The far-reaching skincare benefits of low-level laser therapy make it an ideal aesthetic treatment.
Medically approved by Dr Graeme E. Glass, MD PhD Plastic Surgeon, Associate Professor of Surgery and LYMA Aesthetic Director
As a light source face masks will have a positive effect on skin and energy can be transferred but only within the epidermal, outermost layer of skin. Anything deeper than that and the small amount of light that has made it through, dissipates quickly. “A superficial glow and unifying of tone can be achieved by applications of non-laser light in clinics, so for patients wishing just to achieve temporary surface-level skin improvement these have their place,” Glass confirms.
High energy dermatological resurfacing lasers achieve big results fast, the cost to that (aside from the literal substantial treatment costs) being the considerable fallout for skin. Burning specific cores of vaporized tissue to bring about accelerated repair and thus improve the quality of the dermis, is a high-stakes risk many are willing to take. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) however, causes no such destruction. Coined as a term to distinguish it from high-level laser therapy requiring controlled tissue destruction, LLLT supports skin by empowering mitochondria, activating tissue repair and naturally increasing the body’s collagen production.
A scientific process termed Photobiomodulation, it’s this non-thermal conversion of a very particular type of light energy into chemical energy by a cell that’s the reason low-level laser therapy is being widely adopted in aesthetic treatments across the globe. Treating skin with cold lasers to stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis and rebuild tissue is a proven route to long-term skin rejuvenation without any of the associated sting.
LLLT vs LLLT: Same name, different technology
A recurring and frustrating misconception in the industry, Low-level Laser Therapy uses the exact same medical abbreviation as Low-Level Light Therapy. Both are LLLT, only one is referring to powerful, straight-line laser beams while the other refers to light emitting diodes.
“When you're in an immature technological environment, different terms are bandied about because no one quite knows what to call everything yet,” says Dr Graeme Glass, Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon and Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery and LYMA Aesthetic Director.
“The term LLLT was coined many years ago and referred specifically to low-level laser therapy. More recently though, as LED light sources were used as a substitute for lasers, the term became ubiquitous but is, nonetheless, misleading. Hence, scientific literature has moved away from the term LLLT because it’s imprecise and confusing and now uses the term Photobiomodulation (PBM) or Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT).
But acronyms aside, what we’re all talking about here is the term for the sub-cellular process that's happening as a result of stimulation by the non-thermal irradiation of tissue with laser light.”
LLLT: Zero damage skin transformation
The longer the wavelength, the deeper the penetration meaning infrared penetrates more deeply into the body than typical red light. Crucially however, the light energy carried through the tissue depends very much on the source of the light.
“The important thing to know is that laser sets itself apart from every other light source,” impresses Dr Graeme Glass. “Everyone focuses on wavelength, the assumption being that all products producing light of the same wavelength have effects on the skin that are, more or less equivalent. This is a misunderstanding.
There are a number of very special features regarding the way laser light is constructed that confers upon laser light the ability to travel through a medium without losing energy. This is a crucial and overlooked feature of PBM and accounts for why lasers provide a better light source as a means of stimulating the regenerative effects of PBM”.
Laser light proven to treat skin concerns
The LYMA Laser stands in its own category as a completely cold, low-level laser light. The near-infrared low-level laser penetrates the deepest layers of the skin to completely remodel and rebuild it without damaging a single cell in the process.
The LYMA Laser improves fine lines and wrinkles, smoothes skin texture, increases evenness of tone, all whilst making the skin even stronger. Traditionally, clinical grade lasers are not suitable for everyone, particularly those with darker skin tones for risk of scarring. But the LYMA Laser is another first - for inclusive beauty. The zero heat, zero damage nature makes the Laser completely safe to be used on melanin rich skin tones, there's absolutely no risk of scarring irrespective of skin tone. Finally, patients of color have the option of a clinical grade laser that’s completely safe for their skin.
