In today’s booming wellness industry, clients are seeking non-invasive, effective treatments for a variety of skin concerns, pain management, anti-aging and more.
Estheticians, spas, and holistic clinics often serve as a bridge, connecting consumers with LED light therapy equipment.
For wellness facilities, investing in professional LED light therapy machines is a must. However, finding quality commercial light therapy devices can be daunting, with the array of machines available to businesses.
But here’s a quick tip:
To find the best professional LED light therapy machine, start with the condition you are treating.
For instance, an esthetician might choose a smaller, targeted LED light therapy device with a range of blue, green, and red wavelengths (which are proven to treat skin concerns). A pain management clinic, however, might choose LED light therapy machines with a full range of near-infrared and infrared wavelengths.
Need some help deciding? Read our guide for a deep look at professional LED light therapy equipment, including LEDs vs lasers, consumer vs professional-grade equipment, and tips for investing in quality devices.
What Is LED Light Therapy?
LED light therapy, or photobiomodulation, is a non-invasive skin treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to address various concerns. Traditionally, light therapy was delivered with lasers. However, through technological advancements, LED light therapy machines now use powerful professional-grade LEDs rather than lasers.
There are many different types of light therapy based on the wavelength of light used.
Red light therapy, for example, is the most recognizable form of photobiomodulation. However, near-infrared, infrared, blue light, and green light therapy are other types of light therapy.
Why does the wavelength matter? Research shows various wavelengths of LED light offer different healing properties and penetrate the body to varying depths. Therefore, the best professional LED light therapy machines offer a wider range of wavelengths, providing clinicians the ability tune the therapy for specific patient outcomes.
LED Light Therapy Equipment: By Wavelength
Therefore, the best light therapy machine will be determined by the conditions you treat most frequently and your desired patient outcome. Here are the most common wavelengths used in LED light therapy:
- Blue Light (400-470 nm): With the shallowest penetration depth (reaching only the epidermis, the skin’s outermost layer), blue light targets bacteria, making it ideal for acne treatment.
- Green Light (495-570 nm): Penetrating slightly deeper than blue light, green light is believed to promote calming and reduce hyperpigmentation.
- Red Light (630-660 nm): Red light reaches the dermis, the skin’s second layer. It is widely used for promoting collagen production, reducing wrinkles, and improving skin texture.
- Near-Infrared Light (NIR) (780-850 nm): NIR light penetrates the deepest, reaching both the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. It is used for deeper tissue repair, pain management, and improved circulation.
- Infrared Light (IR) (850 nm and beyond): IR light offers the deepest penetration, reaching muscle and bones. While not typically used for facial skin concerns, IR therapy may be beneficial for pain relief and muscle recovery.
Wavelength, though, is just one aspect. Penetration depth is also influenced by LED light output (measured in milliwatts per square centimeter), light therapy treatment duration, and the client’s distance from the LED light source.
A professional LED light therapy device, for example, will deliver high-power output. However, if the wavelength isn’t aligned to the condition (e.g., using blue light for joint pain), or if the client isn’t positioned correctly (e.g., too far from the machine), the results will be subpar.
About Our Devices. Hue Light USA’s LED light therapy equipment include a wide range of science-backed wavelengths. Our best-in-class photobiomodulation bed, for example, delivers green, red, near-infrared and infrared wavelengths for whole-body treatments.
Laser vs LED Light Therapy: Key Differences
The most common professional light therapy devices include LED red light therapy beds, LED panels, and, traditionally, lasers. Let’s take a closer look at LED light therapy equipment and lasers:
1. Targeted Area
Lasers work well for very targeted applications (like delivering light therapy to a specific joint), while LED devices tend to offer whole-body treatments or treat larger surface areas (like the stomach).
This is probably the most important difference for clinicians. Lasers may be useful for very precise, targeted applications, while LED light therapy machines offer better coverage for facial treatments, whole-body PBM, and targeting an area like the knee.
