Led light therapy for hyperpigmentation: what colour is best?
What is hyperpigmentation and what causes it?
Summary: colours and hyperpigmentation
Melanocyte depth
Penetration Depths of different light wavelengths
Yellow light and hyperpigmentation reduction
Red light for hyperpigmentation
Near infrared light for hyperpigmentation reduction
Green, blue and orange light and hyperpigmentation
In summary, red and infrared light are the best choices for pigmentation reduction…
Advanced, infrared / blue / red light therapy treatments in London at LipoTherapeia
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What is hyperpigmentation and what causes it?
Hyperpigmentation, a localised concentration of melanin on the skin, is a common skin issue, especially for people of colour:
As a reaction to inflammation, e.g. after a skin procedure or cosmetic surgery go wrong
Due to hormonal imbalances, e.g. melasma
Due to the use of certain medication
Due to pregnancy
After sunbathing or use of sunbeds
LED light therapy is a safe, gentle therapy that can improve hyperpigmentation, at low cost and without the potential reactions arising from treatment with lasers.
Quite a few people are confused about what is the best light colour for treatment with an LED device: blue, green, yellow, orange, red or infrared.
Research suggests yellow, red, and near-infrared light may reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin synthesis, though evidence for green and blue light is negative and for orange light evidence is lacking.
Summary: colours and hyperpigmentation
Scientific studies indicate that:
Yellow light (around 585 nm), red light (630-660 nm), and near-infrared light (830-940 nm) can reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin synthesis, potentially fading dark spots. The evidence leans toward these colours being effective, as they target the processes that produce excess melanin. Yellow light is not that well researched, in contrast to red and infrared which have been extensively researched for decades.
Orange light, while not as well-studied, may share effects with red and yellow due to its wavelength proximity
There is no study about green light photobiomodulation reducing hyperpigmentation - and it might increase it
Blue light generally seems to induce hyperpigmentation, especially at high power densities, so it is not an option
Now let’s take a deeper look into the mechanics of hyperpigmentation and its reduction with low level light therapy.
Melanocyte depth
Melanocytes, aka melanin cells, produce melanin for skin colour and are mostly found in the basal layer of the epidermis at about 35μm depth, i.e. 0.035mm. This layer is the deepest part of the epidermis, right above the dermis.
Studies show they’re evenly spread, with around 1200 melanocytes per square millimetre, forming units with keratinocytes at a ratio of about 1 to 30–50. This setup helps protect against UV damage and ensures even skin tone.
Penetration Depths of different light wavelengths
The depth at which light penetrates the skin, measured at 37% of its initial intensity (1/e), depends on the wavelength. The approximate values, depending on tissue thickness and structure and melanin content, are as follows, according to the scientific literature:
Blue light (470 nm): ~0.6 mm, affecting the epidermis and upper dermis
Green light (530 nm): ~1.4 mm, reaching into the mid dermis
Yellow light (570 nm): ~1.6 mm, reaching into the mid-deep dermis
Orange light (600 nm): 1.9 mm, reaching the deep dermis
Red light (650 nm): 2.4 mm, penetrating into the upper hypodermis
Near-infrared light (850 nm): 3.4 mm, reaching deeper into the hypodermis, subcutaneous fat, muscles or tendons (depending on local tissue thickness and structure)
As we can see all types of light can reach the melanocytes, so it is not a matter of penetration but a matter of effectiveness and safety for each type of light.
Yellow light and hyperpigmentation reduction
Research suggests that yellow light at 585 nm is effective for reducing hyperpigmentation. A study published in ScienceDirect: Light-emitting diode 585 nm photomodulation demonstrated that 585 nm LED light suppressed melanin content in human epidermal melanocytes (HEMs), with the effect being dose-dependent, inhibiting melanogenesis and inducing autophagy.
This suggests yellow light can break down existing pigmentation and reduce melanin production, making it a promising option for hyperpigmentation treatment.
