By: June Allan Corrigan

Its currency on social media might have you believe this skincare trend is new, but artificial light therapy has been around since the early 1900s. Dermatologists and aestheticians employ it to diminish fine lines and other signs of aging, along with skin conditions including acne and psoriasis.

LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, create narrow wavelengths capable of  passing through the dermis. The colors of  the light wield different benefits: Blue is used to kill bacteria that can cause acne, for example, while green works to reduce and prevent hyperpigmentation.

Commonly offered at spas and dermatology centers, LED  treatments use gentle,  low-level  light within the visible spectrum — typically blue, red, or near-infrared — to stimulate natural physiological processes. “LED is the strongest form of light without heat,” explains aesthetician Gregory Dylan. “We use different colors on the skin, and each [is] calibrated to specific wavelengths and depth of penetration, down to the nanometer.”  

Red light therapy is the most popular, Dylan notes, a fact that social media confirms. Red and near-infrared light, in particular, have longer wavelengths that reach deeper into the skin to stimulate collagen production and blood circulation, reducing surface wrinkles, brown spots, and other signs of aging.

At his skincare studios in West Hollywood and downtown Palm Springs, Dylan offers two light-based treatments: His LED therapy addresses signs of aging and sun damage, reduces inflammation, and treats acne and breakouts, while the LHE option combines pulses of  light with heat energy to stimulate collagen and elastin production.

Suitable for all skin types, the LightStim Facial at The Spa at Séc-he in downtown Palm Springs offers similar benefits, harnessing varied wavelengths to maximize results. Available in 60- or 90-minute sessions that include cleansing, a face and neck massage, and a mask application, the LightStim Facial is popular as a stand-alone service, though guests can add LED therapy to other treatments on the menu.

You can take LED to the next level by combining it with a laser rejuvenation solution, says Dr. Doriana Cosgrove of  Desert Med Aesthetics in Indian Wells. She recommends Cutera LimeLight for clients looking to improve the color and texture of  their skin. “The treatment feels like a small rubber band is being snapped,” Cosgrove says.

Cutera LimeLight is an intense pulsed light, or IPL, therapy designed to combat  redness, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation related to age or sun damage. The technique uses a handheld device to apply an intense pulse of broad-spectrum light to affected areas. After a 30-minute session, Cosgrove says, the skin will feel warm, but the sensation soon dissipates. Within a week, a brighter, more radiant complexion emerges.

“Patients return and tell me that they’re getting compliments on how good their skin looks, or that they appear more youthful,” she enthuses.

Light therapy continues to gain traction as a noninvasive solution for improving skin health and appearance, providing a gentle yet effective way to get glowing.