Light Emitting Diode or LED treatments belong to a category of treatments known as “photo therapies”. This means we are using light of a particular wavelength for treatment purposes.

Such devices emit low-level light energy of various wavelengths which can have therapeutic benefit for a range of skin concerns.

How does Dermalux LED Therapy help my skin?

The Blue (415nm), Red (633nm) and Near-Infrared - NIR - (830nm) wavelengths have clinically proven therapeutic, regenerative and anti-inflammatory benefits.

This means that LED can be used for range of skin conditions.

In clinic we use the Dermalux Flex MD device, which is the most powerful portable LED device in the world. This device is both medically CE certified as well as FDA approved.

The Dermalux Flex MD has been clinically proven to benefit the skin in the following ways:

Skin rejuvenation
Improvement of spots and calming of blemish-prone skin
Improvement in hyperpigmentation
Improvement in red and flushed skin
Improvement in sensitive skin and inflammatory skin conditions
Boosting mood and overall well-being
Helping to calm skin post other aesthetic treatments and boosting the results of treatment

How does each wavelength of LED light work?

Blue Light (415nm)

Penetrates to a depth of 1mm
Its main mechanism of action is antibacterial
It helps to reduce acne flare ups by targeting the acne-causing bacteria and reducing blemishes and inflammation
It can help to balance oil production and improve clarity of the skin
Red Light (633nm)
Penetrates to a depth of 2-3mm
Its main mechanism of action is skin rejuvenation and cell renewal
It accelerates cell renewal and repair as it can be absorbed by mitochondria, the powerhouse of our cells, stimulating the production of ATP which energises our cellular functions
It boosts the production of collagen and elastin, therefore rejuvenating skin in a non-invasive way with no downtime
It boosts blood flow to our skin, therefore improving tissue oxygenation, improving skin repair and boosting lymphatic drainage.
Near Infra-Red (830nm)
Penetrates up to a depth of 5-10mm
Its main mechanism of action is reducing inflammation and promoting healing
NIR increases blood circulation and improves tissue oxygenation
It helps to stimulate the healing process and has anti-inflammatory and anti-irritation properties. Therefore it is a great option for calming inflammatory skin conditions and redness, repairing environmental damage to our skin barrier and calming post-procedural inflammation
It is also clinically effective against the treatment of hyperpigmentation
It has a wonderful synergistic action with red-light as it penetrates deeper and helps to stimulate rejuvenation
Its anti-inflammatory and circulation boosting properties can also help reduce inflammation and joint pain.
The 3 wavelengths can be used in isolation or in combination, giving us 7 different light treatment combinations which can be customised for your specific skin concerns.

What happens during Dermalux LED treatment?

Once we have discussed the best treatment combination for your skin concerns, we will cleanse your face, place the protective goggles over your eyes, pop some relaxing music on for you and then leave you to bask in the glow for the next 20-30 minutes.

(As a post treatment complimentary add-on your session will last around 15-20 minutes while I prepare your treatment notes and aftercare information).

Dermalux is a painless treatment. The treatment does not generate heat but it is common to feel a warm glow due to the increase in skin circulation.

My patients report that this treatment not only makes their skin feel wonderful, but they feel deeply relaxed with a boosted mood!

How does LED light therapy feel?

LED Light therapy is pain-free and relaxing - the perfect add-on to your journey to healthy, glowing skin!

Are there any side effects to Dermalux LED treatments?

Dermalux LED therapy is a very safe and very well tolerated treatment. As it doesn’t emit UV rays, it will not cause tanning, burning or hyperpigmentation. Is is suitable for even sensitive skin types and infact is used to calm down skin sensitivity as well as inflammatory skin conditions.

Although the light wavelengths emitted are low-level and safe, we still advise the use of eye protector goggles, which will be worn during the duration of your treatment. This ensures your comfort during the session.

Are there any contra-indications to Dermalux LED Treatments?

LED treatment must be completely avoided in the following conditions:

Epilepsy or Seizures triggered by light
Porphyria
Autoimmune conditions eg. Systemic Lupus Erythematous
Photosensitive Eczema
Hypomelanism
Active Cancers
Patients taking photosensitising medication

When you book your appointment it is important to provide an accurate list of all your current medications so that these can be reviewed in advance of your appointment. This is because certain medications can increase your sensitivity to light, making the treatment unsuitable for you.
Depending on the medication, we may ask that you wait 5-7 days after stopping the medication or completing your course before undergoing LED treatment or if the treatment is fully contraindicated we will advise you of this.

Let your practitioner know if you suffer with any of the following conditions as precautions may need to be taken:
Eye disease e.g. Glaucoma, Cataracts, Age-Related Macular Degeneration and laser eye surgery. You will need to prove written information/advise from your Ophthalmologist advising whether the treamtent is safe, before we can proceed.
Light-induced headaches
Pregnancy (as this device has not been tested on pregnant women)
Recent introduction of new skin care products (as these may increase sensitivity or irritation)
Taking St. Johns Wort
Lifestyle factors: smoking and sun exposure (as this may make your skin more resistant to the benefits of treatment meaning more sessions are required)

How often must I use LED light to improve my skin?

We offer a 20 minute complimentary LED session to all of our patients undergoing another skin treatment (provided you have no active contraindications).

However you are also able to book in for a 30 minute LED session as a stand-alone treatment.

We advise that the treatment benefits and results are cumulative, therefore sessions undertaken in close succession as a treatment course are generally recommended for maximal results.

The ideal number of treatments required will be discussed and advised during your initial consultation. Factors influencing the recommended treatment sessions include things such as age, skin type, severity and nature of skin your condition and lifestyle factors.

As these treatments are bookable as individual sessions, this means that you will never be tied into to multiple sessions if you decide to not undertake the full regimen. Meaning that although we can recommend a certain number of sessions, it will be completely up to you how many sessions you want to undertake.

The Benefits of LED Light therapy include rejuvenation, reduction in pigmentation, inflammation and acne, improving blood-flow and restoring a natural, glowing complexion

The Dermalux Flex MD Treatment Protocol

Dermalux make the following recommendations with regards to their optimal treatment protocols:

12 Flex MD treatments are generally recommended for most indications
A treatment frequency of 2 sessions per week are recommended
A 24-hour time period between treatments is generally recommended for inflammatory conditions such as acne, redness and sensitive skin
For general skin rejuvenation, treatments can be taken in daily succession.
Due to cell activation, results can last for several weeks following a course of Dermalux treatments
Regular maintenance treatments are advised to maximise and extend results of your programme

The Dermalux treatment protocols are administered in 3 ways:

The Activation Programme: This intense activation recommends 12 treatments 2-3 times a week. This is then followed by a maintenance regime to prolong results
The Boost Programme: This can involve a stand alone 30 minute treatment (e.g for a little boost before a special event) or as a short booster course of 3 sessions aimed to revitalise the skin, calm irritation or give you a rejuvenating glow.
The Combination Programme: This involves integrating the use of LED in combination with your existing clinic treatments to enhance or accelarate your results. Our existing patients benefit from this treatment protocol as a complimentary add-on to their injectable or collagen-induction treatments.

If you’re looking for a non-invasive and safe way to elevate your skin health, then book yourself in for your first Dermalux Flex LED session here.