Aestheticians and spa employees must know and be able to answer these common questions about photo-therapy.
What is Photo-therapy? A Photo-therapy light therapy facial is a skin treatment method using specific wavelengths of natural red and infrared light energy to restore skin's normal activity.
How does it work? The red and infrared light stimulates the human skin at the cellular level to increase the cellular level of activity. This, in turn, stimulates the body to build new capillaries and improve the lymphatic system, which are both essential to creating improved skin. The result is a younger, healthier looking skin.
Are there any adverse effects from this treatment? No. This treatment has no adverse effects and is completely safe. It is a FDA approved therapy.
Is the Light Therapy process abrasive or painful? How does it feel? A Light Therapy treatment is a gentle, painless, safe, non-invasive and non-abrasive treatment. You will find it relaxing and easy. It brings forth remarkable results.
How is the treatment administered? A trained skin care specialist will follow a step-by-step treatment technique with specific lights covering skin areas to be treated. You will experience a feeling of relaxation, light warmth and well being.
What is the length of time for the treatment? The treatment itself takes about 30 minutes. It requires make-up removal and your skin care specialist may add specialized products. This could add to the actual service time.
Will all treatments take 30 minutes? No. After the original series, localized treatments of 20 to 30 minutes can be administered as part of any professional skin care treatment. Your skin care specialist will explain the appropriate use of Light Therapy for your individual needs.
Do I need maintenance treatments? Yes. Maintenance treatments are important in order to maintain your visible results. Usually, a once a month treatment is recommended, unless otherwise determined by your skin care specialist.
How soon can I expect to see noticeable results? The skin looks different after the first treatment: smoother and more hydrated with a natural radiant glow.
Does the skin feel different? Because the results commence from within the skin, the skin feels active, more alive, plump, smoother, and tighter.
Is the Photo-therapy system (light therapy facial) a good complement to other skin care treatments? Yes. As other skin care treatments beautify the skin’s surface, the Light Therapy treatment strengthens and rejuvenates tissue from within. Together, these treatments can deliver remarkable inner and outer results.
Is the Photo-therapy treatment for everyone? While almost everyone can benefit from the use of light therapy, these treatments will have the greatest impact on skin with sluggish metabolism and slow cellular activity showing visible aging signs. Individuals taking steroid or cortisone injections, which are pregnant, or have epilepsy, should not use Light Therapy.
How long can I expect my results to last? To enjoy lasting and cumulative results, maintenance treatments and an effective home skin care regimen are very important determining factors.
Can I put my makeup back on immediately? Yes, there is no downtime with Light Therapy.
Can I go out in the sun and will this treatment remove my tan? Yes, you can go in the sun immediately and no, it will not affect your tan. Again, there is no downtime.
Can I undergo microdermabrasion while treating with Light Therapy? Yes, Light Therapy will actually calm the after effects of abrasion or chemical peels.
Can I undergo Acne treatment with Retin-A or Accutane while using Light Therapy? Yes, Light Therapy has a calming effect on the skin and will not react with Acne treatments.
How does photo-therapy work on acne? Acne is caused by a surplus of sebum produced by the sebaceous glands. When there is too much sebum, the p. acne bacteria which feeds on the sebum flourishes and that can lead to acne breakouts. The actual causes of too much sebum are not completely understood but may be related to hormonal changes. The red/infrared photo-therapy works on acne at several different levels. First, it normalizes the sebum thereby depriving the bacteria of its food source. This results in less bacteria and reduced chances for breakouts. Second, the red/infrared is anti-inflammatory which reduces the redness. Third, it shrinks the pores which helps clear the skin. Fourth, it stimulates the bodies healing response which accelerates mending and improves the appearance of the skin. Finally, the red/infrared reduces scarring from acne by promoting the production of collagen to repair the skin. The blue/violet photo-therapy benefits acne sufferers by helping to kill the acne bacteria. It was found that some of the visible violet light, present in sunlight, in the range 405-420 nm activates a porphyrin in p. acnes which damages and ultimately kills the bacteria by releasing singlet oxygen.
Will acne come back after a series of treatments? Acne may well return but regular treatment to normalize the skin will reduce the chances.
Will photo-therapy work for adult acne as well as juvenile? Yes, it works with all types of acne.
Should the blue light treatment be done before the red treatment, after, or at some other time? The blue light should be done before the red light if they are done together. The treatment may be done at different times, however, if that is more convenient.