Are LED and UV light the same?
Posted by Grace Gowdie on
No, LED lights do not emit UV.
Ultra Violet (UV) light is a major risk factor for skin cancer. Excessive sun exposure also causes sunburn, tanning, hyperpigmentation, DNA damage and eye damage. However, in small doses, UV light is beneficial for for maintaining our Vitamin D levels which is essential for absorbing calcium and promoting bone growth.
UV light travels in wavelengths between 10 and 400nm making it invisible to the naked eye. UV light energy penetrates the epidermis or outer layer of the skin only and overexposure causes severe damage.
Whereas, LED light has a wavelength between 400 and 800nm, making it a visible light in colours like red, yellow, green and blue. LED and UV are both forms of light energy, however, their effect on your skin is very different.
LED light energy penetrates through to the dermis layer of the skin and encourages anti-ageing by reducing inflammation, increasing collagen production, killing bacteria and promoting healing.
Put simply, overexposure to UV light can have a very damaging effect on your skin. LED light therapy on the other hand, helps your skin feel and look younger.