If you’re a skincare buff, chances are you’ve come across the healing power of LED light therapy before. At first, it seems counterintuitive, after being taught about the damaging effects of certain types of light exposure on the skin, it can take some time to wrap your head around how direct light exposure can also be healing and regenerative. But, as the millions of skin therapy users can attest to, it really does work. So if you’re yet to dip your toe into the world of LED, or you’re wondering how to get the best results, here’s the lowdown on LED therapy and the difference between professional in-clinic versus at-home LED light treatments.
What is LED Light Therapy?
LED light therapy was first developed by NASA as a way to aid the growth of plants in space. Since then, its uses have evolved to include non-invasive healing and aesthetic options for almost all skin types and tones. By emitting varying wavelengths, LED light helps with just about every skin concern from anti-ageing to inflammation and as a result, the treatment has broadened its horizons from inside the confines of the facialists office, to an array of at-home alternatives.
What does LED Light Therapy do?
An easier question to answer is probably what it doesn't do. LED Light Therapy can be used in every single facial treatment as a way to calm areas of irritation, brighten the skin, and even heal bruises faster. Pretty cool, right? Well, if you stay consistent with your treatments, the results become even cooler. LED lights will begin to penetrate the skin at different depths, causing various reactions within the skin such as fighting acne-causing bacteria, plumping up tired skin and even reducing signs of wrinkles. And actually, the benefits don’t just stop at your skin. LED Light Therapy has also been shown to promote the production of serotonin, which can help to stabilise our mood as well as promote a deeper, healthier sleep. Which is why if you have the at-home mask, we recommend using it at night.
Like everything skincare-related, a one-off treatment is not going to give you the desired result. A course of treatment is the best way to give you corrective and long-lasting results, even though you will notice a difference even after the first session. Because LED Light Therapy has calming properties, it will leave the skin feeling refreshed and less sensitive, so what’s the best way to pair your in-clinic treatments with your at-home mask? The answer is a mix of both. Let’s break it down…
At-Home Masks
If you’ve been on any form of social media in the past year, you’ve undoubtedly stumbled across someone using an at-home LED mask. So what is the go with the home-based LED devices? Basically, not all at-home devices are created equal - so choose yours carefully. The main difference between at-home and in-clinic LED therapy is that the at-home devices aren’t as strong, so while continuous use over time will absolutely deliver improvements, the best course of action is to get a mix of in-clinic treatments while also using your at-home mask regularly. Consistency is key when it comes to enjoying the benefits of the at-home mask, and we encourage using our Skinsmiths LED Facial Mask 3-4 times a week as a supplement to your in-clinic skin treatments. This will help to extend and maintain the results.
However, if you don’t live near a clinic or you want to only use the at-home mask for convenience's sake, while it may take a bit more patience to see results, you can enjoy the same glow-inducing and breakout-reducing benefits you’d expect from your in-clinic treatments if you’re consistent - and have the right skincare!
In-Clinic LED Light Therapy
At Caci, we’ve been offering LED Light Therapy as part of our skin treatment offerings for years now. This might be combined with some of our other skin treatments to offer an extra bit of glow, or offered as a stand-alone treatment (with a lovely shoulder massage might we add). Each LED session will last around 20 minutes, and will usually include a combination of red, blue or purple light depending on your individual skin concerns. The treatment itself is completely painless and often results in an improved mood as an additional benefit.
For the best results, especially if you are using the treatment as a way to fight acne, we would recommend a course of 5-10 treatments spaced about three weeks apart. From there, you can have a follow-up session every few months.
The main difference with the in-clinic setting is that (as with any professional versus at-home treatment) the in-clinic LED therapy is stronger than the consumer versions. Our in-clinic LED Light Therapy is around 10x more powerful than the at-home LED Facial Mask to give you some context! But this does not mean that the at-home devices are ineffective. The nice thing about the at-home alternative is that you can use it at your convenience, meaning you’re more likely to stick to using it regularly. And the good news is, you can use a combination of in-clinic LED treatments as well as your at-home mask and in fact, this is encouraged.
If you’re sticking to getting your in-clinic treatments as often as your skin needs for optimal results, as well as using your at-home mask a few times a week - we’re fairly positive you’ll be blown away by the results.
A little bit more about the Skinsmiths LED Facial Mask
So if you’re sold on the science and are in the market for an at-home device that delivers bang for your buck then look no further than the Skinsmiths LED Facial Mask. This mask combines the powers of Red and Near Infra-Red LED to improve skin cell health, elasticity and texture, while also stimulating skin cell repair and reducing inflammation. And Blue LED to soothe the skin and clear acne-causing bacteria to help prevent future breakouts.
This comes with an easy-to-use remote control with 5 preset settings, as well as open eye protection and an adjustable head strap and chin rest. So basically all you have to do is sit back, relax and let the mask work its magic - all without having to leave the house!
How to use your at-home mask
While it is safe to use your Skinsmiths LED Mask every day, we recommend aiming to use it three to four times a week for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The best results will undoubtedly come from combining these at-home treatments alongside in-clinic facials, but you’ll still achieve incredible results using this tool as a standalone device. Here’s how to get the most out of your new device:
Step One - Cleanse
Make sure you thoroughly cleanse your face. You must decongest and purify your pores before you use your mask. So, if you’ve been wearing makeup during the day try double cleansing with a gentle face cleanser to ensure there is no residue left over from the day. The Skinsmiths Gentle Cream Cleanser is the perfect product for the job.
Step Two - Sit back and relax
Now it’s ready to put your mask on. Ensure you’re in a comfortable position such as lying in bed or on the couch so you can enjoy the experience. Once your mask is fully charged simply push the button on the outside of the mask to turn it on. Fix the mask to your face (it’s super comfortable as it comes with an adjustable head strap, chin rest and built-in eye protection). Use your wireless remote control to choose from one of the 5 preset settings. If you have the time, the automatic blue/red setting is always a winner. If you’re pushed for time however you can opt for one of the five-minute settings. If brightening is what you’re most concerned with then choose the five-minute red option, if you’re experiencing breakouts then the blue is the way to go.
Step Three - Apply plenty of skincare
After you’ve used your mask, it’s time to lather on some serums and moisturisers that will penetrate your skin during your treatment. Try opting for skincare with proven hydrating products for the glowiest of results. We recommend the Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum followed by your favourite moisturiser.
If you’re ready to dip your toe (or your whole face) into the revolutionary world of LED Light Therapy, book a consultation at your local Caci Clinic, purchase one of our new Skinsmiths LED Facial Mask’s, or for best results, do both!
