If your skin concerns include fine lines, aging, or acne, you’ve probably tried LED light therapy. With a wide range of treatment options available for a variety of problems, light therapy has become the gold standard in the office and at home. Many of us are most familiar with red light, which helps smooth wrinkles, stimulates collagen, and increases elasticity, and blue light, which helps fight acne. But when it comes to green light therapy, you’ll probably draw a blank. One of the less talked about LED shades, green light therapy, may not get as much attention, but it really should. We spoke to two master estheticians to find out more.
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What makes Green Light Therapy unique?
LED light therapy uses different wavelengths, each with a different color, to treat skin problems. “Each color represents a different wavelength of light, which penetrates the skin at a different depth and elicits a unique response from skin cells,” explains esthetician Samantha Saska. Red light is the most common because it penetrates the deepest and stimulates the production of fibroblasts beneath the skin’s surface. On the contrary, Saska says, blue light can be absorbed into the more superficial layers of the skin, killing germs before they can burrow deeper. Green light falls between these two types of light and acts on the middle layer of the skin. In other words, we reach layers that are too shallow for red light and too deep for blue light.
How does green light therapy work?
Each color works on a different wavelength, so it helps to understand the numbers behind it. “Red light typically penetrates the skin at around 630 to 700 nanometers (nm), while blue light typically penetrates around 400 to 500 nm,” says esthetician Edita Yarosh. In the middle, Saska said, green light penetrates the skin anywhere between 520nm and 545nm, reaching the superficial layer of the dermis. At this level, experts explain that green light has advantages over red and blue light.
What are the benefits of green light therapy?
Unlike red and blue treatments, green light treatments are most effective at evening out skin tone. “Green light targets pigmentation and discoloration, ultimately reducing hyperpigmentation,” says Jarosz. According to Saska, a course of green light therapy can help normalize patterns of melanin production and reduce areas of discoloration, including redness. But its benefits extend beyond stains. “Green light acts in the middle layer of the dermis and improves many cellular functions, such as vasodilation, which helps reduce problems caused by broken capillaries and rosacea.
What you need to know before trying green light therapy
It’s always best to consult a dermatologist before starting any new skin treatment, and the same goes for green light therapy. “LED therapy works at a cellular level, so continuous use is essential, so establishing a treatment plan is important,” says Jarosz. Susca agrees, saying that at least three treatments a week is a good starting point, but that green light can be used up to six times a week if desired. With continued use, experts note that you can expect to see a more even skin tone after about four weeks and a brighter complexion after about six weeks. When using green light therapy at home, the process is similar to red light devices. “For proper results, you should always start with clean, dry skin and no product,” says Saska.
