an article by Athalie Ventura Espinoza
If you are part of #skintok, the skincare side of TikTok, you have probably seen light therapy masks promising to eliminate acne, hyperpigmentation, or wrinkles. Like with many cosmetic devices on social media, it’s normal to feel skeptical about their safety and efficacy. Fortunately, LED-based light therapy masks safely treat many skin conditions. Let’s explain why these products are safe and how they improve your skin’s health.
It all starts with light and its energy. Light can shine in different colors based on its energy. The color indicates how deeply it can penetrate the skin. To understand which color of light has more or less energy, remember the rainbow: red light has less energy than purple light. However, purple light penetrates less deeply, while red light goes deeper. This balance is crucial for interacting with cells without damaging them and ensuring good skin penetration.
Light therapy
Commercial light therapy masks use LEDs with red and blue light, which do not have enough energy to harm skin cells if used moderately. These LEDs have less power output than lasers or pulsed light, making them less invasive and harmful to the skin. Lasers and pulsed light, found at some dermatologist offices, also fall under light therapy but require medical supervision.
Studies have widely examined light therapy’s effects on skin conditions, finding positive results for various skin diseases, including:
- Acne
- Hyperpigmentation
- Psoriasis
- Skin rejuvenation
Acne
Acne, or acne vulgaris, is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many people, primarily pubescents and young adults. It manifests as different lesions, some inflamed and painful. The face is the primary site affected, but the upper arms, chest, and back may also be affected. Factors responsible for acne include hormone levels, diet, and stress. Treatments typically involve antibiotics, retinoids, acids, and in severe cases, isotretinoin and hormonal therapies.
Light therapy is a good alternative or complementary therapy for mild-to-moderate acne due to its minimal side effects. Red and blue light, used together or separately, reduce lesion inflammation. This effect likely comes from light therapy’s antimicrobial action. LED therapy also helps with fungal acne and acne scarring.
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation results from inflammation or exposure to specific environmental elements. Current treatments, such as chemical exfoliation, have not proven highly effective and can have side effects if used improperly. Unfortunately, light therapy masks have not shown significant results for this condition. More energy-intensive light, called intense pulsed light, is needed to target specific cells. While highly effective, this therapy can be painful and cause swelling.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease causing abnormal inflammation, promoting visible raised plaques and scales. The exact cause of psoriasis remains unclear, but factors such as smoking, alcohol, stress, and some medications can trigger it. Caucasian populations are more affected by psoriasis than non-Caucasian populations. Psoriasis causes significant discomfort as the skin becomes itchy and painful.
Recent advancements have improved psoriasis treatments. Oral and topical treatments have shown promise. Due to minimal adverse effects, red and blue light offer good complementary treatment for improving redness and inflammation. Special light therapy devices are needed for psoriasis, as plaques can be widespread, making at-home devices impractical.
Skin Rejuvenation
As people age, their skin inevitably ages. This process results from exposure to environmental elements, causing visible structural changes and loss of functions like moisture retention, elasticity, and collagen regeneration. These changes manifest as wrinkles, sagging, and thinning skin. Preventative measures, such as minimal UV exposure, avoiding intoxicating substances, and using skincare products, can help slow down these changes.
Despite technological advancements, no magic cure effectively stops skin aging. Maintaining a good preventative routine is crucial, as excessive damage and function loss cannot be reversed. Red light LED therapy helps diminish wrinkles and serves as a good preventative measure by stimulating regeneration processes. Higher energy light therapy, such as lasers, also positively impacts skin rejuvenation.
For many decades, light therapy was a privilege found only in prestigious dermatology clinics, costing hundreds of dollars. Today, you can buy a portable LED therapy device for under a hundred dollars and use it conveniently. If you suffer from a skin disease, LED-based light therapy offers a good alternative treatment that can complement other treatments. Before trying any light therapy protocol, seek medical advice.