Let’s talk LED light therapy

The year of the LED masks & treatments. Although us skin therapists have hyped LED light therapy for years, it has now become something everyone wants. Read this blog to learn more about what to look for when investing in your own. It is crucial to use the correct wavelength for optimal absorption; without proper absorption, no beneficial reaction will occur.

What is LED light therapy?
LEDs release light photons, which penetrate our skin and are absorbed by our cells. This absorption photoactivates the cells, essentially energising them. With this boost in energy, the performance of every cell, organ, and tissue in the body improves, including the skin. It's comparable to our cells functioning as if they ve had a good night's rest and a nutritious breakfast.

To explain LED further.
If a cell is damaged or compromised, it will either repair itself or be repaired. If the cell has a specitic function, such as collagen ano elastin synthesis by fibroblasts, it will carry out that function more efficiently. In addition to reducing inflammation, LED research has shown improvements in radiance, texture, skin tone, and increased elasticity (although there is less evidence for this benefit compared to the others).

What to look for when purchasing your own LED mask for home use.
1. The wavelength must be correct for the target. The most important single factor when attempting to achieve a photoreaction, because without absorption, you can't achieve a reaction.

2. The irradiance (power density) must be adequate.

3. The dose (energy density) must be sufficient.

The most important- the wavelength.
Red= somewhere between 630-660m, with 633m being the gold standard.

NIR= somewhere between 820-840nm, with 830m being the gold standard.

Blue= somewhere between 400-495nm, with 415m being the gold standard.

The least important- lot's of colours to choose from!
Wavelengths shorter than 600nm typically scatter rather than penetrate deeply into body tissues. Green and yellow light have poor penetration into living tissue and have been infrequently studied (though yellow light shows some limited potential, while green light does not). Therefore, having a mask with more colours is not necessarily better.

I’ve you’ve found a device/ mask with the recommended wavelengths, then start to look at the power and energy density. If you’re not sure and you’re about to spend the big bucks, email me at molly@sageskin.co.uk.