Red Light Therapy After Fillers - Key Facts

Introduction to Red Light Therapy After Fillers

Most people today have dermal fillers. Fillers are injections that fill up wrinkles and give lost volume to sagging skin. These fillers are great for tightening your skin. But fillers have some side effects and take time to heal. The most frequent problems after filler injections are inflammation, redness, and swelling. So, many choose treatments over and above dermal fillers to alleviate pain, and the most popular of these treatments is red light therapy. The reason is that red light therapy is a noninvasive procedure with no adverse effects on the tissues. 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 emitted onto your skin and pass deep in, to trigger natural mechanisms that allow your skin to rejuvenate, smooth, and remain irritation- and discomfort-free. The therapeutic wavelengths stimulate the increased production of elastin and collagen, two vital proteins that make your skin strong, firm, and elastic.

Unfortunately, as you get older, your body begins to produce less collagen, making the skin dull and saggy. But red light therapy naturally increases the production of collagen and elastin. It also encourages 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 crucial 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, illness, or some cosmetic treatment—by preventing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This activity reduces swelling and redness.

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 vibrant.

What Are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers, or soft tissue fillers or injectable implants, refer to those materials that are injected to replace lost volume, erase wrinkles, and beautify the face. They do this by filling the creases, lines, and volume loss sites on the face—e.g., the cheeks, lips, nasolabial folds (wrinkles from the nose to the corners of the mouth), tear troughs (hollowing under the eyes), and the jawline—providing a smoother, fuller, and more youthful look.

Dermal fillers are injected under the skin's surface (in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue) 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 with the passage of time.

Types of Dermal Fillers

The popular types of dermal fillers widely utilized in cosmetic clinics are:

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers

These are the most common type, created from a material naturally occurring within the body. They add moisture and volume to the skin. The effects can last between 6 and 18 months.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) Fillers

Made of small calcium particles suspended in a gel, these are utilized for medium to deep wrinkles and loss of volume. They stimulate the production of collagen and provide more long-lasting results, 12 to 18 months.

Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) Fillers

These fillers stimulate collagen production over time, enhancing volume and texture. They are applied to deeper folds as well as facial contouring, with effects lasting 2 years or even more.

Although fillers are not surgical, they can have some side effects. To mitigate these, most individuals use complementary measures such as red light therapy, which helps speed recovery and avoid inflammation.

Benefits of Using Red Light Therapy After Fillers

The majority of individuals who wish to attempt dermal fillers are scared due to the side effects and the process of slow healing. In this situation, red light therapy is a welcoming process because it minimizes inflammation, swelling, and pain that can result following dermal fillers and has you healing more quickly.

The following are the primary advantages of red light therapy following fillers:

Decreases Swelling and Inflammation

Individuals who receive dermal fillers complain of pain caused by inflammation and swelling. Red light therapy alleviates skin irritation through the minimization of inflammation. It minimizes inflammation and swelling to ensure the healing process is comfortable for you.

Increases Circulation

Red light therapy increases blood flow, and through this process, your skin heals in multiple ways. More blood flow delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells so that they heal sooner, and it also lowers the impact of inflammation.

Accelerates Healing

Needle injection microscopic damage can cause the skin to feel tender or irritated. Red light stimulates cellular repair and regeneration by enhancing mitochondrial function, enabling the skin to recover faster and naturally. 

Reduces Bruising

Some individuals bruise over the delicate sites, such as beneath the eyes and around the mouth, which is alarming, but not to red light therapy users as a post-treatment for fillers, since red light therapy minimizes the occurrence of bruises by stimulating blood circulation as well as promoting fast tissue repair. 

Encourages Collagen Production

Although dermal fillers restore volume, red light therapy aids in long-term effects by stimulating elastin and collagen creation naturally. This tightens the skin, its texture, and general youthful appearance.

Enhances Overall Skin Appearance

Aside from aiding in filler recovery, red light therapy makes the skin brighter, smoother, and healthier looking. It has the ability to enhance tone and texture, which further augments the effect of cosmetic treatments.

