Melasma LED treatment

LED or light emitting diodes have been shown to be marginally effective for melasma. Specific wavelengths of light can reduce pigment production, decrease redness & repair sun damage in melasma affected areas. The downside of LEDs is that they require multiple treatment sessions with the potential to flare up melasma if not performed correctly. Read more to understand how we use LEDs in our clinics. 

Recovery

0 days

Results

Minimal

Treatment Time

3-8 minutes

Aftercare

SPF + pigment correctors

Treatment science score melasma clinic

The Science of LED phototherapy for Melasma

  • LED can reduce pigment production via a methods called photobiomodulation
  • Amber, orange & red LEDs can reduce inflammation & speed up healing 
  • Blue light LEDs conversely will increase pigmentation
  • LEDs, in the context of melasma treatments are marginally effective
  • LED melasma therapy however, can be useful post Cosmelan peel
  • Pigment creams, pico lasers & melasma peels give far better & more precise results

LED phototherapy with Omnilux & Healite is useful for accelerating skin healing after lasers & peels. The results for melasma however, are dismal at best. There are far more effective treatments.

What is LED phototherapy?

LED stands for light emitting diode or phototherapy. This entry level treatment uses red, yellow or amber light delivered by an at home mask or an in-clinic light source.

Is it any good for melasma?

In the comparison to time tested scientific methods, no. Lasers, chemical peels & medical therapy have a much higher rate of melasma clearance as compared to LED phototherapy. 

LEDs are great for reducing inflammation & accelerating skin regeneration following fractional lasers.

How does it work?

LED phototherapy works by photobiomodulation. This means each wavelength of light modulates a response in the tissue. Depending on wavelength used, LED can reduce melasma pigment by-

  1. Transcription of genes.
  2. Reducing pigment production by inhibiting enzymes.
  3. Repair sun damage skin. 
  4. Stabilize cells to reduce inflammation, including modulation of mast cells. 

*Factors 1-4 have significant effects in a laboratory environment however real world pigment reduction for a significant clinical effect is a whole different ball game.

How many sessions are required?

Results can be seen after 3-4 sessions; that is if you respond. Up to 8 sessions are required for optimal results. LED melasma treatments are spaced 1-2 weeks apart. 

Each session takes 8 minutes to complete.

How effective is it at treating melasma?

Dismally ineffective. Most patients do not respond, a minority of patients may get marginal results at best. LEDs are best combined with pigment correctors for optimal outcomes. 

Though we offer this treatment in our Brisbane & Sydney clinics, we encourage patients to consider other more effective treatments.

How much are treatments?

Each session cost $390, or you can opt for a package of 8 sessions for $2100. 

*In the interest of saving you money, if you would like to consider LEDs such as Omnilux or Healite to treat your melasma, you are far better off buying an at home mask such as Omnilux mask or CurrentBody. Masks are more cost effective than in-clinic LED devices. Read more to understand the benefits (if any) of LEDs in the context of pigmentation treatments.

How much are treatments?

Each session cost $390, or you can opt for a package of 8 sessions for $2100. 

*In the interest of saving you money, if you would like to consider LEDs such as Omnilux or Healite to treat your melasma, you are far better off buying an at home mask such as Omnilux mask or CurrentBody. Masks are more cost effective than in-clinic LED devices. Read more to understand the benefits (if any) of LEDs in the context of pigmentation treatments.

What is the recovery following LED phototherapy?

Recovery is instantaneous, with no downtime. This compares favorably with-

  • Cosmelan peels; 7-14 days.
  • Pico laser; up to 20 minutes.

What are the side effects of LED melasma treatments?

The most common side effect is worsening of pigmentation. This is due to-

  1. Incorrect wavelength
  2. Too high (or low) dosing 
  3. Too frequent use
  4. Long treatment times

*As a guide, fluence should be less than 20 Joules, treatment intervals no less than 5-7 days, wavelength in the 585, 590 through to 600+nm spectrum. Avoid blue light. 

**Ideally photobiomodulation should be combined with tyrosinase inhibitors & or vascular modifiers.

What are better treatments for melasma?

Picosecond lasers employ ultrashort pulses of light to safely shatter unwanted pigment without heating the skin. With precise settings, Picosure can clear up melasma pigmentation within a few short weeks. Results are seen as early as one week after treatment.

Cosmelan peels are also much better than LED phototherapy, with a hit rate of over 60%.The downside is the recovery time following peels. 

Vi Precision peels are equally as effective as Cosmelan peels, with a ‘hit’ rate of around 60-70%. Vi Peels have much less downtime compared to Cosmelan, & costs less.

When do we use phototherapy or LEDs for melasma?

We use LEDs to reduce the inflammatory response from chemical peels such as Cosmelan, Dermamelan, Vi Precision Plus or secondary to fractional lasers for the treatment of non-melasma pigmentation.

