If you are trying to look younger, then you probably know there is a flood of products on the market that guarantee a new, younger looking you. From creams to pills, wraps and light therapy, it can be very confusing not only figuring out what is best for your skin care, but which ones are safe and effective.
One method that is growing in popularity is in-home LED light therapy. While this technique seems new to the market, the truth is that light emitting diodes (LED) have been around for over 40 years, and was first used by NASA to stimulate plant growth in space. Eventually, NASA began to realize that LED lights could be used to increase energy levels and to heal skin injuries in astronauts. In fact, as more studies are done with red lights, there is evidence that exposure to infrared light can help with a range of problems from sleep disorders to depression.
So what does this have to do with my skin?
Well, when red LED light is placed on the skin, its natural light emissions (completely different from lasers) activate your skin’s natural ability to rejuvenate itself that may have been hindered by age and sun exposure. Red light therapy can counteract the long term effects of aging by stimulating cellular metabolic rates within the fibroblast levels of the dermal layer in the skin. This leads to an increase in collagen and elastin production which can reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and return the skin to its natural tightness. Photofacial therapy has also shown to effect age spots, the inflammation from acne, remove freckles, and just promote a healthier, youthful looking complexion.
Red light LED treatments do not require a doctor or office visits. The home devices like those from Quasar, DPL Therapy, and Tanda have been proven to be safe and effective for all skin types and ages. There is no downtime associated with traditional cosmetic surgery and the best part is that red light therapy only targets the affected area leaving the rest of the surrounding skin unaffected. This is where red light therapy truly shines compared to IPL laser therapy which can harm the skin around treatment areas.
One last thing, red light therapy differs from blue light therapy and shouldn’t be confused. Blue light therapy, or photodynamic treatments, are for treating precancerous lesions and should never be tried on your own.