The Benefits of LED for Acne

The benefits of LED for acne go on (and on, and on, and on)— but rather than having you comb endlessly through the Internet, we here at Facial Expressions have done the research for you.

Let’s take a deep dive into what LED is, how LED became such a popular acne treatment, the types of LED, and, of course, how to start integrating LED into your acne treatments:

The History of LED Light Therapy for Acne

The history of LED (Light-Emitting Diode) Light Therapy for acne is a storied one.

Originating in 1903 after scientist Niels Finsen was awarded a Nobel Prize of Medicine for his research in phototherapy, LED light therapy first gained popularity in Eastern Europe in the 1960s for its effective treatment of arthritis, joint rehabilitation, soft-tissue injury, and related chronic pain. By the time the 80s rolled around, LED light therapy had expanded to clinics and other medical offices thanks to the revelation that the technology was also healing superficial cosmetic conditions.

In 2001, Lightwave developed the first LED light therapy device to condense the technology into the compact, easily-maneuverable, and highly efficient tool that skin therapists most commonly use today.

The Two Types of LED Light Therapy

LED light therapy is actually made up of two different types of wavelengths, blue and red.

Here’s a crash course on what you need to know:

Blue LED for Acne

First up is blue LED for acne, which has a wavelength of 405-nm-450nm and provides superficial skin penetration.

Blue light is primarily absorbed by the surface-level layer of the skin, the epidermis, and targets existing breakouts while also minimizing the chances of future breakouts.

Red LED for Acne

Whereas blue light is absorbed by only the topmost layer of the skin, red LED for acne is effective because of the opposite: it penetrates multiple layers of the skin in order to activate the cells responsible for skin rejuvenation and recovery.

Because of this, red light therapy is used as an effective treatment for scar revision, stretch mark mitigation, facial texture improvement, and, of course, the reversal of mild-to-moderate acne.

The Combination of Blue and Red LED For Effective Acne Treatment

Lightwave’s proprietary combination of blue and red LED is designed to both repair the skin at the cellular level and smooth away surface-level imperfections, thanks to its ability to reduce c.acnes (cutibacterium acnes), formerly known as propionibacterium acnes: the bacteria responsible for triggering inflammatory acne vulgaris.

While both Lightwave and its competitor, Celluma, are FDA-approved for acne treatment, we upgraded to Lightwave in 2021 due to it covering a larger area, being more effective in a shorter amount of time, and having 22 customizable protocols to ensure that we are treating every client’s skin with the uniqueness it deserves. 

How does it work? Well, a client is first treated to 15 minutes of concentrated low-level blue light, which targets the skin’s sebaceous glands and eliminates surface-level bacteria. Next, the client is then treated to 15 minutes of red light to accelerate the skin’s healing process and begin to reverse acne-related scarring and inflammation. LED light therapy comes without the risk of burns or discomfort associated with more aggressive acne treatments.

We here at Facial Expressions love LED light therapy for its effectiveness on all skin types and tones, zero pain and downtime, and its positive impact on acneic, inflamed, and/or aging skin. Everyone is a candidate for LED light therapy– you just need to book your first (or next) appointment!

Enjoy the Benefits of LED for Acne at Facial Expressions

The benefits of LED for acne are seemingly endless– and you can get them all right here at Facial Expressions.

We offer two ways to wave goodbye to acne this year:

• The 90-Minute Clarity FX – Extreme Edition Facial: It’s time to get extreme about your skin, Vancouver. This 90-minute facial takes a deep dive into the biggest gripes about your skin, ensuring that each is expertly being treated in this all-in-one experience.
• The 90-Minute Signature FX – Bespoke Facial: Entirely bespoke, this comprehensive skincare experience is rarely the same twice. Tell our skin therapists your skin concerns and we’ll deliver a blend of modalities that are sure to leave you looking (and feeling) your best!

Ready to try out LED light therapy for acne yourself? Book your skin treatment today!