What can LED light do for your skin?
Tips to get glowing from the comfort of your own home.
The amount of skincare devices on the market can certainly make your head spin! Everywhere you turn is another alluring device that begs to poke or prod your face to ensure that your aging process will be graceful.
Before being swayed by all the fancy toys, step back and ask yourself, "What beauty tool investments are effective, safe, user friendly, and what will I actually use?"
This is where one of my favorite skin technologies comes into play, LED light therapy. As an Esthetician, LED is one of my favorite tools to maintain my own skin at home, as well as to use for treating my clients. Whether you receive facials or not, only you have access to your skin on a daily basis. A rejuvenating skin home tool, such as LED, can help take your results to the next level. Read on to learn what LED can do for you, learn a few tips to enhance your results, and my recommended product option.
LED is a perfect tool for building collagen, repairing fine lines and wrinkles and supporting clarity.
The benefits of LED (light emitting diode) therapy was first discovered by NASA and is fully backed by both the FDA and extensive scientific research. LED's are specific light waves used to safely obtain therapeutic benefits in the skin's cellular function.
If you want to go deeper into understanding the technology, check out this research.
3 Benefits of LED light therapy
1. Collagen, collagen, collagen!
It is no secret collagen is a precious resource for our skin. The signs of aging can become bothersome when sagging, fine lines and wrinkles begin to occur. It becomes essential to protect the collagen we have, while triggering the body to create new collagen fibers.
Red LED has been FDA-cleared and proven to penetrate the skin at a level that accelerates fibroblasts, which is the powerhouse behind the skin's collagen and elastin production. This encourages plump, firm skin with less fine lines and wrinkles!
2. Promote clear and radiant skin
If you are struggling with acne, breakouts or an inflammatory skin condition, using a blue LED light may become your best friend!
Blue LED penetrates under the skin's surface killing acne-causing bacteria, reducing inflammation and improving clarity and texture. Anytime you are increasing circulation and decreasing inflammation you are supporting healthy tissue.
3. User-friendly
Incorporating home-care devices can sometimes feel overwhelming. It's refreshing to find a a solution that is not only going to make a difference with your skincare goals, but also be a pleasure to use.
LED is safe for all skin types and ethnicities. You can't overuse LED and it has no adverse side effects, making it very safe.
On top of that, it is very simple to use and incorporate into your life. Imagine, simply napping under a light and receiving magical healing light waves while improving your skin.
Well, that's exactly what it is like!
The key to getting the most out of your LED light is to maximize absorption of light waves onto your skin.
As easy as they are to use, there are still some details that are important to know before you get glowing, and also will help you in discerning a device that will be effective.
Tips for making the most out of your sessions
Use on a clean dry face
This is very important! It can seem like applying your favorite serum underneath may somehow enhance effects, but it's actually the opposite. Any serum, cream or oil on the skin can act as a barrier to the light or reflect it.
AHA's and Retinol
These active products are ok to have within a regimen that includes LED. It is recommended to use these actives on opposing nights or apply after LED session.
*Retin A (prescription) is advised not to pair with LED within a 7 day window.
Positioning
LED absorption is enhanced when light is positioned very close to skin's surface. It is best to look for a device that contours to the skin's surface so you get a close fit.
Pulsing
Science shows that when the LED light pulses as opposed to a continuous stream, it allows for better absorption into the cells. Look for a device that has a pulsing option.
Usage Time
All devices are different so you will have to check with the manufacturer, but it is important to note, research indicates a more powerful device used for shorter time does NOT achieve better results. It really has more to do with wavelengths and absorption. My favorite device, Celluma suggests the following:
Blue light twice a week for 30 minutes, for 4 weeks
Red light three times a week for 30 minutes, for 4 weeks
After the initial immersion period, you can then go into maintenance mode, typically 1-4 times a month or as desired.
Finding a Device
As an Esthetician, I take a lot into consideration when it comes to investing in skincare tools. Time, energy and efficacy are of top priority.
Although there are countless LED brands on the market, I did find one that fits all the parameters for success, and that is the Celluma. It's not to say there aren't others on the market that will give your skin a boost, but it is important to check the credentials of the device before investing.