Light therapy is not a fad; it’s an effective tool to improve the look and general health of your skin - and it addresses more than one concern. Editor Trudi Brewer shares a beauty therapy that works, and over the years, has offered proven results.
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From combating breakouts to smoothing fine lines, light therapies are a brilliant ally on the road to radiant and healthy-looking skin. And they are in growth mode, from in-salon light treatments to at-home light-emitting diode (LED) devices. Today, the options are endless. But before we recommend the best, let’s better understand what light therapy is and how it works.
Light treatments work by using specific wavelengths of light to penetrate the skin at various depths. Perhaps the most popular or well-known is red light therapy. However, there is also blue and green light therapy, which is just as beneficial. According to Spate, an AI-powered trend forecaster for beauty, wellness, and personal care brands, each light colour offers a unique set of benefits for skin health. In a recent study, the data platform confirmed that while red light is the most popular, interest in the other colours is growing. Green light therapy has seen the most significant growth year-over-year with a 177.6 per cent increase. Despite being the least popular of the three light therapies, this drastic uptick proves how invested consumers have become in light therapy. If you’re new to blue and green light therapy or need a refresh on the benefits of coloured light, Spate’s breakdown of each is a good place to start.
Red light therapy
Red light therapy ranks as the most popular type of LED therapy in Spate’s report, possibly because it is most commonly associated with at-home masks and devices. It leads the pack in search for the category with 21.2 million views and 45 per cent year-over-year growth. Why? Red light treatments offer powerful anti-ageing results, such as smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. However, the star advantage is the boost in collagen production that red light therapy provides. Working at a 600-700 nanometres wavelength, red light can penetrate deep beneath the skin’s surface to stimulate collagen and improve elasticity. It’s the ideal treatment for targeting ageing concerns, while also boosting hair growth and overall wellness.
Blue light therapy
Not to be confused with the blue light emitted from our screens, this version does good. Spate’s findings confirm that blue light therapy falls in the middle in terms of popularity. While the search results are high, reaching 1.5 million views, interest has only grown 25.8 per cent year-over-year. One reason for this could be the benefits blue light provides. Unlike red light, blue light works on the surface using a wavelength between 400 and 490 nanometres. At the same time, it can’t penetrate deep enough to improve the signs of ageing. Its claim to fame is its effectiveness in treating acne. It kills acne-causing bacteria on the skin’s surface, reducing the risk of breakouts. Beyond this, blue light calms the skin and reduces inflammation, making it ideal for all ages, from teens to adults with hormonal acne. One word of caution: A 2018 study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology and a 2020 review in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science noted that shorter wavelengths of blue light can increase pigmentation in melanin-rich dark skin tones rather than reduce it as one might hope.
Green light therapy
Green light therapy is still relatively new, and for most, it’s not on your radar. Spate shows, the search for green light is the lowest of the three colours, with just 544.3 thousand views. While it’s not found in home devices, it’s becoming a standard treatment in clinics. With lots of skin benefits when it comes to skin tone, it penetrates deeper than blue light, using a wavelength between 520 and 560 nanometres, and is used to calm hyperpigmentation (brown spots) and reduce redness. The result is a balanced skin tone and a boost in natural radiance. The wavelength depth can also treat fine lines and offers brightening effects that lead to glowy skin. The likely reason green light therapy is growing in popularity is that it provides multiple benefits.
The DIY home LED Mask, which we have invested in
CurrentBody LED Light Therapy Face Mask, from $696
Why I Like it?
I have trialled various light therapies as a beauty writer, and there is no doubt they work.
This DIY mask is a brilliant, non-invasive way to improve the texture and tone of the skin from the comfort of your home. The three wavelengths of light target skin every concern, like fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone, boosting collagen production and cell regeneration, which helps to firm and plump the skin while promoting skin healing and reducing pigmentation. But the big plus with this face mask is that it’s cordless, lightweight, and easy to use. The rechargeable battery means you don’t need to replace batteries, and you're not tied to a power source, so you can wear this pottering around the house. For 10 minutes a day, it’s a safe, natural way to look the best version of yourself - editor Trudi Brewer.
Editor Trudi Brewer with her CurrentBody LED Light Therapy Face Mask
Trudermal Glow LED face mask, $689
In the last two years, several beauticians and cosmetic medicine experts have commented that I have rosacea. I get a red flush in a change of heat and occasionally after a glass of wine, but I didn’t think it was anything too sinister. Now that it has been pointed out, I have been obsessed with finding a solution. My other skin concern has also always been open pores. After using the mask for five weeks, I am impressed with the results. I have mainly used the Mode 3 Skin Rejuvenation setting three times a week. My pores are less noticeable, and the redness has significantly reduced. What I wasn’t expecting with the mask was the results of breakouts. My skin is generally quite clear, and if I weren’t quick to pick at it, I would probably have no problems, but like most women, I get breakouts, particularly around my chin, that can lead to big lumps. As soon as I noticed this happening, I used Mode 1 Anti-Acne, and every time, by the morning, my chin was clear. What used to turn into a hard lump, which never eventuated to anything but a red welt, was gone. I cannot speak highly enough of the Trudermal Glow LED Mask, and I look forward to seeing continued results. It's 10 minutes of self-care that my skin thanks me for - style director Louise Hilsz.
Style director Louise Hilsz wearing her Trudermal Glow LED face mask
Red, blue and green, what can these hues do for your skin?