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Welcome to the world of Red Light Therapy, where achieving healthier-looking, glowing skin is as easy as relaxing at home thanks to professional-grade, at-home devices like ours that make integrating Red Light Therapy into your skincare routine effortless and seamless.
This cutting-edge skincare technique uses specific wavelengths of light to deliver a breadth of visible skincare benefits, offering a simple, non-invasive way to upgrade your skincare routine. As more people look for effective and convenient ways to care for their skin, all forms of Light Therapy are quickly becoming a favorite for their ability to enhance the appearance of skin.
As the experts in at-home Light Therapy, we're here with a full guide on how to use Red Light Therapy at home, including a breakdown of our favorite devices, how to match a device to your skincare goals, and how to incorporate Light Therapy into a full regular skincare routine.
What Is Red Light Therapy and How Does It Work?
Red Light Therapy is a light-based skincare technology that penetrates the skin's surface to support healthy collagen production and target visible signs of skin aging. It's a gentle, painless, non-invasive treatment that can be easily incorporated into your daily routine, offering a convenient way to achieve the glowing complexion we're all after.
Red Light Therapy was once a luxury reserved for clinics and professional settings, where individuals would need to receive treatment from licensed professionals since the then-laser based treatments were unsafe for at-home use. However, advancements in technology (heavily in part thanks to NASA's exploration of Red Light) have made it possible for you to enjoy the benefits of this innovative therapy right at home.
With the trustworthiness of FDA-cleared devices, you can now incorporate Red Light Therapy into your daily skincare routine with ease and peace of mind. These devices are designed to deliver professional-level results, and go through a meticulous process to be cleared by the FDA.
Among the top choices for at-home FDA-cleared Light Therapy devices are your favorite Solawave devices, which we'll talk in more detail about in just a bit!
What Are the Benefits of Red Light Therapy?
Red Light Therapy is renowned for its ability to target visible signs of skin aging by supporting collagen production, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
However, the true power of Solawave devices lies in their ability to harness multiple forms of Light Therapy, which work synergistically to deliver holistic anti-aging effects:
- Deep Red Light Therapy: This form of Light Therapy is particularly effective in targeting visible signs of skin aging, promoting visible rejuvenated skin, and helping your skin look smooth and glowing.
- Near-Infrared Light Therapy: Known for its ability to rejuvenate the appearance of skin, Near-Infrared Light Therapy supports overall radiance, leaving your skin looking visibly illuminated.
- Amber Light Therapy: This type of therapy is excellent for improving the look of an uneven skin tone and reducing the appearance of puffiness, giving your complexion a brighter and more balanced appearance.
- Blue Light Therapy: Perfect for those dealing with acne concerns, Blue Light Therapy works to destroy acne-causing bacteria and deter future breakouts by reducing sebum production, helping your skin look clearer and healthier.
How To Choose the Right Red Light Therapy Device
Selecting the perfect Light Therapy device for your skincare needs can upgrade your at-home routine into a professional-grade experience. We're proud to offer a range of devices designed for ease of use and targeted effectiveness — take a look:
Wrinkle Retreat Face Mask: Ideal for broad facial coverage, this mask utilizes Near-Infrared Light Therapy and Red Light Therapy to target visible signs of skin aging and visibly rejuvenate the skin, promoting a smoother and more youthful appearance. With a treatment time of just 10 minutes, it fits seamlessly into your regular routine. The mask's ergonomic design ensures a comfortable fit, so you can relax while it works!
Neck & Chest Rejuvenating Mask: Specifically designed for the neck and chest areas, this mask also combines Near-Infrared Light Therapy and Red Light Therapy to visibly rejuvenate skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, creasing, and uneven skin texture. A quick 10-minute session provides targeted care, helping these often-overlooked areas look visibly lifted and firmed.
Bye Acne FDA-Cleared Spot Treatment Device: Perfect for acne-prone and breakout-prone skin, this device employs Blue Light Therapy to destroy acne-causing bacteria and reduce sebum production. It also uses Red Light Therapy to help visibly calm the inflammation caused by acne. With a rapid 3-minute treatment time, it offers a quick and effective solution for clearer-looking skin in just a few sessions. Its compact design makes it easy to target specific spots, providing precise care where you need it most.
