Walking the show floor of any spa and wellness conference, it is hard to miss the newest trend making waves among professionals. With companies like Body Balance, Celluma and NuFace leading the way in red light experiences, even celebrity estheticians are collaborating with companies to develop equipment.
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Walking the show floor of any spa and wellness conference, it is hard to miss the newest trend making waves among professionals. With companies like Body Balance, Celluma and NuFace leading the way in red light experiences, even celebrity estheticians are collaborating with companies to develop equipment.
Light therapy has become a buzzword with many beauty websites, stores and companies in the game. It’s important to look beyond the hype, so let’s review the various types of light therapy and relevant information.
Types of Light Therapy
Spas are increasingly harnessing the power of light therapy to promote various aspects of well-being. Each color wavelength possesses unique properties, offering targeted benefits.
Red light therapy has a wavelength between 620-750 nm. It is known for stimulating collagen production, potentially reducing wrinkles and signs of aging. It may also improve circulation, promote wound healing and alleviate muscle pain.
Blue light therapy has a wavelength between 400-490 nm, and it primarily treats acne by targeting bacteria that contribute to breakouts. It may also help regulate sleep patterns and improve mood.
Green light therapy, with a wavelength between 490-570 nm, is still new and used in design due to its calming and balancing effects. It may promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and alleviate headaches.
Yellow light therapy has a wavelength between 570-590 nm. Yellow light is believed to boost energy levels and improve cognitive function. It may also promote feelings of alertness and focus.
Near-infrared light therapy has a wavelength between 750-1000 nm. It may aid in muscle recovery, reduce inflammation and improve tissue repair. Near-infrared is often used in conjunction with other light therapies for a more comprehensive approach.
Many spas utilize devices that provide combination therapy, where multiple wavelengths of light are used to target various concerns simultaneously. Light therapy can also be targeted to specific areas of the body or used more broadly, depending on the desired outcome.
It’s important to remember that while light therapy shows promise for various wellness applications, more research is needed to understand its long-term effects fully. Clients who have any underlying health conditions should consult their healthcare professional before undergoing any light therapy treatment.
Related: 4 LED Light Therapy Treatment Protocols for Full Body Healing
In the Treatment Room
I spoke with one of my “esty besties,” Toshiana Baker, esthetician, educator, consultant and founder of the Network of Multicultural Spa and Wellness Professionals (www.nmswp.com). She delved into the benefits of light therapy and how to communicate that information effectively to clients.
“Simply put, LED (light emitting diodes) therapy uses the power of the light wavelengths to stimulate the energy centers of the cells. Various wavelengths produce different colors of light (like green, amber or blue), and each works at its level to create its own benefits,” Baker explains. “Red light wavelengths have been proven to support healthy blood flow, speed cellular repair of wounds (including wrinkles) and assist muscle recovery and pain management. It helps to restore the proper cellular function that typically diminishes with age or trauma.”
Baker adds that red and infrared wavelengths are often used together. This combination delivers healing heat to deeper tissues, supporting recovery and encouraging better cellular function. “This is why you see red light devices being used from head to toe, from being positioned on the head to stimulate hair growth and support scalp health, to facial devices that support anti-aging effects, and even LED beds that support whole-body healing and restoration,” she says.
Light therapy treatments can be offered as stand-alone or add-on wellness sessions, or simply included as an amenity in spa lounges (for use with a fee). “Light therapy can be added to scalp treatments, facials and body treatments, where the desire is to create more effective outcomes than either treatment could create on its own,” says Baker. “Portable light therapy devices can be rented and checked out like a library book to be used to support home treatment plans as well.”
According to Deeba Haq, director of spa operations at Aria Resort & Casino, red light therapy provides clientele with noticeable results. “We’ve seen our guests experience an increased sense of relaxation, a boost in mood and energy, and a relief in aches and pains—all in real-time,” she says. “In addition, some of our regulars have reported improved skin texture after repeating the treatment a few times. The red light therapy service has been a great addition to the Aria Spa treatment menu.”
Business Benefits
Making sure that guests are aware of the beauty and wellness benefits of any light therapy you offer is key to setting you up for success. “Once customers understand the benefits, explained in plain language, they then understand that the LED devices offer a plethora of desirable benefits all on their own and are often paired with other products or therapies that add additional benefits,” Baker explains.
Meanwhile, be sure to provide adequate training to your staff. When Aria Spa added light therapy services to its menu, Haq’s team received one-on-one training to understand the technology, as well as the opportunity to enjoy a treatment themselves.
“When talking to guests about the service, team members can share the benefits they felt and saw from their own experience,” says Haq. “While marketing around our resort has been amazing, the genuine feedback from our team has made a world of difference in selling this treatment.”
It is important to remember the mission and goals of your location, which will inform what types of light therapy offerings will be a good fit.
Also, remember that all light therapies are not made equal. “Professional grade devices feature more diodes that consistently emit the light intensity necessary to deliver results in a professional setting. Professional devices tend to have more sturdy craftsmanship as well. As a result, professional devices can be pricey,” explains Baker. “A spa director must carefully consider their business model and determine how much of an investment can be made for the devices, understanding that if the equipment is used often, it will need to be maintained properly or replaced.”
Should a spa find that professional devices are not a fit for their business, Baker has a solution: “In that case, at minimum, light therapy devices can add a high-quality retail option for your guests to purchase.”
Sherrie Tennessee has more than 20 years of experience as a recognized educator, consultant and wellness "mixologist." Under her SpaSOS brand, she designs and facilitates training programs for properties including Mandarin Oriental. Tennessee is currently a Ph.D. student and instructor at William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
