Shedding a Little Light (Therapy)

As a nurse who practices independently in the wellness industry, I am forever reading, studying, and learning about innovative skin care approaches. I am hesitant to jump on any trend, preferring to give it time to fizzle out due to ineffectiveness or to see if it actually gives results that would end up benefitting my skin care clients. Peer reviewed studies are where I gather the majority of my information as well as customer reviews and actual before and after photos with testimonials. I have been in the beauty industry since 1995, and I have seen countless trends in skin care come and go, from the absolute ridiculous, to the now popular injectables. What I always hear, regardless of the current fads, is that my clients want healthy, glowing, natural skin. While I have developed customized facial treatments for each client to maintain their ideal complexion, I am also educating them on lifestyle modifications and proper care at home to protect the investment in their skin.

In my discovery process, I came across LED therapy. LED stands for Light Emitting Diodes and has been utilized by NASA in treating the accelerated aging process experienced by astronauts returning from space. What is used in skin care is low-level-light therapy, also known as photo biomodulation, based on LED technology. It is the application of light energy to the body for therapeutic results by promoting a natural photo biochemical reaction similar to photosynthesis in plants. LEDs deliver energy that has shown to enhance cellular metabolism and accelerate the repair and replenishment of damaged skin cells and stimulate collagen (think smooth skin). Skin texture gets smoother, firmness and resilience improve, lymphatic activity increases, and reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles happens.

After reading and researching, I decided to implement LED in my practice with the Celluma Light Therapy panel. It is a flexible panel that I can adjust to fit my client’s anatomy and get as close to the skin as possible for optimal results. The Celluma product uses blue light specifically to kill bacteria that causes acne, a combination of LED for wrinkles as well as near infrared for pain and wound therapy.

Here are some ways low-level-light therapy is used based on extensive research and cleared by the FDA to manage:

· Mild to moderate acne vulgaris

· Periorbital wrinkles

· Sub-optimal local blood flow and circulation

· Minor muscle and joint aches

· Minor muscle and joint pain

· Pain and stiffness associated with arthritis

· Minor arthritis or muscle spasms

· Minor chronic neck and shoulder pain of musculoskeletal origin

A typical Celluma session is 30 minutes and can be a standalone treatment or an add-on to any facial. Because of the anti-inflammatory benefit, a Celluma session post chemical peel, microdermabrasion or waxing is ideal. Celluma is not to be used on children under the age of 12 or over the breasts or stomach of a breast-feeding or pregnant person. Normal activities can be resumed post treatment and can be beneficial after injectables to minimize bruising and discomfort.

When choosing Celluma Light Therapy, it is best to begin with a series of treatments of 1-2 a week for up to 12 weeks, depending on your goals. After which, maintenance treatments are recommended once or twice a month. My clients who are now in maintenance have experienced much smoother, firmer skin. For those that I am treating for acne, clearer skin with minimal scarring have been the result. One of the biggest surprises for me as a practitioner has been how easy Celluma is to use during other treatments as an add-on. For instance, during a facial, a client can have the panel lie directly across their hands to help minimize crepey skin. It is so easy to use and delivers the best results, hands down, then anything I’ve used to date.

I will continue to upgrade and improve my skill set as a skin care specialist to bring my clients the superior treatment they deserve. In my next blog, I will discuss the ways my clients can protect their skin care investment at home via lifestyle, nutrition, and quality skin care products for home use.

Namaste

Jennifer Bell RN