AESTHETIC TREATMENTS

LED low level light therapy

Low-level light therapy (LLLT) with Healite II involves the therapeutic use of light emitting diodes to enhance cellular function, improve healing time, relieve pain and promote skin rejuvenation.

  • Speeds early wound healing by 50%
  • Reduces pain, bleeding, swelling and bruising
  • Reduces scarring after surgical procedures
LED phototherapy / light therapy using yellow light on a woman's face

LED low-level light therapy (LLLT), also known as phototherapy or photobiomodulation, is the therapeutic use of light to enhance cell recovery. It reduces healing times, helps relieve pain and bruising, and results in better long-term cosmetic outcomes after procedures.

This treatment can be used as a standalone therapy or to assist the healing after other procedures. LED low level light therapy is painless and non-invasive, and there is no downtime following treatment.

“LED low level light therapy is painless and non-invasive, and there is no downtime following treatment.”

It can be used as a standalone treatment or as part of a treatment combination such as photodynamic therapy or to speed healing and improve results after cosmetic radiofrequency mole removal, microneedling or surgical excision of skin cancers and suspicious moles.

We use the Healite II, which allows precise control of treatment parameters such as wavelength, intensity and total dose to obtain optimal results.

How low-level light treatment works

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) give off light which is absorbed by skin and other cells. Photons of red and near-infra red wavelengths are absorbed by mitochondria – structures within cells that control energy production. This stimulates several processes associated with cell growth, tissue repair and regeneration.1

As a result, there is:

  • Production of growth factors2.
  • Reduction of inflammation, improved circulation in the treated area, and stimulation of collagen production and growth of skin cells: keratinocytes, fibroblasts and melanocytes2.
  • Faster growth of the epithelium (the tissue that lines the body’s organs including the epidermis skin layer)1.

Results of low-level light treatment

LED light therapy is effective for managing multiple skin conditions such as acne, hair loss, dermatitis and psoriasis3. We mainly use LED light therapy in combination with other treatments for managing skin cancers, mole removal and skin repair.

Wound healing and scar development

Low-level light enhances wound healing after skin procedures. Surgical wounds (for example, after excision or radiofrequency removal of a mole or skin cancer) heal significantly faster with LED light therapy.4 Crusting, exudate, and swelling resolve in half the time3.

Patients treated with LED light therapy experience less pain, and it resolves faster5.

Dr Chris Miller
Written by Dr Chris Miller Accredited skin cancer doctor

MBBS, MA (Virtual Comm), Grad Cert Hlth Info, Grad Dip Comp Inf Sci
Healing times following facial surgery (6)
Treatment / indication With Healite II LED light therapy Without LED light therapy

Bruising

1 week

1-2 days (78% reduction)

Erythema / redness

15-16 weeks

1-2 weeks (87% reduction)

Oedema / swelling

5 days-1 week

2-3 days (58% reduction)

LED light therapy results in better cosmetic outcomes and less scarring. Results after skin procedures are generally better when LLLT is used.6 In the days and weeks following treatment, there is less redness2.

After a course of treatment, the scar is stronger and the appearance is better7.LED light therapy helps prevent keloid scarring.

“LED light therapy helps prevent keloid scarring.”

Keloid and hypertrophic (overgrown) scars are less likely to develop if the skin is treated with LED light therapy following an injury or surgery2,8.

Cosmetic and skin rejuvenation effects

LED light therapy can result in softening of the skin and reduction in fine lines2. Treated skin is more elastic7.

In general, a long course (several months) of repeated treatments is required to achieve results9. For treatment of wrinkles and skin discolouration due to ageing and sun damage, we normally recommend other treatments such as:

When LED light therapy is used in combination with microneedling, results are achieved faster10, and the effects are far superior to those achieved by either microneedling or LLLT on its own11.

Effect of LED wavelengths
Wavelength Effects

640nm

Red light

Collagen stimulation and production

Increased circulation and cell repair

Reduce inflammation of sebaceous glands

Reduce fine lines and wrinkles

Skin rejuvenation

Activates aminolevulinic acid for photodynamic therapy

590nm

Yellow/amber light

Penetrates deeper than red light. Administered at the same time as near infra-red light (see below).

Tightens and tones skin

Reduces photoageing, pigmentation, age spots

Reduces fine lines and wrinkles

830nm

Near infra-red light

Deeper penetration than other wavelengths.

Collagen stimulation and production

Increased circulation and cell repair

Wound healing

Scar reduction

Skin rejuvenation

Hair regrowth

 

What to expect

Healite II low-level light treatment is comfortable and soothing. Most people find it relaxing.

Treatment is administered from an array of LED globes positioned a few centimetres away from the area to be treated. The Healite head “wraps around” the treatment area. This can feel a little claustrophobic for facial treatments at first, but this feeling usually settles very quickly.

LED light therapy face yellow 830nm
LED light therapy face yellow 830nm

The Healite gives off a bright light, either red or yellow, depending on the treatment wavelength. The light is not bright enough to require eye protection. The light itself does not feel hot, but after a few minutes of treatment, the skin feels warm as energy is delivered to the cells.

