LED Light Therapy: Skin Health and Well-Being Benefits
LED light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular activity. It can have various benefits for the skin and overall health.
Different colours of light have different effects:
- Red light (wavelengths around 630-660 nm) stimulates the mitochondria in skin cells, which are responsible for producing energy. This stimulation leads to increased ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production, promoting cellular metabolism and enhancing collagen synthesis. Red light also has anti-inflammatory effects and can improve blood circulation.
- Blue light (wavelengths around 405-420 nm) works by targeting and destroying the bacteria responsible for acne. It activates a photo-sensitive compound called porphyrin, which produces reactive oxygen species that can kill the bacteria.
- Near-infrared light (wavelengths around 800-850 nm) penetrates deep into the skin and stimulates the release of nitric oxide, which promotes vasodilation and enhances blood flow. It also activates various cellular processes, such as increased collagen production and tissue repair.
The benefits of LED light therapy were initially discovered by NASA scientists in the 1980’s. They found that certain light wavelengths had a positive impact on plant growth in space. Further research revealed that these light wavelengths also had beneficial effects on human cells, leading to the development of LED light therapy for various applications. Light therapy sessions can range from a few minutes to around 30 minutes per treatment area, depending on desired results.
It is often used in combination with minimally invasive treatments such as laser, microneedling and chemical peels to help speed up the wound healing process, reduce downtime and prevent inflammation.
LED light therapy is considered a non-invasive and holistic treatment option for skin health. It harnesses the power of natural light wavelengths and does not involve the use of chemicals or invasive procedures, with absolutely no downtime.