Have you been thinking about adding red light therapy to your skincare routine?
Before you spend your money, make sure you consider these 6 expert tips.
- Choose a device that emits evidence-based blue, red, and near-infrared wavelengths within proper nanometer ranges. These have proven to increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, stimulate fibroblast, collagen and elastin production.
- LED effectiveness depends on how much energy the skin absorbs, not just what the device emits at the surface. Most effective devices have an energy delivery within a therapeutic range of 2–10 J/cm².
- Treatment time matters. Cells require enough exposure time to absorb therapeutic levels of energy and stimulate cellular change. High-quality LED devices commonly recommend treatment times of 20–30 minutes.
- Look for an FDA-cleared LED device. FDA clearance confirms the device has been reviewed for safety, though it does not guarantee effectiveness.
- Distance is important. Most quality LLLT devices recommend maintaining a distance of 3-6 inches from the skin for effectiveness.
- Skin should be clean and free of makeup, oils, and skincare products before treatment.
