As a non-thermal and non-invasive skin procedure with no down-time, it is an easy add-on to your regular skin maintenance regime. This post will explore the scientific research backing this procedure to inform you, the consumer, of the evidence which surrounds this skin treatment (image by Avenue Aesthetics).
LED was first used in biological procedures during the 1950’s by NASA, who used LEDs to grow plants in space 1. NASA expanded their research to human skin in 1988, and through controlled trials, identified that the light could penetrate into the skin to enhance wound healing through increased skin cell growth 1,3,8. The use of LEDs in skin procedures has emerged during the past 10 years or so, with research identifying that the procedure can alter the way the skins processes work without generating heat or side effects 1,8,9.
So how do LEDs work? They work through a process called photobiomodulation. Let’s break this down into bite size pieces! Photo refers to light, and modulation refers to changing something through influence; therefore, photobiomodulation means to use light to influence something to change 1,4,7. The LED device emits low levels of light which are absorbed into the skin into target cells called chromophores, which either upregulate or down regulate cellular processes 2,3,8,9.
A major contributor to the benefits of LED is increased production of the energy molecule, called ATP, within cells. Increased production of ATP fuels cells to help them perform optimally 1,3,7,9. Let’s face it, we all perform better when we fuel our bodies!
The positive impact of photobiomodulation on the skin is diverse. The benefits include increased production of collagen and elastin fibres, a reduction in the molecules that breakdown collagen and elastin fibres and modulation of skin inflammation. It can increase blood flow in the skin while decreasing the bacteria in the skin that causes inflammatory acne . It can also increase the oxygen and nutrition that our cells receive and enhance the hydration of our skin through the production of molecules called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)1. GAGs have the ability to grab and hold onto high amounts of water, which plumps the skin to make it appear firm 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9.
This process does not remove any layers of skin or heat it to a point of discomfort, and this is why it has no downtime following the procedure and the incidence of side effects are very rare or relatively non-existent 1,3,7,8,9.
Different wavelengths, or colours, of light can penetrate the skin to different levels and generate different effects 4,6,8,9. This is why aesthetic clinics offer different colours of LED to clients based on their individual needs. The following table is based on published research and briefly (yes briefly) breaks it all down for you!
(Skin image: Sorbellini et al., 2018, p. 1433).
|
Wavelength |
Light Colour |
Skin Benefits |
Skin Conditions |
|
400-470nm |
Blue |
Blue light penetrates to the skins surface so treats concerns at this level Antibacterial activity Cell energy production |
· Inflammatory acne · Rosacea · Eczema · Psoriasis
|
|
540-590nm |
Yellow |
Supports a reduction in swelling and redness in the skin
Production of skin surface cells
Reduced the flow of skin oils
Reduces the activity and production of cells that break down collagen and elastin
Cell energy production
Increased production of growth factors which enhance wound healing and results from cosmetic procedures
|
· Red or inflamed skin · Rosacea · Pigmentation · Fine lines and aged skin · Poor skin texture · Enhance recovery post-skin procedure
|
|
630-700nm |
Red |
Activates the cells to produce collagen and elastin
Decreases the activity and production of cells that cause damage to collagen and elastin
Enhances blood flow
Modulates inflammation
Reduces the flow of skin oils
Increases skin hydration
Reduces the activity and production of cells that break down collagen and elastin
Cell energy production
Enhanced transport of oxygen and nutrients to the skin
Enhanced removal of wastes from the skin
Increased production of growth factors which enhance wound healing and results from cosmetic procedures
Increased production of GAGs
|
· Anti-aging/sun damage · Wound healing · Skin firming · Acne · Rosacea · Eczema · Psoriasis · Hair loss · Enhance recovery post-skin procedure · Poor skin texture |
|
700-1200nm |
Infrared |
Deeply penetrates the skin
Enhance collagen and elastin production
Enhances blood flow and the production of new blood vessels
Enhances the movement of new skin cells to support wound healing
Reduces the activity and production of cells that break down collagen and elastin
Cell energy production
Enhanced transport of oxygen and nutrients to the skin
Enhanced removal of wastes from the skin
Increased production of growth factors which enhance wound healing and results from cosmetic procedures
|
· Wound healing · Anti-aging/sun damage · Rosacea · Hair loss · Enhance recovery post-skin procedure |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
The source of the unfounded rumour stating that you should not have LED immediately after these procedures is yet to be identified, however there is ample published scientific research to support the use of LED immediately following the procedure to enhance safety and treatment outcomes. Let’s have a look at what science says about this debate!
