Light-emitting diode treatments and indications for treatment

Abstract

Light-emitting diode treatments are an established therapy in many medical aesthetic clinics. Most machines are designed for facial treatment and work by non-thermal photobiomodulation-stimulating fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis and growth factors. They use mainly blue, red and near infrared light and are efficacious in treating acne, psoriasis, photorejuvenation and wound healing. The treatment has relatively few side effects and has a short downtime. They tend to be used in combination with other treatment modalities, such as radiofrequency, skin-tightening and lasers, but can be used as a standalone treatment. Treatment protocols vary but usually require several treatments over a few weeks, with the effects taking 3 to 6 months to become evident. Recently, light-emitting diode masks have become popular, but their evidence base for effectiveness is currently weak.