Typically patients are seen twice in the first 7 to 10 days following the in-clinic application of the peel. 

The most common device we use for the above is the Healite, available in our Sydney & Brisbane clinics. 

How are lasers different from LEDs for melasma?

Lasers are specifically designed to treat pigmentation by targeting melanin. LED work by photobiomodulation, namely a multistep process (that may or may not work).  Here is a quick comparison of LEDs vs lasers.

Method

Speed of results

Side effects

Function

Pico laser Fast, usually within one to two sessions. Minimal Reduces pigment by shattering into smaller pieces.
LED therapy Very slow, up to 8 sessions. Minimal Modifies cellular response, unpredictable pigment reduction.

It’s not that we are against LEDs, we have 4 LED devices, it is just that there are much better, more predictable ways to treat melasma. 

This concept is grasped by only a handful of patients as most melasma patients can not see beyond pigmentation itself. Those who get it will have a much higher probability of long term remission 💯
.
👉Rate limiting factors: ability to understand the cause of melasma beyond pigment, the time required to remodel the dermis, especially in skin of colour, financial constraints as dermal remodelling goes far beyond ‘retinol-retinoids’, RFM, lasers & EBDs or the ubiquitous & over-rated Cosmelan peel
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#melasma #melasmatips #photoaging #melasmaclinic #celluaraging #drdavinlim

This concept is grasped by only a handful of patients as most melasma patients can not see beyond pigmentation itself. Those who get it will have a much higher probability of long term remission 💯
.
👉Rate limiting factors: ability to understand the cause of melasma beyond pigment, the time required to remodel the dermis, especially in skin of colour, financial constraints as dermal remodelling goes far beyond ‘retinol-retinoids’, RFM, lasers & EBDs or the ubiquitous & over-rated Cosmelan peel
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#melasma #melasmatips #photoaging #melasmaclinic #celluaraging #drdavinlim
...

204 4
The use of antioxidants such as glutathione can lighten & brighten skin. Glutathione can be a useful adjunct in some cases of #melasma
.
🔫Pico lasers: can safely be used to treat various types of pigmentation. A series of 3-5 sessions produce the best results, however in this patient only one treatment was performed. Settings matter
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#sunscreen #picolaser #picosurepro #drdavinlim #davinlim #sydneydermatologist #themelasmaclinic #glutathione #skinlightening

The use of antioxidants such as glutathione can lighten & brighten skin. Glutathione can be a useful adjunct in some cases of #melasma
.
🔫Pico lasers: can safely be used to treat various types of pigmentation. A series of 3-5 sessions produce the best results, however in this patient only one treatment was performed. Settings matter
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#sunscreen #picolaser #picosurepro #drdavinlim #davinlim #sydneydermatologist #themelasmaclinic #glutathione #skinlightening
...

69 4
If the proper amount of sunscreen is used, anything over an SPF of 40 is fine (in the context of melasma). Other than SPF factor (a measure of UVB), UVA ratings & attenuation of visible light is super important in the management of pigmentary disorders such as melasma & post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially in skin of colour
.
👉Cosmetic elegance & colour matching: is often the rate limiting factor
.
👉Why tint? Iron oxides protect against visible light, this band of light stimulates pigment
.
👉How to use? Two fingerlengths, twice daily, regardless of exposure💯
.
👉Our pick? Elta MD, acknowledging there are many good brands with a wider range of colour matching
.
Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#sunscreen #melasmatips #bestsunscreen #spf #drdavinlim #davinlim #sydneydermatologist #themelasmaclinic #elta #eltaMD #eltasunscreens

If the proper amount of sunscreen is used, anything over an SPF of 40 is fine (in the context of melasma). Other than SPF factor (a measure of UVB), UVA ratings & attenuation of visible light is super important in the management of pigmentary disorders such as melasma & post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially in skin of colour
.
👉Cosmetic elegance & colour matching: is often the rate limiting factor
.
👉Why tint? Iron oxides protect against visible light, this band of light stimulates pigment
.
👉How to use? Two fingerlengths, twice daily, regardless of exposure💯
.
👉Our pick? Elta MD, acknowledging there are many good brands with a wider range of colour matching
.
Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#sunscreen #melasmatips #bestsunscreen #spf #drdavinlim #davinlim #sydneydermatologist #themelasmaclinic #elta #eltaMD #eltasunscreens
...

45 2

Can LED phototherapy be used on all skin types?

Yes, but blue light is not advocated for darker skin as the risks of skin darkening is high. LEDs with 585, 590, 630, 830 nm & IR are safer options. As a rule, if you have darker skin, avoid blue light, but green, yellow, amber & red are all safe.

The Melasma Clinic difference

Our specialist clinic can effectively treat pigmentation in all skin types, employing bespoke treatment protocols that consist of skin care actives, picosecond lasers, clinical peels & in some cases prescriptive medication. With 20 years of dermatology behind us, we can manage all forms of pigmentation, from melasma, through to post inflammatory pigment.

