LED Light Therapy

LED Light Therapy describes how light from Light Emitting Diodes is used in a therapeutic setting. The latest term to describe LED Light Therapy is Photobiomodulation Therapy.

LED Light Therapy Interest arises from its incredibly broad application and use for various medical, performance, cognition and cosmetic uses. LED Light Therapy or Photobiomodulation refers to the use of non-thermal, non-invasive light to achieve a therapeutic outcome, and the term applies to multiple LED therapy devices.

History of LED Light Therapy

In 1903, Nils Finsen received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his participation in the development of light therapy. Over time, curiosity grew from the scientific community about this type of therapy. In the 1960’s, phototherapy was discovered for treatment of chronic pain, arthritis and related conditions, like joint rehabilitation, soft tissue injuries, and other medical diseases.

Since the 1980’s a growing number of clinics and medical industries have been choosing light therapy for their work. Numerous studies and years of use suggest that LED Light Therapy may be beneficial for tissue healing and the improvement of skin surface condition after treatment.

LED Light Therapy Benefits

LED (light-emitting diode) Light Therapy is a wellness modality that illuminates the surface area of the body to help improve multiple conditions. Through the use of visible and non-visible near-infrared light, different wavelengths penetrate tissue at different depths to provide various therapeutic benefits.

For example, multiple studies show that:

• Green LEDs promote wound healing by inducing migratory and proliferative mediators, which suggests that not only red LEDs but also green LEDs can be a new powerful therapeutic strategy for wound healing, pain relief through a different pathway than red/NIR as well as being effective for migraines. Recent research has shown that green activates a new pathway for pain release. This suggests further that combining green and red/infrared might be a more powerful tool for pain than traditional Red/NIR therapy devices. We believe that green will also prove out to be antibacterial and antiviral. ARRC LED has used multiple green, red and near-infrared wavelengths since 2015 with our first devices.
• Red light – penetrates subcutaneous tissue, the deepest layer of your skin. Based on research, Red LED Light Therapy is shown to reduce tissue inflammation and stimulate collagen production, a protein responsible for younger-looking skin that diminishes with age.
• Near-infrared light penetrates the deepest into muscle and bone, and studies show benefits to cognition, athletic performance, pain relief and general wellness.

Wellness specialists may use a combination of lights with various wavelengths to treat your specific issue. At-home devices may also combine colors.

The ARRC LED Light Therapy Beds deliver the precise dose of energy to both the front and back of the body. This improves efficacy and outcomes. Our formulas for energy, pulsing and wavelength combinations are patent pending.

LED Light Therapy for Face

Studies show that the anti-inflammatory properties of green LED therapy show promising results to treat dilated capillaries, sagging skin around the eyes, under eye circles, hyperpigmentation and sun spots. Other studies have found that green and red LED Light Therapy may also tighten skin, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and make skin look better. Studies show use of red light can stimulate skin cells called fibroblasts and help to produce collagen. ‌

LED Light Therapy for Skin

LED light can stimulate collagen, which is vital for healing wounds. Studies have found that light therapy helps lower redness, swelling, and bruising and speeds up recovery. LED Light Therapy may also stimulate hair growth for people with male or female-pattern hair loss, and it may also relieve redness and inflammation for people with psoriasis.

In addition, research suggests there may be positive effects on skin cancers from LED light. Photodynamic therapy has been performed using red and green LED lights to treat Bowen’s disease, and red light has been used to treat basal cell carcinoma lesions.

Efficacy of LED Light Therapy

Many researchers have suggested that LED Light Therapy has the potential to reduce and improve some skin conditions and issues. Depending on the target chromophore, the specialists will use different wavelengths of light. The three wavelengths of light that have demonstrated various therapeutic efficacy are red (633 – 660 nm), near-infrared (810 – 850 – 940 nm), and green (528 nm). Recent publications have reignited an interest in the numerous studies performed or sponsored by leaders in LED phototherapy. This shows the significant value of LED Light Therapy for a range of clinical applications.

LED Light Therapy Research

In one controlled study, thirty‐one subjects with facial Rhytids received nine LED Light Therapy treatments. The treatments used wavelengths of 633 nm and 830 nm with fluences of 126 J/cm2 and 66 J/cm2, respectively. The study showed improvements to the skin surface when evaluated at weeks 9 and 12. Additional outcome measures included assessments of clinical photography and patient satisfaction scores. Key results showed significant differences at week 12 follow‐up; 52% of subjects showed a 25%–50% improvement in photoaging scores by week 12, and 81% of subjects reported a significant improvement in periorbital wrinkles on completion of follow‐up.

Another controlled pilot study was performed to determine whether LED light therapy might enhance wound healing following surgical aesthetic and resurfacing procedures.13 male and female subjects underwent combined blepharoplasty and laser ablative resurfacing. Healing responses showed: Very Well (85–100% improvement), Good (65–84% improvement), Fair (45–64% improvement), Poor (<45% improvement), or Bad (little progress or worsened). Overall, the main efficacy results were similar across the groups, and none were rated as Bad or Poor. At the three-month assessment, the overall efficacy of the prospective-treated group was significantly better than both the prospective-control and retrospective groups. The prospective-treated group showed slightly better improvement at the six-month assessment than the other two groups, but the difference was insignificant. The symptoms of crusting, pain, and edema were resolved around 50 percent faster in the prospective-treated group than in erythema. Several studies confirmed those results.

Side Effects of LED Light Therapy

LED Light Therapy is considered a risk-free treatment. But when you use it, be sure you are using only FDA-registered devices. While light is generally good for the eyes it is recommended to wear eye protection, sunglasses, or goggles and follow instructions. LED Light Therapy isn’t a good choice for people who take certain medications that increase their sensitivity to sunlight or have a history of skin cancer and some eye diseases.

Attention: If you experience any side effects, you should stop the treatment.