LED Light & Cosmetic Acupuncture

What Can LED Light Therapy with Cosmetic Acupuncture Treat?

Acupuncture and LED light therapy together are a powerful pair for achieving a healthy, youthful complexion with no post-treatment downtime. Cosmetic facial acupuncture addresses various issues related to skin aging, including smoothing lines, firming, and increasing skin volume, all the while balancing the overall flow of Qi in the body. From a TCM perspective, aging conditions such as wrinkles, skin discoloration, or loss of muscle tone begin from a constitutional imbalance and fundamental weakness of Qi. Acupuncture points are used to redirect, balance, unblock, and tone Qi.

Simultaneously, the micro-punctures stimulate your lymphatic and circulatory systems, which work together to deliver nutrients and oxygen to your skin cells. This nourishes your skin from the inside out and helps even out your complexion, promoting a healthy glow. The positive micro-traumas also stimulate the production of collagen which helps improve elasticity and minimizes fine lines and wrinkles.

Meanwhile, LED light therapy enhances skin cell micro-circulation, improves lymphatic drainage, and also stimulates collagen production. This reduces age spots, scars, wrinkles, and breakouts. The two treatments together are the perfect match to rejuvenate mature skin, clear acne, and manage chronic skin conditions. Additionally, it is relaxing and affordable for patients with no post-treatment downtime.

While it may not be an immediate cure-all, LED light therapy with acupuncture is a safe and effective complementary treatment to other forms of medicine.
 

How Does LED Light Therapy Work?

Photobiomodulation (PBM) Therapy is the application of light (usually a low-power laser or LED) to promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation, or induce pain relief. Most of the effects of PBM Therapy can be explained by light absorption in the mitochondria (the “powerhouse” of the cell).

In stressed tissues, mitochondria make nitric oxide (NO) which competes with oxygen and reduces ATP (cellular energy) production. In our cells, this oxidative stress is accepted as the underlying trigger for most diseases and degenerative conditions. It is also a component in the inflammatory phase of acute and chronic conditions, as well as the aging process.

However, when light of the correct color and intensity is applied, it immediately displaces NO and allows oxygen to attach, which begins the process of producing ATP again. This removes the cause of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, resulting in a reduction of oxidative stress and a return to normal functioning as our cells are programmed to do.

You could compare the process to photosynthesis, where plants absorb sunlight and convert it into energy. In LED light therapy, we absorb the energy of targeted wavelengths of light to enhance our cellular potential, promote oxygen utilization within the cell, and generate cellular fuel. There’s nothing mystical about it–the process by which light transforms bodily tissue at a cellular level has been scientifically proven. Improving the performance of mitochondria in the body improves the body’s overall performance and health.

Although it should not be considered a cure for any condition, LED light therapy is a powerful complementary treatment. Best of all, you can expect results without any painful invasive procedures, discomfort, potential side effects, or ongoing costs. It has been identified as a great modality to speed healing, fight aging, stimulate muscle recovery, enhance mood, and much more.

Light Frequencies We Offer

Our LED light therapy uses various wavelengths that penetrate the skin at different depths for a range of therapeutic benefits. The following LED light frequencies are available:

Blue Light (453nm)
Affects the most superficial layer of skin, the epidermis. Blue light has been shown to improve acne by killing acne-causing bacteria (P. acnes). It also speeds up wound healing and injury recovery.

Yellow Light (583nm)
Penetrates deeper, into the dermis of the skin. Yellow light reduces redness and inflammation and has a soothing effect on sensitive skin. It is effective in treating skin conditions such as rosacea.

Red Light (640nm)
Penetrates the full thickness of the skin to the bottom of the dermis. Red light stimulates the production of collagen, which fights signs of aging by improving fine lines and wrinkles. It also decreases inflammation and controls sebum production, making it effective in the treatment of acne.

Near Infrared Light (810nm)
Penetrates the deepest, into the hypodermis. Near-infrared (NIR) light photons have the ability to penetrate into the muscles of the face and into the brain. This amplifies treatment, having all the benefits of red light, including improving wrinkles, sagging, and skin texture while assisting with stress, anxiety, and depression.

What To Expect in a Cosmetic Acupuncture & LED Light Visit

Goals and target areas will be discussed in detail at the start of the visit, along with general constitution and body function. The tone of hair, skin, teeth, and nails will be observed and discussed. The pulse will be felt in three spots on each wrist to observe the energy of each of the meridians that are represented there. The tongue will be closely looked at, as its color and quality reflect many things about the balance of energy in the body. After collecting information, a treatment that is specific to the individual will be chosen. Treatment will include local points on the area of focus and distal points to balance Qi. The acupuncture points to be treated will then be cleaned and needles will be inserted. An LED light dome will then be placed over the targeted area, along with eye protection. The appropriate light color and frequency will be chosen matching specific goals and needs. Facial cupping will be added after acupuncture treatment depending on goals.
 

Is Acupuncture With LED Light Safe?

Acupuncture combined with LED light therapy is generally considered very safe. LED light therapy is contraindicated for those with cancer or within one year of remission, and for those taking photosensitive medications where the skin is very sensitive to light.

While acupuncture is a medical procedure that punctures the skin and underlying tissues, injuries and side effects are very rare when treated by a trained practitioner of acupuncture and clean-needle technique. When injuries do occur, they are minor, such as painless bruising. All acupuncture needles are, by law, sterile. We use sterile, one-use, disposable needles. These needles come prepackaged and sterilized and are disposed of after one use.

Areas with decreased touch sensation and open wounds will not be needled, but can still be treated with surrounding or distal needles.
 

What Will I Feel?

LED light therapy is not typically felt, however, slight warmth of the area during treatment is possible. Cosmetic facial acupuncture is considered to be relatively painless thanks to the use of extremely fine needles, thinner than needles used on the rest of the body. A slight prick may be felt on insertion of the needles, and sometimes nothing is felt. However, with correct stimulation, the movement of Qi may be felt by the patient. Qi sensations vary widely and may be described as heaviness, distention, tingling, or an electric sensation. These sensations may be felt only at the location of the needle or they may travel up or down the meridian (energy pathway). These sensations are a sign that the body’s Qi is adjusting towards balance.

Because facial acupuncture alone can be draining and cause imbalances, the individual’s overall Qi is always treated with added body points.
 

How Do I Prepare for my Cosmetic Acupuncture & LED Light Visit?

Come with clean skin as lotions and creams reflect the light. Come well-hydrated as this helps cells absorb the light. Wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is preferred but gowns are always available if needed.