How often should I use LED light therapy at home

We often talk about the damaging effects of certain kinds of light like the extended exposure of sunlight on the skin, but what about light that can actually be healing and regenerative? Here’s the lowdown on LED therapy and the difference between professional in clinic versus at home LED light treatment.

What is light therapy?

So it was first developed by NASA to aid plant growth experiments in space, LED therapy has become known as a non-invasive healing and aesthetic treatment option for just about every skin type and skin tone. By using varying wavelengths, LED helps with anti-aging, acne, inflammation, and overall skin regeneration and health.  Because it does not contain UV rays, it is considered safe for regular use and studies have not shown any adverse effects on the skin.

What does light therapy do?

LED Light Therapy is great in every single facial treatment to calm any areas of irritation and it’s also brilliant at brightening the skin. When used consistently, over time, LED lights are thought to penetrate your skin at different depths and cause various reactions in your skin, such as fighting acne-causing bacteria, plumping skin and reducing wrinkles.

A course of treatments offers corrective and long-lasting results, although you’ll be able to see a difference after the first session. Light therapy is also particularly calming, so you’ll leave feeling refreshed. So what’s the difference between at-home and in-clinic treatments?

How often should I use LED light therapy at home

As with any professional versus at-home treatment, in-clinic LED therapy is stronger than consumer versions.

How often should I use LED light therapy at home

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At-Home Devices:

So what does this mean for home-based LED devices? There simply isn’t enough evidence regarding the biological effects of home-based devices compared to in-clinic technology. The main concern about home-based devices is that the light source they use may not reach the correct wavelength to be effective and get results. 

Put simply; not all LED therapy devices deliver the same results. In fact, there are some products (not all) out there that do little more than shine light onto your skin. Although purchasing an at-home LED device may seem like a bargain, purchasing the wrong one can be a waste of time and money if it doesn’t deliver. If you want to see results, it’s crucial that the appropriate wavelength of light and energy density is used to treat your skin condition.

In-Clinic Treatments:

Receiving your LED light therapy from a trusted and licensed clinic can help to ensure that you’re treating your skin with the most effective and advanced technology on the market. By strategically targeting your skin concerns and problem areas, your therapist can help you achieve your skin goals quickly and easily. 

Treatment and Results:

You can enjoy an LED light therapy mask session after a facial, or as a standalone treatment to combat your skin issues. If you want the best results possible, be sure to schedule regular treatments.

How often should I use LED light therapy at home

LED light therapy has a cumulative effect so consistency is key when it comes to enjoying the benefits of LED light therapy.  We usually recommend 10 treatments about one week apart.   LED light therapy is a relaxing treatment that provides a real benefit for overall skin health, that is ideal for ongoing and consecutive treatments to yield glow-inducing and breakout-reducing benefits as part of your professional skin health journey.  To learn more on how to prep and rejuvenate your skin we recommend booking into see one of our dermal technicians for a complimentary consultation.

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Fast Facts

About:

  • LED, or light emitting diode therapy, is a skincare treatment that uses varying wavelengths of light, including red and blue.
  • NASA originally developed it for plant growth experiments on shuttle missions and later found it to have promise for wound treatment. LED light therapy is now used by some aestheticians to help regenerate the skin from aging. It’s also used for acne.
  • Your healthcare provider uses red or blue light frequencies based on the skincare concern. Red is primarily used for anti-aging, while blue is used for acne treatment.

Safety:

  • Unlike other types of light therapy, LEDs do not containultraviolet rays. Therefore, they’re safe for regular use.
  • LED light therapy doesn’t cause burns compared to other anti-aging treatments such as chemical peels, dermabrasion, and laser therapy. It may be safe for all skin colors and types.
  • You shouldn’t use LED light therapy if you take Accutane for acne or if you’re experiencing skin rashes.
  • Side effects are rare, but may include increased inflammation, redness, and rashes.

Convenience:

  • Office procedures take 20 minutes at a time. You’ll need to go back once a week for up to 10 weeks, then only once every few months.
  • At-home LED devices can be used at your convenience without having to go to any appointments. The downside is that the results may not be as dramatic.

Cost:

  • A single LED light therapy session ranges from about $25 to $85, depending on your area of the country and whether you’re combining it with other treatments.
  • Home LED kits can cost from $25 to $250 or more.

Efficacy:

  • When used as directed, LED light therapy can improve your skin over time. You’ll need maintenance treatments to maintain your results.
  • Home devices use lower frequencies and haven’t been proven as effective.

What is LED light therapy?

Light emitting diode (LED) light therapy is growing in popularity in both aesthetician offices and at home. Using varying LED wavelengths, this skincare technique purportedly helps:

  • treat acne
  • reduce inflammation
  • promote anti-aging effects

You may be a candidate for LED light therapy if you have these types of skincare concerns and haven’t gotten the results you want from over-the-counter (OTC) skin products. LED therapy is also safe for all skin colors, and it doesn’t cause any burning.

However, there are a few potential drawbacks. Here are several:

  • LED therapy can be expensive.
  • The results aren’t guaranteed.
  • It’s also not safe if you take certain medications or have an active skin disorder.

Talk to your dermatologist about your skincare concerns and whether LED light therapy is a good option for you.

How much does it cost?

Insurance doesn’t cover LED light therapy. You will need to ask about the full costs up front so you can budget wisely.

According to self-reported costs on RealSelf.com, the cost of a single session can range from about $25 to $85, depending on your area of the country and whether you’re combining it with another treatment.

Remember, many aestheticians recommend up to 10 sessions, so factor that total cost into your budget as you consider different practitioners and their price per visit.

Home devices cost anywhere from $25 to $250 or more. This may be a cheaper option overall because you get to keep the LED device and use it for future treatments. However, the results aren’t as dramatic.

