Published: March 11, 2021
The definition of skincare routines is expanding. On top of a cleanser, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen, many people are now including gadgets such as at-home LED light therapy devices into their routines. But does this technology actually work, is it safe, and how can it actually help our skin?
What is LED Light Therapy?
LED stands for “light-emitting diode.” LED light has been around since the 1960s. It was first developed by NASA for plant growing experiments in space. Soon, these LED lights showed promise for wound healing and tissue growth. It has now made its way into skincare treatments due to its ability to rejuvenate the appearance of the skin.
LED light therapy uses the visible spectrum of light to penetrate the skin. Each color, such as red or blue light, penetrates the skin at a different depth. Just as the skin absorbs skincare, so too does it absorb LED light.
Although you might be scared to put light of any kind for an extended amount of time on your skin, you shouldn’t be: LED contains none of the UV rays that cause damage to our skin. Unlike the rays from the sun, your skin can actually benefit from exposure to this type of light.
Is it Safe to Use?
Unlike other procedures such as chemical peels, laser treatments, and microneedling, LED light therapy does not harm or burn the outer layer of the skin. It’s safe to use on all skin types and tones. Do not use LED light therapy if you have active skin rashes, though, or if you are currently using Accutane or any product that makes your skin more sensitive to light, such as acids or retinol. You should avoid LED light therapy if you have epilepsy or suffer from seizures. When in doubt, it’s best to talk to your doctor about using LED light therapy.
What’s great about LED light therapy is that there is no downtime after a treatment. Unlike some other in-office treatments, there’s no discomfort, either: you’ll simply feel a deep warmth wherever it’s used. In fact, you could use LED light therapy in conjunction with in-office treatments such as peels and laser treatments to help boost results.
What’s Up With the Different Colors?
Different wavelengths of LED light target different types of skin concerns. The longer the wavelength, the deeper the penetration into the skin.
Red Light
Most at-home LED skincare devices offer a red light setting. Red light is used to treat the appearance of wrinkled or sagging skin by penetrating the deeper layers of the dermis.
Blue Light
Blue light, on the other hand, is used to target oily skin and acne. Blue light is meant to make the sebaceous glands less active, leading to less oil production and, in turn, less acne. Blue light also kills acne-causing bacteria without irritating the skin, which can help treat severe acne, such as cysts.
While red and blue light are the most popular (and proven effective) LED light offerings, there are a few other colors used:
Green Light
Green light targets the look of dilated capillaries and hyperpigmentation to reveal a brighter, more even-toned appearance.
Amber Light
Amber light is known for soothing the look of redness and calming the feeling of swelling and inflammation. It also reduces the appearance of aging.
How Can it Benefit Me?
Depending on the wavelength, LED light can target a host of skin issues, including:
- The appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- The look of redness and inflammation
- Overly oily skin
- The appearance of hyperpigmentation
- The visibility of acne marks
- Dull-looking skin
But Do They Actually Work?
The simple answer is yes, they do, but you shouldn’t neglect your regular skincare routine in favor of LED treatments. Having a good skincare routine in conjunction with using at-home LED skincare devices will make it more likely to get the results you want.
Is There a Difference Between In-Office and At-Home Treatments?
If you opt for an in-office procedure, one session will take about 20 minutes. It might take around ten sessions to see the results you want.
Instead of booking an in-office LED light therapy treatment, you can now use one of the many at-home LED skincare devices to achieve similar effects at home.
The main difference between in-office and at home LED treatments is that in-office treatments are stronger than their at-home counterparts. It may take longer to achieve your desired results from at-home treatments alone.
That doesn’t mean that at-home treatments are useless, though: at-home LED skincare devices make it easy to get similar results without having to make your way to a professional. Bonus: they’re a great way to introduce an aspect of relaxation into your routine.
How Do I Do it At Home?
At-home LED skincare devices can come in the form of masks or wands that emit LED light in the desired wavelength.
Pay attention to the instructions on your device of choice. Generally, an at-home LED skincare device is easy to use and doesn’t take much work.