4-in-1 Skincare Wand with Red Light Therapy: This comprehensive tool combines Red Light Therapy with Therapeutic Warmth, Facial Massage, and Galvanic Current to deliver a full spectrum of skincare benefits in 4-minute treatment sessions. Its sleek design and multifunctionality make it a must-have for those seeking an all-in-one skincare solution.
Eye Recovery Pro Mask: Designed for the delicate eye area, this mask uses our most powerful concentration of Light Therapy yet, utilizing Deep Red Light, Near-Infrared Light, Amber Light, and Red Light Therapies to target a multitude of skin aging concerns in the eye area, including crow's feet, 11s, puffiness, dark circles, eye bags, and more. With a treatment time of just 3 minutes, it provides targeted care to help your eyes look refreshed and rejuvenated.
How To Prepare Skin for Red Light Therapy
First, cleanse your skin. Begin by thoroughly cleansing your face to remove any makeup, dirt, or impurities. This ensures that your skin is clean and ready to absorb the benefits of Light Therapy.
Then, apply the relevant LightBoost topical. You'll see that we consistently advise that skin should be clean and dry before starting your Light Therapy treatment — this is the exception to that rule. Thanks to our proprietary LightBoost technology, you can boost the effects of your Light Therapy session by applying one of our LightBoost topicals.
Research has shown that combining our LightBoost active with Light Therapy yields significantly better results than using each on its own. This complex is designed to energize your skin, visibly improving signs of skin aging.
Here are the three LightBoost topicals we offer:
LightBoost Face & Neck Serum: This serum is infused with growth factors to support healthy collagen for more youthful-looking skin, multi peptides to enhance radiance and improve texture, and phyto stem cell extract to support skin renewal for a fresher, smoother appearance. Additionally, niacinamide acts as a potent antioxidant and skin-supporting agent, while polyglucuronic acid visibly plumps the skin with hydration, smoothing its appearance and increasing the look of suppleness. It's perfect for use with the Wrinkle Retreat Face Mask, Neck & Chest Rejuvenating Mask, or the 4-in-1 Skincare Wand, as it helps to smooth the appearance of fine lines and visibly improve skin texture.
LightBoost Face & Neck Rich Cream: Enriched with multi peptides to help your skin look smoother and firmer, this rich cream also features vegan collagen to hydrate, smooth, and provide a lifted appearance. Pro-Vitamin D visibly strengthens the skin for a volumized look, and ceramides moisturize and support the skin barrier. Additionally, tranexamic acid helps reduce the look of discoloration, ensuring your skin looks radiant and even-toned. Ideal for pairing with the Neck & Chest Rejuvenating Mask, this rich cream ensures your skin remains supple and moisturized during your Light Therapy session.
LightBoost Eye Cream: Formulated with vegan collagen to visibly hydrate, smooth, and provide a lifted look, this eye cream also contains caffeine to help reduce the appearance of dark circles and eye bags. Growth factors support healthy collagen and elastin, while multi peptides help the skin appear smoother and firmer. Ceramides also work to moisturize and support barrier building, making this cream perfect for targeting the delicate eye area. Use it with the Eye Recovery Pro Mask to boost the mask's effects.
Step-by-Step Guide for Using Red Light Therapy at Home
We've made adding any form of Light Therapy into your skincare routine easy. Follow these steps to make sure you're getting the most out of your at-home treatment:
Step 1: Cleanse and dry the treatment areas thoroughly. Begin by cleansing your skin to remove any impurities, ensuring a clean surface for the therapy. We recommend our Hydrating Gel Cleanser, which thoroughly cleanses skin without stripping the skin of its natural oils. Pat your skin dry to prepare for the next steps.
Step 2: Apply your LightBoost serum or cream of choice. Depending on the area you're treating, apply a LightBoost serum or cream to boost the effects of Light Therapy.
Step 3: Place the device over the treatment area.
- For the Wrinkle Retreat Face Mask, Neck & Chest Rejuvenating Mask, and Eye Recovery Pro Mask, gently secure the mask by tightening the attached straps for a comfortable fit.
- For the 4-in-1 Skincare Wand, glide the wand in upward, outward movements over the treatment area. This technique helps maximize the benefits of the therapy.
