​LED/Light Therapy – What is it? How does it work? And WHAT do the clinical studies say about it?

The terms LED and light therapy are used as interchangeable terms and mean the same thing. Although technically "LED stands for Light Emitting Diode, which is a computer chip encased in a glass-like resin, which emits therapeutic wavelengths (or colours) of light energy,". Whereas light therapy can also be available in globes or tubes that emit therapeutic wavelengths of light.

NASA originally developed LED/Light therapy for plant growth experiments on shuttle missions and later found it to have promise for wound treatment. The U.S. Navy SEALs began using it in the 1990s to help heal wounds quickly and to help regenerate damaged muscle tissues. LED light therapy is now used to help regenerate the skin from aging and has proven successful in the treatment of mild to moderate acne.

So red light therapy, blue light therapy, collagen light therapy - what is the difference?

The terms red light therapy and collagen therapy are interchangeable and mean the same thing. Red light has a wavelength of 700–635 nm nanometers. The nanometer is a unit of distance in the metric scale and is abbreviated as nm. One nanometer (nm) equals one thousand millionths of a meter (m) or 1 nm = 10^-9 m.

So how does this work?

The cells in the dermis layer of skin will convert that light energy into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the fuel that the cell uses to do its job. The fibroblast cells in the dermis layer have the job of producing collagen (which gives the skin fullness or that plumped look) and elastin (which gives the skin the ability to bounce back). At around the age of 30 this process in the body begins to slow down and thus fine lines and wrinkles start to become noticeable. The stimulated fibroblasts cells produce collagen and elastin. It is like rewinding back to being 25 years old again. Red Light is also thought to reduce inflammation while improving circulation, which can give you a healthier glow.

Numerous studies have been conducted assessing the effectiveness of light therapy with clinical studies producing similar results as found by Baez et al.,The majority of subjects displayed “moderate” (50%) or “slight” (25%) response to treatment at investigator assessment. Treatment of the periorbital region was reported more effective than the nasolabial region. At 12‐week follow‐up, 91% of subjects reported improved skin tone, and 82% reported enhanced smoothness of skin in the treatment area.

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Blue Light therapy, targets the sebaceous glands, which are also called oil glands. They’re located beneath your hair follicles. Sebaceous glands are necessary for lubricating your skin and hair so that it doesn’t dry out. However, these glands can become overactive, leading to oily skin and acne. The theory is that blue light therapy can target these oil glands and make them less active. In turn, you may see fewer acne breakouts. Blue light can also kill acne-causing bacteria beneath the skin, which can help treat severe acne pimples, including cysts and nodules. Blue light has a wavelength of 500–440 nm.

Oftentimes, blue light is used in conjunction with red LED light to:

• help treat acne
• decrease scarring
• promote anti-inflammatory effects

One 2018 animal study found that blue LED improved healing of third-degree skin burns.

Clinical trials have proven the effectiveness of light therapy and in particular red light therapy/collagen therapy. More recently clinical studies have found blue light therapy is very successful in treating Acne. Elmin et al found that 85% of patients demonstrate a significant quantitative reduction in at least 50% of the lesions after four biweekly treatments. In approximately 20% of the cases, acne eradication may reach 90%. At 3 months after the last treatment, clearance is approximately 70% to 80%.

Elmin et al., concluded light-based therapy is a safe and effective modality for the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris. Amelioration of acne by light therapy, although comparable to the effects of oral antibiotics, offers faster resolution and fewer side effects and leads to patient satisfaction.

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STYLE 13/05/2016 11:03 AM AEST | Updated 15/07/2016 12:52 PM AEST. Exactly What LED Light Therapy Is And Why It's Good For Your Skin.By Leigh Campbell. 

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