Trelles and Allones (2006) conducted research to see if using LED immediately following eye surgery and ablative laser treatment, which removes the top layers of the skin, enhances outcomes. They found that the skin healed more rapidly with modulation of inflammation, enhanced new cell production required to heal the skin and a decrease in skin redness and discomfort. Collagen and elastin are required for treating skin aging, and LED enhanced the production of these cells improving outcomes for patients 6. Wanitphakdeedecha et al. (2019) found similar results in that the use of LED following laser treatment significantly reduced redness.
Calderhead et al. (2015) explained the importance of reducing downtime following aesthetic procedures to increase safety and help clients get back to their normal daily routines, and how LED can achieve this through modulation of inflammation, reducing redness and reducing healing time 8. Kim and Calderhead (2011) explain that by using LED to enhance healing following cosmetic procedures the skin heals in a better pattern more rapidly with decreased down time 9.
This evidence indicates that by performing LED immediately following cosmetic procedures downtime is reduced, healing is enhanced, the processes involved in skin rejuvenation are enhanced and outcomes can be enhanced. So, the question is – why the rumour? I will let you decide for yourself!
As you can see, LED light therapy has multiple benefits for the skin, with this being a very brief introduction and overview. If you have any further burning questions you would like answered about LED post in the comments below or contact us through the contact button to the left!
1 Sauder, D. N. (Light-emitting diodes: their role in skin rejuvenation. International Journal of Dermatology, 49(1), 12-16. https://doi-org.10.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.04246.x
2 Boulos, P. R., Kelley, J. M., Falcao, M. F., Trembley, J. F., Davis, R. B., Hatton, M. P., & Rubin, P. A. D. (2009). In the eye of the beholder – skin rejuvenation using a light-emitting diode photobiomodulation device. Dermatologic Surgery, 35(), 229-239. 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2008.34414.x
3 Calderhead, R. G., & Vasily, D. B. (2016). Low-level light therapy with light-emitting didoes for the aging face. Clinics in Plastic Surgery, 43(3), 541-550. 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2008.34414.x
4 Sorbellini, E., Rucco, M., & Rinaldi, F. (2018). Photodynamic and photobiological effects of light emitting diode (LED) therapy in dermatological disease: An Update. Lasers in Medical Science, 33(7), 1431-1439. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-018-2584-8
5 Wanitphakdeedecha, R., Iamphonrat, T., Phothong, W., Eimpunth, S., & Manuskiatti, W. (2019). Local and systemic effects of low-level light therapy with light emitting diodes to improve erythema after fractional ablative skin resurfacing: A controlled study. Lasers in Medical Science, 34(), 343-351. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-018-2599-1
6 Trelles MA, Allones I (2006) Red light-emitting diode (LED) therapy accelerates wound healing post-blepharoplasty and periocular laser ablative resurfacing. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy. 8, 39–42.
7 Barolet, D. (2016). Accelerating ablative fractional resurfacing wound healing recovery by photobiomodulation. Current Dermatology Reports, 5(), 232-238. DOI: 10.1007/s13671-016-0151-8
8 Calderhead, R. G., Kim, W. S., Ohshiro, T., Trelles, M. A., & Vasily, D. B. (2015). Adjunctive 830nm light emitting diode therapy can improve the results following aesthetics procedures. Laser Therapy, 24(4), 277-289. www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/islsm
9 Kim, W. S., & Calderhead, R. G. (2011). Is light-emitting diode phototherapy (LED_LLLT) really effective? Laser Therapy, 20(3), 205-215. www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/islsm
