Everyone wishes to have radiant, youthful-looking skin. To make our skin healthy and beautiful, we are now going door to door for innovative yet practical solutions. Upon this search, a dermatologist found a non-harmful technique that can make skin look younger and healthier. And what are those?
Light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses the power of a wavelength of light to penetrate the skin and fix cells and underlying skin issues.
Since skin is such a complicated organ, it’s important to do your homework before trying any treatments. Light therapy has three options: red, blue, and infrared light therapy. Each works differently with its assigned wavelength and solves various problems.
The question arises: Which is better, red or blue light therapy? Let us help you choose between red and blue light treatments.
Understanding Light Therapy
What is Light Therapy?
Does light therapy sound familiar? It has another name: phototherapy. This therapy is all about using light to treat skin problems and other health-related issues. This light has a specific wavelength that goes under the skin. Depending on the number of wavelengths, it will be absorbed into each skin layer. The main target of this therapy is to treat various skin conditions.
This technique isn’t new just because you have learned about its effective results. Light therapy has been treating various medical issues for centuries. From ancient civilizations to modern people, light therapy has showcased its effectiveness through every generation.
[Source: Don’t be SAD: A Very Brief History of Light Therapy]
The Science Behind Light Therapy
Light therapy works by influencing the body’s circadian rhythms through light exposure. It takes charge of our biological clocks to fix our sleep-wake cycle, hormones, and digestion. Plus, the wavelength light therapy interacts with specific molecules in the skin, triggering various cellular responses.
For example:
- Blue light: This uses a wavelength just to kill bacteria that cause acne. It penetrates the skin to destroy bacteria, reduce inflammation, and heal wounds.
- Red light: This one is known to stimulate collagen production, which means restoring skin elasticity and firmness. It also chases away inflammation and speeds up wound healing.
- Infrared light: This wavelength goes deep into the skin, keeping the blood flow at an optimal level and promoting culture regeneration. It can even reduce muscle pain.
Benefits of Light Therapy for Skin
- Light therapy repairs damaged skin cells and promotes the growth of new cells.
- Red light triggers the production of collagen to improve skin texture.
- It reduces inflammation and treats conditions like acne and rosacea.
- Light therapy is a must-have treatment if your skin has acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
Types of Light Therapy
Light therapy has various models, each with its characteristics that address specific health conditions using different wavelengths of light. If you understand what each light therapy will do to your body, it will be easier to decide which one is required for your skin/health issues.
[Source: iStoke]
- Red Light Therapy
How It Works: Red light therapy will take 630 and 700 nanometers wavelength to penetrate the skin’s surface layer. This wavelength will revive your cellular activity. Due to this, your collagen and elastin production will increase to another level to give you a radiant skin texture. Devices like red light therapy beds make it convenient to achieve these benefits in the comfort of your home or at professional wellness centers.
Benefits:
- Fades away fine lines and wrinkles
- Brush up skin texture and tone
- Enhances skin elasticity
- Promotes wound healing
- Reduces inflammation
Ideal For:
- Mature skin
- Sun-damaged skin
- Those seeking overall skin rejuvenation
- Blue Light Therapy
How It Works: Blue light therapy uses a 415- to 470-nanometer wavelength to treat acne and certain types of skin cancer. This wavelength kills the bacteria responsible for acne and reduces the inflammation that comes with it.
Benefits:
- Treats mild to moderate acne
- Lessen inflammation
- Kills bacteria
- Reduce breakouts
- Prevent skin cancer
Ideal For:
- Oily skin
- Acne-prone skin
- Green Light Therapy
How It Works: Green light therapy uses wavelengths between 500 and 550 nanometers to fix up the top layer of your skin. While it might not reach deeper layers like some other types of light therapy, it’s still pretty effective for tackling issues on the surface, like fading blemishes, scars, or dark spots.
Benefits:
- Reduces hyperpigmentation
- Fades dark spots
- Evens skin tone
- Improve sleep quality
- Reduce migraine
Ideal For:
- Skin with uneven tone
- Those who have migraine
- Who wants a minimal solution for their dark spots
- Infrared Light Therapy
How It Works: With its 760 nm to 100,000 nm wavelengths, infrared light therapy penetrates deeper than any other light therapy. It penetrates the skin to increase blood flow and relieve muscle pain.
Benefits:
- Reduces pain and inflammation
- Promotes tissue healing
- Improves circulation
- Detoxify the body
- Reduce the stress
- Fix sleeping quality
Ideal For:
- Muscle recovery
- Chronic pain
- Cardiovascular health
- Overall wellness
- UV Light Therapy
How It Works: This therapy uses ultraviolet light (340–400 nm) to treat specific skin conditions. It slows down rapid skin cell growth and minimizes the risk of skin cancer.
Benefits:
- Treats psoriasis and eczema
- Kills bacteria and fungi
- Autoimmune condition
- Polymorphic light eruption
Ideal For:
- Specific medical conditions
- Skin disorder
- Those who have seasonal depression
Comparison Chart
| Type of Light Therapy | Primary Benefit | Ideal For |
| Red Light | Anti-agingSkin rejuvenation | Sun-damaged skin |
| Blue Light | Acne treatment | Acne-prone skin |
| Green Light | HyperpigmentationUneven skin tone | Skin with uneven tone and dark spots |
| Infrared Light | Pain reliefTissue healing | Muscle recovery |
| UV Light | PsoriasisEczema | Specific medical conditions |
Factors to Consider When Selecting Light Therapy
Identify Your Skin Type
It is important to know your skin type before you undergo any light therapy.
