Celebrities Are In Love With LED Light Therapy – Here’s All You Need To Know About It

You must have seen reels of celebrities donning red glowing futuristic masks. From Kim Kardashian to Deepika Padukone, some of the biggest celebrities around the world are obsessed with this new skincare therapy. We are talking about LED light therapy. Not just celebrities, skincare enthusiasts and influencers too are in love with this anti-ageing treatment. But did you know light therapy has benefits which go beyond skincare? Yes, you read that right. Today, we are going to tell you all about it.

To get a wholesome view of LED light therapy, we got in touch with Dr Tushar Tayal, Associate Director, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital Gurgaon. He told us what LED light therapy is, and how it can be used to treat different conditions. Read on.

What is LED Light Therapy?

Let us begin by understanding what LED light therapy is. Dr Tayal explains to us what it is and how it functions: “LED light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of visible or near-infrared light to change how cells behave. In simple terms, certain colors penetrate to different depths in the skin: red and near-infrared light are absorbed by mitochondria and can increase cellular energy and reduce inflammation, while blue light mostly acts at the skin surface and can kill acne-causing bacteria.”

He adds that people use it for wound healing, to calm inflamed skin, to help with acne, to stimulate collagen (which can reduce fine lines and improve skin texture), and in some settings to help hair loss and speed healing.

Can LED Light Therapy Treat Depression?

You must have heard that LED light therapy can help treat depression. Is it fact or fiction? Our expert answers. “Yes — a form of light therapy called bright-light or light-box therapy is an accepted treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and can help with some other kinds of depression too. The therapy works by exposing your eyes to a bright, white light at specific times of day to reset sleep cycle and influence brain chemicals involved in mood. Many people notice improvement in days to weeks if combined with talk therapy or medication,” explains Dr Tayal.

How LED Light Therapy Helps Improve Skin

LED light therapy is popular in the skincare world. Let us find out why.

“For skin, LEDs help in a few ways: red and near-infrared light boost cellular energy and signalling that can increase collagen production and improve skin elasticity; they also reduce inflammation which helps redness and speeds repair. Blue light reduces acne by targeting the bacteria that contribute to pimples. Clinical studies and reviews show measurable benefits for acne, wound healing and some signs of ageing, though results vary by device, treatment schedule and individual. In short: it can improve acne, calm inflammation and help skin look firmer,” shares Dr Tayal.

LED light therapy helps treating different skin concerns and conditions, such as:

• Eczema.
• Hair loss.
• Mild to moderate acne.
• Psoriasis.
• Rough, scaly, precancerous spots on the skin (actinic keratosis).
• Rosacea.
• Sun damage.
• Wounds.
• Wrinkles.

Also Read: Struggling With Face Burning After Skincare? Expert Shares What to do?

Risks of LED Light Therapy

LED light therapy is generally low-risk, but it isn’t risk-free. “Mild side effects include temporary redness, irritation, dry skin, or a warm/burning feeling if the device is too intense or used too long. Eye safety also matters — bright devices can irritate or damage eyes if you don’t use eye protection or if you stare directly at a high-intensity lamp. At-home devices vary in quality, so poor devices or incorrect use lower benefits and raise risk. Rarely, people can have photosensitivity or reactions if they take certain medicines or have specific skin conditions,” explains Dr Tayal.

Is LED Light Therapy Safe During Pregnancy?

One question which often pops in our mind is: is LED light therapy safe during pregnancy? “Evidence about LED/red-light therapy in pregnancy is limited but generally reassuring: there’s no strong evidence of harm from low-intensity visible or near-infrared LED applied to the skin. Yet, large, high-quality studies are few and some experts advise caution — especially avoiding aiming high-intensity devices at the abdomen or using unregulated at-home gear. This is because pregnancy changes skin sensitivity and medicine choices; thus, it’s sensible to discuss any planned light therapy with your obstetrician or dermatologist before starting,” concludes Dr Tayal.

Also Read: Dermat Shares What To Apply On Face After Facial

The Final Word

LED light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of visible or near-infrared light to change how cells behave. They have a plethora of benefits such as helping in wound healing, calming inflamed skin, treating depressing, and stimulating collagen.