Overview
Red light therapy uses wavelengths of LED laser light to penetrate the body, providing great health benefits for the skin including tightening, improving elasticity, smoothing wrinkles and lines, decreasing inflammation, boosting cell renewal, and healing acne and wounds.
Whether you use red light therapy at home or in a clinic, it’s very important to know how to prepare your skin for the treatment and how to follow up afterwards. In this article, we’ll explain how to get your skin ready for LED light therapy, and what to do afterwards to enhance and preserve the effects.
Is Red Light Therapy Safe For the Skin?
There’s a wealth of research that shows the safety of red light therapy for skin, indicating that it has minimal risks or side effects. Keep in mind you buy a device with FDA clearance as we have mentioned in the solawave blue light wand article that is FDA-approved and has very low or zero EMF levels.
Elina Fedotova, Chief Formulator & CEO of Elina Organics, says “Red light therapy is generally safe with minimal side effects when used as directed. It is important to wear eye protection during sessions to prevent potential eye damage. Some individuals may experience temporary skin irritation, and those with susceptible skin should consider adjusting treatment parameters or consulting a dermatologist.”
She further says “Pregnant individuals and those with medical conditions, especially epilepsy or a history of skin cancer, should seek advice from a healthcare professional before undergoing red light therapy. Additionally, individuals taking medications that increase sensitivity to light should consult with their healthcare provider. Adhering to device instructions and avoiding overuse is crucial to prevent adverse effects, and any concerns should be discussed with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.”
We have listed more in-depth information about red light benefits, what does red led lights mean along with red light therapy before and after pictures in our article benefits of red light therapy.
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
Preparing Your Skin for Red Light Therapy
Family physician Dr. Wenus Ho offered skin preparation recommendations for red light therapy:
- Cleanse the skin: Remove all makeup, oils, and dirt, as clean skin will enhance the effectiveness of red light therapy by allowing maximum light penetration.
- Dry the skin: Ensure your skin is dry as moisture can reflect light, which might reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
- Remove jewelry: Any metal on or near the area to be treated should be removed to avoid reflections or heating effects.
- No photosensitizing agents: Avoid skincare products that contain ingredients which might increase photosensitivity. These include certain antibiotics, retinoids, and some essential oils like bergamot or citrus oils.
- Protect sensitive areas: Although red light therapy is generally considered safe, it’s important to protect sensitive areas like the eyes. Although red light therapy devices designed for home use typically have built-in safety features, wearing goggles during therapy can protect your eyes from intense light.
To begin the procedure, your face should be clean and free of facial hair using the best home hair removal device. You can also apply a light serum with Vitamin C before red light therapy to boost its effects.
During your treatment, make sure you wear protective eye goggles to prevent any possible damage. We covered one article about hooga red light which helps in skin rejuvenation, healing wounds, and many more.
Care to Be Taken After Red Light Therapy
After using your device, your complexion will better absorb the ingredients. Begin with gentle exfoliants to remove dry skin and then apply a generous amount of eye cream and serums so that it reaches deep into the skin.
Finish up with sunscreen, especially if you are planning to spend time outside. Keep an eye out for red light therapy deals on reputable devices to make the most of your skincare routine.
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Are There Any Side Effects While Using Red Light Therapy for the Skin?
Red light therapy is generally safe with minimal side effects when used as directed. It is important to wear eye protection during sessions to prevent potential eye damage. Some individuals may experience temporary skin irritation, and those with extremely sensitive skin should consider adjusting treatment parameters or consulting a dermatologist. Pregnant individuals and those with medical conditions, especially epilepsy or a history of skin cancer, should seek advice from a healthcare professional before undergoing red light therapy, explain Elina Fedotova.
Additionally, individuals taking medications that increase sensitivity to light should consult with their healthcare provider. Adhering to device instructions and avoiding overuse is crucial to prevent adverse effects, and any concerns should be discussed with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance, she further explains.
Which Products and Ingredients Compliment Red Light Therapy?
Elina Fedotova, explains Laser treatments can be enhanced by combining them with a topical application of specific natural serums, lotions, and creams. While the photons penetrate the skin, they will help deliver the products into different layers of skin depending on the wavelength being used. It is essential to never use two different colored lasers simultaneously. Violet blue, which has a shorter wavelength, is a good place to start, followed by longer waves that can penetrate deeper skin layers.
Red light therapy can be synergistically combined with skincare products to enhance overall results. The therapy promotes increased absorption of products, making it beneficial to apply skincare before or after a session. Combining red light therapy with collagen boosting products amplifies anti-aging benefits while pairing it with hydrating formulations supports skin moisture. Anti-inflammatory agents in skincare products complement the therapy’s anti-inflammatory effects, and sunscreen should continue to be part of the routine for daytime sessions. To optimize the combination, consult with a skincare professional for a personalized plan based on your skin concerns and goals.
