Is LED Light Therapy Dermatologist Approved?

IN THIS ARTICLE:

01 Do Dermatologists Recommend Red Light Therapy?
02 Why Do Dermatologists Recommend Red Light?
03 What Red Light Mask Do Dermatologists Use For Wrinkles?
04 Why Do Dermatologists Recommend a Red Light Mask With Infrared Light Therapy?

Yes. Red light therapy comes highly recommended by dermatologists and skin experts to treat a range of skin and wellness-related conditions. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, Dermatologists have expertise in using light therapy to treat conditions that affect the skin and hair. Each year, these doctors perform thousands of procedures using lasers, lights, and other energy-based devices. Dermatologists truly understand the power of light-based therapies for improving the skin and prescribe light treatments to their patients, often alongside other interventions. We have discussed why we think LED light therapy has garnered so much success in the world of at-home treatments in our post here, where we discuss why dermatologists are overwhelmingly in support of LED light therapy due to their clinically proven benefits, ease of use, and excellent safety profile.

According to double board-certified dermatologist and skin cancer expert Dr. Russell Wong, MD, red light is so popular among dermatologists as 'different wavelengths of light penetrate the skin to different depths, each triggering a specific biological process at the cellular level.' Red light stimulates your mitochondria, which helps to power your cells. He expanded on the power and exact technique involved in red light, explaining 'you can find mitochondria in cells such as your fibroblasts, which help to produce collagen and elastin. Dermatologists approve of science-backed approaches to skin care; they want to know that what they prescribe and the techniques they are using are backed by credible scientific evidence. According to Dr. Wong, many studies show that consistent use of LED therapy can show improvements in skin tone, texture, and overall skin health, making it a safe, non-invasive treatment.'

What Red Light Mask Do Dermatologists Use For Wrinkles?

While many LED masks have multiple colors to treat a broad range of skin concerns, for wrinkles, a mask containing red light wavelengths of 630 or 660nm in length and at least one type of infrared light wavelength for deeper collagen activation and to promote elasticity on all three skin layers. Dr Wong uses his LumaLux LED mask 3 times per week, but in reality, LED masks are safe for daily use as long as treatment times are adhered to.

The difference with near-infrared light is that the wavelength is much longer and can penetrate deeper into the cells and beyond, reaching surrounding tissue, nerves, and muscles. Red light penetrates approximately 2 mm into the skin, whereas infrared light penetrates up to 5 mm and deep infrared up to 10 mm. As a general rule, ‘deeper’ does not always mean more effective with red light therapy, but in this case, precise 850nm and 1072nm wavelengths are proven to have a deep impact on the skin cells, leading to powerful skin restoration and healing. Dermatologists recommend combining red and infrared light wavelengths as they have a complementary impact on skin health and healing.

Red light is most effective in the early stages of healing. It triggers the release of immune cells, helps cells multiply, and supports fibroblast growth. It also helps form the extracellular matrix, which provides structural support to skin cells.

Infrared light aids in the later or ‘maturation phase’ of healing, where the tissue becomes stronger and collagen remodeling begins. It helps fibroblasts mature into myofibroblasts, which produce Type I and Type III collagen, key for tissue strength and healing. Combining both wavelengths is the most effective way to enhance collagen production.

A device with both red and infrared light is also more versatile and can double as a wellness device to treat pain and inflammation, boost mood, and improve sleep. For a full review of the benefits of infrared light therapy, click here.

written by Olivia Khader