“In-office treatments are stronger and better controlled to achieve more consistent results,” Dr. Farber says. While the protocol for office treatments vary based on skin concerns, Dr. Shah says in general, LED light therapy lasts approximately 15 to 30 minutes per session and is performed one to three times per week for 12 to 16 weeks, “after which maintenance treatments are usually recommended.” Seeing a professional also means a more tailored approach; targeting specific skin concerns, expert guidance along the way, etc.
“In my salon, we do several different treatments that involve LED light, but by far the most popular, is the Revitalight Bed,” Vargas says. “The ‘red light therapy’ bed covers the entire body with red light… and has multi-zone encapsulation technology so that clients can customize specific programs for targeted areas of the body.”
Though in-office treatments are stronger, “at-home treatments can be quite easy and convenient, as long as proper precautions are taken,” Dr. Farber says. Such proper precautions include, as always, following the directions of whatever at-home LED light therapy device you choose to invest in.
According to Dr. Farber, this often means thoroughly cleansing the skin before use and also wearing eye protection while using the device. Similar to an analog face mask, light therapy devices are typically recommended for use after cleansing but before other skin-care steps. And just like in-office, at-home treatments are usually quick: One session, either professional or at-home, whether face or full-body, typically lasts less than 20 minutes.