Light Therapy Devices – Worth your coin?

Light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to target different skin concerns. This type of therapy has been used for decades in medical settings to speed up wound healing, but it is now being increasingly used as a cosmetic treatment for the face.

One of the most popular uses of light therapy is to address the signs of ageing. The red and infrared light wavelengths used in this therapy can stimulate collagen and elastin production, which can help to reduce wrinkles and fine lines and improve skin texture and tone.

The origin of light therapy

The history of light therapy for the face can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. They have already used natural sunlight to treat a variety of conditions, including skin disorders. But it wasn’t until the early 20th century that light therapy began to be used in a more systematic and scientific manner. In the 1920s, Niels Ryberg Finsen, a Danish physician, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his work on the therapeutic use of light. He used red and blue light to treat a variety of skin disorders, including lupus and smallpox.

The use of light therapy for cosmetic purposes began to gain popularity in the 1960s and 1970s. Developments of new light therapy devices opened more doors for treatment. In the 1990s, the use of light therapy for premature ageing of the skin and other cosmetic purposes began to increase. Technology has continued to evolve in recent years which lead to a boom and interest in the devices.

Benefits of light therapy devices

People use light therapy devices on their faces for a variety of reasons. It can help to stimulate collagen and elastin production. This can reduce wrinkles and fine lines, improve skin texture and tone, promote wound healing and much more.
It is non-invasive, meaning that they do not involve surgical procedures, injections or downtime. They can be used at your home, to allow you to do your treatment at your own convenience and schedule. It is a cost-effective alternative to other treatments such as chemical peels and laser resurfacing.

It’s important to note that the efficacy of light therapy devices for cosmetic purposes is still being studied. Some of the claimed benefits have not been proven yet.

The different light colours explained

There are several different colours of light used in those devices and each delivers its own specific benefits for the skin:

• Red light
  It has the longest wavelength and the highest energy levels. It is absorbed well by the skin and can penetrate deep into the dermis. It is used to stimulate collagen and elastin production, which can help to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, improve skin texture and tone, and promote wound healing.
• Infrared light
  Infrared light has a longer wavelength than red light and is also absorbed well by the skin. It can penetrate even deeper into the dermis than red light and can help to promote collagen and elastin production, improve skin elasticity, and reduce inflammation.
• Blue light
  This light delivers a shorter wavelength than red and infrared light and is mostly used to treat acne. Blue light therapy works by killing the bacteria that cause acne, which can help to reduce inflammation and clear up blemishes.
• Green light
  Green light has a shorter wavelength than red and infrared light and is known to improve overall skin health by reducing inflammation, redness, and hyperpigmentation. It can also help to balance skin tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Yellow light
  Specifically, this light is known to be soothing and calming. It can be used to reduce redness and inflammation and to improve the overall health of the skin. It also helps to improve lymphatic flow and circulation, which can help to boost the immune system and promote cell repair.

Light therapy and Face Yoga

Light therapy can help to stimulate collagen and elastin production, reduce inflammation, and improve overall skin health. Face yoga can help to tone and strengthen the muscles in the face. This can help to improve the appearance of your skin. However light therapy isn’t a must when it comes to working on your facial muscles. You are engaging your muscles and promoting lymphatic drainage due to the movement of your face. Light therapy simply can’t do that for you.

Overall, it is a non-invasive and effective way to improve the appearance of your skin. You should discuss what kind of light would be best for your skin with a trained professional dermatologist. Everyone’s skin is different and this is the real beauty of it.