Dermalux Flex LED Phototherapy Wirral

The Dermalux Flex LED device is a portable machine, shaped like an arch, fitted with 360 light-emitting diodes (120 of each colour). The lights are very bright and can emit specific wavelengths of light, measured in nanometres, which gives them their colour (visible and non-visible) – red (633nm), blue (415nm), and near-infrared (830nm).

Light is a powerful energy, and humans need it; just as plants photosynthesise, we can benefit from the process of photobiomodulation to naturally improve our bodies. Harnessing the science of light therapy into an array of LED lights within the Dermalux Flex LED means that we can target the light where it is needed for active treatment of skin conditions with appropriate types of light, known as wavelengths from both the visible (coloured) and non-visible parts of the light spectrum. The wavelengths can be used in isolation or combined for overall improvements to skin health.

LED light therapies have been clinically proven to improve a wide range of skin conditions through the biological stimulation of cells in a treatment known as phototherapy. At BU Aesthetics™ in West Kirby, Merseyside, we offer phototherapy treatment sessions with the Dermalux Flex LED, a market-leading LED device. These are either as individual sessions for a boost, treatment programmes as a stand-alone solution, as a pre- or post-treatment option to enhance the results of other treatments, including Skinpen precision micro-needling, dermal fillers, skin boosters, Platelet Rich Plasma therapy, Profhilo, HArmonyCa, or BeautifEYE & Bio Nutri Neck treatments, or in combination with Dermaplane facials.

Unlike ultraviolet or UV light from the sun, which is known to be damaging to our skin if too much is absorbed over time, causing sun damage and skin cancers, there are proven health benefits from the absorption of certain colours or wavelengths of light which can be found within the extensive light spectrum that spans from ultraviolet to infrared.

The wavelengths or colours of LED light present in the Dermalux Flex LED machine are absorbed into different layers of the skin – epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous – and trigger different biological reactions to energise skin cells, making them work better and faster to regenerate and repair and improve skin health. The three different light wavelengths produced by the Dermalux Flex LED – red (633nm), blue (415nm), and near-infrared (830nm) can be applied as follows.

Red light is absorbed into the middle layer of the skin, the dermis. It is used for anti-ageing treatments to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone and texture, including elasticity and hydration, reduce any redness or inflammation caused by rosacea, and address sun damage and pigmentation by stimulating the production of new collagen and skin cell turnover. The red light (633nm) can also be used for muscular or joint pain, so please discuss this option during your consultation with Caroline if you have concerns of this kind.

Blue light is superficially absorbed by the skin in the epidermis and is a goal standard, clinical treatment option for those who suffer from acne. This specific wavelength of light, 415nm has been shown to kill the bacteria in the sebaceous glands of the skin responsible for causing acne – known as Propionibacterium acnes (P.acnes), and more recently renamed as cutibactrium acnes (C.acnes). The blue light also helps to reduce oil or sebum production in the skin, which the bacteria feed upon. All together, this reduces the incidence of acne breakouts and improves skin clarity by reducing oiliness. The blue light also soothes the irritated skin and is often combined with the other LED light wavelengths to reduce inflammation.

Near-infrared light, which the human eye cannot see, is absorbed more deeply into the skin at the subcutaneous layer to stimulate cellular activity. It is great for wound healing, reducing inflammation, improving circulation, lymphatic drainage, and skin texture. It is useful as an adjunct to other treatments to calm redness and stimulate healing and renewal within the skin. It is also helpful for targeting deeper pigmentation concerns.

All three wavelengths can be combined simultaneously into a Dermalux Tri-Wave treatment, which delivers multi-wavelength sessions depending on your skin concern. We have 7 different single or multi-wavelength treatment modes to choose from and can tailor them to your needs.

The technology is medically CE-certified as a Class IIa medical device across Europe for treating acne, psoriasis, wound healing, and muscular-skeletal pain relief.

Before treatment, your skin will be cleansed to remove surface dirt, including pollution, make-up, and natural oils to allow the light to penetrate more easily into the skin. We recommend having a Dermaplane facial, too, because this removes all the dead skin cells from the skin’s stratum corneum layer, creating a more receptive and optimal surface for light penetration.

Treatment sessions under the Dermalux Flex LED device take 30 minutes as a stand-alone treatment (20 minutes if used before or after another treatment), during which you can relax underneath the arc of lights and enjoy the warming sensation. You may listen to music, and some people even fall asleep. Protective eyewear must be worn during treatment for safety.

We recommend a programme of treatments tailored to your skin concern for optimal results, anywhere up to 12 sessions with weekly or two-week intervals.

If you are generally in good health, you should be able to have treatment with Dermalux Flex LED. LED phototherapy is suitable for men and women of all skin types. However, you will still need to attend the clinic for a thorough consultation with Independent Nurse Prescriber Caroline. She will take a full medical history to determine if you have any underlying medical conditions or known allergies or are taking any medication that could make you unsuitable or contraindicated for treatment. If you have a known sensitivity to light, such as photo-sensitive epilepsy, photo-sensitive eczema, light-induced migraines, or take any medication that makes you and your skin sensitive to light, this would be a contraindication for treatment.

If you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding or are under 18 years old, you cannot have treatment. Similarly, if you have damaged or broken skin in the area to be treated or an active bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, this must be resolved before treatment.

You must discuss what you hope to achieve from treatment with Dermalux Flex LED therapy so we can evaluate if it is the right treatment for your concerns. You may be recommended an alternative treatment or additional adjunctive treatments, including a Dermaplane facial or skin peels with Obagi Blue Peel Radiance, depending on the type and severity of your skin concern.

All aspects of treatment, including any risks, will be fully explained during your consultation, allowing you to book your treatment appointment or have some time to go away and think about it. Few treatments are performed on the same day as your consultation appointment.

Treatment is pain-free, and you will not require any form of topical anaesthesia or skin cooling. You will experience a feeling of warmth during treatment due to the action of the light increasing your blood circulation. There are similarly no side effects or downtime from the therapy. You may notice that your skin is a little pink or flushed and feels a little warm for a few hours after your treatment session for the reasons outlined.

Full aftercare advice, including the use of sun protection, will be provided.

Treatment with LED light is safe for all skin types and is a non-invasive form of light absorbed into the skin. The Dermalux Flex LED device does not generate any heat or make UV wavelengths of light like a tanning bed, so it cannot damage the skin, tan, or burn.

The treatment works by stimulating certain natural reactions within the body, from wound healing and collagen production to acne-controlling measures. This means that it will usually take 2-4 weeks with regular Dermalux Flex LED sessions, often in conjunction with other treatments, to start to see the results and improvements to your skin. It can take several months, as part of a treatment programme to see the optimal results and effects from the light therapy.

If we treat acne, you will very quickly start to notice improvements with reduced skin congestion, redness, and outbreaks of acne pustules.

Although the results from Dermalux Flex LED can last several months after a treatment programme, the real benefits from this treatment are achieved with regular, repeat treatment, especially for acne patients.

You will be advised on an appropriate regime for your skin type and concerns, allowing you to add it to your monthly skincare routine.