Light emitting diode (LED) therapy is a non-invasive facial treatment that uses different wavelengths of light to activate the skin cells needed to treat acne, restore radiance, promote skin rejuvenation, calm inflammation and reduce the signs of ageing – taking our skincare routines to infinity and beyond.
A pink face mask with cucumbers over the eyes was the universal symbol of self-care. If you told anyone you were having a pamper night in or heading to your go-to skin clinic for a facial, it was the first thing they’d think of. And almost always they’d be right (unless you accidentally ate the cucumbers in a salad for lunch). Now, self-care looks a little more futuristic.
Advanced technology has changed our lives for the better in so many ways. But what we’re most excited about is the future of facials after the latest upgrade from the classic face mask to LED facials. We can now get anything at the touch of a button, even beautiful skin. While we might look like the main character out of a sci-fi movie while having a LED facial, it’s anon-messy alternative to face masks with the power to completely transform your skin and we need an emoji for it asap. How else will we accurately describe our most common plans in the group chat?
Let’s take you back to the late 80s real quick – a ground-breaking moment soon to change the way we had facials forever thanks to NASA. No, we’re not kidding. Back then NASA scientists discovered that LEDs stimulate plant growth. While this was super useful for growing veggies in space (if astronauts can get their 5-a-day on the job, you’ve got no excuse), they also realised it had the same stimulating effect on the skin that’d help skincare-obsessed earthlings years later.
Light emitting diode (LED) therapy is a non-invasive facial treatment that uses different wavelengths of light to activate the skin cells needed to treat acne, restore radiance, promote skin rejuvenation, calm inflammation and reduce the signs of ageing – taking our skincare routines to infinity and beyond.
There are several different colours of LEDs varying in wavelength that each have unique benefits for the skin. They can be used alone or in combination to achieve results out of this world.
BLUE LIGHT – A must-have in your anti-acne skincare routine. Blue light targets the sebaceous glands that produce a natural oil called sebum to keep the skin hydrated. Sebaceous glands are highly sensitive and can easily become overactive and produce excess sebum which can lead to clogged pores – the main cause of acne. Blue LED light therapy calms the sebaceous glands to reduce the appearance of acne as well as help to prevent future breakouts.
Blue light LED therapy also has antibacterial properties that help to eliminate bacteria build-up beneath the skin for severe acne pimples such as nodules and cysts that lie deep beneath the surface.
To really effectively treat acne with LED it is best to do a course of treatments consisting of a combination of blue light and near infrared(Yellow) LED light therapy. Alternating each one on a weekly basis.
BLUE LED NEAR INFRARED (YELLOW) LIGHT – Yellow light kickstarts the skin’s rejuvenation process and is most commonly used to heal scars, sun damage, calm acne, eczema, rosacea and psoriasis flare-ups. But it also comes with additional benefits of boosting circulation for a healthy glow, flushing waste from the skin by accelerating lymphatic flow, increasing hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin production giving you a more hydrated and youthful complexion. As stated above, It is often used in combination with blue light when treating acne.
RED LIGHT – Red light is aimed at the mitochondria which are found in every living cell in the body. They act as the engine of a cell and generate energy for its activities. The stronger the mitochondria, the more power they have to function.Red light strengthens the mitochondria which allow cells to rejuvenate and heal quicker, as well as stimulate collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid more efficiently.
At-home LED light therapy devices are a good top-up in-between professional treatments, but there’s little evidence to show they work entirely on their own unless they contain medical-grade LEDs (Déesse Professional Led Mask Next Generation is our favourite). The most obvious giveaway in the difference in strength is that they don’t require protective goggles which makes their results less dramatic and take longer to achieve.
At Young LDN, we use the Lutronic HEALITE II LED light system that gets to work after just one session. It harnesses three different penetrations of 415, 633 and 830 nanometers to reach the cells responsible for each skin concern. This machine uniquely radiates one colour LED light at a time at full power achieving more instant results rather than combining several colours at once which dilutes their strength.
ACNE BLUE LIGHT LED FACIAL – Feared by acne but loved by you as you indulge in self-care and banish acne at the same time. What more could you want? What about a Gua Sha massage to top it off? We’re one step ahead of you.
ACNE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME – Looking for long-term results to improve your acne? Our AcneImprovement Programme does this and more. It consists of a combination of 4yellow and 4 blue LED light therapy sessions over 8 weeks. It’ll reduce signs of acne, brighten the skin, hydrate and give an overall younger-looking appearance.
SKIN REJUVENATION LED FACIAL – Tired of having tired skin? We feel you. Skin Rejuvenation YellowLight LED Facial is the wake-up call you’ve been waiting for to stimulate collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. It’s then finished with a Gua Sha massage to increase circulation in the face.
All LED light facial treatments can be added to other treatments at Young LDN for additional benefits and greater results.
You’ll begin to see most results between 2-4 weeks. To maintain them we recommend adding LED light therapy into your skincare routine every 4-6weeks.
But after just one treatment with yellow, red or infrared LEDs, your skin will immediately feel tighter, firmer and plumper.
If you’re treating a skin condition flare-up, we’ve got good news for you. The first session of blue LED light therapy will immediately soothe and calm the affected area, so you’ll look like yourself again in just 20 minutes. You’ll never again have to cancel plans because your skin said no.
LED light therapy can temporarily neutralise sebaceous glands but if you have acneic skin, and is a great treatment for helping to treat acne. We would always recommend however, our bespoke acne treatment for those suffering with continuous breakouts. We will often include Blue light therapy in these treatments, but they are tailored to you and what your skin needs on that specific day, in line with your own skin journey.
Exfoliate – exfoliating prior to your treatment will ensure optimum results as it’ll help to remove dead skin cells which can reflect the light from your skin.
Double-cleanse – We’ll begin every treatment with a double-cleanse, whether you’re wearing makeup or not, to remove dirt and bacteria which can make it harder for the light to be absorbed by the skin.
Avoid skincare products that make your skin more sensitive to light – some skin types can use retinol infused skincare products right before LED light therapy and experience no redness at all while others skin might react, so it’s safer to avoid them a few days before.
Drink plenty of water – make sure you’re hitting the recommended amount of water of 2-3 litres a day to maintain hydration levels and assist the lymphatic system to remove toxins. This is particularly important if you’ve had yellow LED light therapy for maximum results.
Only use one colour LED light within 24 hours – unlike other types of light therapy, LEDs don’t contain UV rays and are safe for regular use. But exposing your skin to different coloured LEDs within 24 hours will confuse the skin’s cells.
