face masks, light panels and handheld skin tools.

Yes. LED Light Therapy has been around since the sixties and used by scientists and salons for everything from growing plants to healing wounds. It is not a new technology, but only recently has it become compact enough and affordable enough for people to use in their own homes. LED Light Therapy is a non-invasive and completely painless treatment that can slot easily into your daily skincare routine.

Different lights penetrate the skin at different levels, triggering different responses. Blue LED targets the surface layer of the skin, targeting oil producing follicles, making them less active. Yellow/Green LED targets just below the skin’s surface, stimulating blood flow and cell renewal. Red LED targets the deepest skin layer, stimulating blood flow, cell renewal and collagen production.

In the middle of the electromagnetic spectrum (from Gamma Rays to Radio Waves), you have the visible light spectrum (i.e. the colours of the rainbow). The electromagnetic spectrum is measured in wavelengths - depending on how long or short these wavelengths are (measured in ‘nm’), they penetrate the skin at different depths, triggering different responses.

Red LED operates at 620-750nm, yellow LED operates at 590-620nm, blue LED operates at 476-495nm.

The more often you use LED, the better results you will get from it. With the majority of at-home devices such as MAGNITONE GetLit® face mask and XO LightsOut cleansing brush, the intensity of the treatment is not as strong as you might get in a clinic so you can’t really over-do them. Best practice is to use as instructed, depending on the device.

It really depends on the skin condition you’re targeting. To help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, use Red LED. To improve skin condition and radiance, use Yellow/Green. To help ease blemishes/acne, use Blue LED. An easy way to remember it is - 'red for wrinkles’, ‘yellow for glow’ and ‘blue for blemishes’.

Red LED light therapy improves skin firmness and can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving skin a more radiant glow. Penetrating the deepest of the 3 light therapies, red light reaches the deep tissue to encourage cell renewal and boost collagen production. It has been known to help heal wounds, reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles and improve skin conditions such as rosacea, psoriasis and eczema. Always consult your doctor/dermatologist/clinician for further advice on rosacea, psoriasis and eczema.

Yellow LED light therapy stimulates blood flow to the skin, leaving it feeling more radiant and glowing. Yellow light reaches below the skin’s surface, where your blood vessels are. When the energy of the LED light stimulates blood flow, not only does this bring more oxygen to the area, but it also helps to remove toxins. This can result in the skin looking more radiant - giving it a ‘glow’. Yellow LED light therapy is an excellent remedy for inflammation which may be caused by thread veins, rosacea or sensitivity. Always consult your doctor/dermatologist/clinician for further advice on rosacea.

Blue LED light therapy targets oil producing follicles, making them less active. It decongests below the skin’s surface and regular use can treat spots, blemishes and reduce the appearance of scars. At the shortest wavelength, blue LED light works at the surface of the skin and has been shown to reduce the bacteria that causes acne. It’s important to remember that there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to acne, or even one type of acne, and blue light therapy is not a guaranteed cure. However, it has been known to reduce activity in sebaceous glands and inflammation. Always consult your doctor/dermatologist/clinician for further advice on acne.

Yes, LED can be used effectively and safely in conjunction with active skincare products. Your wider skincare routine is always an important part of LED use and using products with active ingredients is fine, provided that your skin is not reacting to any active ingredients you are using, such as Retinol or Vitamin C. If you are reacting to a product please seek medical advice.