Whether you are staying at home or traveling long distances, you can't relax your skincare work at any time. Our skin is actually the external manifestation of the body's health. Staying up late, irregular work and rest, plus the changing climate of this season and the intense ultraviolet rays outdoors during the holidays may bring a lot of burden to the skin, resulting in frequent skin problems such as acne, skin allergies, urticaria, shingles, etc. So, how do you maintain skin care to stay full of vitality?
Red light therapy (RLT) is a popular skin rejuvenation method that can shrink pores and repair acne and other common skin problems. It uses red and near-infrared light to irradiate the skin, with different wavelengths of light ranging from 660-850 nm to stimulate cellular functions in tissues. It is trendy for skin beautification and could be an excellent traveling companion.
Why Red Light Therapy is Your Skin's Best Travel Buddy?
- Enhanced Skin Rejuvenation
One of the widely recognized benefits of red light therapy is its ability to enhance beauty by treating conditions such as acne, hair growth, redness, inflammation, fine lines, and wrinkles. The biochemical effects of red light therapy on the cells trigger immune defenses against acne-causing bacteria. It stimulates optimal collagen production by targeting enzymes associated with collagen breakdown to combat fine lines and wrinkles. When used at the correct dose, RLT has a significant effect on improving skin glow.
- Anti-inflammatory
Red light therapy has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties for skin conditions. It reduces the redness and swelling caused by sunburn. Employing a safe and non-ablative photobiomodulation process on skin tissue, RLT offers a unique solution to various skin diseases such as rosacea, acne, eczema, etc. It not only rejuvenates the skin but also aids in healing and repairing damaged skin, making it an ideal item to add to skincare remedies during the holiday.
- Pain Reliever
Red light therapy is widely used for pain management and injury recovery. It stimulates nerve endings and releases endogenous painkillers, thereby reducing pain. In addition, red light therapy can speed up tissue repair and regeneration, helping to treat wounds, burns, and other skin injuries. RLT devices reduce muscle fatigue, accelerate recovery, and optimize muscle performance, allowing you to regain strength and energy while traveling. The inner spark also makes the face glow!
Incorporating Red Light Therapy into traveling skincare routine?
You've got your cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen all ready. But have you considered adding LED face masks to your frequent trips?
- Determine your skin needs:
Just like fingerprints, everyone's skin has unique needs. Before using an LED mask, it's essential to understand your skin's specific needs. Different wavelengths of light solve various problems. For example, Bestqool, a leading manufacturer of LED masks, offers devices with varying colors of light. Blue light kills acne-causing bacteria, while red light stimulates collagen production and reduces wrinkles and fine lines.
- The right time for application
The best time to use an LED mask is after cleansing when the pores are open and ready to enjoy the benefits. If you're using serums that target specific concerns, apply them before using an RLT. This allows more light to penetrate deeper layers of the skin, enhancing its efficacy. However, avoid using products that contain SPF before applying a mask, as they may interfere with light absorption. Each RLT session typically lasts 10–20 minutes (depending on the manufacturer's instructions).
- Be Consistent
We know that patience isn't always easy to keep, especially when we are eager to see the effects of a new beauty routine. However, when it comes to using RLT, consistency is vital. The benefits don't show up overnight; they need to be used regularly over weeks or months, depending on the individual's response rate. It is generally recommended to initially use the LED mask of your choice 2-4 times a week, then adjust the frequency based on the progress you observe over time or the professional advice you receive.
Taking care of Skin after the Red Light Therapy
No special skin care is required after the RLT application, but it is essential to take care of moisturizing and sun protection. It should be noted that you should avoid sun exposure and choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to prevent UV damage. After therapy, use a moisturizer with soothing and gentle ingredients to calm the skin and avoid skin irritation.
Is RLT suitable for everyone?
Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that does not cause skin trauma or side effects. Red light therapy is safer and more suitable for people of all skin types and ages compared to certain medications or invasive procedures. While red light therapy is safe and effective for many people, people with dark skin tones, sunburned or tanned skin, pregnant or lactating women, photosensitive skin, or other skin conditions are not suitable for application. However, while reaping these benefits, one should be mindful of risks, like potential skin damage from overuse.
Conclusion
Do not use skin care products blindly for skin beautification to avoid aggravating the condition. The skin is an emotional organ; maintaining good health and an optimistic mood is also key to retaining a glow. Red light therapy keeps the skin glowing and positively impacts whole-body wellness.
References and Citations
[1] Couturaud, V., Le Fur, M., Pelletier, M., & Granotier, F. (2023). Reverse skin aging signs by red light photobiomodulation. Skin research and technologyofficial journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) & International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI), 29(7), e13391. https://doi.org/10.1111/srt.13391
[2] Jagdeo, J., Nguyen, J. K., Ho, D., Wang, E. B., Austin, E., Mamalis, A., Kaur, R., Kraeva, E., Schulman, J. M., Li, C. S., Hwang, S. T., Wun, T., Maverakis, E., & Isseroff, R. R. (2020). Safety of light emitting diode-red light on human skin: Two randomized controlledtrials. Journalofbiophotonics, 13(3),e201960014. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbio.201960014
[3] Ngoc, L. T. N., Moon, J. Y., & Lee, Y. C. (2023). Utilization of light-emitting diodes for skin therapy: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Photodermatology, photoimmunology&photomedicine, 39(4),303317.https://doi.org/10.1111/phpp.12841
[4] Li, J., Li, J., Zhang, L., Liu, X., Cao, Y., Wang, P., & Wang, X. (2022). Comparison of red and blue light therapies for mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris: A randomized controlled clinical study. Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine, 38(5), 459–464. https://doi.org/10.1111/phpp.12769
[5] Nam, C. H., Park, B. C., Kim, M. H., Choi, E. H., & Hong, S. P. (2017). The Efficacy &Safety of 660 nm and 411 to 777 nm Light-Emitting Devices for Treating Wrinkles. Dermatological surgery official publication for American Society for Dermatology[et al.], 43(3), 371–380. https://doi.org/10.1097/DSS.0000000000000981