Fine Lines

14 ASCP Fine Lines • Red LED light is considered rejuvenating and healing. It has the deepest tissue penetration of the colors and has been shown to stimulate fibroblasts, leading to an increase in collagen production. Red LED light is a good post-recovery treatment and could help reverse the signs of aging. 5 • Yellow or amber light is often used for photoaging and post-laser treatment. It has been shown to reduce the intensity of effects after laser skin resurfacing. 6 YOUR TREATMENT Your esthetician might use LED light therapy as a standalone treatment or in combination with other treatments like laser, microdermabrasion, or facials. To see the best results, treatments should be performed in a series of 2–3 times per week depending on the area and condition being treated. Once your desired outcome has been achieved, treatments can be discontinued, or performed on a maintenance schedule of once a month or once every 2–3 months. YOUR SAFETY LED devices are rated by the US Food and Drug Administration as Class 1, which means the device presents minimal risk of injury and can be used by estheticians without physician supervision. Your esthetician will give you eye protection before the treatment begins. LED Light Therapy Explained by Maggie Staszcuk WHAT IS LED THERAPY? LED stands for light-emitting diode, which is essentially a very small light bulb that fits into an electrical circuit. The bulb releases photons of energy in the form of light. 1 Research has shown that when cells absorb photons of energy from the light emitted, there is an increase in cell metabolism, collagen production, and blood flow. 2 LED was first invented in the 1960s but was not adopted for 30 years. In the 1990s, NASA further developed LEDs to produce a very narrow spectrum of light that allowed for clinical applications, 3 including aiding in cell regeneration and wound healing for astronauts in space. THE EFFECTS OF COLOR Colors used in LED treatments range through the visible spectrum, but most devices have variations in blue, red, and yellow. Different colors of LED light penetrate the skin to various depths. Depending on how deeply they penetrate, LED lights are thought to have a variety of biological effects. 4 • Blue LED light is often used to treat acne and has a positive effect in reducing Propionibacterium acnes, the acne-causing bacteria. Some research indicates blue light may also reduce the activity of sebaceous glands, resulting in less breakouts. LED has been around for decades, but its applications in the skin care industry have seen a rise in popularity. LED devices promise to alleviate inflammation, address pigmentation, reduce acne, and so much more. So, what is LED, and how does it work? There are factors that might prevent you from receiving this work, including some thyroid conditions. Clients with epilepsy or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult their physician before receiving LED treatment. Certain medications cause light sensitivity, so a thorough consultation with your skin care therapist should be performed to determine whether you are a good candidate for this treatment. 7 ▪ Notes 1. Tom Harris, Chris Pollette, and Wesley Fenlon, HowStuffWorks.com, "How Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) Work," accessed March 2021, https:// electronics.howstuffworks.com/led.htm#pt0. 2. Daniel R. Opel et al., "Light-Emitting Diodes: A Brief Review and Clinical Experience," Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology 8, no. 6 (June 2015): 36–44, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC4479368/#__sec5title. 3. Daniel R. Opel et al., "Light-Emitting Diodes." 4. Harvard Health Publishing, "LED Lights: Are They a Cure for Your Skin Woes?" October 2019, www. health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/led-lights-are- they-a-cure-for-your-skin-woes. 5. Harvard Health Publishing, "LED Lights: Are They a Cure for Your Skin Woes?" 6. Harvard Health Publishing, "LED Lights: Are They a Cure for Your Skin Woes?" 7. Joel Gerson, Milady Standard Fundamentals Esthetics (Clifton Park: Cengage Learning, 2015). Maggie Staszcuk is the advanced modality insurance specialist for Associated Skin Care Professionals. She is a licensed esthetician and holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Stephens College. mstaszcuk@ascpskincare.com

• Blank Page