You’ve seen them all over the internet? Your skin therapist has one in their clinic. But you might wonder how bathing in the glow of red light therapy will help your skin.
The red light we’re talking about emanates from light-emitting diodes or LED, which have been around for quite some time, from reducing pain to accelerating the benefits of some cancer treatments.
But in the world of beauty? LED stands for better, far healthier skin.
Where it all began?
The first recorded use of light for therapeutic purposes can be traced back to ancient civilisations such as the Greeks and the Egyptians, who used sunlight to treat various ailments. However, the modern use of red light therapy can be attributed to the work of Dr Endre Mester, a Hungarian physician and researcher.
In the 1960s, Dr Mester was conducting experiments on the effects of laser radiation on skin cancer in mice. He observed that low-level laser therapy has a healing impact on the mice’s skin, and he began to explore the therapeutic potential of light therapy in humans.
Dr Mester’s pioneering research paved the way for further studies on using red light therapy for various medical conditions, including chronic pain, joint disorders, and skin conditions.
NASA – The mother of invention?
NASA also played a significant role in developing and popularising red light therapy. In the 1980s, NASA researchers were studying the effects of light on plant growth in space and discovered that specific wavelengths of light, including red light, helped plants grow faster and more efficiently.
NASA scientists then explored the potential use of red light therapy for human health, particularly for astronauts who spent long periods in space and experienced various health issues, including muscle and bone loss, decreased wound healing, and disrupted sleep patterns.
Through their research, NASA scientists found that red light therapy could help address these health issues by stimulating cell regeneration, reducing inflammation, and improving blood flow. They developed a light-emitting diode (LED) technology to deliver red light therapy, which has since been used in medical and cosmetic settings.
The use of red light therapy in medical and wellness settings has continued to grow in popularity, with many people seeking it as a non-invasive and drug-free way to alleviate pain, improve skin health, and enhance athletic performance.
Collagen loss and Red LED Light Therapy.
We lose collagen as we age, at least 1 – 2 per cent every year from around the age of twenty-five, and even more if we spend too much time in the sun. Collagen becomes brittle, leading to premature wrinkling of the skin.
Red light works with the body’s natural processes to counteract the effects and signs of ageing.
But what does that mean?
Well, red light works with what’s already present in your skin. In this case, fibroblast cells stimulate wound healing and collagen synthesis. Red light stimulates this function to keep your skin behaving as it should or as it did ten years ago. Great! Right?
How does it feel?
The first time I went under the red LED light, the urge to push the machine away and run out of the room was hard to overcome. I’ve never thought of myself as claustrophobic, and despite the absence of pain or heat, it feels a little oppressive; however, if you relax, it begins to feel quite comforting.
So, take a deep breath, calm yourself down, and unexpectedly and strangely, it becomes a relaxing experience.
Blue light versus Red light.
If you decide to have an LED Red Light facial treatment, you have options depending on your skin’s needs and what you want to treat.
Blue light is for the treatment of acne.
A red light will stimulate collagen and reduce wrinkles.
Then there’s infrared light which gives you more collagen stimulus and promotes wound healing; this is especially useful when combined with blue light to minimise inflammation caused by acne.
Should you go to the light?
Yes, and for these reasons.
Better skin health.
Eliminate the bacteria that cause acne.
Minimise inflammation of any kind. Yes, LED is comforting to irritated skin.
Reduce the bluish scarring caused by acne.
Stimulate more collagen to keep your skin flexible and wrinkle-free.
If you want well-functioning skin year after year and avoid disharmony and dysfunctions that cause skin conditions like hyperpigmentation, it’s a big fat. YES!
How much will it cost you?
The average price for 20 minutes of LED light is around $90-100AUD. However, in most cases (and I highly recommend this), it’s combined with other treatments, like a chemical peel and a topically applied nutritional supplement for antioxidant therapy. In this case, you can expect to spend from $150 up to $350, depending on the treatment, or you can opt for a LED Light Mask and enjoy all that red light therapy offers in the comfort of your home.
Sounds good? Go forth into the light. Enjoy.
See you next time,
