LED Light Therapy has been around since 1961!
While technically the first light emitting diode (LED) was invented in 1961 by Robert Biard and Gary Pittman, this LED was microscopic and not practically useful. It was not until 1962 that Nick Holonyak, Jr., the “Father of the Light-Emitting Diode”, invented the first visible LED that could be practically used,
LEDs offer an alternative to traditional electric light using the incandescent lightbulb. Importantly, LEDs provide the ability to produce a single wavelength of light instead of the many wavelengths of light that the lightbulb produced. LEDs initially only emitted red light, but were later developed to emit light at many different wavelengths. Several sources note that LED therapy was used as a method of treating pain and arthritis in Eastern Europe soon after being invented, however, medical research into this area did not begin until later.
Blue Light
The photons of blue light with a wavelength of 450nm, will penetrate the surface of the epidermis by up to 0.3mm. You will have seen the blue lights on the therapy face masks you can use at home for a range of skin ailments where our epidermis needs some help.
Red Light
The deep red light has a wavelength of 660nm. This passes the epidermis and into the underlying muscles and ligaments, with as much as 23cm. Delivering the photon energy, to increase cell growth with as much as 140-200%. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory effects in wounds, muscles and joints of red LED's with a wavelength of 660nm, has been well documented.
Infrared and near-infrared light
Infrared (IR) light and near-infrared light with a wavelength of 780nm - 900nm is close to invisible to the human eye. IR light penetrates the deepest, into soft tissue and bones and has been proven in numerous research papers to lessen skeletal muscle fatigue in humans, along with shorten the recovery time after strenuous exercise.
Both acute and sub-acute wounds in various stages of edema and degrees of infection, shows accelerated healing, when being treated daily with near-IR LED's on the afflicted area, along with a reduction of pain after the first or second treatment, without any side effects from the treatment and very little scar tissue after the wound has healed.