RAPID CITY, S.D. – With 12 FDA approved uses in the treatment of fine lines, wrinkles, acne, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, minor muscle, and joint pain relief, increased blood circulation, muscle relaxation, depression and anxiety; it is no wonder why light-emitting diode (LED) light therapy is gaining popularity in aesthetics.
To consumers, the field of what is being lumped together as “light therapy”, which encompasses LED light therapy, red light therapy and infrared light therapy is getting crowded. How do you know what light therapy is the “right” one?
Nic Yost, CNP, Fnp-Bc at BeautyMed, explains, “LED light therapy has no damaging rays at all, you really can’t sit under these lights too much. Thermal light technology basically works from the inside out, much like a microwave cooks food. Whereas LED light therapy works from the outside in, stimulating increased local circulation.”
It is the increase in local blood circulation that has mainstream medicine taking another look at the benefits of LED light therapy. Oncologists are beginning to use the treatment for radiation dermatitis, an adverse skin condition caused by the cancer treatments. And clinical trials are underway into the effectiveness of LED light therapy on hypertension, a potentially significant breakthrough for managing high blood pressure.
A patient sits under LED light after receiving blood facial treatment at Quintessence MedSpa.
When it comes to skin conditions LED light therapy can be used as a stand-alone treatment for all 12 FDA approved uses, but most of the time Yost recommends using the treatment as part of a combined approach to increase the overall effectiveness of treatments such as hair restoration and blood facials. “The therapy is one of the only safe post-treatment options, I’m aware of, for botox and fillers. Usually [you] have to wait two weeks before and after to receive any treatments that could help with bruising and swelling,” said Yost.
Mild to moderate acne is one ailment that patients can see considerable results through the use of light therapy alone. The LED light works by killing bacteria on the surface of the skin, which is the root cause of those pesky pimples.
Rosacea and hyper-pigmentation can be easily relieved, often with just one 20-minute LED light therapy session, according to Yost. Optimal results with any light therapy treatment is achieved through repeated use, with most skincare professionals recommending 2-3 treatments per week up to 2 months.
“I find that light therapy can really act as a wellness boost or lunchtime facial for my clients. But understand that it is a time commitment that not everyone can make,” said Yost. “We do have handheld units available for home use for clients who just can’t make it in that frequently but want to continue with the treatment regimen designed for them.”