If you've never heard of LED light therapy, listen up. LED light therapy has been growing in popularity for several years, but there was never an easy way to access it. Used as a way to combat acne and signs of aging, the new treatment requires a machine that looks like it's out of The Jetsons...until now, that is.
There's a new mask which is promising to give you all the benefits of light therapy, but from the comfort of your own home. So how does light therapy work?
"It works by emitting infrared lights (causing heat) in different wavelengths/ spectrums, which have different skincare benefits," says dermatologist Dendy Engelman in an interview with Byrdie.
"After microneedling or microdermabrasion, we place LED panels a few inches away from the patient's face," says plastic surgeon Sheila Nazarian. "Eye protection is also placed as the lights are quite bright. We treat [the skin] for about 15 minutes. At first, it feels warm, but patients report really liking the feeling of relaxation."
Don't worry though, the at-home version doesn't involve microneedling. The mask uses different colored lights to treat your skin.
RED LIGHT
- Helps build collagen
- Fight wrinkles
- Reduces eczema and rosacea
- Decreases inflammation
"If [the light is] red, your skin responds by building, strengthening, and maximizing cellular structure. Red light is also believed to target oil glands to reduce cytokines, which cause inflammation and play a role in chronic acne. In the case of blue light, specific wavelengths stimulate production of oxygen radicals that kill P. acnes bacteria, all without damaging skin," Engelman says.
BLUE LIGHT
- Minimizes acne
- Destroys bacteria
- Decreases inflammation
"Blue light kills bacteria," Engelman simply states.
AMBER LIGHT
- Helps to heal
- Fades redness
- Evens out skin tone
"Amber light stimulates collagen and elastin," says Engelman.
GREEN LIGHT
- Calms the skin
- Reduces redness
- Lightens hyper-pigmentation
PURPLE LIGHT
- Prevents breakouts
- Plumps fine lines
- Combines the benefits of red and blue
YELLOW LIGHT
- Adds energy to skin cells
- Assists digestion
- Enhances immune function
TEAL LIGHT
- Promotes metabolism