Each treatment session usually lasts 15-20 minutes.

Treatment course

When LED light therapy is used in conjunction with another treatment, the optimal treatment course is:

  • Pre-treatment 1-2 days before the procedure.
  • Treatment immediately following the procedure.
  • 2-3 treatments, 2-3 days apart, following the procedure.

For a planned procedure such as cosmetic mole removal or excision of a suspicious skin lesion, LED light therapy is administered 1-2 days before the procedure conditions the cells. It has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation after the procedure12. Treatment with LED light therapy immediately following skin procedures reduces downtime and adverse effects of the procedure6.

How it’s done

Clothing is removed or adjusted to expose the area to be treated. The Healite II light head is positioned approximately a hand width away from the treatment area. The light emitted by the device is safe for eyes, but the red light is bright, so some patients may prefer to wear block-out goggles or tinted glasses.

Our operator selects the appropriate Healite II settings for the condition being treated and turns the device on. Each treatment typically lasts 15-20 minutes. After treatment, the patient dresses and is ready to go.

How to prepare

LED low level light therapy - how to prepare
No cosmetics or tinted products

If the treatment is to be performed on your face, do not wear any cosmetics, tinted moisturiser or tinted sunscreen on the day of treatment.

Notify us of photosensitising medications and medical conditions

LED light therapy is not recommended if you have a condition or are taking medications that make you sensitive to bright or flashing lights.

Conditions that cause photosensitivity: epilepsy, metabolic conditions such as porphyria, light-induced rashes, autoimmune conditions such as lupus erythematosus, albinism, light-induced migraine

Photosensitising medications and other products: amiodarone, azapropazone, azathioprine, chlorpromazine, demeclocycline, doxycycline, nalidixic acid, certain essential oils, such as lavender, sandalwood, bergamot and many citrus fruit oils

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Conditions treated

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Surgical scars

Sun-damaged skin

Rosacea

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Side effects and warnings

There are no significant known negative effects of LED light therapy. When LLLT is used by itself, there is no downtime, redness, peeling, blistering or pain. (3) There may be downtime as a result of other treatments administered at the same time as LED light therapy.

Avoid known photosensitising drugs and chemicals before light-based treatments such as laser, IPL/BBL and LED light therapy. If you are taking these medications, be sun smart every day.

More info

At Spot Check Clinic, you’ll be treated by a doctor or registered nurse. All of our treating staff are registered with AHPRA and comply with professional and ethical codes of practice.

More info

Doctors can remove moles and other skin lesions for people considering mole removal. Doctors (specifically accredited skin cancer doctors and dermatologists) are experienced in examining moles, skin cancers and other skin lesions and can provide the appropriate medical or surgical treatment while reducing the risk of complications.

More info

References

  1. Glass G, 2021. Photobiomodulation: A review of the molecular evidence for low level light therapy. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery volume 74, issue 5, May 2021, pages 1050-1060
  2. Avci P, Gupta A, Sadasivam M, 2013. Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2013 Mar; 32(1): 41–52.
  3. Ablon G, 2018. Phototherapy with light emitting diodes: Treating a broad range of medical and aesthetic conditions in dermatology. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018 Feb; 11(2): 21–27. 
  4. Min P, Goo B, 2013. 830 nm light-emitting diode low level light therapy (LED-LLLT) enhances wound healing: a preliminary study. Laser Ther 2013;22(1):43-9.
  5. Mosca R, Ong A, Albasha O et al, 2019. Photobiomodulation therapy for wound care: A potent, noninvasive, photoceutical approach. Advances in Skin & Wound Care: April 2019 volume 32 issue 4 – p 157-167. 
  6. Calderhead RG, Kim WS, Ohshiro T et al, 2015. Adjunctive 830 nm light-emitting diode therapy can improve the results following aesthetic procedures. Laser Ther. Dec 30; 24(4): 277–289. 
  7. Glass G, 2021. Photobiomodulation: The clinical applications of low-level light therapy. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 41, Issue 6, June 2021.
  8. Barolet D, 2018. Photobiomodulation in dermatology: Harnessing light from visible to near infrared. Medical Research Archives, [S.l.], vol 6, no 1, Jan 2018. 
  9. Jagdeo J, 2018. Light-emitting diodes in dermatology: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Lasers Surg Med 2018 Jan 22; 50(6): 613-628. 
  10. Calderhead RG. LED photoactivation can enhance the results of microneedling radiofrequency treatment. Paper provided by Lutronic Australia
  11. Calderhead RG, 2014. Combining microneedle fractional radiofrequency and LED photoactivation. Prime Journal Dec 2, 2014.
  12. Agrawal T, Gupta G, Rai V et al, 2014. Pre-conditioning with low-level laser (light) therapy: light before the storm. Dose Response. 2014;12(4):619-649. 

Level up your skin health

LED phototherapy speeds wound healing, reduces complications and scarring after procedures, and provides a gentle and safe skin rejuvenation effect.

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