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Widely used by Hollywood stars, LED light is a non-invasive, painless and very effective aesthetic technique used to treat a wide variety of skin problems.
This method uses LED lights of different colors, each color has specific properties.
The difference between LEDs and other light therapies is that they don’t contain any ultraviolet rays, this means that they are safe to use on a regular basis, in addition, LED lights are approved for use by the FDA and are validated by numerous scientific studies, they are perfectly suitable for the face, the whole body, and the hair.
A color or a combination of colors will be used depending on the desired treatment, in this article, we will talk specifically about blue LED light therapy, its benefits for the skin, procedure, areas targeted, side effects, and more.
What is Acne?
Acne is a very common inflammatory skin condition that affects 85% of adolescents and about half of adults over the age of 25.
Acne affects the hair follicle, it is formed when the sebaceous glands of the skin produce an excess of sebum that combines with skin cells and clogs the pores. Bacteria called P. acnes that live on the skin also get into the clogged pores and cause them to swell, leading to the appearance of acne.
The pimples appear mainly on the face but can also be found in other parts of the body such as the neck, chest, and back.
Acne can be worsened by hormonal fluctuations, diet, excessive cleansing, the ingredients of some cosmetics, as well as toxic factors such as smoking, certain medications, birth control pills, etc.
How Does Blue LED Light Therapy Work?
Blue light is most often used for the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne.
The acne-causing bacteria (P. acnes bacteria), which grow mainly in the sebaceous glands, produce a chemical element called porphyrin.
When the skin is exposed to blue light, this chemical element generates free radicals which, after a few days, causes the destruction of the bacterial cell without harming the skin.
Exposure to blue light also helps to target the sebaceous glands and prevents them from being too active, allowing the skin to produce less oil.
Blue light helps not only to eliminate existing acne pimples, but also to prevent acne breakouts before they occur.
Blue LED light is often combined with red light that penetrates a little deeper into the dermis to help renew skin cells and improve the appearance of the skin by repairing acne scars.
Benefits of Blue Light Therapy
Some of the benefits of blue light therapy include;
- Helps kill acne bacteria;
- Balances sebum production;
- Helps with some skin problems (psoriasis, eczema, actinic keratoses, and atopic dermatitis );
- Has purifying and healing properties.
Procedure for Blue Light Therapy
There are two types of procedures that I am going to talk about in this article. First, I will discuss the procedure done by an Esthetician and second, the procedure done at home, as they differ in various ways.
With an Esthetician
What is a session like? After a thorough cleansing of the face, and wearing protective glasses, you will be required to lie down comfortably so that the face is placed under the LED panels.
A blue LED light therapy session done with a therapist is estimated to last about 15 to 30 minutes. The number of treatments can go up to about eight treatments, with one to two sessions a week. However, it all depends on the severity of your acne and the area being treated.
You’ll start seeing the results after about three to four sessions.
To maintain the results, it is recommended to do maintenance sessions every six months.
At Home
Nowadays, LED lights for at-home use are manufactured by several brands and can easily be found in the market; therefore, they can quickly be added to our daily beauty routine once the steps to be followed are well understood.
At-home LED light therapy devices come normally in the form of wands or masks that you are supposed to apply to your face for a few minutes at a time. The best thing to do in this case is to make sure you follow all the instructions outlined by the manufacturer.
However, it is important to know that even if these LEDs are not dangerous, you must always wear UV glasses to protect your eye from dangerous UV radiation.
Finally, you will need to be patient and perseverant to take full advantage of your LED light devices.
Areas Targeted by LED Light
LED treatment is suitable for all areas of the face and body. There are no contraindications for specific areas.
However, the most popular area targeted by LED light is the face. Normally, your face is where most skin damage tends to occur because unlike your body, the face is more exposed to the elements and the environment.
Other areas where LED light therapy can be used are mostly your neck, chest, back, legs, arms, and hands.
Note that you should avoid photosensitizing treatments that can make your skin sensitive to the light, such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, etc.
Is Blue Light Therapy Safe?
Since LED light therapy does not contain UV rays, the procedure is deemed to be safe according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The procedure is also non-invasive and does not cause any pain.
Unlike more invasive anti-aging treatments such as dermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser therapy, LEDs do not cause burns on the skin.
One thing you need to note is that if you happen to experience any skin rash, or you’re taking Accutane for acne, you should not use LED light therapy.
Although LED light therapy is generally safe, there are some rare side effects that include dry skin, redness, and swelling, blue LED light may produce some increase in pigmentation, which disappears after a while.
Can LED light Therapy Damage your Eyes?
The use of eye protection during LED light treatments, especially blue light treatments, is crucial for your eyes. Indeed, even if most light therapy devices on the market are designed to filter harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, the light produced during treatments is generally extremely bright and intense, which is likely to damage the cells of the eyes.
The best solution to this problem is to wear special FDA approved goggles that have protection against UV rays. I also strongly recommend that you keep your eyes closed during treatment.
Red Light to Help Remove Acne Scars
Red LED light is one of the best solutions to treat acne scars, It is often associated with blue light for acne treatment.
When exposed to red light, the skin layers are stimulated to produce more collagen, this new collagen helps rejuvenate the skin and improve its appearance by repairing acne scars. Skin improvements will continue over time as new collagen is formed.
Conclusion
Blue light therapy is used to treat acne and regulate the sebaceous glands, but if you want to maintain the results and enjoy a flawless skin for the long-run, you have to take special care when cleansing, moisturizing and exfoliating it.
If you are interested in learning more about the perfect skincare routine for oily skin, check out our comprehensive guide for everything you need to know about it.
