Red LED Light Therapy & Retinol: Is It A Safe And Effective Match?
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- 01 What Is LED Light Therapy And Its Benefits?
- 02 What Is Retinol And Its Benefits?
- 03 Is It Safe To Combine Retinol And Red LED Light Therapy?
- 04 Red LED Light Therapy Devices To Use With Retinol
Can you safely use retinol and a LED light therapy device in your skincare routine? Here is what you need to know about this formidable anti-aging duo.
What is LED light therapy and its benefits?
LED light therapy has the power to transform skin at the cellular level. To achieve this, a LED light therapy device uses UV-free and non damaging light energy sent deep into the layers of skin.
The use of red LED light as a medical treatment can be traced as far back as the 1800s. It was hugely successful that a hospital specializing in light treatments, known as the Medical Institute of Light, was established. Fast forward to the present, its healing and regenerative properties are now being heavily used in the beauty industry.
What is LED light therapy?
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DEFINITION LED light therapy is the use of UV-free, non-heating LED bulbs to treat a variety of skin conditions. How does red LED light therapy work? The light energy that penetrates the skin activates photoreceptors which then triggers natural cellular processes such as collagen production, healing, and regeneration. |
The skin takes advantage of the body’s natural responses to light energy. The collagen boost alone has a lot of anti-aging power. You can find LED light therapy devices, such as masks, that offer different wavelengths of light with specific benefits. Is LED red light therapy safe? Yes! UV-free and non-thermal bulbs do not cause skin damage and the treatment itself requires no downtime.
Here are some red LED light therapy benefits:
- Softer, smoother skin
- Decreased depth of wrinkles
- Smaller pores
- Bouncy but firm skin
- Facelifting effect
- Faded age spots and hyperpigmentation
- Reduced pimples and blemishes
- Increased youthful radiance
What is retinol and its benefits?
Aging brings about a number of changes that are mostly evident on the skin, from laugh lines to turkey necks. While there's no stopping time, there are several ways to make it a lot less obvious. For an inexpensive (yet effective) anti-aging solution that you can easily include in your skincare routine, try retinol.
What is retinol?
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DEFINITION Retinol, a derivative of Vitamin A, is a powerful antioxidant that helps slow down the aging process and protect against cell damage. |
Retinol is regarded as the most commonly used and most studied anti-aging compound. As an antioxidant, it works by neutralizing free radicals that can cause damage to normal, working cells in the body. It usually comes in the form of topical skin products such as face creams, serums, and moisturizers. Here are some of its anti-aging benefits.
- Softens and removes of rough, scaly patches
- Accelerates cell turnover (regeneration)
- Increases collagen production that smooths out wrinkles
- Improves skin color and texture
- Reverses the signs of photoaging
- Fades discoloration/hyperpigmentation
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RETINOL vs RETINOIDS: What is the difference? These two are not the same. Retinoid is a broad term that covers both over-the-counter retinol and prescription retinoids. What differentiates these two is the strength; retinol is mostly an over-the-counter product with a lower concentration of the active ingredient, while retinoids are stronger and typically purchased with a prescription. |
Is it safe to combine retinol and red LED light therapy?
Much like any skincare product in the market, retinol also has potential risks. Experts often advise retinol users to limit sun exposure as the consistent use of topical retinol may increase the skin’s sensitivity to light. Is there a risk in using retinol while also undergoing regular LED light therapy sessions?
It seems like a missed opportunity if you can’t use these two powerful anti-aging solutions together. Although LED light therapy only uses UV-free and non-heating LED bulbs, a reaction with retinol is still possible. Limited exposure is also advised.
Mt. Sinai Hospital’s director of research in dermatology, Joshua Zeichner, M.D., supports the combination of these two solutions to boost anti-aging effects. But how to safely combine them?
- Do not apply retinol immediately after your LED light therapy session. Wait for at least five to 10 minutes.
- Apply a hydrating moisturizer to prevent dryness.
- Finish your daytime skincare routine with a slathering of sunscreen for protection.
Red LED Light Therapy Devices To Use With Retinol
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FDA-cleared handheld device equipped with 44 high intensity LED bulbs, delivers professional quality anti-aging results |
Portable handheld device featuring red, blue, and green LED light therapies plus EMS and radiofrequency technology to boost anti-aging benefits |
Made of high grade soft silicone material that comfortably wraps around the face for better light penetration, with red and blue light therapies |
written by Sophie Flair
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