Step 4: Activate the device. For any of the above devices, you'll hold the power button to turn it on. Each Solawave device is equipped with an automatic timer that will shut the device off for you when the treatment is complete. Treatment times are as follows:
- Wrinkle Retreat Face Mask: 10 minutes
- Neck & Chest Rejuvenating Mask: 10 minutes
- Eye Recovery Pro Mask: 3 minutes
- Bye Acne Spot Treatment Device: 3 minutes
- 4-in-1 Skincare Wand: 3 minutes per treatment area, for a maximum of 12 minutes to treat all four quadrants of the face and neck
From here, you can continue on with your regular skincare routine! Light Therapy plays well with others, and can be used with other skincare treatments without the need for recovery time or ingredient avoidance like other products.
Full Step-by-Step Light Therapy Skincare Routine
If you're working on a new routine or want a little guidance on what a good skin routine looks like, here's a step by step guide on what a thorough regimen looks like:
Step 1: Cleanse. Start by cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser to remove makeup, dirt, and impurities.
Optional Step: Exfoliate. Exfoliate your skin 2-3 times a week to remove dead skin cells and promote a smoother texture. Choose a gentle exfoliant to avoid irritation. For those with sensitive skin, opt for a mild chemical exfoliant with ingredients like lactic acid or fruit enzymes. If you have oily or combination skin, a gentle physical exfoliant with fine particles can help slough away dead skin without being too abrasive.
Step 2: Light Therapy. Now, it's time for your Light Therapy session. Use your Light Therapy device as follows:
- Cleanse and dry the treatment areas thoroughly.
- Apply your LightBoost serum or cream of choice to enhance the therapy's effects.
- Place the device over the treatment area and activate it. Your Solawave device will shut off automatically when treatment is complete!
Step 3: Tone. After Light Therapy, apply a toner to balance your skin's pH and prepare it for better absorption of subsequent products.
Step 4: Microdart Serum-Infused Pimple Patches. If you're dealing with pimples, apply the Microdart Serum-Infused Pimple Patches from the Bye Acne Pro Kit. These patches are perfect as post-treatment aftercare following Blue Light Therapy, and can help to absorb impurities while visibly calming and soothing skin.
Step 5: Serums Apply targeted serums to address specific skin concerns. This could include hydrating serums, anti-aging serums, or brightening serums, depending on your needs. (Tip: You can apply more serums even if you've already used a LightBoost serum earlier in the routine!)
Step 6: Moisturize Lock in hydration with a nourishing moisturizer suitable for your skin type. This step helps maintain your skin's moisture barrier and keeps it looking supple.
Step 7: Eye Cream Gently apply an eye cream to the delicate eye area to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. (You can skip this step if you've already applied our LightBoost Eye Cream.)
Step 7: Sunscreen (Morning Routine Only) Finish your morning routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
How Often Can I Use Red Light Therapy?
To achieve the best results with Light Therapy, we recommend treating three times per week for a minimum of four weeks for most of our devices. This consistent application allows the therapy to effectively support healthy collagen production and visibly rejuvenate your skin.
For a glimpse of the transformative effects you can expect, take a look at our Before & After Results here. These real-life examples showcase the potential improvements in skin appearance, hopefully offering some inspiration and motivation as you embark on your own Red Light Therapy journey!
Remember, consistency is key to unlocking the full benefits of this skincare treatment.
Do I Need Sunscreen for Red Light Therapy?
No, you don't need sunscreen for Red Light Therapy. Red Light Therapy uses specific wavelengths of light that are safe and non-invasive, focusing on supporting collagen production and visibly rejuvenating the skin's appearance. Unlike UV light, which can damage the skin and increase the risk of sunburn and premature skin aging, Red Light Therapy does not expose your skin to harmful rays. Therefore, there's no need for sunscreen during your Red Light Therapy sessions. However, it's always a good practice to apply sunscreen as part of your daily skincare routine to protect your skin from UV exposure when you're outside.
Conclusion
By now, you should have learned all the ways you can elevate your skincare routine with the gentle but effective power that Light Therapy has to offer, and with our professional-grade devices, you can professionalize your at-home skin routine with ease.
You've seen the different types of Light Therapy, the range of devices we offer, and a few recommendations on how to work things into your routine, but if you still need a little bit of help figuring out which route to take, you can take our Skin Quiz here for guidance on which device is the best fit for you!
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