The efficiency of light therapy has long been acknowledged in the medical community as the world's most advanced FDA approved treatment, frequently used by top dermatologists and beauty practitioners alike. The technology has been researched and proven in clinical studies, scientific/medical research and independent testing. Previously only available through doctors and specialized salons, LumaWand™ now brings the exact same treatment to the home.

According to trusted health and wellness website, Healthline, LED, or light-emitting diode therapy, is a skincare treatment that uses varying wavelengths of light, including red and blue. Originally used by United States Navy SEALs for wound treatment, LED light therapy is now being utilized by aestheticians to help regenerate the skin from aging as well as the treatment for acne.

Light-emitting diode (LED) light therapy is increasing in popularity in both aesthetician clinics and at home. Using different LED wavelengths, this skincare technique helps treat acne, diminish inflammation, and promote anti-aging effects.

You may be a candidate for LED light therapy if you have these types of skincare concerns and are not satisfied with the results that you are getting from over-the-counter (OTC) skin products.

LED light therapy boasts of an established history of skin uses. It was actually initially used by the U.S. Navy SEALs way back in the 1990s to help heal wounds swiftly and to help regenerate hurt muscle tissues.

Since then, the treatment has been studied for different frequencies in aesthetics. It’s primarily noted for raising collagen and tissues, all of which can smooth out your skin and diminish the appearance of damage from age spots, acne, and wrinkles.

Dermatologist Murad Alam, MD, FAAD, chief of the Section of Cutaneous Surgery and Aesthetic Surgery, and associate professor of dermatology, otolaryngology, and surgery at Northwestern University, Chicago, had this to say about LEDs in an article published by the American Academy of Dermatology:

“LEDs are significant biologically because they can modify the function of mitochondria within cells. This can have applications for dermatology, as LEDs may be able to improve wound healing by reducing inflammation, and improve sun-damaged skin by accelerating the growth of new collagen,” Dr. Alam said.

There are different frequencies, or wavelengths, used with LED light treatment. These include red and blue light frequencies. They are readily absorbed into the skin without containing harmful ultraviolet rays.

Red, or infrared, light is used for treating the epidermis (outer layer of skin). When the light is applied to your skin, the epidermis absorbs it and then stimulates collagen proteins. In theory, more collagen means that your skin will appear smoother and fuller, which can lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Red LED light is also used to reduce inflammation while bolstering circulation, which can give you a healthier glow. Red light therapy is also sometimes used in sports medicine to reduce inflammation and speed up the healing of injuries.

Dr. Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital, had this to say about Red LED light.

“Red light is anti-inflammatory and has been shown to help stimulate collagen,” Zeichner said in an article on the website of the popular NBC show Today. “For this reason, red light may also be used in treating acne, and ... it’s commonly used for its anti-aging skin benefits.”

Joanna Vargas, a celebrity esthetician whose extensive clientele includes Julianne Moore, Constance Wu, and Rachel Brosnahan, remarked that she frequently uses red light therapy to soothe the skin after other treatments.

“I can do a really intense peel on somebody that would normally leave somebody really red for several hours, but after the peel, I can do red and infrared light and you walk out looking like a glowing angel,” Vargas said.

Andy Millward, who is a Level-4 qualified facialist based in Harborne, Birmingham area and a member of BABTAC (British Association Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology), says on his blog, that red light therapy is lauded by many for its anti-aging benefits.

“Red light therapy has a wavelength of between 620nm (light red) to 700nm (dark red) and is predominately used for its anti-aging benefits because of its ability to stimulate collagen and elastin production,” said Millward.

The Englishman adds that the treatment is suitable for those who are suffering from rosacea.

“Red therapy also helps to strengthen the skin, thanks to the additional collagen production making the skin more resilient. Making it a very effective treatment for rosacea and reducing the redness that is associated with broken / weak capillaries. It also helps the skin to retain moisture more effectively,” Millward said.

Meanwhile, Blue LED light therapy focuses on the sebaceous glands. Also referred to as oil glands, these are found beneath your hair follicles. Sebaceous glands are essential for lubricating your skin and hair so that it doesn’t dry out. However, these glands can become overactive, leading to oily skin and acne.

Blue LED light therapy can hone in on these oil glands and make them less active. As a result, you may see fewer acne breakouts.

Blue light therapy kills bacteria under the skin. This makes it an excellent tool for treating acne, which includes cysts and nodules that can be caused by bacteria in the pores.

