What Is LED Light Therapy? Is It Worth Investing In?

There seems to constantly be a spotlight on LED light therapy. Does it deserve all of the buzz or is it just another overhyped skincare marketing gimmick?

Let’s dive into what LED light therapy is, how it works, and if it is truly worth investing in.

What is LED (light-emitting diode) light therapy?

LED light therapy is the emission of visible light and/or infrared light. The skin receptors absorb the light and different outcomes occur depending on which light is used. More specifically, it increases the mitochondrial action of the fibroblast cell. The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell and performs different functions, including stimulating the fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin.

To further break this down:

The cell relevant to LED light therapy if the fibroblast cell.

A fibroblast is a type of cell that contributes to the formation of connective tissue.

One job of fibroblasts is to secrete collagen proteins.

Within most cells, including the fibroblast cell, is the mitochondria.

Mitochondria are organelles responsible for producing energy or ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

ATP is the fuel for cellular processes, including the stimulation of collagen and elastin production, synthesizing DNA, RNA, proteins, enzymes, promoting cell proliferation, etc.

Benefits of LED light therapy:

Increases circulation
Accelerates tissue repair
Reduces inflammation
Lessens acne
Helps ease muscle pain
Helps ease joint stiffness
Enhances overall cell performance

Let's observe the electromagnetic spectrum. I’m going to insert a picture for simplicity.

LED light therapy uses either infrared or visible light or a combination of both.

Visible light:

-The wavelengths of visible light range between 400-750 nanometers and include all of the colors of the rainbow-

-The colors of visible light used in LED light therapy devices are red and blue-

-Blue light wavelengths are between 450-495 nanometers-

-Red light wavelengths are between 620-750 nanometers-

Here you can see both blue and red light on the visible light spectrum and the nanometers associated with them.

Near Infrared Light:

-The wavelengths of near infrared light range between 750nm to 1400nm-

-Near infrared light is able to penetrate deeper into the tissue-

Benefits of Red LED light therapy:

Helps build collagen and elastin
Helps repair skin and lessen inflammation

Benefits of Blue LED light therapy:

Helps heal and prevent acne

Benefits of Near Infrared Light in LED light therapy:

Helps with muscle recovery and pain relief
Promotes cellular repair and regeneration
Helps with blood circulation

Additional benefits of LED light therapy:

Painless
Safe for all skin tones and skin types
Non invasive
No down time
Does not cause skin damage
Won't cause hyperpigmentation or exacerbate conditions like melasma - it may help reduce it
Won't damage fat pads - does not cause facial fat loss
Can be used in combination with other treatments in clinic and at home

Important things to consider when purchasing your LED light mask or panel:

buy from a reputable company
make sure it is FDA approved or FDA cleared
make sure the wavelengths are within these ranges:
- Red LED: between 620-750 nm
- Blue LED: between 450-495 nm
- Near Infrared: between 750-1400nm

As per current market trends, a good LED light therapy mask is around $400. Some may feel like that's a big investment. Let's break down this investment:

-$400 - most LED masks last about 3-5 years-

-For 3 years - that's $11 a month-

-LED light therapy works different than your skincare products, so it's such an asset to your skincare routine-

How often should you use LED light therapy?

Use as instructed by the company the device was purchased from. Any additional time used won't be harmful, but the benefit will most likely be incremental and is therefore arguably a waste of your time.

How do you use LED light therapy?

Use after cleansing your face for the time instructed by the company the device was purchased from. Follow with the rest of your skincare routine. There is nothing you need to avoid in your skincare routine on the nights you use your LED mask.