Does LED Therapy actually work?

How Light-Emitting Diode therapy accidentally made it's way into the cosmetic industry.

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You may have had an LED treatment added on to one of your appointments before, but do you know why? What does LED Therapy actually do, and does it actually work?

A BRIEF HISTORY OF LED TECHNOLOGY

LED technology has been around since the 1960's. However, it wasn't until the 1990's when NASA first started experimenting with using LED's to grow plant-life in space that they began studies on the different wavelengths of light and how it can affect living tissue. These studies found that not only did the different wavelengths of light encourage the growth of new, healthy cells but they also helped to trigger a healing response within the cells that were in need of some repair. From here, LED technology was tested for its benefits in a variety of applications, and it soon became a fixture in many medical and cosmetic clinics.

HOW LED THERAPY CAN HELP STRESSED SKIN

The skin (along with our hair and nails) is the last organ to receive the energy that we generate naturally through ingestion and absorption because it is not as closely linked to our blood stream as our internal organs are. Not to mention, our energy reserves are being depleted all the time with stress, heavy work loads, family commitments, environmental pollution, hormonal imbalances and compromised health. As a result, the skin, hair and nails are often a visual representation of our internal stressors. But even skin that is in great condition can benefit from the external, powerful boost of energy that our LED Healite can provide.

Our LED Healite has two main settings:

• A yellow and red light setting which is used for oxygenating the skin and stimulating the cells. This setting is commonly used post-treatment and post-surgery for wound healing, or any condition impairing the skin barrier including dermatitis.

• A blue light setting which reduces activity on the surface of the skin. There is encouraging evidence that blue light LED therapy can help to balance the skin's microbiome and calm down the overreactive cells and bacteria that can cause acne.
  

In addition, our LED also stimulates nitric oxide production within the skin which helps with pain and inflammation reduction. When bruising and joint pain (such as arthritis) are causing discomfort, an LED session is a contactless and pain-free treatment that may allow for a faster recovery.

BENEFITS:

• Reduces the risk of bruising and swelling post-treatment and post-surgery

• Reduces pain and inflammation, including joint and muscle pain (arthritis, sprains etc)

• Reduces excessive bacterial activity

• Supports a healthy microbiome and skin barrier function

• Stimulates blood circulation and oxygenation

• Stimulates body's natural processes such as detoxification

• Stimulates body's natural healing response

• Encourages collagen production
  

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE? An LED Healite session feels warm (not hot) and comforting, like filtered sunlight but without the ultra-violet (UV) rays. Googles are not required with certain machine settings but are often used as a precaution for anyone who is sensitive to light.

LED Therapy is a popular treatment in the northern hemisphere where they use it during European/British Winters to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It can be an effective treatment for mood disorders such as SAD, not just because of it's physicality (because it feels like a warm hug!) but because of the hidden benefits. When your cells are reenergised and performing at their peak, you feel reinvigorated... like you've had a little holiday!

APPLICATIONS:

• Skin rejuvenation

• Wound healing

• Dermatitis

• Psoriasis

• Rosacea

• Acne

• Ageing

• Stress

• Mood disorders sych as SAD

• Joint pain and inflammation such as arthritis

• Muscle, tendon and ligament pain such as sprains and other injuries

INTERESTED IN TRYING LED THERAPY?

If you have an ailment or irritation that is bothering you, or if you would like to add on an LED Healite Session to your next treatment to speed up any possible downtime, please contact the clinic for more information or click here to book online.