Red light Therapy devices have become quite popular lately. But are they actually effective, or are they a fad? Let’s find out…

Red light therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy, is not a new thing. The technology has been around since 1967 – that’s 51 years! Utilizing names such as biostimulation, or photobiomodulation, the medical industry has been using and developing light therapy for a wide variety of uses since its inception.

Light therapy devices work by emitting wavelengths of light – usually red, blue, or green – to stimulate collagen production, increase blood flow, and rejuvenate the Skin. Devices of the past used laser light. Modern products today use light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Professional estheticians charge anywhere from $25-$50 per session depending on voltage provided. Assuming 4 months of bi-weekly treatments, you could spend upwards of $1000! Why not try doing it at home?

Some of the potential benefits of light therapy:

• Improve complexion
• Increase blood flow
• Improve collagen structure and density
• Reduce wrinkles and fine lines
• Firm up loose skin
• Diminish inflammation
• Reduce and prevent acne
• Balance skin tone
• Stimulate lymphatic function

And it really is pretty easy to do – it just takes two 5-minute sessions per week!

The science behind it

Clinical studies have shown that patients undergoing some sort of light therapy, do experience improvements in skin complexion, smoother skin, and an increase in collagen density (measured by an ultrasonograph).

The study cited above, and in the images below had a total of 113 volunteers (men and women between 27-79 years of age), who received light therapy treatments, twice a week for 15 weeks. Over 70% of the test subjects showed a noticeable level of improvement.

As with any study, there was a range of positive results, with a few notable ones shown below:

This is an image from the study showing the improvements in wrinkles and skin tone:

The “A” test subject has clearly smoother skin in the chin area. The “B” test subject has a noticeably smoother forehead, with less a decrease in lines and wrinkling.

This image, from the same study, taken with ultrasonograph imaging, shows the improvements in collagen density gained from light therapy:

Collagen structure, and density is key to firmer, younger looking skin. The breakdown of collagen bonds in skin are the major cause of fine lines and wrinkling.

Red light vs Blue light vs Green light

The exact reason why light therapy is effective is a bit misunderstood, and still needs more research. One theory states that skin (and other tissues) are stimulated by light, much like our eyes are, and respond accordingly. Other theories speculate that light therapy mimics the effect of sunlight (without being damaging like actual sunlight), and therefore stimulates the natural growth and renewal response with respect to the spectrum of light used.

So while the exact reason is yet to be explained, the results have actually been demonstrated, collected, and published.

Here are the effects of the 3 most commonly used variants for light therapy:

Red light therapy

• Increases blood circulation
• Tightens skin to reduce wrinkles
• Stimulates production of new skin cells
• Treats acne by reducing inflammation
• Red light penetrates deeper than either blue or green

Blue light therapy

• Reduces inflammation
• Kills the Propionibacterium acnes bacterium which aggravates an immune response which causes red, swollen bumps to develop on the skin (one type of acne)

Green light therapy

• Calms the skin
• Balances the skin tone
• Can breakdown and prevent uneven pigmentation
• Stimulates lymphatic drainage

Light therapy tools

There are two popular light therapy tools on the market today for home use. One type is a mask that you wear, the other is a wand type (usually with a massage function).

The mask

Mask types, like the Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Treatment Mask are just that, a mask that you wear. They usually offer one type of light (the Neutrogena mask does offer red/blue), and are a little inconvenient to use. While they are generally less expensive to begin with, they have battery packs that need to be replaced after a certain number of uses which makes the cost add up for prolonged use. 

For example, this Neutrogena mask has an “activator” that needs to be replaced every 30 uses. Assuming 2-3 sessions per week, that would mean replacing the activator every 10 weeks or so.

Another thing that I don’t like about these kinds of masks are that the light points are fixed. When you wear the mask, the LED’s are always in the same spots, and don’t allow you to choose exactly where you treat your skin. Needless to say, they only treat the skin on your face – which is fine if you’re only planning on treating your face, but everyone has different skin problems that they’d like to treat.

The wand

Wand types are the type of light therapy device that I prefer. Versions like the Rika LED facial massager shown below usually offer all three types of light, and offer you the ability to choose exactly where on your body you choose to treat.

The Rika light therapy wand uses vibration (which can also be turned off) along with the LED light to really stimulate your skin, and get the most out of your treatment. This product does not use batteries – it plugs in to a regular outlet – and can be used over and over.

One main advantage of these wand types, besides overall coverage, is the intensity of the light. They usually offer larger, and better quality LED’s, that penetrate more effectively than the small LED’s usually found on the masks.

How to use it

If you’re using a wand type, like the Rika model above, it’s actually quite easy!

Step 1: Apply correct product to your face. For cleansing, apply clarifying toner. For acne, apply acne clearing serum. For anti-aging, apply Vitamin C serum or hyaluronic acid.

Step 2: Turn the machine on, and choose the correct mode. Different light therapy machines will have varying modes.

Step 3: Slowly massage the area for about 5 minutes. The key is to use slow and deliberate strokes, making sure to evenly cover. (For larger areas, like legs or back, massage for up to 15 minutes).

Repeat these steps 2-3 times a week for best results, and then reduce intervals for maintenance. Most people will usually see noticeable results within 2-3 weeks, but allow up to 2-3 months for full results.

Finally, clean your device after each use. That’s about it – it really is that simple!

Have you tried light therapy at home? Could you please leave a comment below and share your experience?