Red Light vs Blue Light Therapy
When it comes to anti-aging skincare treatments, red and blue light therapy are having a moment. Both offer a range of benefits, but they each target different levels of your outer layer and address different aesthetic concerns. Many clients are curious about which phototherapy service is best for their skin and what benefits they can expect from treatment. If you’re interested in the effects of these services, join us for a comparison to help you decide which option is right for you!
How does red light therapy work?
Red light therapy utilizes red and near-infrared wavelengths to address various skin concerns and minimize signs of aging. Here’s a closer look at the details:
What does it treat?
This phototherapy has a wide range of applications that toe the line of aesthetic and medical treatments. It stimulates collagen production to minimize fine lines and wrinkles and soothes inflammation to calm redness and irritation. It can have a drastic effect on overall skin tone and texture to reveal a more youthful complexion.
What are the benefits?
Red and infrared light can penetrate more deeply into the skin to work on a cellular level. It can improve blood flow and circulation, reduce chronic pain, jumpstart the healing process, and even stimulate hair growth.
Are there side effects?
On rare occasions, LED red light therapy can cause increased inflammation, redness, and discomfort. But while extremely uncommon, it’s still important to care for your skin after any treatment.
How does blue light therapy work?
Blue light therapy sessions are similar to red light therapy but target different skin conditions. Here’s what you need to know about this treatment:
What does blue light therapy treat?
Many clients hail blue light therapy as a miracle treatment for stubborn acne. It effectively kills the bacteria that cause breakouts and blemishes. However, it can also be used to treat certain types of skin cancer and, in some cases, prevent the formation of new cancer cells. Doctors may apply a sensitizing cream or oil, allow it to absorb into the skin, and then expose the area to blue light in order to destroy unwanted cells.
Benefits of blue light therapy
Blue light has a controversial reputation, as many attribute it to strained eyesight and a poor night’s sleep. However, the wavelengths of blue light emitted by high-quality therapeutic devices can actually heal skin, protect against sun damage, and offer a range of healing properties. While it doesn’t serve as many functions as red light therapy, it is particularly useful in its own applications.
Side effects
Some find that blue light therapy increases photosensitivity, so it’s important to protect your skin with broad-spectrum sunscreen before and after treatment. You may also experience dryness, peeling, and minor irritation.
Red light vs blue light therapy for skincare
Red light and blue light therapy devices differ in skincare applications, but both offer non-invasive approaches to help clients achieve their goals and address a variety of skin concerns.
Skin concerns addressed
If you want to improve age-related skin concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, dull complexion, or laxity, red light therapy might be your new best friend. This treatment can also provide pain relief, jumpstart wound healing, and boost circulation to potentially improve your overall health.
On the other hand, blue light therapy offers targeted results for those with acne-prone skin. It also serves a vital role in cancer treatment and prevention. Even those without acne may benefit from preventative sessions to get ahead of dangerous cancer cells.
Wavelengths used
Red light utilizes wavelengths from 630 to 670 nanometers (nm), while near-infrared devices stay between 810 nm and 850 nm. Safe and effective blue light wavelengths include those around 400 nm to 495 nm.
Skin penetration depth
Red light can penetrate deep beneath the skin’s surface to activate cells and bring new life to your complexion. In fact, the ability of red light waves to reach certain depths is one of its notable superpowers.
Conversely, blue light works primarily on the surface of your skin to eliminate bacteria and destroy harmful cancer cells. That said, whether you opt for a mask, a wrap, or a phototherapy bed, each device will utilize different wavelengths.
Be sure to do your research to ensure you get the best possible results. Many options are FDA-approved, offering an additional level of confidence in their safety and efficacy.
Discover healthier, glowing skin at Luna Luxe Aesthetics!
At Luna Luxe Aesthetics, we’re passionate about taking a holistic approach to skincare. We offer a wide range of world-class services like custom facials, Acne Boot Camp, and DMK Enzyme Therapy. And, of course, red and blue LED light therapies are included in many of our facials!
If you’re ready to release your skin’s full potential, contact us or book an appointment online to get started. We can’t wait to help you reveal your ideal skin!