2. Power / Output
Lasers generally have higher power output compared to LEDs. This may be beneficial for reaching deeper tissues or achieving faster results, but it also raises safety concerns.
3. Tissue Penetration
The focused nature of laser light allows for potentially deeper penetration into tissues. However, some argue this advantage is minimal as tissue scattering quickly disrupts the coherence of laser light.
4. Safety
LED light therapy equipment is generally considered safer than lasers due to their lower power and broader beam. They typically do not require protective eyewear. Lasers, however, can potentially damage the eyes if not used properly.
5. Cost
Lasers tend to cost more, sometimes significantly more. LED light therapy tends to be cost-effective for clinics and estheticians.
What Is Best for Professional Light Therapy?
Ultimately, a large review of laser vs LED light therapy research, found that LEDs were effective at delivering physiological results, compared to lasers.
Lasers may be useful for some chiropractic applications and precise pain management. However, due to the nature of these devices, lasers tend to not be the best form of light therapy for skin care, wrinkle reduction, whole-body treatments, general inflammation reduction, and when treating larger areas.
Tips for Choosing Commercial Light Therapy Devices
Start with these tips for choosing a red light therapy device. Generally, the power output and wavelengths are the two most important factors to consider in devices for a red light therapy business.
However, here are some other considerations to help you choose the best professional LED light therapy machine:
1. Prioritize Versatility and Efficiency
Consider a multi-wavelength device. For example, the best device for an esthetician might include green, multiple red wavelengths, and some near-infrared light. Plus, blue light wavelengths may be helpful for acne treatments.
If your patients’ most common goal is pain relief, you might narrow your search to devices with multiple red, near-infrared, and even low infrared wavelengths (like 940nm).
Additionally, you might look at panel-style LED equipment or LED light beds, which are generally more efficient than handheld devices.
2. Choose Evidence-Based Wavelengths
Ultimately, choose wavelengths of light that have been evaluated for efficacy. For skin treatments, visible red light therapy wavelengths like 660nm have been shown to reduce wrinkles and boost collagen production.
For pain management, a variety of near-infrared and infrared wavelengths have been studied, many showing promising effects. Some LED devices also offer wavelengths like yellow and orange. However, there isn’t much evidence of the benefits of these light wavelengths.
3. Distance to Device & Patient Comfort
A patient’s distance from the device is highly important to efficacy. Typically, the further from the device, the less light energy that is absorbed by the cells.
Therefore, when choosing LED light therapy equipment for professional settings think about distance and patient comfort. Most LED therapy panels, for example, recommend just 6 inches from the light.
Our LED light therapy panel, for example, comes with an adjustable stand that positions easily over a massage therapy table. Our light therapy beds, similarly, closely contour a person lying down for maximum absorption.
4. Dosage
Effective professional light therapy requires a specific energy dosage for tissue absorption. Proper dosage changes by application and each treatment have a window of proper dosage for the best results.
Research proper dosage for your desired application. Typically, ideal dosage averages about 5-10 Joules per square centimeter. However, choose a device that allows for a range of outcomes. For example, the total dose from our PBM chamber in 10 minutes is 50 J/cm2, however, this can be fine-tuned to specific outcome, down to 0.
Generally, if you’re looking for medical grade red light therapy devices, dosage is the one area you need to consider most.
Wrapping Up
Ultimately, choosing the right professional LED light therapy machine can be overwhelming, but with a focus on the key factors like wavelengths, versatility, and dosage, you can find a device that meets the needs of your clinic and your patients.
LED light therapy offers a safe and effective way to target a variety of skin concerns, pain management, and other wellness goals. By understanding the different wavelengths and their benefits, you can invest in a machine that delivers powerful results.
Remember, the best device for you will depend on the specific conditions you want to treat.
Explore the professional grade LED light therapy devices from Hue Light USA. We offer best-in-class light therapy beds, LED panels, and more for commercial applications.
