LED (light-emitting diode) light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that enters the skin’s layers to improve the skin. Today, dermatologists and estheticians commonly use LED light therapy to treat a range of skin issues. Skin specialists often use LED light therapy together with other treatments, such as creams, ointments and facials, to give you the best results.

LED light therapy helps treat a variety of skin concerns and conditions, including: Eczema, Hair loss, Mild to moderate acne, Psoriasis, Rough, scaly, precancerous spots on the skin (actinic keratosis), Rosacea, Sun damage, Wounds, Wrinkles.

LED light therapy might: Treat acne, Reduce fine lines, Help with wound healing. People with any skin type and color can use LED light therapy. LED light therapy doesn’t use ultraviolet (UV) light, so it doesn’t cause damage or burns to your skin.

To see significant benefits, you typically need to have a series of in-office treatments. You may need a treatment each week for about a month. Then you might need maintenance treatments every month or every few months.

LED light therapy isn’t appropriate for everyone, including people who: Take certain medications that increase their sensitivity to sunlight, such as isotretinoin and lithium. Have a history of certain conditions, including skin cancer and inherited eye diseases.

After in-office or at-home LED light therapy, you can return to your regular activities with one exception: Stay out of the sun for several days and apply extra sunscreen.

Before a treatment, you need to have a clean, makeup-free face. After putting on your goggles, lie on your back as your healthcare provider places the LED light therapy device above your face. Lie still during the entire treatment as the device works. The treatment usually lasts about 20 minutes. LED light therapy is a non-invasive, painless treatment. During treatment, you might feel some warmth but no discomfort.

There isn’t a recovery time for LED light therapy. Besides being careful about sun exposure in the 48 hours after treatment, you can return to your normal routine. Unlike other skin treatments, such as a chemical peel, there isn’t any damage to the skin.