You’ve probably heard the buzz. Maybe it was on your feed. Maybe it was Jennifer Aniston’s glowing skin. Or maybe it was that oddly sci-fi-looking LED mask Chrissy Teigen snapped a selfie in.
LED light therapy is having a moment—and not just in celebrity bathroom cabinets. It’s popping up in skin clinics, beauty counters, and online carts everywhere. But if you're here, there's a good chance you’re still asking the one question that really matters:
Does it work? And do I need to go to a clinic for it—or can I get the same glow at home?
Maybe you’re dealing with breakouts that won’t budge. Or maybe your skin’s looking dull, tired, or a little less firm than it used to be. Maybe you’re just curious if all this red and blue light stuff is anything more than glorified mood lighting.
Let’s break down the differences between at-home and in-clinic LED light therapy—what each one does, who it’s best for, and whether it’s actually worth your time (and your skin).
What’s the Difference Between At-Home and In-Clinic?
In-clinic or salon LED Light Therapy uses medical-grade devices that deliver higher light intensities, more precise wavelengths, and controlled treatment settings—under the supervision of trained professionals. These sessions are backed by clinical protocols and are often used alongside other targeted treatments for concerns like acne, ageing, inflammation, or pigmentation.
At-home devices, on the other hand, are built for convenience. Many use lower-powered LED technology to meet safety standards for unsupervised use. One clinical study even showed that a home-use red/infrared LED device (637 and 854 nm) improved skin elasticity and texture over 8 weeks of consistent, twice-weekly use—with no side effects reported. That’s great news, but there’s a catch: results take longer, and consistency is everything.
With a flood of new LED products popping up every year (some that look suspiciously like Halloween masks), it can be hard to know what’s legit. For example, a LED mask was pulled from shelves in the US and Australia after reports linked it to potential eye damage. There were concerns regarding the blinding lights and the ineffectiveness of the eye goggles that came with the device.
That’s not to say at-home devices don’t have value, but when it comes to safety, precision, and knowing your skin’s getting exactly what it needs, there’s still a sense of trust and control that comes with professional treatment.
Benefits of LED Light Therapy
In-Clinic
When doing LED Light Therapy in-clinic, you’re getting medical-grade technology, expert care, and tailored results. Professional LED Light Therapy uses calibrated wavelengths and higher fluence to target skin concerns more deeply and effectively than most at-home devices can.
Some of the benefits include:
- Faster, more visible active acne reduction: Clinical studies using blue light have shown up to an 81% reduction in inflammatory acne lesions.
- More consistent results on deeper issues. Professional LED systems can penetrate deeper into the skin to target conditions like post-acne marks, inflammation and early signs of ageing with higher accuracy and efficacy.
- Increased collagen production and skin firmness: Regular in-clinic LED sessions stimulate fibroblasts to produce more collagen and elastin. This means firmer, plumper skin—without heat or downtime.
- Superior antibacterial action: Blue LED effectively destroys acne-causing bacteria (P. acnes) by activating endogenous porphyrins—something not all at-home masks are powerful enough to achieve.
- Greater safety and regulation: Professional devices undergo strict calibration and are operated by trained therapists. Plus, your treatment is monitored in real-time, reducing the risk of overexposure or misuse.
At Home
Not everyone has the time or budget for regular clinic visits. This is where at-home LED devices may come in handy. They offer a user-friendly way to introduce light therapy into your routine, without stepping out of the house.
Here’s what they can offer:
- Noticeable improvement in skin texture: At-home LED devices can help improve rough or uneven skin texture after consistent use.
- Boosted skin elasticity: At-home devices can help improve skin firmness, especially in areas showing early signs of ageing.
- Enhanced skin hydration: Some devices can increase skin hydration over time, likely due to the improved barrier function.
- Safe for regular, unsupervised use: LED Light Therapy in general does not lead to adverse effects like redness, irritation, or pain. This is consistent with at-home devices.
- More convenient and cost-effective long term: Once you’ve invested in a quality device, it becomes part of your skincare routine.
How Often Should You Do LED Light Therapy?
For professional LED Light Therapy, the sweet spot for most clients sits at 2–3 treatments per week. This frequency ensures that the skin continues to respond to the light wavelengths over time—supporting collagen stimulation, clearing breakouts, and encouraging healing.
At Laser Clinics Canada, optimal session times are:
- Blue LED Light: ~22 minutes
- Yellow LED Light: ~13 minutes
These treatment lengths and intervals are designed to deliver maximum therapeutic benefit without overstimulating the skin, all while being monitored by trained therapists who will create a treatment plan according to your skin’s needs.
At-home LED Light Therapy, on the other hand, varies a bit more. You may use your device almost daily 6 days a week, from 10-20 minutes per session.
Either way, LED Light Therapy is non-invasive and gentle, meaning it’s difficult to “overdo it” if you’re following the manufacturer’s guidelines and your skin tolerates it well. Most at-home devices operate at a lower intensity, so they’re often designed for more frequent use.
Professional treatments don’t need to happen as often. The higher fluence and professional settings used in-clinic allow for deeper skin stimulation in fewer sessions. Plus there’s the added benefit of expert oversight, so you’re not second-guessing if you’re doing it right.
How Much Does LED Light Therapy Really Cost?
At Laser Clinics Canada, in-clinic LED sessions are reasonably priced considering the tech and professional oversight behind them.
A single Yellow LED treatment session runs at $75, while Blue LED sits at $110.
At-home LED tools come with a wider price tag range. You can find budget-friendly handheld options around $120 and higher-end masks that can climb up to $1,500 or more.
Who Should Avoid LED Light Therapy?
Both in-clinic and at-home LED Light Therapy is non-invasive, but like any skin treatment, there are certain cases where it’s best to hold off or consult a medical professional first. You should think twice about trying this treatment if you:
- Are photosensitive: Those with conditions like lupus, epilepsy, porphyria, or taking photosensitising medications like St John’s wort may experience adverse reactions.
- Have a history of eye conditions: Eye safety is a big deal, especially with blue light wavelengths. If you have a pre-existing retinal condition (like retinitis pigmentosa) or you're prone to migraines triggered by bright light, LED therapy might not be for you, especially at-home devices without proper eye protection.
- Have recently undergone a different skin treatment: Your skin needs time to recover. LED therapy might be too stimulating in the days immediately following more intensive treatments—unless it’s part of a planned recovery protocol prescribed by our Skin Therapists.
Final Thoughts
The truth? Both options have merit. At-home LED Light Therapy gives you accessibility and convenience—especially if you’re already consistent with skincare and want to extend your results.
But if you’re chasing faster, more dramatic improvements in acne, stressed skin, or visible signs of ageing, there’s no comparison to the results you can get with a professional-grade device in the hands of an expert.
If you’re still weighing your options, let your skin goals lead the way. Want visible glow with minimal effort? Start small at home. Want targeted results, faster? Book an in-clinic consultation and let your Skin Therapist tailor a plan that fits.
Want to learn more about LED Light Therapy? Here are a few reads that might interest you:
