Light Therapy

Light therapy is an effective tool for treating aesthetic and medical skin problems. At Cleaver Medical Group Dermatology in Alpharetta, Canton, Cumming, Dahlonega, Dawsonville, Gainesville, Johns Creek and Toccoa, GA, the dermatologists use light therapy to shatter pigment, reduce redness, and minimize sun damage. Call Cleaver Medical Group Dermatology today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What is light therapy?

Light therapy uses a light-emitting diode (LED) at low-level wavelengths to target surface damage to the skin. The treatment works by triggering your body’s natural healing response. Your skin absorbs the light, which converts to heat and sparks healing. New collagen forms and existing fibers tighten as your skin repairs itself, promoting firmer, more youthful-looking skin.

Cleaver Medical Group Dermatology also utilizes Excimer lasers and narrow band UVB at several locations to help treat patients with vitiligo. Light therapy is especially helpful in treating psoriasis, vitiligo, and eczema. Other conditions that can be treated with light therapy include Rough, scaly, precancerous spots on the skin (actinic keratosis), mild to moderate acne, rosacea, sun damage, and even hair loss. 

What is intense pulsed light therapy?

Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) is a photofacial treatment that can improve your skin’s color, tone, and texture. Unlike LED light therapy, IPL uses varying high-energy wavelengths to treat skin concerns. These high energy levels penetrate the skin more deeply than an LED treatment. Because of this deeper penetration, IPL could produce more noticeable results. 

What can I expect from a light therapy treatment?

Light therapy is typically more comfortable than laser therapy, which uses a more focused beam of light and penetrates deeper skin layers. To improve your comfort during treatment, your dermatologist at Cleaver Medical Group Dermatology can apply a topical anesthetic. The entire treatment takes 20-30 minutes.

After your treatment, your skin will be red and swollen, but light therapy typically doesn’t require downtime. Your skin flakes for about 10 days after treatment, so make sure to apply a hydrating moisturizer.

You’ll begin to see noticeable improvements in your skin’s tone and texture within a week of treatment. The full results usually take 6-8 weeks to appear.

Call Cleaver Medical Group Dermatology today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about light therapy skin treatments.