Is Red Light Therapy Safe After Getting Fillers?

Red light therapy is generally considered safe after dermal fillers.  Red light treatment 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 with your provider to ensure it is a good fit for your personalized recovery plan.

When to Start Red Light Therapy Post-Fillers

You shouldn't apply one cosmetic procedure immediately after another, especially when it involves something as sensitive as dermal fillers. Doing so can cause unnecessary irritation and may interfere with your skin's natural healing process. It's important to allow your skin time to recover and let the fillers settle properly. That's why experts recommend waiting at least 24 to 48 hours before starting red light therapy.

Red light therapy tends to be a harmless and therapeutic process after fillers—it decreases inflammation, resolves swelling, and accelerates healing. Yet, applying it too early following the injections may interrupt the treated tissues or influence the way the fillers form in the skin. By giving yourself a brief recovery time beforehand, you allow your skin to relax, which enhances the comfort and effectiveness of the red light therapy. As always, use your practitioner's individual advice for maximum safety and efficacy.

How to Use Red Light Therapy at Home After Fillers

The best thing about red light therapy is that you are able to do it at home. Following fillers, you need to heal quicker and minimize the side effects. As you are aware, red light therapy is a possible way to reduce inflammation, swelling, and redness, as well as enhance your skin after fillers. Overall, it is comforting—and it's even more convenient if you can do such a procedure at home. It saves you both time and money, but you must use it properly to achieve the maximum effect of red light therapy.

You can do red light therapy 24–48 hours post-fillers using a good red light therapy device. A good device refers to one that is able to emit red light between 610–660 nm and near-infrared light between 810, 830, 850, and 1064 nm, since these wavelengths are most efficient in healing your skin as well as providing added glow. Your device should also be user-friendly and FDA-approved.

Once you have bought a good device, you may then start the red light therapy session. The duration of each session must be 10–20 minutes. Don't overdo it, as it may cause slight side effects. But if used correctly, red light therapy may provide your skin with relaxation, radiance, and rejuvenating effects following fillers.

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

RLT Home's Total Spectrum series features a series of advanced red light therapy units that are highly efficient for home application. These units provide specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light that have been clinically and scientifically verified. Every unit in this series is effective as well as safe. All units in the series are FDA-approved because of their high-quality aspect. They are convenient to use due to features such as hands-free operation and variable intensity. You can set the light settings as you prefer and are comfortable with, without necessarily holding the device for extended periods. Red light therapy is best obtained through a device from this series.

Scientific Research on Red Light Therapy and Fillers

Scientific research indicates that red light therapy is quite beneficial following the administration of fillers. Research has discovered that red light reduces swelling, redness, and inflammation, which commonly occur after injections of fillers. Red light also accelerates the healing process by stimulating the body's own repair mechanism in the skin. Red light therapy operates by stimulating cells and enhancing energy production within them, which benefits the skin by helping it heal quickly and look healthier. In general, science favors employing red light therapy to enhance the filler outcome and simplify recovery.

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

The purpose of this research was to present a clinical case of a patient presenting with an unexpected late reaction to injections of dermal fillers resulting in persistent and intermittent swelling (referred to as PIDS). The aim was to determine if photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) with a low-power laser could diminish this swelling.

Result

A 73-year-old female patient, to whom dermal fillers had been injected six years ago, experienced swelling in various regions of her face. Following ultrasound and tissue analysis, PBMT treatment with low-power lasers on two wavelengths (660 nm and 808 nm) was administered to her. 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. It provides a non-invasive solution to solve frequent filler complications such as PIDS and allows patients to recover comfortably.

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, making the process more seamless. 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 to 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. Red light therapy stimulates cell repair through the enhancement of energy production and enhanced circulation of blood to the affected tissue. Red light therapy application causes 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 reduces inflammation, swelling, bruising, and redness. Moreover, red light therapy enhances the positive effects of Botox.

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.