“NASA paid grants to physicians to study the effects of light on the human body in the late '80s and '90s and what was shown was that when you use blue light, for example, on acne, it's going to kill bacteria even underneath the skin whether you extract it or not,” Vargas said.

“It's an incredible tool for an esthetician because if I’m doing a lot of extractions on somebody, for example, and then we do a mask ... I can then put the person under blue light and it will assure me that all the bacteria is gone and that the sites of pimples can heal freely without worrying about getting infections again,” she added.

Millward concurs with such findings, explaining it by saying: “Blue light therapy has a wavelength of between 405nm to 420nm and is predominately used for its anti-bacterial benefits and therefore used in acne treatment.

“Blue light at a wavelength of 415nm is absorbed by a molecule called porphyrin. P.acne bacteria contain an abundant amount of porphyrin. The absorption of blue light by porphyrin creates singlet oxygen (free radicals) which are released into the bacteria, killing the bacteria.”

Dr. Alam also affirms this finding, saying: “Although blue-light therapy is not as effective as oral antibiotics in clearing active acne, it appears to offer some degree of improvement for patients who are not good candidates for traditional acne therapies,” said Dr. Alam. “However, in-office treatments must be administered up to three times per week to be effective.”

Oftentimes, blue light is used in conjunction with red LED light to help decrease scarring, and promote anti-inflammatory effects.

As a matter of fact, a study that was published last year in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health found that blue LED bolstered healing of third-degree skin burns, saying “blue LED positively contributed in important and initial stages of the healing process of third-degree skin burns.”

Similar research was done back in 2015 also indicated that “red laser, infrared, photodynamic therapy, and green LED favored the healing process of third-degree burns.”

As the light waves only enhance your skin's own natural abilities, the treatment is completely safe. Light therapy is a gentle, painless, non-invasive and non-abrasive treatment.

We always recommend speaking to your doctor or dermatologist first however if you are pregnant, have face tattoos, have epilepsy or photoallergy or are taking any of the following medications; steroids injections, cortisone injections, medications causing light sensitivity (such as Tetracycline).

But overall, the American Academy of Dermatology deems this procedure as safe. Since LEDs don’t have UV rays, this is believed to be a safer form of light therapy that won’t result in any long-term damage to your skin. The procedure is also noninvasive and has few risks.

Your provider may suggest that you use LED light therapy if you have darker or sensitive skin. Unlike more invasive procedures like that of laser therapy, LEDs don’t burn your skin. Most importantly, they don’t cause any pain whatsoever.

Still, there may be a risk of LED light therapy if you are currently using Accutane for acne. Accutane is a powerful drug that is derived from vitamin A that increases your skin’s sensitivity to light and may cause scarring in some instances. And so, it is strongly recommended that you do not use LED light therapy if you are using anything on your skin that makes you sensitive to sunlight.

You also might consider avoiding this treatment if you currently have an active rash. Talk with your doctor if you have psoriasis — red light therapy could help but only if you use it in conjunction with your regularly prescribed treatments.

Zeichner also said that LED light therapy “can be used across ethnicities and skin types.”

“I do recommend light therapy as a safe and effective treatment for both acne and aging skin.”

Darlene O’Gara, Australian Skin Clinics’ National Training Manager, also endorsed the safety of LED light therapy for you and your skin, saying, “It is a painless and relaxing treatment that is cost-effective with amazing results, safe for all skin types and colors.”

The LumaWand™ LED Skin Rejuvenation Wand also treats the skin using science from a combination of treatments such as EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation), Electroporation, Mesoporation, and RF (Radio Frequency).

Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Electrical Muscle Stimulation or EMS is the practice of stimulating specific muscles through the electric current to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This treatment can also increase circulation and improve your skin’s elasticity.

Electroporation

Electroporation, or electropermeabilization, is a microbiology technique wherein an electrical field is applied to cells to bolster permeability of the cell membrane. In the case of skin treatments, the skin is exposed to a light chemical field, which diminishes the cell’s wall resistance, making it easier to introduce DNA, RNA, chemicals or drugs into the cell. Chemical peels are made much more effective with the use of electroporation.

Scientists at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) first established the theory of electronic perforation with the goal of applying it to genetic tissues to administer anti-cancer medication. However, the technique has since evolved and is also now being used for dermatological purposes. By applying an electric pulse, it increases the penetration efficiency of the active ingredients painlessly.

Electroporation makes use of electric pulses, creating gaps in the stratum corneum layer of the skin so that beauty enhancers and medications can be introduced into the basal and dermis layers of the skin. Collagen, hyaluronic acid, and other substances can be administered deep into the skin painlessly and quickly without having to rely on needles.

