Most people already know that excessive exposure to the sun is dangerous to the skin. UV light causes environmental damage, fine lines, wrinkles, dryness and spots. So how is it possible that a certain light therapy can actually be good for the skin? Skincare-News.com's latest article, "LED Light Therapy Treats Aging and More," explains the benefits of this new treatment.

How LED works

LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, use near-infrared light which penetrates and is absorbed by skin. While lasers produce heat, LEDs only produce light, which the skin turns into energy. This light energy then affects the mitochondria, responsible for powering cells. Plus, light allows cells to carry out chemical activities more quickly. LED uses red and blue light to provide different benefits, says USA Weekend. Red light raises circulation, boosts collagen formation and promotes healing. Blue light destroys bacteria.

LED treatments can improve many skin ailments:

·Collagen produced by red LED light plumps up wrinkles and fills out lines. It also firms and tones skin.
·LED light may help lighten age spots.
·Irritated, dry, flaky skin will be eased with red LED light.
·Precancerous damage can be taken away using red light, says Dr. David Goldberg, who directs the Skin Laser and Surgery Specialists of New York and New Jersey.
·If breakouts and blemishes are a concern, blue light is proving to be an effective way to treat acne.

LED therapy has many advantages:

·Pain. Because LED doesn't use heat or lasers, the treatment causes no pain. In contrast, laser
resurfacing can cause irritation and inflammation.
·Time. A typical schedule is probably jam-packed with career, family and other activities. LED can be performed in one minute, while treatments like Intense Pulsed Light can produce results in as little as half an hour.
·Price. Don't have big bucks to spend? LED is affordable, and usually costs between $60 and $150 a session.

Results won't be seen immediately cautions Dr. Robert Weiss, dermatology professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Minimal improvements may be seen after a few sessions, with increased improvement after eight sessions. LED light won't make a person look 40 years younger, but it can make a difference, revitalize and improve skin.