What is LED light therapy?
LED light therapy, also called photobiomodulation, uses specific wavelengths of LED light to stimulate natural processes in the skin. It was originally studied by NASA for wound healing and is now widely used in medical and aesthetic settings for skin rejuvenation, acne, redness and post-procedure recovery.
Unlike lasers or an IPL photofacial, LED light doesn’t damage the skin surface. Treatments are gentle and relaxing and suit most skin types.
How red light and LED therapy work
LED light penetrates the skin to different depths depending on its wavelength. Once absorbed, it stimulates the mitochondria, the energy centers of your cells, supporting ATP production and healthier cell function. Over time, that supports circulation, calms inflammation and strengthens the skin’s ability to repair itself.
- Light absorption — targeted wavelengths are absorbed by cells in the skin, particularly within the mitochondria
- Cellular energy — absorbed light supports mitochondrial activity and ATP production
- Circulation and repair — better cell activity encourages healthier blood flow and less inflammation
- Cumulative results — with consistent sessions, tone, texture and resilience keep improving
LED wavelengths and what each does
Red light (630–660 nm)
- Stimulates collagen and elastin production
- Improves the look of fine lines, firmness and glow
- Supports recovery after laser, RF microneedling and injectables
Blue light (405–470 nm)
- Targets acne-causing bacteria
- Helps reduce active breakouts and oil
- Best suited to inflammatory acne
Yellow/amber light (570–590 nm)
- Calms redness and rosacea-prone skin
- Supports healthy lymphatic flow
- Suits sensitive or post-procedure skin
Green light (520–535 nm)
- Helps even skin tone
- Used for pigmentation and sun-damage concerns
Near-infrared light (810–880 nm)
- Reaches deeper layers of skin and underlying tissue
- Supports inflammation reduction and tissue repair
- Often paired with red light in anti-aging protocols
What LED light therapy can treat
LED therapy supports fine lines and uneven texture, acne and oil imbalance, redness and rosacea-prone skin, and pigmentation from sun damage. It’s also commonly used to calm the skin after microneedling and laser skin resurfacing.
Beyond the face, it may be included in plans for scalp and hair support, muscle recovery, inflammation and body contouring support. Evidence for those uses is more limited than for skin, so you’ll get an honest view of what’s realistic for your goal.
What the evidence supports
Red and near-infrared light have the most research behind them for skin rejuvenation and healing, and blue light is an established option for mild to moderate inflammatory acne. Improvements are usually gradual and modest rather than dramatic, and they depend on consistent sessions. LED works best as one part of a broader skin plan.
What a session is like
Sessions take about 30 minutes. You lie back under a medical-grade LED device with protective eye goggles on. There are no needles and nothing to recover from, so you can return to your day right away.
What to wear
For facial treatments, you can stay dressed. For other areas, the skin being treated needs to be uncovered, so wear something loose and comfortable.
Safety
With medical-grade technology and proper eye protection, LED light therapy is considered safe and well tolerated. Let us know if you take medications that make you sensitive to light or have a light-triggered condition, so your plan can be adjusted.
LED light therapy pricing and plans
Because LED therapy works at a cellular level, results are cumulative and most effective with consistent sessions.
Pricing
- Single session: $65, about 30 minutes, for occasional skin calming, post-procedure recovery or a first try
- Eight-session package: $440 ($55 per session), for ongoing calming, acne control and clearer skin
- Twelve-session package: $600 ($50 per session), for longer-term rejuvenation, pigmentation, acne or scalp support
Typical treatment frequency
Your plan is personalized, but common guidelines are:
- Skin rejuvenation: 2 sessions a week for 4 weeks
- Acne support: 2–3 sessions a week for 4 weeks
- Pain and inflammation support: 2 sessions a week for 4 weeks
- Hair restoration support: 2 sessions a week for 16 weeks
- Body contouring support: 2 sessions a week for 6 weeks
Why choose physician-guided LED at Embrace
LED light therapy at Embrace is guided by Dr. John Mark Pabona, MD, FACP, so every plan rests on medical training and an evidence-based view of skin health. The focus is gentle, consistent therapy for long-term skin resilience and recovery, customized plans and honest recommendations rather than trends.
Pairs well with
LED is often combined with RF microneedling, microneedling and lasers for recovery, with wrinkle relaxers for overall skin quality, and with Obagi skincare or Rejuran for home and post-procedure care.
Epidermis
- Epidermis
- Dermis
- Deep dermis
- Fat pads
- Muscle
Questions
Common questions about LED light therapy
How much does red light therapy cost?
At Embrace Eternal Beauty in Hot Springs, a single LED light therapy session is $65 and lasts about 30 minutes. Packages lower the per-session cost: eight sessions for $440 ($55 each) or twelve sessions for $600 ($50 each). Because results are cumulative, most goals call for a package rather than a one-off visit.
Do facial LED lights really work?
Medical-grade LED can help, within limits. Red and near-infrared light have research supporting modest gains in fine lines, texture and healing, and blue light can reduce inflammatory acne. Results build gradually with consistent sessions and won’t match lasers or RF microneedling for deeper concerns. In-clinic devices are typically stronger than at-home masks, and treatment here is physician-guided.
How many LED light therapy sessions will I need?
Results are cumulative, so most plans involve 2–3 sessions a week for several weeks. Skin rejuvenation and acne plans typically run about 4 weeks, while hair restoration support runs about 16 weeks. Your provider recommends a schedule based on your skin or recovery needs, and packages of eight or twelve sessions make regular visits more affordable.
What are the disadvantages of LED light therapy?
The main drawbacks are time and patience. LED needs repeated sessions, often twice a week, and changes are gradual and modest. It won’t tighten loose skin or remove deep scars on its own. Side effects are uncommon and mild, such as temporary redness or dryness. If you take light-sensitizing medications, check with the physician first.
Is LED light therapy safe for my eyes?
Yes, when proper eye protection is used. You wear protective goggles during LED sessions at Embrace, because bright LED light, especially blue light, can strain the eyes. With medical-grade equipment and eye protection, LED therapy is considered safe and well tolerated for most people, and there’s no downtime afterward.
Is red light therapy the same as LED light therapy?
Red light therapy is one type of LED light therapy. LED treatments can use several wavelengths: red for collagen and glow, blue for acne, amber for redness, green for tone and near-infrared for deeper tissue support. At Embrace, wavelengths are chosen for your goals, and red and near-infrared light are often combined in anti-aging protocols.