Dr Davin Lim

650K subscribers

How to treat PIGMENTATION

If I can identify the cause of pigmentation, chances are I can treat it. This can only be achieved with careful real time examination…

More of our mostFrequently asked questions

Can LED phototherapy flare up melasma?

How to start an at home LED mask routine for melasma?

What brand LED masks are best for melasma?

What are adjunctive DIY treatments for melasma?

When can LED phototherapy be beneficial for skin?

Can microcurrent & handheld LEDs flare up melasma?

Can microneedling or RF microneedling worsen melasma?

A SummaryMelasma treatments with LED/Omnilux/Healite; summary

Dr Davin Lim | Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic, Brisbane | Sydney

It is not that we are against LED phototherapy, hell no, we have 18 of these devices in the clinics. We have Omnilux, Healite, Aktalite, in addition to over a dozen high powered top tier devices from Dermaflux & Currentbody. Do we employ them regularly? Absolutely, but never for melasma. LEDs are best at doing two key jobs- firstly to treat acne with blue light, & secondly to aid in skin wound recovery following lasers & energy devices. 

LEDs work by target photobiomodulation (PBM).  LEDs produce light in a specific wavelength, much like lasers, but at a very low level. Phototherapy is also termed LLLT or low level laser therapy. Depending on the device, light can be produced in specific colors, namely blue, green, yellow, amber & red.  Each skin disorder will have specific wavelengths that work best at modulation. Here is a super quick summary-

  • Acne: has two peaks, one in the blue, the other in the red. This indication is the standout application of LED phototherapy as it harnesses the power of light to kill bacteria implicated in acne, without the use of antibiotics. 
  • Wound healing: we use amber & red, the latter to reduce inflammation. LLLT or LEDs can speed up wound healing after laser resurfacing. 
  • Inflammation: amber, yellow & red light can reduce inflammation in conditions such as rosacea, eczema & psoriasis.
  • Hair growth & the treatment of alopecia as an adjunctive therapy. 
  • Melasma & pigment; light several wavelengths can be shown to help reduce pigment, however the results, thought statistically significant & important to advancement of medical science, is dismal in comparison to other treatments.

Let’s dive into how LEDs work for melasma, the science behind it, & the studies backing this treatment up & importantly the differences between clinically significant & statistically significant findings.

Science: The concept of PBM or photobiomodulation is that low (ish) powered light in one or more wavelengths can deliver a biological change that is different from laser light (which may involve a similar wavelength). Lasers work by selective photothermolysis or hitting a specific target or chromophores. It is more complex than that for melasma treatments as pico lasers follow this principle, whilst low dose – power QSL or nano lasers follow the principles of subcellular selective photothermolysis, namely to reduce the transfer of pigment by cells. Fractional lasers, follow selective photothermolysis when it comes to targeting the water content of the skin, but function in other ways to treat melasma, including non-specific modulation of vessels, repair of the basement membrane, & as a last ditch effort trans-dermal to epidermal exfoliation or expulsion of deep pigment via the ‘melanin shuttle pathway.

PBM however, works by causing a slow flowing cascade of events. In the context of melasma, phototherapy can –

  1. Modulate the melanocyte to reduce pigment production by reducing the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for pigment production. It does this by direct inhibition & by translocation of genes. 
  2. Repair of the basement membrane by upregulation of collagen production. Strengthening of this key area can reduce melanocyte drop out into the dermal layers. 
  3. Reduction of vascular elements in the dermal layers, thereby modifying the cross talk between vessels (endothelial cells) & other cell types in the skin. 
  4. Modulation of other cellular processes & elements implicated in the melasma process. This includes fibroblasts (produce collagen), mast cells (histamine release), endothelial cells (as above) as well as macrophages (hold dermal melanin), melanocytes & keratinocytes. 
  5. NFI processes; of which we still do not fully understand.

The problem with PBM is that it  can work in some, but not all cases. The difference between this melasma treatment & others is the context of the percentage of clinically significant results. PBM can be statistically significant in vitro – think cell activity in a petri dish. However, does phototherapy with LED work well enough to reduce melasma pigmentation to a degree whereby the patient & dermatologist is happy enough? In this context, when compared to other time tested methods (think pigment inhibitors, lasers, & peels), photobiomodulation takes a big step back. 

In summary, It is not that it can not work for melasma, PBM requires more research. We do not routinely recommend it because-

  1. Other treatments are much more effective. 
  2. PBM has a narrow therapeutic window (too much and it flares up melasma).
  3. Takes over 8 weeks to see results (if any).
  4. Can be safely & cost effectively be performed at home. 

In summary, if you are really serious about treating melasma effectively, stick with simple medical therapy, namely lasers, pigment correctors or novel peels. If you want to consider LED phototherapy for melasma, get yourself a LED mask & DIY, save your money, forego clinic treatments.