Red light for hyperpigmentation
Red light, particularly at 630-660 nm, also shows inhibitory effects on melanogenesis. A review in PMC: The Emerging Role of Visible Light in Melanocyte Biology and Skin Pigmentary Disorders noted that 630 nm, 633 nm, and 660 nm LEDs decrease melanin levels, downregulate tyrosinase, and reduce melanocyte viability at doses of 5–20 J/cm² or 96 J/cm², indicating a potential to reduce hyperpigmentation.
Near infrared light for hyperpigmentation reduction
Near-infrared light, especially at 830-940 nm, has shown similar benefits. A pilot study in PMC: Dual Effect of Photobiomodulation on Melasma used 940 nm LED light and found significant pigment reduction in melasma patients, with mechanisms involving inhibition of tyrosinase and related proteins.
Another study, Light-emitting Diodes at 830 and 850 nm Inhibit Melanin Synthesis In vitro demonstrated that 830 nm and 850 nm wavelengths inhibited tyrosinase production, leading to decreased melanin synthesis, though some reports noted potential hyperpigmentation in vitiligo patients, suggesting a dual effect.
Blue, green and orange light and hyperpigmentation
Contrary to “the wisdom of the internet” there is currently no scientific indication for green LED photobiomodulation for treating hyperpigmentation, despite commercial claims (all the studies mentioned by some people are destructive laser studies, not gentle photobiomodulation LED light studies).
Blue light, around 415-450 nm, can under certain circumstances induce hyperpigmentation (The Emerging Role of Visible Light in Melanocyte Biology and Skin Pigmentary Disorders: Friend or Foe?), with studies showing it activates OPN3 and up-regulates MITF signaling, leading to increased melanin production.
Orange light, around 590-620 nm, is less studied, but given its proximity to yellow and red, it may share similar effects, though specific evidence is lacking.
In summary, red and infrared light are the best choices for pigmentation reduction…
…as long as too high intensities, which could irritate the skin, are not used. This makes sense as red and infrared light stimulate the cytochrome c oxidase enzyme in mitochondria, which helps regulate cell health and function, including the melanocytes.
Yellow light could potentially be useful but evidence is very limited.
Advanced, infrared / blue / red light therapy treatments in London at LipoTherapeia
At LipoTherapeia we are passionate about phototherapy (also known as photobiomodulation/PBM, red light therapy, infrared light therapy, blue light therapy, LED light therapy etc) and we use the most powerful equipment available today (up to 200mW/cm2), for best results and treatment of large body areas.
We use specialised therapy protocols for skin rejuvenation / anti-ageing, pigmentation / post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), moderate/severe acne, skin redness, sensitive/inflamed/irritated skin, wound healing, sports injuries / musculoskeletal pain and overall wellness / well-being.
Our LED phototherapy sessions are comfortable, deeply relaxing and super-safe and are great to enhance our radiofrequency/ultrasound treatments for skin tightening / cellulite reduction.
On our booking page you can book stand-alone phototherapy sessions or combine them with our other treatments, as an add-on.
Learn more or check prices and book an expert LED phototherapy treatment at our London clinic.
Have a skin tightening/cellulite treatment in London with the experts
At LipoTherapeia we have specialised 100% in skin tightening and cellulite reduction for more than two decades and 20,000+ sessions.
This is all we study and practise every day and have researched and tried hands-on all the important skin tightening equipment and their manufacturers.
As strong, deep acting radiofrequency and deep-acting, high-power ultrasound cavitation are the technologies of choice for skin tightening and cellulite reduction, we have invested in the best RF/ultrasound technologies in the world.
Furthermore, over the last two decades we have developed advanced RF and cavitation treatment protocols in order to make the most of our technologies, for maximum results, naturally and safely.
And for even better, faster results, we now combine our RF/ultrasound treatments with high-power red/infrared light LED treatment.
Our radiofrequency/ultrasound/LED treatments are comfortable, pain-free, downtime-free, injection-free, microneedling-free, 99.5%+ safe and always non-invasive.
And our focus is on honest, realistic, science-based treatment, combined with caring, professional service, with a smile.
We will be pleased to see you, assess your cellulite, skin laxity or fibrosis, listen to your story, discuss your case and offer you the best possible treatment.
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