LED Phototherapy

What is LED phototherapy and the Omnilux?

LED stands for light emitting diode. These are very small semiconductors that emit light when a current is passed through it.  In the past few years, specialised therapeutic LEDs that have extra luminescence emitted through a very specific wavelength band, have been used for the purpose of skin rejuvenation. Unlike laser or IPL, LED phototherapy is non-invasive and non-thermal, and hence requires no recovery time after treatments. Also LED phototherapy involves the use of continuous light rather than pulses of light.

Different wavelengths of LED can be used for to target various skin conditions from acne to ageing skin. Each wavelength will penetrate a different depth and cause a different effect within the skin.

At this point, LED phototherapy should be differentiated from photodynamic therapy. Although both use LED light on the skin, photodynamic therapy requires pre-treatment of the skin with aminolevulenic acid (ALA) and this significantly changes the light reaction in the skin, and its uses. Photodynamic therapy and has significant recovery periods, unlike LED phototherapy which requires no downtime.

At The Victorian Cosmetic Institute, we use the Omnilux LED system, that provide the highest quality LED systems in today's aesthetic market.

 
 


What is LED phototherapy used for?

LED phototherapy is used for a multitude of skin conditions. The red light (620nm) can be used for skin rejuvenation, to reduce inflammation, and to improve healing, for example post-laser treatment.

The blue light is primarily used for acne treatment.

Both lights can be used as a part of photodynamic therapy, which is a much more invasive treatment due to the pre-application of a substance called ALA on the skin. Photodynamic therapy is usually used for the treatment of various skin cancers and acne. Once again, photodynamic therapy is a vastly different treatment to LED phototherapy, and requires significant downtime/recovery period.

 

How does LED phototherapy work?

LED phototherapy works by using the properties of a certain wavelength of light to induce changes in the skin to treat a particular condition. There is no heat energy or tissue damage induced by LED phototherapy.

At The Victorian Cosmetic Institute, we utilise two LED wavelengths, namely 415 nanometers and 620 nanometers. Each wavelength has a particular property and depth of penetration.

Blue light, treats one of the causes of acne, the bacteria propionibacterium acnes. It targets the metabolic product of this bacteria, porphyrins, and produces an oxygen free radical from these porphyrins that destroys the bacteria. 

Red light (620nm) LED phototherapy induces a mild inflammation of the target cells and sets up an immune response that helps to regenerate these cells. This helps to rejuvenate skin and to help with skin healing. It can be used for skin rejuvenation, or post laser/chemical peel treatments to speed the healing process. Red and blue light LED phototherapy can be used synergistically to treat active acne, the blue light helping to reduce bacteria counts and the red lights helping to heal the skin.

Again, both blue and red light treatment have no side effects on the skin and require no recovery period. 

 

How many treatments are required?

For the treatment of acne, clinical trials have shown that a treatment twice a week for 8 weeks, followed by once a week for 4 weeks helps to reduce bacteria counts and inflammation associated with acne, and therefore reduce the number of active acne lesions. The red light and blue light LEDs are alternated each session.

When red LED light is used for facial rejuvenation, treatments can be done from 1 to 4 weeks apart, and the more treatments that are performed, the better the result. This can be incorporated into one's skin maintenance regime.

The use of red LED light post-laser treatment to help to speed recovery requires a variable number of sessions, depending on the laser treatment performed. For lighter laser treatments, such as our Medlite laser skin rejuvenation treatment, only one session of red light LEDis required immediately after the Medlite laser is performed. For more intense laser treatments, such as our carbon dioxide laser resurfacing, we tend to do it daily for several days post-treatment.

 

What is the difference between laser/IPL treatments and LED phototherapy?

Table: What is the difference between laser/IPL and LED phototherapy

Laser or IPL

LED phototherapy

Involves thermal energy and heating of the skin

LED phototherapy does not involve any heating of the skin. 

Pulses of light energy

Continuous light energy

Causes a specific injury to the skin to induce a certain wound healing response and change/improvement in the skin

Improves skin by stimulating the skin cells metabolism without causing injury

Requires a period of recovery

No recovery required

 

What machine do we use?

There are a number of LED machines currently on the aesthetic market. There can be significant differences between the light emitted and the quality of the light. After some trials of various machines, we have found the Omnilux to be the most effective machine available in today's market.

 

How much does it cost?

We provide the service for $50 per session. Each session lasts about 20 minutes, and either red or blue LED lights are used.

We also often use the red LED lights post laser treatment to help calm down the skin and reduce excessive inflammation from the laser. Depending on the type laser treatment, this may be included in the price of the laser treatment.

Why choose The Victorian Cosmetic Institute as your provider of LED phototherapy?

Our doctors specialise in light based treatments including LED phototherapy. We use this treatment in conjunction with other treatments available at our clinic to provide you with the best options for the treatment of various skin conditions.

Our LED lights are of the highest quality, and provide the best results.