How LED light therapy helps with acne and wrinkles

LED light therapy is used in skincare to help fight signs of aging and reduce inflammation. In this article, we explore how LED light therapy helps with acne and wrinkles. 

 

What exactly is LED light therapy?

LED stands for light-emitting diode and it’s a non-evasive treatment designed to enter the skin and improve its quality. This form of therapy is used to treat a variety of skin issues. In combination with other treatments (such as facial oils, creams and serums) LED light therapy can be extremely beneficial for users.

While LED light therapy helps with acne and wrinkles, it can also be used to treat a variety of other skin conditions including:

• Hair loss
• Rosecea
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Sun damage
• Scarring
• Large pores
• Inflammation
• And more.

Different types of LED therapy

There are different types of LED light therapy wavelengths and colour options. Wavelengths are measured in nanometers (nm) and this dictates light colour and how it affects the skin. 

Different wavelengths penetrate different layers of the skin to treat certain conditions. Starting from blue light, we will explain how much of the skin is penetrated for each therapy and explore their benefits and conditions they’re designed to improve.

Blue light therapy

Blue light therapy sits at 415nm and targets the most exterior layer of the skin. This therapy helps to eliminate acne causing bacteria, reduce oiliness and soothe irritation to the outer skin. Blue light therapy can be helpful in preventing or reducing acne. In addition to destroying acne-producing bacteria, it can also reduce oil production.

Green light therapy

Green light therapy (532nm) targets cells responsible for the production of melanin (which causes pigmentation) within the skin. For people who experience hyperpigmentation, green light therapy can be an extremely useful tool for evening out their skin tone. 

This light therapy is also great for people who suffer rosacea as it can help to reduce redness and inflammation.

Yellow light therapy

At 590nm, yellow light therapy penetrates more of the skin’s layers to target the dermal layer of the skin. This is where cells convert light into energy. Yellow light therapy is great for improving overall skin health and healing. It reduces inflammation, boosts collagen formation, improves circulation and aids in lymphatic drainage to reduce puffiness. 

Amber light therapy

Amber light therapy (605nm) is great for those looking to fight the signs of aging. It helps to reduce wrinkles while increasing the elasticity of the skin and skin texture. In addition to reducing the signs of aging, amber light therapy is another great light therapy to reduce skin redness.

Red light therapy

Red light therapy (637nm) penetrates the innermost layers of the skin more effectively than the above mentioned light therapies. It is more effective in targeting collagen production to help firm skin and fight wrinkles. Red light therapy is also great for healing skin wounds and aiding in hair growth as it improves circulation within the skin’s layers.

Near-infrared light therapy

Is an even stronger form of light therapy sitting at 800-850nm. As it penetrates more of the skin than the other forms of therapy, it offers deep tissue benefits including increased blood flow, cellular repair and muscle recovery. 

 

How LED light therapy helps with acne and wrinkles

As we’ve explored, LED light therapy can help with a range of skin conditions. To help treat and prevent acne, blue light therapy is suitable as it targets the outermost layer of the skin to fight acne causing bacteria and oiliness. As for wrinkles, amber and red light therapy are great options as they fight the signs of aging by penetrating deeper levels of the skin to help increase skin elasticity and texture.

 

Determining the right therapy for you

To determine what sort of therapy is right for you, it helps to understand your biggest skin concerns. Once you know what you want to improve, you can refer to the above guide to help determine the type of therapy that will help treat your concern.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting a professional. Before starting any form of therapy, you might wish to consult a skin specialist or dermatologist. They will help you to understand your skin’s needs and the long-term effects of using LED light therapy. 

People can access light therapy at specialist skin clinics or from the comfort of their own home. When investing in LED light therapy it’s important to do your research to understand the best products in terms of safety and practicality. 

If you would like to view our range of LED masks or skin care products, please visit our skin care products page here.