Common skin types include:
- Oily skin produces excess sebum production, which is one of the causes of acne.
- Dry skin lacks moisture, and it becomes flaky or dull.
- Combination skin has both oily and dry problems. The T-zone is oily, and the cheeks are dry.
- Sensitive skin is prone to redness, irritation, and allergic reactions.
Determine Your Skin Concerns
Look for your primary skin concerns before reacting to the bigger issues. Find out which light therapy can solve your problems, and then choose that one.
- If you have pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads on your face or any other place.
- Visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of elasticity.
- Dark spots or uneven skin tone.
- Redness, irritation, and sensitivity around your face
Professional Treatments vs. At-Home Devices
| Benefits of Professional Treatments | Benefits of At-Home Devices |
| Expert dermatologists and estheticiansPersonalized treatments and adviceProfessional-grade devicesAdvanced technology | ConvenienceFlexibility to treat your skin at your own paceCost-effectiveComfort |
Device Specifications
Wavelengths:
- Blue light: 415 to 470 nm
- Red light: 630 to 700 nm
- Infrared light: 760 nm to 100,000 nm
- Green light: 500 to 550 nm
- UV light: 340 to 400 nm
Intensity:
Whatever light therapy you choose, one thing is for sure: higher-intensity devices are more effective. But they might have side effects, so be mindful and check the level before you start.
Budget and Cost Considerations
- One-time treatment: If you want the results to come faster and more immediately, choose the professional treatment, but the cost will be higher.
- Long-term investment: While at-home services might have a higher upfront cost, they can be really convenient and can be used multiple times.
Safety Considerations and Potential Side Effects
Neer forgot to take safety precautions before any treatment. Don’t worry; none of these therapies have any safety issues. However, it is better to be aware of the potential risks.
General Safety Guidelines
- Eye protection is a must. To avoid eye damage, always cover your eyes with eyewear during the light therapy treatment.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for usage, duration, and frequency of treatment.
Potential Side Effects
- Light therapy leaves a bit of redness after initial treatments.
- You may experience mild irritation or dryness
Who Should Avoid Light Therapy
- If you are taking photosensitizing medications, they can increase your skin’s sensitivity toward light.
- If you have severe acne, eczema, or psoriasis, talk to your dermatologist first about light therapy treatment.
- If you have done laser or chemical peeling recently, don’t go for light therapy immediately.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should not use light therapy; it is recommended to talk to the doctor.
Importance of Professional Consultation
There is a reason we suggest getting permission from your dermatologist or healthcare professional before starting any new skincare regimen, including light therapy. It will reduce so many potential risks you don’t even think of.
The doctors will review your health background and assess your needs, and then they will tell you which treatment you should take or not. They will even answer any concerns or questions you may have.
If you have any bad reactions to the light therapy, like really sore skin, pain, or blisters, just stop right away and see a doctor. It’s better to be safe!
How to Use Light Therapy Effectively?
Okay, now that you are taking the light therapy, you should know what to do before and after the treatment. How to take care of your skin during each session. Here is how you will do it:
Preparing Your Skin
Clean your skin with mild soap and water, and remove any makeup you have on yourself before you start the light therapy session. Pat dry the skin with a soft towel after washing the body/face. Do not put any products afterward that can increase skin sensitivity. Especially toners with alcohol or harsh exfoliants.
Step-by-Step Usage Guide
Here is the step-by-step for you to follow; this way, you can prepare yourself and the device before the session starts.
| Steps | What to do |
| Setting Up the Device | Clean the device thoroughly with a soft clothSit or lie down in a comfortable positionEnsure the is at a safe distance from your skin |
| Duration of Treatment | Follow the recommended treatment durationTime may vary depending on the device and your specific skin concernsBegin with shorter treatment sessions Increase the duration as your skin tolerates it |
| Post-Treatment Care | Moisturize your skin with non fragrance lotionUse sun protection after the session |
Maximizing Results
- Stick to your treatment schedule to see significant improvements.
- Consider combining light therapy with other skincare treatments.
- A balanced diet, adequate sleep, and stress management can complement the benefits of light therapy.
Monitoring Progress
- You can keep a journal to track your progress, including the date, duration of treatment, and any observations about your skin.
- We recommend taking photos of your skin before starting light therapy and the after photo at the end of the session to assess your progress visually.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is light therapy, and how does it work?
Light therapy uses a specific wavelength of light to target skin conditions like acne, aging, and hyperpigmentation. It fixes all of them by stimulating cellular activity.
Is light therapy safe for all skin types?
Generally, yes. However, if you have certain skin conditions or are taking photosensitizing medications, please talk to your doctor before making any decisions.
How often should I use light therapy?
The frequency of using light therapy depends on your skin condition and the type of therapy you are taking. Take suggestions from your doctor. However, it is recommended that you use light therapy two to three times per week.
Can I do light therapy at home?
Yes, obviously. You will find light therapy that you can install at home and take sessions at your own pace.
What are the side effects of light therapy?
Mild side effects like temporary redness or skin irritation are possible. It is nearly rare that there will be any severe side effects.
Is home red light therapy worth it?
Red light therapy at home is a cost-effective method of treating skin. Although it may have a higher upfront cost at first, you can have your skin treated at home at any time you want.