So what do these all mean? Basically, with the use of the LumaWand™, it means your skin is going to respond to whatever you are putting on it in a substantial way. Your skin may feel tight, and subtly lifted even after just one use.

Mesoporation

Mesoporation is a new, efficient technique for faster and deeper penetration of active substances and metabolic activation in the dermis. This method applies pulse alternating currents generating an electromagnetic field which opens temporary channels in the lipid layer between the epidermis and dermis, thus allowing the passing of active ingredients towards the living layers of the skin. Mesoporation is an alternative to the classic mesotherapy and is intended for those who fear needles used in classic mesotherapy.

Mesoporation solves the problem of sagging skin, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and acne. It allows the absorption of active ingredients into the skin. In addition to skin peels and deep cleansing of the epidermis, this treatment leads to better hydration, muscle tone, blood circulation, and even skin tone. The result is instantly visible purity, elasticity and refreshment, and improved skin hydration.

Radio Frequency

Radiofrequency or RF, one of the technologies being used by the LumaWand™, has been used for non-surgical skin tightening since 2001, as cited in this study that was published in the United States National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. However, it has only recently gained widespread recognition, thanks to high-profile celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston who rave about the benefits of their RF treatments.

Radiofrequency is a type of energy, which is measured in “frequency,” or wavelengths per second. All kinds of energy, from the sound waves your iPod emits, to sunlight, to the heat coming off your body, to highly radioactive gamma rays, are classified according to their frequency on the “electromagnetic spectrum.”

Like any form of energy, RF has the capacity to produce heat and work by heating the skin’s deeper layers to induce new collagen and elastin production and encourage cell turnover, helping skin become firmer, thicker and more youthful-looking.

An advantage of using RF to heat tissues, as opposed to lasers (which use higher-frequency light waves), is that the lower frequency of RF can safely penetrate to a deeper level, helping to improve skin tone and structure, even lifting tissues.

We recommend you use the wand for 5-10 minutes on every area, for 5-7 days a week to see optimal results. Results from our extensive clinical trials have shown that participants had substantial improvements in their fine lines and wrinkles after two months of consistent usage. To get a clearer look at the results, it is recommended that you take a photograph of the areas you are using LumaWand™ on before starting treatment and once again, after two months of using it.

LumaWand™ uses light therapy to stimulate your own cells’ natural healing. After using it for 5-10 minutes, you can see improvement within your skin as soon as the first treatment! With each treatment, your skin will look and feel better than it did before.

Best results were seen after 12 weeks of use, so we encourage you to use it daily for clearer, healthier skin! Make LumaWand™ a part of your daily skin regiment as you would with your usual creams and serums.

Yes. If you have extra time within the day to spare on using the wand, you are free to do so with no issues. We recommend using the LumaWand™ 3-4 minutes per area daily or twice daily until the desired result is achieved.

The LumaWand™ is made with premium components, which means you can enjoy it for as long as you want to. The LEDs should not need to be replaced either.

In addition, there are no batteries required. USB charging cable/base allows for hassle-free unlimited usage, conveniently connecting and charging the device, and not having to worry about replacements. This allows you to give yourself a vibrant facial treatment consistently, without any additional costs.

Absolutely! There is no need to alter your skincare regimen. You can even apply your anti-aging serums and moisturizers right before using the LumaWand™. The wand will help strengthen and rejuvenate the skin at a cellular level, so it will amplify results achieved in other facial treatments. The wand can also be used in combination with skin peels, facials, microdermabrasion, medical micro-needling, and laser/IPL treatments to further enhance treatment results. We recommend using the wand as an addition to your existing skincare regime.

Yes. The LumaWand™ All-In-1 LED Skin Rejuvenation Wand is completely safe and effective for ALL skin types.

Yes. The LED color lights within the wand emit no UV light and the treatment does not increase photo-sensitivity.

No, absolutely not. Sunburn and skin cancer are caused by light exposure from UV wavelengths, which the LED color lights do not emit. Light therapy is proven to be safe on the skin and is UV-free. LumaWand™ does not emit harmful, hot UV wavelengths of light. The red and blue lights that make up the core of LumaWand’s™ technology are considered safe and it delivers controlled doses. In fact, light therapy has been used by dermatologists for over a decade and is a clinically proven technology.

Do not bend or try and manipulate the wand as it will damage the film inside the circuit. Do not soak the wand or put water or any chemicals on it. You can wipe it with a cloth.