References

Ablon G. Combination 830 nm and 633 nm light-emitting diode phototherapy shows promise in the treatment of recalcitrant psoriasis: preliminary findings. Photomed Laser Surg. 2010; 28:(1)141-146 https://doi.org/10.1089/pho.2009.2484

Barolet D. Light-emitting diodes (LED) in dermatology. Sermi Cutan Med Surg. 2008; 27:(4)227-238 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sder.2008.08.003

Bhat J, Birch J, Whitehurst C, Lanigan SW. A single-blinded randomised controlled study to determine the efficacy of Omnilux Revive facial treatment in skin rejuvenation. Lasers Med Sci.. 2005; 20:(1)6-10 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-005-0330-5

Conlan MJ, Rapley JW, Cobb CM. Biostimulation of wound healing by low energy laser irradiation. J Clin Periodontol.. 1996; 23:(5)492-496 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-051x.1996.tb00580.x

Fisher GJ, Kang S, Varani J Mechanisms of photoaging and chronological skin aging. Arch Dermatol.. 2002; 138:(11)1462-¬1470 https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.138.11.1462

Goldberg DJ, Russell BA. Combination blue (415 nm) and red (633 nm) LED phototherapy in the treatment of mild to severe acne vulgaris. J Cosmet Laser Ther.. 2006; 8:(2)71-75 https://doi.org/10.1080/14764170600735912

Heiskanen V, Hamblin MR. Photobiomodulation: lasers vs. light emitting diodes?. Photochem Photobiol Sci.. 2018; 17:(8)1003-1017 https://doi.org/10.1039%2Fc8pp00176f

Kleinpenning MM, Otero ME, van Erp PEJ, Gerritsen MJP, van de Kerkhof PCM. Efficacy of blue light vs. red light in the treatment of psoriasis: a double-blind, randomized comparative study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol.. 2012; 26:(2)219-222 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2011.04039.x

Lee SY, Park KH, Choi JW A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, and split-face clinical study on LED phototherapy for skin rejuvenation: clinical, profilometric, histologic, ultrastructural, and biochemical evaluations and comparison of three different treatment settings. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2007; 88:(1)51-56 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2007.04.008

Melnick S. Cystic acne improved by photodynamic therapy with short-contact 5-aminolevulinic acid and sequential combination of intense pulsed light and blue light activation. J Drugs Dermatol.. 2005; 4:742-745

Morton CA, Scholefield RD, Whitehurst C, Birch J. An open study to determine the efficacy of blue light in the treatment of mild to moderate acne. J Dermatolog Treat. 2005; 16:(4)219-223 https://doi.org/10.1080/09546630500283664

Papageorgiou P, Katsambas A, Chu A. Phototherapy with blue (415 nm) and red (660 nm) light in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Br J Dermatol.. 2000; 142:(5)973-978 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.2000.03481.x

Russell BA, Kellett N, Reilly LR. A study to determine the efficacy of combination LED light therapy (633 nm and 830 nm) in facial skin rejuvenation. J Cosmet Laser Ther.. 2005; 7:(3-4)196-200 https://doi.org/10.1080/14764170500370059

Shang YM, Wang GS, Sliney DH, Yang CH, Lee LL. Light-emitting-diode induced retinal damage and its wavelength dependency in vivo. Int J Ophthalmol.. 2017; 10:(2)191-202 https://doi.org/10.18240%2Fijo.2017.02.03

Trelles MA, Allones I, Mayo E. Combined visible light and infrared light-emitting diode (LED) therapy enhances wound healing after laser ablative resurfacing of photodamaged facial skin. Med Laser Appl.. 2006; 21:(3)165-175 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mla.2006.06.001

Dermatology

Light-emitting diode treatments and indications for treatment

02 September 2021
Clinical
02 September 2021
Volume 10 · Issue 7

Abstract

Light-emitting diode treatments are an established therapy in many medical aesthetic clinics. Most machines are designed for facial treatment and work by non-thermal photobiomodulation-stimulating fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis and growth factors. They use mainly blue, red and near infrared light and are efficacious in treating acne, psoriasis, photorejuvenation and wound healing. The treatment has relatively few side effects and has a short downtime. They tend to be used in combination with other treatment modalities, such as radiofrequency, skin-tightening and lasers, but can be used as a standalone treatment. Treatment protocols vary but usually require several treatments over a few weeks, with the effects taking 3 to 6 months to become evident.

Recently, light-emitting diode masks have become popular, but their evidence base for effectiveness is currently weak.

Light-emitting diode (LED) therapy is a popular treatment in medical aesthetic clinics. There are a number of these treatment systems available at a relatively reasonable cost. A significant number of patients with dermatological problems will have had or enquired about this form of treatment. In aesthetic practice, these treatments are often used as an adjunct to other treatments, such as non-ablative laser, but can be used as a standalone treatment. The advantages include being cheap and easy to administer, they can be used on all skin types and they have minimal side effects. Clinics tend to use more powerful lamps, rather than face masks (Figure 1). The author could find no studies comparing masks with LED lamps, nor any academic articles confirming the efficacy of LED face masks; however, some anecdotal evidence of positive effects exists.

Figure 1. Medical aesthetic clinics tend to use more powerful light-emitting diode lamps, rather than face masks

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Journal of Aesthetic Nurses and reading some of our peer-reviewed resources for aesthetic nurses. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Limited access to clinical or professional articles

  • New content and clinical newsletter updates each month

Register
Or continue by

Signing in with your registered email address

Light-emitting diode
Blue light
Red light
Skin rejuvenation
Combination treatment