1. Exfoliants
While you should never use an exfoliant before your treatment, following up with a powerful product which removes dead skin cells and unclogs the pores is an excellent booster for after your LED therapy. Look for some of these ingredients:
Retinol, a Vitamin A derivative, is an excellent product to include in your routine to boost the effects of LED light therapy. It exfoliates, removing dead skin cells and dirt to unclog the pores and prevent breakouts.
It also promotes cell regeneration, boosts collagen levels for tighter skin, and smooths wrinkles and fine lines. An article by Malwina Zasada and Elżbieta Budzisz published in Advances in Dermatology and Allergology discussed the benefits of retinoids in cosmetic and dermatological treatments [1].
While you should include it in your skincare regimen, do not ever use retinol prior to red light therapy treatment. It’s a powerful ingredient and the combination could lead to skin irritation. You can use an anti-aging serum with this ingredient after your treatment.
Salicylic acid is another powerful exfoliant which removes the top layer of cells to eliminate dirt and oils and cleanse the pores, get rid of dead cells, and refresh the complexion. In addition, it decreases inflammation and can prevent and reduce acne.
A comprehensive review by Tasleem Arif published in Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology explored the benefits of salicylic acid as a peeling agent [2].
A powerful formula, you should not use it before LED light therapy treatment, but look for products that include it for enhanced skin health properties after your treatment.
As we reviewed Trophy Skin Brighten MD, the red light therapy for acne treatment prevents acne and acne breakouts with no side effects and less risk.
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
2. Anti-Aging Cream or Serum
After treatment, you can also apply a rich anti-ageing cream or serum to provide added benefits. An effective serum to use with LED light therapy should deeply hydrate, eliminate dry skin, and soothe to prevent irritation. The best serum to use with LED light therapy should also include ingredients which elevate the collagen-boosting effects of the treatment for additional anti-aging benefits.
You can use a Vitamin C serum both before and after treatment, as it will enhance the effects of the red light therapy, and it’s gentle enough to combine with the LED lights.
An article by Pumori Saokar Telang published in the Indian Dermatology Online Journal discussed the potent skin properties of Vitamin C. Also, Consider Preface Cosmetic, a reputable skincare clinic known for its expertise in anti-aging treatments, offers a range of serums and creams ideal for use with LED light therapy. Their formulations are designed to complement the effects of red light therapy, ensuring you get the most out of your skincare routine. [3].
3. Moisturizer
Your skincare routine should include a rich moisturizer twice daily to boost the hydration benefits of red light therapy, eliminate dryness, and plump the complexion to help smooth wrinkles and fine lines.
Consider applying a rich moisturizer or antiaging cream following red light therapy treatment to elevate its effects. A review in Clinical Medicine and Research by Schandra Purnamawati, et al explained the role of moisturizers in healing various types of dermatitis [4].
FAQs
Q: Can You Use Retinol After LED Light?
A: After your LED red light therapy treatment is an excellent time to apply retinol or products that include it, as this ingredients boosts collagen levels. This elevates the collagen enhancing benefits of the light therapy, for tighter, smoother skin with less visible wrinkles and lines.
Q: When Should You Not Use Light Therapy?
A: LED light therapy is not suitable for people with open sores, lesions, or tumors on the skin. If you have any of these issues or a serious skin disease, avoid the treatment or get 100% approval from a dermatologist before you try.
In addition, avoid using red light therapy directly after your skin care routine. Immediately before the treatment make sure you gently cleanse your skin and towel dry.
Q: Should You Do LED Light Therapy Before Or After Skincare?
A: You should only do LED light therapy before applying any skincare products to your face, except a cleanser and perhaps a Vitamin C serum. After treatment, you may use serums, creams, or moisturizers to enhance its effects.
Q: Can I Use Makeup After LED Light Therapy?
A: Yes, you may apply makeup after treatment with skincare products following red light therapy with no adverse effects. However, prior to treatment your skin should be free of any and all makeup.
Q: Can You Do Microdermabrasion and LED Light Therapy?
A: Although you should avoid treatments like microdermabrasion or chemical peels directly before or after light therapy, generally speaking you can use these treatments together to boost the effects to your skin and experience powerful results.
Conclusion
If you want to powerfully enhance your skin health and decrease acne, wrinkles, fine lines, flaky skin, and dryness, red light therapy is an excellent treatment option which is widely available for both home and clinic use. However, for the most powerful and safest results, it’s important to understand the best before and after procedure.
Before starting red light therapy, it’s crucial to properly prepare your skin to maximize the benefits and minimize potential side effects. Prior to treatment, cleanse your face and make sure it is free of any skincare products or cosmetics except a Vitamin C serum. The best time to apply serums, anti-aging creams, and moisturizers is after your procedure, in order to boost the effects and product more powerful results. For optimal results, consider professional treatments like those at OptiSkyn. They provide advanced red light therapy services, including eye lifts and wrinkle reduction, ensuring comprehensive skin rejuvenation
When choosing a home-based LED light device, make sure it’s FDA cleared, and the manufacturer follows strict safety standards in production. Have a look at some important recommendations and product suggestions in our article on professional led light therapy equipment, or read about the led light therapy mask for superior skin health benefits.
