Red Light Therapy After Fillers - Key Facts

Introduction: Red Light Therapy After Fillers

Many people today use dermal fillers, which are injections that fill up wrinkles and restore lost volume to sagging skin. While fillers are great for tightening your skin, they can have some side effects and take time to heal. The most frequent problems after filler injections are inflammation, redness, and swelling. To alleviate these issues, many choose complementary treatments, with red light therapy being one of the most popular. The reason is that red light therapy is a non-invasive procedure with no adverse effects. It produces an effective reduction in inflammation, redness, and swelling while stimulating collagen production, thereby enhancing the effect of fillers. In this article, we'll explore how red light therapy works after fillers, its benefits, safety, and tips for using it effectively at home.

What is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy is a non-surgical technique that employs red and near-infrared wavelengths of light. These photons of light are applied to your skin and penetrate deeply to trigger natural mechanisms that allow your skin to rejuvenate and remain irritation-free. The therapeutic wavelengths stimulate the increased production of elastin and collagen, two vital proteins that make your skin strong, firm, and elastic.

As you get older, your body produces less collagen, making the skin dull and saggy. Red light therapy naturally increases the production of collagen and elastin. It also promotes youthful skin by triggering mitochondrial function, which leads to enhanced energy production in the form of ATP. This energy is crucial to help your skin cells execute their functions and remain healthy.

Red light therapy aids energy production, so skin cells can recover faster as new cells take the place of old or damaged ones. It also reduces inflammation-your body's defense against injury or some cosmetic treatments-by preventing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This activity reduces swelling and redness, and can help with conditions like perioral dermatitis.

In addition, red light therapy enhances blood flow, making your skin cells richer in oxygen and nutrients. Thus, your skin naturally becomes smoother, younger, and more vibrant.

What Are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers, or soft tissue fillers, are materials that are injected to replace lost volume, erase wrinkles, and beautify the face. They do this by filling creases, lines, and volume loss sites on the face-such as the cheeks, lips, and jawline-providing a smoother, fuller, and more youthful look.

Dermal fillers are injected under the skin's surface to provide volume and lift sagging skin. The injections can also trigger the body's own natural collagen production, which enhances skin texture and firmness over time.

Types of Dermal Fillers

Popular types of dermal fillers widely used in cosmetic clinics include Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers, Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) Fillers, and Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) Fillers. Although fillers are not surgical, they can have some side effects. To mitigate these, many individuals use complementary measures such as red light therapy, which helps speed recovery and avoid inflammation.

Benefits of Using Red Light Therapy After Fillers

Many individuals who wish to try dermal fillers are scared due to potential side effects and a slow healing process. In this situation, red light therapy is a welcoming addition because it minimizes inflammation, swelling, and pain that can result from dermal fillers and helps you heal more quickly.

The primary advantages include:

Decreases Swelling and Inflammation: RLT alleviates skin irritation and can help with inflammatory conditions like erythema.

Increases Circulation: More blood flow delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells so that they heal sooner.

Accelerates Healing: Red light stimulates cellular repair and regeneration, enabling the skin to recover faster and naturally.

Reduces Bruising: Red light therapy minimizes the occurrence of bruises by stimulating blood circulation and promoting fast tissue repair.

Encourages Collagen Production: RLT aids in long-term effects by stimulating elastin and collagen creation naturally, which tightens the skin.

Enhances Overall Skin Appearance: Aside from aiding in filler recovery, red light therapy makes the skin brighter, smoother, and healthier looking, helping with concerns like oily skin or dark spots.

Is Red Light Therapy Safe After Getting Fillers?

Red light therapy is generally considered safe after dermal fillers. It is a non-surgical procedure that will not disrupt the placement of the filler since it does not cause heat or damage to the skin. In fact, it is recommended by many professionals as a way to reduce post-procedure bruising, swelling, and inflammation. Before having red light treatment, it's essential to discuss it with your provider to ensure it is a good fit for your personalized recovery plan.

When to Start Red Light Therapy Post-Fillers

Experts recommend waiting at least 24 to 48 hours before starting red light therapy after getting fillers. This allows your skin time to recover and lets the fillers settle properly. Applying it too early may interrupt the treated tissues. By giving yourself a brief recovery time, you allow your skin to relax, which enhances the comfort and effectiveness of the red light therapy.

How to Use Red Light Therapy at Home After Fillers

The best thing about red light therapy is that you can do it at home. You can start 24–48 hours post-fillers using a quality device. A good device should emit red light between 610–660 nm and near-infrared light between 810 and 1064 nm, as these wavelengths are most efficient for skin healing. Your device should also be user-friendly and FDA-approved. Once you have a good device, you can start sessions lasting 10–20 minutes, as recommended in our official usage guide.

Overview of the Total Spectrum Range for Post-Filler Skin Recovery with Red Light Therapy

Our RLT Home's Total Spectrum series features advanced red light therapy units that are highly efficient for home application. These units provide the specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light that have been clinically verified. All units in the series are FDA-approved, high-quality, and convenient to use due to features such as hands-free operation and variable intensity. A targeted device like the TotalSpectrum Mini is perfect for facial treatments after fillers.

Clinical Studies Supporting Red Light Therapy After Dermal Fillers

Study 1: Effectiveness of Low-Power Laser Therapy for Treating Late Swelling After Dermal Fillers

Objective: This research presented a clinical case to determine if photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) with a low-power laser could diminish persistent and intermittent swelling (PIDS) that occurred as a late reaction to dermal fillers. [1]

Result: A 73-year-old female patient with facial swelling was treated with PBMT using two wavelengths (660 nm and 808 nm). She was successfully treated for her facial swelling without undergoing surgical procedures.

Conclusion: Low-power laser photobiomodulation therapy is an effective and safe method for treating late swelling due to dermal fillers, providing a non-invasive solution to common filler complications.

Conclusion: Enhancing Filler Results with Red Light Therapy

What are the Benefits of Red Light Therapy Before and After Fillers?

Red light therapy prior to fillers preps the skin by increasing circulation and decreasing inflammation. Following fillers, it accelerates healing by soothing swelling, bruising, and pain. It also makes your skin healthier and more even in color. If used regularly, it can aid in long-term collagen production. Overall, it provides comfort and improved outcomes for your filler treatment.

Is Red Light Therapy Good for Bruises?

Red light therapy is particularly well suited for bruises since it decreases inflammation and facilitates cell healing quickly. It stimulates cell repair through the enhancement of energy production and improved circulation to the affected tissue. Application of one of our at-home red light therapy panels can cause bruising to disappear more rapidly and alleviates pain and swelling.

FAQs About Red Light Therapy After Fillers

How soon can I use an LED mask after fillers?

You can usually start using an LED mask about 24 to 48 hours after getting fillers.

What breaks down fillers faster?

Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid fillers faster. It's often used by doctors to dissolve fillers if needed.

Is it okay to do red light therapy after Botox?

Yes, red light therapy is generally safe after Botox because it can reduce inflammation, swelling, and bruising.

Does LED affect fillers?

LED light therapy does not negatively affect dermal fillers. In fact, it can help reduce inflammation and promote faster healing after filler treatments without breaking down the fillers.