Intelligent Beauty

Everything you need to know about light therapy

Best facial *ever*? We’ve seen the light! With a rep that includes plumping fine lines, reducing acne and preventing pigmentation, it’s little surprise that light therapy is enjoying a well-deserved moment in the spotlight (*wink wink*) throughout the skin care realm. Often used in professional facials, this miraculous treatment treats an array of skin concerns with zero downtime, no pain and allll the gain. Before you go and press your face against your bedside lamp, take note: only strong LED light in targeted colours will do the job. Enter: our range of hi-tech masks and next-gen tools ready to work their results-driven magic. Here’s all you need to know about the miraculous contraptions that are sending the beauty world into a tiz.

How does it work?

The coolest, cleverest ingredient on the skin care block right now, LED light works in a way that other light rays cannot. While the dreaded UV light can cause damage to skin cells (daily reminder to always wear your {SPF}), LED has a long wavelength that allows it to penetrate so deep into the skin that it actually stimulates cell repair. Different colours work in different ways:

RED: Your age-defying hero, red LED light stimulates the natural production of collagen and elastin to ‘youthify’ your visage and tackle visible environmental damage. The result? Reduced appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, sun spots, sun damage and redness.

AMBER: As well as stimulating collagen production as red LED does, amber LED is used to calm redness and rosacea.

BLUE: Soothing and calming blemishes, this ingenious hue is proven to destroy ‘P. acnes’ bacteria which is a common cause of spots, which prevents future breakouts from rearing their heads.

Which LED tool is for you?

No need to hop to the salon for a professional-grade light therapy treatment – we’ve got all the tools you need to do the job in the comfort of your own home (… okay, bed). From full-face space age-style masks to targeted spot-soothers, there’s a treatment to suit every skin concern and budget.

The full-face one:

A next-generation, universal-fit full-face model, {Dr Dennis Gross’ DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro} sits comfortably over the entire face while still actively targeting the entire area, using a total of 100 red LED lights (to stimulate the natural production of collagen and elastin to reduce wrinkles, sun spots, sun damage and redness) and 62 blue LED lights (which destroys P. acnes bacteria and prevents future breakouts). Best of all, it does the job in just three minutes! Professional-grade facial in the comfort of your own home? Too. Easy.

The eye treatment:

Penetrating deep within the dermis of the skin, Dr Dennis Gross’ {Spectralite EyeCare PRO} contains both red and amber LEDs to help stimulate collagen synthesis, jump-starting your fibroblasts to fortify skin’s fabric and enhance its elasticity which in turn, lessens depth of lines and crow’s feet.

The targeted spot treatments:

If it’s blemishes you’re wishing to tackle, blue LED is about to become your new bestie. A high-tech antidote to outdated acne treatments, FOREO’s {ESPADA Blue Light Acne Treatment} combines blue LED light with T-Sonic pulsations to penetrate below the skin’s surface, deep within the follicles, to destroy the impurities that can lead to acne. In just 30 seconds, it safely and effectively eliminates blemishes without causing irritation or discomfort, leading to a clear, comfortable, purified and healthy complexion that feels smoother.



Cult Beauty

Cult Beauty

Writer and expert