LED treatment to heal your skin? Doctors reveal if it is worth the hype

When it comes to skincare and makeup, it is better to not believe anything that you see online, but all the LED light treatment ads were something that had grabbed my attention for the longest time.
 
LED light treatments are usually available in salons, but there are also these LED mask devices which let you do the treatment at home.  

READ MORE: What is cactus skincare? Here's what experts have to say

Before getting into the pros and cons,

What does LED treatment mean? 

Dr Ankit Gupta, MD, MBBS, from Noida explains that LED (Light Emitting Diode) light therapy is a non-invasive skin treatment that uses varying wavelengths of light to address a range of skin conditions. 

Now, to put it simply, it means using light for your skin, the different wavelengths of light mean different health benefits for your skin. If you go to any of the online stores, you'll see that the wavelength ranges from 660 nm and near-infrared 850 nm.  

Price: There are various price ranges for various products that offer LED treatment. 

For instance, a simple mask which provides this treatment ranges from Rs 3,000 (at a salon) and Rs 10,000 for a mask that offers this light. 

Now, there are a lot of benefits that these masks offer (as per companies that make these; and, well, social media), here are some: 

1. Skin rejuvenation

 LED light therapy (the red one specifically) can promote collagen production, which helps in reducing fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin texture, and rejuvenating the skin's appearance, and giving you the glow. 

2. Acne treatment

Blue LED light is used to target and kill acne-causing bacteria, making it effective for treating mild to moderate acne.

3. Reduction of inflammation

 Infrared LED light can help reduce inflammation in the skin, making it useful for conditions like rosacea or post-surgical healing.

4. Pain reduction

LED light therapy can be used to manage pain and promote healing in conditions such as wounds, muscle and joint pain, and some skin conditions.

'It is not useless, but might take 200 years to show its results"

Dr Sujit Shanshanwal, a dermatologist from Mumbai, explains that, "I'm not going to say that it is completely useless; it might be of some use, but obviously it is not on par with other treatments." 

He also explains that since the treatment since has no side-effects, it is available everywhere, from salons to over the counter. 

"Now, if you think that the light is beneficial, then in the operations we would be using lights for disinfection," jokes Sujit.

According to experts, if you really want to see 1 or 2 per cent of that impact, you need to combine it with other treatments and serums. 

It's essential to consult with a skincare professional or dermatologist to determine if LED light therapy is suitable for your specific skin concerns and to create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

READ MORE: Pimple patches are a staple for beauty influencers, but do they work? We asked experts