LED (light-emitting diode) light therapy is a non-invasive skincare treatment that penetrates deep into the skin’s layers to promote skin rejuvenation and improvement.

Originally researched by NASA in the 1990s, LED light therapy was studied for its role in wound healing and cellular regeneration in astronauts. Today, dermatologists and estheticians widely use LED light therapy to address various skin concerns, including wrinkles, acne, redness, and scars.

This therapy is often combined with skincare treatments like creams, ointments, and facials to enhance results. In addition to professional treatments, many at-home LED devices, such as LED masks and handheld beauty tools, are available for personal use.

You can also buy an array of at-home devices that use LED light therapy, including LED masks.

LED light therapy is a non-invasive skincare treatment that helps improve various skin concerns and conditions, including:

Eczema – Soothes irritation and reduces inflammation.
Hair loss – Stimulates hair follicles to support hair regrowth.
Mild to moderate acne – Reduces breakouts by targeting acne-causing bacteria.
Psoriasis – Helps alleviate symptoms by calming redness and flaking.
Actinic keratosis – Treats rough, scaly, precancerous skin spots.
Rosacea – Minimizes redness and enhances skin balance.
Sun damage – Repairs skin affected by harmful UV rays.
Wounds – Promotes faster healing and tissue repair.
Wrinkles – Boosts collagen production for firmer, youthful-looking skin.

Additionally, LED light therapy is being explored for its potential to treat superficial basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common type of skin cancer, affecting approximately 3.6 million Americans annually.

LED light therapy utilizes different wavelengths, each corresponding to a specific color that penetrates the skin at various depths to target specific concerns:

Blue Light – Affects the uppermost layer of the skin and may destroy acne-causing bacteria (P. acnes), helping to reduce breakouts and improve skin clarity.

Yellow Light – Penetrates deeper to promote skin rejuvenation and enhance overall radiance.

Red Light – Travels further into the skin, potentially reducing inflammation and stimulating collagen production, which helps maintain youthful, firm skin.

Near-Infrared Light – Penetrates deepest, supporting cell repair and skin healing at a profound level.

Combination Therapy for Optimal Results

During professional treatments, skin specialists may use a combination of LED lights to address specific skin concerns more effectively. Many at-home LED devices also incorporate multiple light wavelengths to maximize results.