In either case, LED light therapy is noninvasive. You don’t have to lose any money from taking time off work.

Shop for LED light therapy tools online.

How it works

LED light therapy has an established history of skin uses. The U.S. Navy SEALs began using it in the 1990s to help heal wounds quickly and to help regenerate damaged muscle tissues.

Since then, the treatment has been researched for different situations in aesthetics. It’s mainly noted for increasing collagen and tissues. All of which can smooth out your skin and reduce the appearance of damage from:

  • age spots
  • acne
  • wrinkles

There are different frequencies, or wavelengths, used with LED light treatment. These include red and blue light frequencies, which don’t contain ultraviolet rays and are readily absorbed into the skin.

Red light

Red, or infrared, light is used for treating the epidermis, which is the outer layer of skin. When the light is applied to your skin, the epidermis absorbs it and then stimulates collagen proteins.

In theory, more collagen means that your skin will look smoother and fuller, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Red LED light is also thought to reduce inflammation while improving circulation, which can give you a healthier glow.

Blue light

Blue LED light therapy, on the other hand, targets the sebaceous glands, which are also called oil glands. They’re located beneath your hair follicles.

Sebaceous glands are necessary for lubricating your skin and hair so that it doesn’t dry out. However, these glands can become overactive, leading to oily skin and acne.

The theory is that blue LED light therapy can target these oil glands and make them less active. In turn, you may see fewer acne breakouts. Blue light can also kill acne-causing bacteria beneath the skin, which can help treat severe acne pimples, including cysts and nodules.

Oftentimes, blue LED light is used in conjunction with red LED light to:

  • help treat acne
  • decrease scarring
  • promote anti-inflammatory effects

One2018 animal studyfound that blue LED improved healing of third-degree skin burns.

Procedure for LED light therapy

According to EstheticianEDU, each LED light therapy treatment lasts about 20 minutes. You’ll likely need up to 10 treatments total, depending on the results you’re looking to achieve.

Some providers have you lie down directly under the lights, while others use LED light-infused wands directly over your skin. The choice often depends on the office, as well as the treatment area.

Home procedures

If you can’t make it to a healthcare provider’s office, you can still try LED light therapy at home. At-home devices come in the form of masks or wands that you apply to your face for several minutes at a time. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

Targeted areas

While LED light therapy can technically be used on any part of the body, its most popular use is for the face. Skin damage tends to occur to your face because it’s exposed to the elements more than other body parts.

LED therapy can also be used on the neck and chest, which are other areas that tend to show signs of aging.

Risks and side effects

Overall, the American Academy of Dermatology deems this procedure safe. Since LEDs don’t contain UV rays, this is considered a safer form of light therapy that won’t cause long-term damage to your skin. The procedure is also noninvasive and has few risks.

Your provider may recommend LED light therapy if you have darker or sensitive skin. Unlike more invasive procedures such as laser therapy, LEDs don’t burn your skin. They also don’t cause any pain.

However, there may still be risks associated with LED light therapy.

If you currently use Accutane for acne, be advised that this powerful drug derived from vitamin A increases your skin’s sensitivity to light and may cause scarring in some instances.

Do not use LED light therapy if you’re using anything on your skin that makes you sensitive to sunlight.

You also might consider avoiding this treatment if you currently have an active rash. Talk with your doctor if you have psoriasis. Red light therapy could help but only if you use it in conjunction with your regularly prescribed treatments.

Side effects from LED light therapy are rare and were not notedduring clinical trials. Call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms post-treatment:

  • increased inflammation
  • redness
  • rash
  • pain
  • tenderness
  • hives

What to expect after therapy

LED light therapy is noninvasive, so no recovery time is required. You should be able to continue with your everyday activities once your treatment is over.

In-office LED light therapy requires up to 10 sessions or more, each spaced out about a week apart. You may start to see minor results after your first session. Results will be more dramatic and noticeable once you’ve finished all of your treatments.

Even after you’ve achieved the recommended number of sessions, your results aren’t permanent.

As your skin cells turn over, you may lose some collagen and start to see signs of aging again. You may also start to see acne breakouts. This is why it’s recommended that you go back for maintenance treatments every few months or as recommended by your provider.

Home LED light therapy treatments aren’t as dramatic because the light frequencies aren’t as high. You should follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Before and after pictures

If you’re curious about the gradual results achieved via LED light therapy, check out the following before and after pictures.

Preparing for LED light therapy

Each in-office LED light therapy session takes about 20 minutes at a time. You’ll need to wear protective goggles so that the light doesn’t cause any damage to your eyes.

Whether you’re using LED lights at home or seeing a provider for treatment, you should not wear any makeup during your session.

How to find a provider

Professional LED light therapy will get you the most dramatic results. It may also be used in conjunction with other skin therapies, such as microdermabrasion.

A licensed aesthetician or a dermatologist performs LED light therapy. Since LED light therapy is relatively new for skincare use, the availability of practitioners who use this treatment can vary based on where you live.

How often should I use light therapy at home?

Many patients wonder how often they should use a red light therapy bed. The answer is – it depends. Some people require frequent sessions, while others can get by with a treatment now and then. Most get good results with a 15-minute session, 3-5 times each week for several months.

Can you overuse light therapy?

It is possible to get too much light, which can produce discomfort including feeling “wired,” such as after consuming too much caffeine. Working with an experienced clinician, and starting with general guidelines, many SAD patients arrive at a “dose” that works well for them.

When is the best time to use red light therapy?

The most optimal time for a light therapy session is morning or evening around the time of sunrise or sunset. This mimics the time of day when we receive the most red and near-infrared light from the natural sun.