Light emitting diode (LED) therapy has been gaining momentum in the aesthetics field. This article explores the theories behind its mechanisms in aesthetic and dermatology treatments and provides a review of the clinical literature of the efficacy of this mode of light in treating specific skin issues.
LED was invented in 1962 and consists of reflective surfaces upon which specialised electrical circuits – called semiconductor switches – are placed, each emitting a narrow spectrum of light.1 It is the composition of these switches which determines the colour and wavelength of light produced.1 Human interest in LED light originated with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which conducted plant growth experiments in space, providing evidence of the superiority of LED over fluorescent light in promoting photosynthesis.2,3
A 2015 study showed that cymbidium orchids exposed to a combination of both red and blue LED light displayed positive leaf growth and increased chlorophyll.4 Although botanical evidence remains…
