LED Light Therapy: How It Works, Colors, Benefits & Risks (2024)

FAQs

LED Light Therapy: How It Works, Colors, Benefits & Risks? ›

Red light in LED light therapy promotes collagen production and reduces wrinkles, while blue light targets acne-causing bacteria. Green light helps with hyperpigmentation, and yellow light reduces redness and inflammation. Each colour has unique properties that address various skin issues.

Red & Near-Infrared (NIR) Light – stimulates the cells' mitochondria, or powerhouse of the cell, to boost cellular energy and reduce pain. Blue Light – improves sun damage and treats severe acne by killing the microbes that cause it. Green Light – may reduce the intensity and frequency of migraine headaches.

To this end, some potential risks of light therapy include premature aging of the skin and an increased possibility for skin cancer development later in life. Eye strain and temporary headaches caused by the light are also often reported, although these symptoms do not seem to indicate any permanent injury.

People with any skin type and color can use LED light therapy. LED light therapy doesn't use ultraviolet (UV) light, so it doesn't cause damage or burns to your skin.

But using an LED mask regularly has cumulative effects, notes Dr Granite: “LED masks are generally safe to use everyday; in fact consistency yields the best results. Some recommend use for as little as five minutes a day, others require up to 20 minutes.”

Who should not use red light therapy? People who take medications that increase their skin or eye sensitivity should not use red light therapy. People who have a history of skin cancer or eye disease should speak with their doctor before using red light therapy.

Whereas, a color like blue light has been shown to increase our productivity and serotonin levels at a normal level. On the other hand, warmer colors like yellow or red can be soothing and relaxing – which is why they are best placed in “lazy areas” of the house like bedrooms and living rooms.

Treating Inflammation with LED Light Therapy

These red and near infrared wavelengths of light stimulate those cells and reduce oxidative stress, so your body is able to make more usable energy to power itself.

Dr Sharad adds, “Red LED acts on cells in the skin known as fibroblasts, which play a role in the production of collagen, a protein that makes up a large part of the connective tissue and helps the skin to recover when it's harmed.”

However, if you have certain medical conditions, or genetic conditions, or are taking certain medications that make you more sensitive to light exposure, you may want to avoid LED light therapy. If you are pregnant you should consult your doctor before receiving LED facial treatments.

What happens if you do too much LED light therapy? ›

Overuse won't cause burning or damage to the skin, but it won't fast-track your results, either. Generally, LED light therapy works best when used at least three to five times a week over a four to five week period. Each device will vary, so be sure to follow the instructions closely for best results.

Chromotherapy can have some negative impacts that must be considered, even for the most ardent practitioners. Most of them result from the improper use of colors in particular situations, which is thought to exacerbate the signs of some diseases.

Blue LED light should therefore be used to treat acne. Red light is an effective treatment for redness and scars. Purple light combines the benefits of the two colors. It is highly recommended if you suffer from acne, redness or scars.

Red and blue lights are typically promoted in LED skin treatments. Experts believe that red LED light acts on cells in the skin known as fibroblasts, which play a role in production of collagen, a protein that makes up a large part of connective tissue and helps the skin to recover when it's harmed.

Most devices recommend that treatment times last between 5-15 minutes; however, some devices may have different instructions depending on your specific needs. Generally speaking, it is recommended that you start with a lower dosage before gradually increasing it over time as needed.

Before you use your home light therapy device, use a gentle cleanser to cleanse your skin. You can also use your device in the morning before applying any skincare products. Place the lights of the device directly on the skin of the area you wish to target for three minutes before moving on to the next area.

Most cheap masks use very cheap LEDs in order to create a cheap product. These LEDs may not be able to provide an effective treatment for the skin, as they may not be optimised to the correct wavelength to reach the needed threshold in the cells to activate the relevant rejuvenation processes.

Can red light therapy reverse gray hair? Some unfortunate news: Red light therapy probably isn't your ticket to counteracting gray strands. “While many people believe that red light therapy can stimulate melanin production to reverse gray hairs, there is little data to support this,” Dr. Green says.

Red light therapy may be beneficial when it comes to improved skin appearance, wound healing and pain management, according to current research. Red light therapy uses the therapeutic application of light energy primarily to aid in the healing of skin and muscular conditions, such as scarring and tendonitis.

Red light therapy is also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT). It's a type of body sculpting that may help you get rid of stubborn fat. Most research shows that red light therapy removes some fat from your waist and arms, but results are modest at best.

What LED color calms you down? ›

Use blue LED lights in your bedroom to promote relaxation and reduce stress. Use green LED lights in your meditation room or yoga studio to create a calming and soothing atmosphere. Use yellow LED lights in your living room or dining area to promote happiness and energy.

Research studies discovered red to be the best color light to help you sleep, because it increases production of melatonin as well as full darkness. On the other end of the spectrum, blue is the worst. Despite being a calm-inducing color on most occasions, blue is not suitable for lighting a bedroom.

Blue light therapy is the most effective for anxiety and other mood disorders. This treatment aims to correct both physiological and psychological imbalances. When the body is stressed, blue light can effectively calm it. Blue light has the most energy of any color in the electromagnetic spectrum.

How LEDs Change Colors. Each LED light consists of three separate chips, each emitting one of the primary colors: red, green, and blue. By controlling the intensity of each color, the LED can produce different shades and hues. By combining red, green, and blue in various proportions, virtually any color can be achieved ...

Blue and/or green LED lights mean you are a very grounded person. You are probably a fairly mentally stable person (both light colors stimulate happiness in the brain), and you love to be a person who grows in worldly experiences.

Green light therapy reduces dark spots and hyperpigmentation by decreasing the production of melanocytes, the melanin forming cells found in the lower level of the dermis. These melanocytes are responsible for creating age spots. As less melanin is produced, the dark patches fade.