How LED Light Therapy Can Help You Build Your Beauty Business and Get Better Results for Your Clients
Once upon a time, it was the stuff of NASA space missions, but nowadays, light-emitting diode – or LED – technology has become one of the most sought-after treatments in skin care.
Though the first LED devices were developed to support plant growth on space shuttles and were later discovered to accelerate wound healing, light therapy has since evolved considerably, appearing in a number of today’s most advanced esthetic protocols.
In the treatment room, skincare professionals love that light therapy is highly-effective, yet non-invasive and safe for nearly all skin types. It’s also a favorite among facial connoisseurs who enjoy both instant and cumulative benefits, without any pain or downtime.
So how exactly does light therapy work and how can it be used to create amazing skincare treatments? Read on for the full scoop.
LED Facials: Light Therapy Applications in the Treatment Room
In the professional skincare setting, LED works wonders to enhance the results of any facial and pairs well with just about every other advanced modality.
When used in conjunction with injectables, dermaplaning, hydrodermabrasion, or microneedling procedures, red light therapy can be administered immediately after to jumpstart the recovery process. Meanwhile, blue or purple LED can be added in post-extractions to reduce the spread of bacteria and prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It can even be used at the end of waxing services to minimize redness and irritation.
In most cases, it will work best to incorporate light therapy following any active modalities, to calm the skin and accelerate recovery. That said, LED devices should be avoided after any enzyme or chemical peeling treatment, to prevent excessive heat in the skin.
LED Devices for the Treatment Room and Retail
When shopping for LED tools, there are numerous options available on the market for both your professional practice and resale to clients. Here are a couple of our favorites.
A dermatologist-recommended light therapy tool backed by evidence for anti-aging, skin rejuvenation, and various other benefits.
Emitting four therapeutic light colors from LED bulbs, this mask offers a comprehensive solution for various skin concerns.
Red light energy works on rejuvenating facial skin, smoothing skin tone, building collagen, reducing wrinkles and repairing sun damage.
Experts say it can also assist in activating the lymphatic system, decreasing inflammation, fading scars and stretch marks, and it may also assist with hair growth or loss prevention.
How to Add LED Light Therapy to Your Treatment Menu
Compared to many services and modalities, getting set up to offer LED therapy is easy. Although purchasing your first professional device will require some initial investment, providers often find that the equipment will quickly pay for itself.
If you are choosing to add LED into all of your existing treatments, you will want to implement a price increase to reflect the added value it provides. Or you can offer it as a luxury service upgrade alongside other add-ons. You may even wish to create your own “LED Glow Bar” setup, allowing clients to pop in for a quick cleanse and customized light therapy session.
Once you’ve established how you will use LED in your practice, you can then begin spreading the word through marketing channels such as your business website, email list, and social media. You might also want to offer package discounts or an incentivized punch card system so that clients are enticed to book more often and experience the LED afterglow in full effect.
The more you are able to educate your clientele on the benefits of light therapy, the more excited they will be to book a treatment. So don’t be afraid to show off your new device on IG Reels, or TikTok, complete with service demos and impactful before/after photos.
At Home vs. In-Office LED Light Therapy Devices
As more people experience the magic of light therapy in professional facial treatments, we have also witnessed a market boom for at-home LED devices. In most cases, LED masks and light wands designed for consumers offer the same technology but are not quite as powerful or as high-quality as those that are available to licensed professionals.
In order to achieve the best results from LED, professional treatments remain the gold standard. However, at-home tools can be a great way to enhance or maintain results between treatments. Because light therapy is gentle and non-invasive, it is safe to add to any morning or evening skincare routine on a weekly, or even daily basis.
FAQs and Other Important Things to Know
Currently, no additional certification or training is required of estheticians for offering LED light therapy services. Even so, it will be helpful to know the answers to your client’s most common questions about the technology and how it works. Here’s what you need to know.
No. LED is painless and does not typically produce any sensation in the skin.
Light therapy is considered appropriate for all skin types and can be an especially good choice for skin types that are sensitive to professional treatment. However, LED is contraindicated when treating clients who are pregnant or have epilepsy. It is also not recommended for anyone taking medications that cause light sensitivity.
Always be sure to conduct a thorough intake with your LED clients to confirm that no contraindications are present before proceeding with treatment.
In order to ensure that therapeutic wavelengths are able to properly penetrate the skin, treatment should always be applied to freshly cleansed skin, and before other topical products are applied.
Post-care for light therapy will be minimal as there is no downtime and little risk of side effects. However, aftercare following professional protocols will vary based on other modalities used. Estheticians should be sure to provide detailed instructions for at-home care if clients are receiving exfoliation or other more invasive treatment in addition to light therapy.
Immediately following a professional facial with LED, most clients notice that the skin feels calm and looks overall more radiant. For more chronic concerns such as acne or signs of aging, results will require multiple treatments. In many cases, an initial 10 or more sessions – spaced about one week apart – is ideal, followed by bi-weekly or monthly maintenance visits.
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