I recently became a little obsessed with LED light therapy because it’s touted to help increase collagen and decrease the signs of aging. Hey, who doesn’t want to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and plump up their skin?
I have my friend and coworker to thank for this one – Dayna Devon – who is married to Dr. Brent Moelleken (a.k.a., world-renowned plastic surgeon, a Harvard and Yale graduate…basically a super smart guy who does great work and knows his stuff).
Last year, Dayna invited me to the opening of her husband’s med spa – a beautiful space located upstairs from his main office. The Cloud Med Spa is a one-stop shop that offers non-surgical, aesthetic services to regenerate and rejuvenate your skin (think lasers, botox, light therapy, etc.).
For the last few months, I’ve been making bi-monthly pit stops to sit under their LightStim red light. You basically just sit under a warm, red light for 20 minutes, catch a quick cat nap and feel super relaxed after the pain-free process.
Here’s what I’ve learned about infrared light therapy: there are red and blue light frequencies, or wavelengths, used with LED light treatment. The red and blue wavelengths do not contain harmful ultraviolet rays, so it’s safe to be exposed to them. The red or infrared light is readily absorbed by the skin and is said to stimulate collagen proteins. The more collagen you have, the smoother and plumper your skin, and that means it reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Yay! The red LED light is also said to reduce inflammation and improve circulation, which can give you a healthier glow. (Sidenote: if you checked out my IG stories recently, you know I’m a big fan of the SaunaBar where you can immerse your entire body into a pod of therapeutic red light).
While LED light therapy is not new — according to online research, the U.S. Navy SEALs started using it in the 1990s to help heal wounds quickly and regenerate damaged muscle tissues – it’s new to me and I love it.
In fact, I loved it so much, I got one to use at home. It’s a small wand that you hold close to each section of your face for three minutes at a time. While the professional light at Dr. Moelleken’s Med Spa is much easier to use since it’s hands-free, having the option to use something at home is very convenient.
A few things I’ve learned:
- NASA originally developed the LEDs for plant growth experiments on shuttle missions. The agency later found promising results in the treatment of wounds.
- Many aestheticians use LED red light therapy on their clients to help regenerate the skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. LED blue light therapy is used to treat acne.
- LEDs do not contain ultraviolet rays (the harmful wavelengths that can be detrimental to your skin).
The LightStim Wand I use at home:
