Can LED Light Therapy Help with Sun-Damaged Skin?
Written by an independent, certified dermatologist
Sun damage is one of the most common causes of premature ageing in the skin — and one of the most difficult to reverse. From uneven tone and pigmentation to fine lines, wrinkles, and textural changes, years of unprotected sun exposure can leave lasting marks on our skin. For women over 40, these changes often become more visible and harder to treat with just topical skincare alone.
This is where LED light therapy offers exciting potential.
What Is Sun-Damaged Skin?
Sun-damaged skin is the result of prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Over time, this radiation breaks down collagen and elastin - the two proteins responsible for firm, youthful skin - and accelerates the ageing process.
Common signs of sun damage include:
- Hyperpigmentation and sunspots
- Rough or uneven skin texture
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Loss of elasticity and firmness
- Redness or dilated capillaries
- Dry, dehydrated skin
While sunscreen and antioxidants are essential for prevention, repairing existing damage requires targeting skin at a deeper cellular level - which is exactly what LED therapy does.
How LED Light Therapy Can Help Repair Sun Damage
LED light therapy uses different wavelengths of light to penetrate the skin at varying depths and trigger healing responses. It’s completely non-invasive, pain-free, and scientifically supported — making it a perfect addition to any anti-ageing or restorative skincare routine.
Here’s how different LED light colours can help with sun-damaged skin:
🔴 Red Light (640 nm)
Red light penetrates into the dermis to stimulate collagen production and reduce inflammation. This helps improve skin tone, smooth fine lines, and restore elasticity - all essential when addressing UV-induced damage.
🔥 Deep Infrared Light (up to 780 nm)
Unlike most masks that only offer near-infrared (which works just below the surface), deep infrared light reaches the deepest layers of the skin. This makes it especially effective for regenerating damaged tissue, firming the skin, and supporting long-term healing and elasticity.
⚪ White Light (600 nm)
White light promotes skin cell regeneration and repair. It helps restore hydration, improve tone and texture, and rebuild the skin barrier - essential for sun-damaged skin that’s become dry or sensitised.
💛 Yellow Light (590 nm)
Yellow light soothes and calms the skin. It’s particularly effective for reducing redness, inflammation, and broken capillaries caused by UV damage. This light also enhances lymphatic flow, helping to remove waste from sun-stressed skin.
Collagen, Elastin & LED Therapy
Sun exposure accelerates the breakdown of both collagen and elastin. Most people are familiar with collagen - it provides firmness and structure. But elastin is equally important, giving skin its ability to snap back and maintain its shape. Once elastin fibres are damaged, the skin becomes looser and less resilient.
LED therapy - especially red and deep infrared light - helps to reactivate fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing both collagen and elastin. Over time, consistent use can visibly restore firmness, reduce wrinkles, and improve overall elasticity.
Why Most LED Masks Don’t Cut It
It’s important to note that many LED masks on the market today only offer near-infrared light - which doesn’t penetrate as deeply or offer the same regenerative benefits as deep infrared.
The DermaGlow LED & EMS Mask is one of the few that combines:
- Red light (640 nm)
- Deep infrared light (780 nm)
- White and yellow light
This allows you to treat the entire spectrum of sun damage, from inflammation and pigmentation to deeper structural damage like collagen breakdown and elastin loss.
For surface-level issues like dullness or uneven tone, the DermaGlow Glasses are a great complementary tool. Their red light and EMS technology help stimulate circulation and improve texture around the eyes - an area particularly prone to UV ageing.
How to Incorporate LED into a Sun Damage Recovery Routine
If you’re dealing with sun damage, here’s how to make the most of LED therapy:
- Use 4–5 times a week, especially at first. This consistency allows your skin cells to respond effectively to the light stimulus.
- Target specific concerns using different light settings (e.g. red for collagen, yellow for redness, white for overall healing).
- Pair with hydration and antioxidants. Use serums with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide or vitamin C after treatment to support skin repair.
- Always follow with SPF in the morning. LED makes your skin healthier, but it doesn’t protect it from UV. Daily sunscreen is essential.
Final Thoughts
While no treatment can erase sun damage overnight, LED light therapy is one of the most effective and gentle ways to reverse its effects over time. By stimulating collagen and elastin production, supporting cellular turnover, and calming inflammation, the right LED routine can leave your skin visibly stronger, firmer, and more even.
The DermaGlow LED & EMS Mask is uniquely suited to this kind of repair - combining red, deep infrared, yellow, and white light modes in a single, easy-to-use device. For those concerned with facial sagging, dryness, fine lines or uneven tone caused by sun exposure, it’s a worthwhile long-term investment in your skin’s future.