Worldwide, consumers, dermatologists, and healthcare professionals are discussing the safety and efficacy of home LED light therapy. As with any medical or technological advancement, many questions arise: "Is it really legal?" and "Is it safe to use outside a clinic?". We're here to discuss the ins and outs of light therapy, including the science behind it and why it's one of the safest skin treatments that actually work (bonus: no dermatologist appointment needed), and to debunk commonly perceived dangers associated with it.
First off, what are LEDs and why are they useful for skin treatment?
We'll dedicate an entire blog post to this because A, it's too important not to discuss, and B, we're passionate about it and could go on and on... but in short, LEDs are light-emitting diodes:
LED stands for Light Emitting Diodes. They're the tiny bulbs you see on the back of a light therapy device, and depending on the wavelength, they emit light into certain layers of your skin. This light is absorbed by cellular components to trigger a cascade of biochemical reactions, resulting in naturally healthier and clearer skin.
The process is similar to how plants absorb light to grow - you know, like in that science class you didn't pay attention to.
Is LED light therapy dangerous?
No, LED light therapy isn't dangerous. And notably, LED light therapy does NOT emit UV rays. As discussed in the first part of this safety blog series, not all home LED light therapy devices are created equal, so it's important to research before diving into the LED world. You must ensure you choose a device backed by clinical data, which has passed international testing standards and is FDA approved.
It's no secret: at LumiDermis, we're deeply rooted in science, and we have peer-reviewed articles to prove it (over 40, to be exact). We'll spare you the nitty-gritty, but our extensive clinical backing, paired with countless positive reviews from customers and medical experts, has shown LumiDermis's safety and efficacy are undeniably trustworthy.
If you want to know more, send us an email, and we'd be happy to share our clinical data with you!
Does LED light therapy cause cancer?
LED light therapy doesn't produce heat, doesn't emit radiation, and contains no ultraviolet (UV) rays. It doesn't present the same risks as UV rays from the sun, such as skin damage, wrinkles, and some cancers. While they might look physically similar, LED light therapy devices aren't the same as tanning beds.
Will LED light therapy increase pigmentation or exacerbate melasma?
At the right wavelengths (633 nm and 830 nm, respectively), red and near-infrared light have been shown to decrease pigmentation rather than increase it. It's possible that some existing pigmentation might appear darker as the surrounding skin lightens, but the pigmentation itself should not darken.
Melasma, being a hormonal condition, is often hard to treat. However, there have been reports of melasma improvement with the use of red and near-infrared light. Since LED light therapy doesn't produce heat, it should not exacerbate existing melasma. Our devices haven't been specifically tested for melasma reduction, but a handful of our users have reported an improvement in their melasma after using their Contour devices.
Now that you're aware of the safety and science behind LED light therapy, you can confidently use LumiDermis in the comfort of your home to look and feel your best from the inside out.