How To Optimize Your At-Home Red Light Therapy Treatments

IN THIS ARTICLE:

• 01 Start with a Blank Canvas
  02 Use a High-Quality Device
  03 Less is Sometimes More
  04 Pair with Proper Skincare
• 05 Consistency Conquers All
• 06 Take Progress Pictures

6-minute read

Red light therapy devices are fast becoming the most popular at-home beauty treatments, and their surge in popularity shows no signs of slowing down. Many claim they have paid for themselves tenfold by eliminating the need for salon treatments and expensive serums. With red light devices, it’s important to implement some simple strategies to ensure you are getting the very most from each treatment.

Start with a Blank Canvas

If there was ever a time for a double cleanse, it's before your red light therapy treatment. Remove all makeup and serums with an oil-based cleanser before washing your face again with a water-based cleanser. This ensures a clean slate for LED light therapy wavelengths to properly penetrate the skin and stimulate the collagen-boosting process. Never apply a red light mask on top of moisturizer, sunscreen, or other topicals as these block the light and reduce the effectiveness of your treatment. For full-body treatments, the same principle applies. Treat clean, bare skin for maximum absorption.

Use a High-Quality Device

Like most things, not all LED light therapy devices are created equal. It is important to use a high-quality device from a reputable brand with several good reviews. Proper research is essential when it comes to LED devices. We have put together a guidebook of what to look for in the best LED device here but to summarize:

1. Ensures the device uses the most precise wavelengths for red that’s 630nm and for blue 460nm or 415nm and infrared 850nm.
2. Consider the number of LEDs and coverage of the treatment area.
3. Irradiance or power density should be 30mW per cm2 for LED masks.

Less is Sometimes More

It is important to stick to the recommended treatment times on your given device. While you may think doubling up on treatments guarantees quicker results, that’s not the case. LED light therapy has a ‘biphasic dose-response’ meaning that a specific dose of light enhances skin health but exceeding that dose may do more harm than good!

Pair with Proper Skincare

While LED light therapy is a crucial part of your skincare routine, it’s still just one piece of the puzzle. Make sure you are using high-quality, compatible skincare products to bolster results. Most skincare products are not designed for use with LED light therapy. Our high-performance hydrating serum is designed for use directly after LED treatment to lock in moisture and prevent unwanted irritation.

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Consistency Conquers All

If there could be one motto for at-home LED light therapy it’s ‘consistency is key’. If you plan to only pick up your red light mask once or twice per week - there is little point in expecting miracles. A minimum of 3-4 LED light therapy treatments are required to see results.

Take Progress Pictures

It is difficult to assess your progress when you look at yourself in the mirror daily. Documenting your progress allows you to really see results and motivates you to continue on your journey to better skin. If you feel confident enough to share, we would love for you to tag us on socials @projectebeauty.

Written by Olivia Khader