LED Light Therapy: A Complete Guide to Colors and Their Benefits

LED light therapy (Light Emitting Diode) has become one of the most popular non-invasive aesthetic treatments worldwide. Painless, downtime-free and suitable for all skin types, it uses different light wavelengths to target specific skin concerns. At Réhabital clinic in Côte Saint-Luc, LED therapy is integrated into many of our aesthetic protocols to amplify results.

Approved by NASA in the 1990s to speed up wound healing for astronauts, LED technology has since been extensively studied and validated by the dermatological community. Today, it serves as a near-essential complement to many advanced aesthetic protocols — from microneedling to the SharpLight SR laser, including chemical peels and FreezPen cryotherapy.

How Does LED Light Therapy Work?

Each LED color has a unique wavelength (measured in nanometres) that penetrates the skin at a specific depth. Once absorbed by skin cells — primarily by the mitochondria, the cell's “powerhouses” — this light energy triggers biological reactions: ATP (cellular energy) production, collagen synthesis, antibacterial action, or inflammation soothing. This phenomenon, called photobiomodulation, is now widely documented in scientific literature.

Unlike lasers or IPL, LEDs do not emit intense heat and cause neither redness nor peeling. It is a cumulative treatment: benefits build up over sessions, like a “vitamin of light” for your skin.

🔴 Red LED (630–700 nm): Anti-Aging & Regeneration

Red light penetrates deep into the dermis (3 to 5 mm) and stimulates fibroblasts responsible for collagen and elastin production. It is the gold standard for skin rejuvenation. Benefits:

• Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles
• Improved firmness and elasticity
• Accelerated wound healing
• Decreased post-treatment redness and inflammation
• Optimizes results after SharpLight SR laser or microneedling

🔵 Blue LED (415–470 nm): Anti-Acne

Blue light acts on the skin surface (epidermis, 1 mm) and destroys Cutibacterium acnes, the bacteria responsible for inflammatory acne, by activating bacterial porphyrins. Benefits:

• Significant reduction of breakouts and inflammatory lesions
• Regulation of sebum production
• Prevention of new outbreaks
• Purifying effect on combination and oily skin
• Ideal as a complement to a purifying Dermalogica facial

🟡 Yellow LED (570–590 nm): Radiance & Microcirculation

Yellow light stimulates microcirculation and supports cellular detoxification. It's especially loved by patients seeking an immediate “good skin day” effect. Benefits:

• Brighter, more even complexion
• Reduction of diffuse redness
• Facial lymphatic drainage
• Less visible dark circles and skin fatigue
• Excellent prep before an event (wedding, photoshoot)

🟢 Green LED (520–550 nm): Pigmentation & Dark Spots

Green light targets melanocytes and helps balance melanin production. Very useful as a complement to anti-pigmentation treatments. Benefits:

• Fading of pigmentation spots
• Even skin tone
• Calming effect on sensitive or irritated skin
• Reduced cutaneous stress
• Synergy with FreezPen cryotherapy for sun spots

🟣 Near-Infrared LED (NIR, 800–1000 nm): Deep Regeneration

Near-infrared light penetrates the deepest (to the hypodermis, 5 to 10 mm) and promotes tissue healing. It also acts on underlying muscle tissues. Benefits:

• Deep cellular repair
• Reduced muscle and joint discomfort
• Long-lasting anti-inflammatory effect
• Improved healing after laser or microneedling
• Possible synergy with our osteopathy and massage therapy sessions for muscle recovery

How to Choose the Right LED Color for Your Skin?

There is no “one-size-fits-all” color. The choice depends on your main concerns:

• Active acne, oily skin: blue + red
• Anti-aging, loss of firmness: red + infrared
• Hyperpigmentation, melasma: green + yellow
• Rosacea, sensitivity: yellow + green
• Post-treatment healing: red + infrared
• Dull, tired complexion: yellow + red

Most professional LED devices — like those used at Réhabital — allow combining several wavelengths in a single session to address multiple concerns simultaneously.

How Often Should You Do LED Therapy?

For visible results, we recommend an initial protocol of 8 to 12 sessions, at 1 to 2 sessions per week, followed by monthly maintenance. Each session lasts between 15 and 30 minutes depending on the protocol. LED is often combined with a Dermalogica facial, microneedling, or chemical peel to enhance results and speed recovery.

Are There Any Contraindications?

LED therapy is among the safest aesthetic treatments. However, it is not recommended in cases of: photosensitivity, photosensitizing medications (Accutane, certain antibiotics, St. John's Wort), photosensitive epilepsy, lupus, severe bipolar disorder, or active skin cancers. A pre-treatment assessment with our aesthetic team ensures a safe, personalized protocol.

LED in Combination With Other Réhabital Treatments

LED's strength is its versatility. At Réhabital, we systematically integrate it into several protocols:

• After a SharpLight SR laser treatment to calm the skin and amplify collagen production
• After a FreezPen cryotherapy session to accelerate healing
• As the finale of a Dermalogica facial for an instant “glow” effect
• After microneedling to reduce redness and amplify regeneration
• After a chemical peel to soothe and even out the complexion

Discover LED Therapy at Réhabital Côte Saint-Luc

Our aesthetic team (Liliana, Elena Caliniuc, Farzaneh) integrates LED light therapy into multiple protocols: clinical Dermalogica facials, post-microneedling, post-peeling and post-laser care. Book your complimentary consultation to discover the ideal LED protocol for your skin type.

We welcome patients from Côte Saint-Luc, Hampstead, Westmount, NDG, Snowdon, Mont-Royal, Saint-Laurent and all of west Montreal.