Results from LED (any brand)-- the good, the bad, the ugly
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free skin care · Wed Jul 13, 2011 11:25 am

Hello everyone-- I jumped on the LED wagon this last March but havent committed to using it more than once a week... I think the jury is out for me on whether or not it is a good thing. My aesthetician in Minneapolis thinks it is wonderful and so do all the folks on the truthinaging website, but I was wondering what EDS posters thought about it. I went through the forum and found posters discussing it as far back as '07/08. Since it has been a few years, I was wondering what some of those long time users have experienced.

For me personally, the first few times I used it, my skin glowed for a couple days afterward. Now, I have noticed that my skin can look inflammed afterwards for a couple days, and then it goes back to normal (normal, not necessarily better). I am not sure about any real, lasting improvement since i havent been using it long. I never use it for longer than 15 minutes at a time (entire face treatment).

What I would LOVE for it to do is reverse the beginnings of nasolabial lines for me....and it would be a real miracle if it improved undereye circles I have had since I was 5!

Thoughts anyone? LED experiences to share?

free skin care · Thu Jul 14, 2011 7:26 am

Having been an LED user for quite a few years now and very diligent about the protocol with my Baby Q I can agree about the glow.
For me, it is a temporary plump and glow with no lasting visible results to speak of.
It does help penetration of whatever product I have on my face.
I am best with using it right before an important event for a nice effect which wears off in a day or two, so I give it mostly a barely passing grade for the time spent.

free skin care · Thu Jul 14, 2011 10:09 am

I have been using the AALS for over 3 years,
2X a week. It keeps my skin glowing, helps
with the fine lines, and temporarily plumps the skin. I use green tea with MSM before each
session - wouldn't be without it!
DiPhx

free skin care · Thu Jul 14, 2011 11:48 am

Initially LED's must be used regularly for a comprehensive effect to take place. If you are using it once a week you have diminishing returns - basically you are almost getting nowhere for the effort.
I'd suggest using it for at least 5 days a week for several months and then kicking back to a time or two a week. It's time well spent. Do it while mult-tasking - watch TV, read, etc.

free skin care · Fri Jul 15, 2011 7:38 am

I did use mine the optimal required amount of days per week for over 2 years and still the effects were temp at best. Maybe it was just the Baby Q?I haven't tried any of the other LED's.
When I did the article for the NYTimes Lifestyle a few years back on the Baby Q and LEDs, I had to be honest about the results. I did not want to mislead anyone from my own personal experience.
I certainly do not feel the full-sized Quasar is worth the money and I took it for a long trial run before I returned it and went back to my Baby Q.
Yes, I did get plumping and glowing but only while using and only temporarily. Once stopped, so did the results. I use it now when my skin needs a pick-me-up.

free skin care · Fri Jul 15, 2011 10:38 am

Thank everyone for your posts so far. Is 10 min a day, 5 days a week reasonable? I just want to treat the nasolabial area mainly at the moment.

The aesthetician I have seen told me once every 5-7 days is the preferred treatment schedule-- she said more than that was too much or pointless. Thoughts on this?

Also, has anyone noticed any negative side effects??

Thanks again for your feedback! Smile

free skin care · Fri Jul 15, 2011 1:50 pm

I was told to go the full regime but every 2-3 days for the first 6 weeks and then once a week for maintenance after that. More than that and it dried out my skin.

free skin care · Fri Jul 15, 2011 4:11 pm

jenp7 wrote:

Thank everyone for your posts so far. Is 10 min a day, 5 days a week reasonable? I just want to treat the nasolabial area mainly at the moment.

The aesthetician I have seen told me once every 5-7 days is the preferred treatment schedule-- she said more than that was too much or pointless. Thoughts on this?

Also, has anyone noticed any negative side effects??

Thanks again for your feedback! Smile

10 minutes a day in one spot? That seems like a lot. But 10 minutes total (moving it from spot-to-spot) seems like too little. Guess it depends on which LED.

I have an AALS and had a Tanda before that. I started with the AALS 5-6 days/ week for about 4 weeks. 3 minutes per spot. Then I dropped down to 2-3 times per week.

I don't notice anything negative. But frankly, I don't notice much positive either. I didn't see much with the Tanda - used it pretty regularly for ~6 months. Stopped and bought the AALS about 6 months later after reading all the rave reviews. Have been using the AALS for 3 months now. Might be too soon to see many results. I will keep trying for another 3 months as I hear 6 months is the magic point for results to be visible.

free skin care · Fri Jul 15, 2011 7:53 pm

@ Shastagirl- I only use it 10/15 min on the whole face. You are right in that this may not be enough. What is average?

Has anyone read or heard anything about facial fat loss with LED? I know the light is suppose to function similarly to lasers, but on a lower grade/less power.... which is a little worrisome since some lasers have been linked to facial fat loss.

free skin care · Sat Jul 16, 2011 8:33 am

No fat loss, but I have had loss of restylane if used on area that was injected. Also can diminsh botox.
I use my lowest setting at 8 seconds per area and then move it to the next area. This is in a clockwise motion starting from the forehead. I then got to the midrange light or setting and do exactly the same.
I use the highest setting at 30 seconds per area and then move it. I also do the neck and chest.

free skin care · Sat Jul 16, 2011 6:37 pm

I've used my Tanda diligently for almost a year and a half now. It has definitely helped me with minimizing inflammed acne -- though I do wish it would completely rid me of my acne woes.
I also notice that my skin do look plumper after using the red light but only for a short period.
I used to get LED treatments done at a medicalspa and I do notice that my skin has a more lasting plump (and reduced inflammed acne) after them than from my Tanda.

free skin care · Mon Jul 18, 2011 10:27 am

I, too, noticed better results after my spa treatment as well. After that 1 time, my skin was smooth and pale and looked good for a couple days.

After I do the LED light at home, though, my skin looks slightly irritated for a couple days....reddish with slightly enlarged pores. This is a typical rosacea-like response, I think, but I dont know why it lasts so long with me or even occurs at all, especially since I dont use it very long and had a totally different skin response with the aesthetician.

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