Coloured light panels used alone or to finish a facial
LED light therapy exposes the skin to specific wavelengths of light from a panel or mask positioned over the face. Red and near-infrared light are used with the aim of supporting a calmer, plumper-looking complexion; blue light is used on oily and congested skin. Nothing touches the skin, the light is not UV and there is no heat, so most clients simply lie back with eye protection and relax.
It is often added as the final stage of a facial, peel or microneedling session, and it is also sold as a course of standalone treatments, typically twice a week over four to six weeks. Effects are gradual and subtle, and LED is best thought of as a complement to a good skincare routine rather than a transformation on its own.
A session lasts 15 to 30 minutes. It is gentle and suitable for most skin types, but people taking medication that increases light sensitivity, or with a history of light-triggered conditions, should mention it at the consultation.
Also known as: LED facial, light therapy facial, red light therapy.
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Usually £30 to £60 per standalone session and £15 to £25 as an add-on to a facial. Courses of eight to twelve sessions are typically discounted.
It is one of the gentlest treatments available, with no UV and no heat. Eye protection is used throughout. Tell the therapist about any medication or condition that makes you sensitive to light.
Most clinics suggest a course of six to twelve sessions, one or two a week, followed by occasional maintenance. A single session mainly gives a relaxed, refreshed look.
How a first skin appointment actually runs, from the consultation form to the sunscreen you will be told to wear afterwards.