Masks are simple: just slip them on and relax for the recommended amount of time. Wands require a bit more effort, though, because they have to be held over your skin for a certain amount of time.
Which Device Should I Use?
Here at Bionyx, we offer a host of LED devices from Jelessi to help you achieve your desired skincare results.
Jelessi Torche V2+
This powerful device gives you a smoother, more radiant appearance. It emits red LED light, which is known to target the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles for firmer, younger-looking skin.
Here’s how to use it:
After cleansing and drying the skin, using the device, apply light pressure to the skin and gently massage the device in circular motions for three to five minutes over each treatment zone. Return the device to the charging port and finish off with the rest of your skincare routine.
We recommend using this device four to five times a week for the best results.
Jelessi Photonix-3 Neck Solution
It’s well-known that the neck area can betray one’s age. Luckily, this device specifically targets the appearance of wrinkles in the neck and chest area. It aims to tighten and tone the look of these areas with two unique functions.
It works in two ways:
The Jelessi Photonix-3 Neck Solution has two settings. The first one is a Massage Mode to leave skin looking smoother.
The second setting is a Magnetic Heat Lifting Mode meant for the appearance of sagging and wrinkled skin.
How to use it:
After applying your favorite skincare product on your neck and shoulders (perhaps a serum or a cream), turn on the device and place it against the skin. When the device begins to pulsate, select which mode you want to use. Move the device over your skin in gentle, upward motions. Finally, turn off the device. You can follow up the treatment with another layer of serum or cream.
We recommend using the device two to three times per week for the best results.
Jelessi Torche V2+ Amber Light
Unlike its counterpart, which is meant for reducing the visibility of skin aging, the Jelessi Torche V2+ Amber Light uses amber LED light and heat technology to target the look of hyperpigmentation, inflammation, large pores, and oil production, for a smoother, brighter appearance.
How to use it:
This device works similarly to the Jelessi Torche V2+. That is, after turning it on, use the device to apply light pressure and gently massage the skin in circular motions for three to five minutes over each treatment zone. Return the device to the charging port and finish off with the rest of your skincare routine.
We recommend using the device four to five times per week for the best results.
Jelessi Photonix-2 Jade Eye Wand
The skin around the eyes is much thinner and more delicate than the rest of your skin. If you’re worried about the appearance of wrinkles or puffiness around the eyes, the Jelessi Photonix-2 Jade Eye Wand is the device for you. This eye wand has two unique features—a Blue Relief Mode and a Magnetic Heat Lifting Mode—to help target the look of wrinkles, darkness, and puffiness around the eyes.
It works in two ways:
The Blue Relief Mode uses blue LED light to brighten the look of the skin and reduce the visibility of puffiness around the eyes. The jade stone in the device has a naturally cooling effect, which helps with depuffing the look of the skin.
The Magnetic Heat Lifting Mode uses red LED light to provide a smoother-looking undereye area. It also increases product absorption, which is why we recommend going in with your favorite serum or eye cream after your treatment.
Here’s how to use it:
After cleansing the area around the eyes, press the left button and choose the desired setting. Wait around one minute for the metal head to heat up. Next, apply your favorite serum to the metal head and massage around your eyes for around five to seven minutes. Finally, turn off the device and clean with a cloth. You may follow up with another layer of serum, as this treatment increases product absorbtion.
We recommend using the device two to three times per week for the best results.
Consistency is Key
Unfortunately, nothing works overnight. While you might notice a glow to your skin after an LED light treatment, it’s going to take a few sessions before you start seeing the results you want.
Your device is going to be an investment, so it shouldn’t be hard to keep using it consistently. Remember, it may take up to a month of treatment before you see significant results.
It’s also important that you keep up on your treatments even after you start seeing results.
Make sure you’re not neglecting other aspects of your skincare routine, either: these devices should supplement, and not replace, your other products. It’s a good idea to invest in good skincare products to use alongside your LED skincare devices.