Tag Archives: skin care devices
“Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light.” — Groucho Marx
I’m over 40 years old… a baby boomer in fact. On top of that I’m an aesthetician and skincare fanatic. So, any technology claiming anti-aging benefits always pique my interest.
Recently, it has been LED light therapy that has social media buzzing with celebrities and influencers, posting selfies with their LED masks. And so, I thought it may be a great time to talk about this popular treatment.
What is an LED?
LED, or light emitting diode, is a skincare treatment that uses varying wavelengths of light, including red, blue and more recently green.
NASA originally developed it for plant growth experiments on shuttle missions and later found it to have promise for wound treatment. How? It triggers collagen production, improves circulation, and decreases inflammation. Further studies have provided evidence that it works wonders for the body and for the skin. At SkinSense we use both blue and red light therapy to treat acne, eczema, rosacea and even aging. And we are just about to add green light therapy for pigmentation and scarring.
Here’s a rundown of the different LED light therapy benefits…
Blue Light
Blue light therapy has a shorter wavelength and can be very effective when applied topically to kill the acne-causing bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes, or P acnes. These bacteria found in the sebum and oil glands cause inflammation and breakouts on the skin surface. The good news is that P acnes is sensitive to blue light and can be eliminated with this kind of therapy. Coupled with proper cleansing and treatment regimens the blue light offers a safe alternative to antibiotics and harsh topicals.
Red Light
Red light therapy has a longer wavelength and a different function to blue light. It can speed wound healing and stimulate collagen production, promote firmness and improve skin texture. It can also be used to relieve chronic pain and some injuries. Additionally, red and blue light treatments can be used together on acne conditions to heal the skin, diminish scarring and reduce inflammation.
Green Light
Handheld green light devices for at home use are proving to be quite effective at reducing pigmentation especially on the hands. Green light waves penetrate more deeply than blue light, so it is recommended that the application of green light to the face be done in a salon.
At our salon we have been using the handheld units during our facial treatments to great effect and have also been retailing them to many clients for home use. It is great to have a zit zapper that can get rid of pimples and breakouts at your fingertips. We have also found that by using the blue light at home, clients are less tempted to pick their skin because the breakouts clear up quickly and don’t leave a mark. It only takes minutes a day to treat each area. Results from using red light therapy take longer but are noticeable after 4–6 weeks of regular application.
Light therapy is painless, non-invasive and requires no recovery time. Both red, blue and green lights can be used on all skin conditions and ages with no side effects. I highly recommend adding a hand held or even a full face unit to your skincare routine at home.
To know more about the latest skincare trends, check out my other blogs on Medium, or call us at Skinsense Wellness at (323) 653–4701.
I get asked this question by a client at least once a day at the spa… Are home skin care devices just for people who can’t afford a facial or maybe are too busy to go to the spa? Will I get the same results I get here at Skin Sense?
Technology is always changing and improving. Ultrasonic cleansing brushes and hair removal devices have had the best track record so far according to Philips and Wendy Lewis & Co Ltd., two global aesthetics consultancy companies who track these devices. That might be because results are immediately tangible – less hair, cleaner pores – and fit easily into one’s daily routine – cleansing and shaving.
Anti-aging devices are a little harder to assess and some are so high-tech that they need FDA approval. Many of these devices are quite costly as well ($500.00- $1,000.00.) They also need to be used 10-15 minutes a day for several weeks before seeing results. And some of the more sophisticated devices could potentially damage your skin if used incorrectly or on the wrong skin type/color.
Maybe most important – how many times have any of us purchased workout equipment with the best of intentions only to have it collecting dust three months later? Compliance and consistency are your skin’s best friend. I think only the most disciplined and leisurely of us could comply with the recommended use of these home devices. And honestly, isn’t a relaxing 75 minute treatment at Skin Sense where we use the most cutting edge and proven electrical equipment more appealing and doable for the majority of us? See our post “Electricity R” post.
So in conclusion, I don’t think we have reached the point where the fountain of youth can be found in our bathrooms or anywhere at home. But I do think that at home devices, once proven safe and effective, can be used by the disciplined client as an adjunct to a regular skincare routine while prolonging the benefits gained from regular visits to Skin Sense.
