When we try to think of a routine catered for beauty, more often than not we will be thinking of cleaners, sunscreen, retinol, and also a serum maybe. There is, however, another area of the beauty industry and the beauty world in general that can be thought of as being “gadgetry.” These are devices that are made use of in order to provide treatments that are extremely high-tech at the comfort of the customer’s own home without the need to visit the office of a professional. These types of products which can be used at home and offer extremely high-tech skincare solutions include things such as laser hair removal at home, microcurrent treatments, and also LED light therapy.
It is true that these devices do have a sort of a Westworld feel to them, there are reputed companies out there and also specialists of these devices who have been able to come up with many types of light therapy devices that really do offer a lot of skincare benefits. The question that you may still have is a common question. Do these devices actually work? What exactly do these devices do anyway? Before you get the impression that this is a thing straight out of a RoboCop movie, let us tell you what the experts say. Let us give you a better insight into why dermatologists are so fascinated with light therapy and why they think it is so beneficial for the skin.
Why expose your skin to this light?
There really isn’t much doubt about this. Visible light has the ability to produce powerful effects on a person’s skin. This is especially true when the light comes in a concentrated form such as the ones found in lasers and also devices with intense pulsed light (IPL). This is according to a lot of studies conducted by a lot of well-reputed dermatologists. Light-emitting diodes (LED) are a much lower form of energy. When this is applied the light that is emitted gets absorbed by the molecules of the skin. This in turn has the ability to alter significant biologic activity and also the activity of the cells that are nearby.
So, what exactly does this mean for skin care. It basically means that the skin is being altered at the cellular level in order to get a variety of outcomes that are highly desirable, and it also depends on the type of light being used. There is also a lot of evidence that is encouraging which points to the fact that blue LED light has the ability to change the microbiomes within the skin in order to improve any conditions of acne. Studies have also shown that red light has the ability to promote the production of collagen, and finally, that yellow LED light has the ability to reduce both redness and also the time it takes to heal.
Light therapy devices for home use- Who should use them and who should not?
Almost all dermatologists are of the opinion that these devices are generally very safe for use at home. In fact, the main concern that these professionals have is not about safety. They are much more concerned about whether or not the results will be lackluster. One very important thing to note is that even if a device has been approved for use by the FDA, that does not mean at all that the device’s efficacy is proven. All that it means is that the device is safe for use.
There was an incident in 2019 where one of these devices was recalled by the manufacturer of the product as they feared it had some theoretical risks. The device in question was “The Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask.” The reason that was cited for recalling the device was “an abundance of caution.” They did this in order to protect customers from any potential injuries to the eyes.
For people who have underlying problems in their eyes and also people who take medications that enhance their photosensitivity within their eyes, there does exist a theoretical risk of causing injuries to the eye. This is what the company statement at the time looked like but it has of course been paraphrased. The company currently does offer a device for Acne Spot Treatment that makes use of both red and also blue light in order to target and get rid of some specific blemishes.
In general, however, the experts within the dermatology community normally do recommend this type of light therapy for just about anyone who wants to add a device to their usual skincare routine. This type of light therapy can be particularly useful for people who are pregnant or are potentially pregnant as they may not be able to make use of conventional medications to treat skin issues. It is also highly recommended for people who suffer from acne and who do not feel right when they take prescription medications.
It is very similar to analog masks for the face. Just like those analog face masks, these light therapy devices are also recommended to be used after the face has been properly cleaned. It should also be done before you proceed onto any other steps you may have in your skincare routine. It is always a good idea to read the instructions that are given along with the light therapy device.
One of the things that you must make sure when you are getting a light therapy device for your skin is to make sure that the device has the features necessary to best meet your requirements. In order to do this, we highly recommend that you talk to your doctor first before you set out on your journey with light therapy. If you do this, you can get the best possible results within the shortest amount of time.