After I posted another picture of a client under the lamp yesterday I had quite a few questions about LED and what it entails. As it’s currently one of my favourite machines (after my dishwasher 😉 ), I thought I’d give you a very brief lowdown so that you can seek out the treatments in your local area.
LED stands for Light Emitting Diode and works on the principle that light, used in the correct, clinical way, is massively beneficial to the skin. While we usually associate light exposure with negative effects such as skin ageing and damage, light can have massively positive influences on your body. It helps produce vitamin D – which 1 in 5 of us in the UK are deficient in*, boosts energy and serotonin levels, and also promotes healing, reduces inflammation and pain and can prevent tissue damage.
LED Phototherapy is known for its regenerating and anti-inflammatory properties. Research has shown that it increases collagen production, destroys acne-causing bacteria, reduces inflammation, improves skin tone, texture and clarity and can ease muscular and joint pain.
(As an aside, if you’re a sun addict, this is one way to get the benefits that you feel after sun exposure without the obvious downsides.)
In a treatment, it’s the perfect way to round off an aggressive procedure, whether or not that is peels, micro-needling, dermaplaning, or invasive needle work, hence why it’s so popular.
When LED was first around, I personally found the machines a little harsh – or unrefined. They would trigger headaches in me and I just never really got on board with them. The newer versions – and especially the Dermalux machine, are honestly brilliant. Both in terms of ease-of-use for a therapist and the results for the clients.
The joy of this is that you can lie/sit down for 20 minutes and get up and go back to work. It’s one of the few treatments that you genuinely can do on a break.
I mainly use it on two settings: skin rejuvenation and varying types of acne.
Dermalux has separate programmes for all of the following:
Skin Rejuvenation
Sun Damage
Acne and Problem Skin
Rosacea and Redness
Eczema, Psoriasis and Dermatitis
Sensitive and Inflammatory conditions
Wound Healing and Scarring
Restoring Radiance
and can be used on all ages, all skin types, all skin colours.
It’s super effective when used as a course, and makes the perfect pre-wedding course of treatments for brides-to-be, or people with big events to attend because the effect is immediate and there is no down time. You walk out glowing. Literally.
For acne sufferers, you’re looking more at blue light, same machine, different colour of light. The effects are genuinely noticeable, especially when you have the treatments regularly, starting with an intensive course, then reducing down to maintenance appointments.
Dermalux have a clinic locator on their website – Clinic Locator that you can use to find your nearest clinic offering their services.
They are not available in the US yet, but I think they’re looking into that market at the moment.**
Honestly, try one. I love it. If I could afford it I’d buy one for my house.
On that note, I know there are hand-held devices for use at home. I haven’t used them. I will look into them, but in the short term, have a treatment with a pro and see how your skin reacts to the machine. Speak to your therapist. It’s my experience that once something is in your house you don’t use it as much, and that defeats the object..
More information on Dermalux can be found here: DermaluxLED.com
Here’s to glowing skin!
*latest figures from the NHS, who now recommend year-round supplementation – source
**there are other LED machines available but I cannot vouch for them in the same way, as I haven’t used them professionally.
Not sponsored in any way. I use the Dermalux in Teresa Tarmey’s clinic but have no business affiliation with the company. It’s just bloody good. More info on Teresa’s clinic is here: www.teresatarmey.com/prices
The views expressed on this site are the author’s own and are provided for informational purposes only. The author makes no warranties about the suitability of any product or treatment referenced or reviewed here for any person other than herself and any reliance placed on these reviews or references by you is done so solely at your own risk. Nothing on this site shall be construed as providing dermatological, medical or other such advice and you are always advised to seek the advice of a suitable professional should you have any such concerns.
