There’s a new light in town! Humans need light and a proper dose of vitamin D. Plants need light to grow. Eyes need light to see. All of this comes from the sun…but there are different wavelengths of light that scientists have harnessed for other uses. Red or cool light lasers or light emitting diodes (LEDs) are now a staple in the beauty world.

Certain spas in NYC offer $500 facials using a $3,000 mask of LED lights to prevent aging, erasing fine lines and improving skin tone. One would hope so for a facial that costs that much! Salons are now using LED and laser hair therapy to increase the thickness of hair shafts, elongate the growing phase of each hair follicle and produce stronger, shinier hair. Costs for treatments vary from $2,000 to $10,000 for a series of visits that will stimulate hair growth and then keep it growing (at least until you decide you can’t afford it any more).

How does all of this work?

Red light stimulates collagen and elastin production which leads to firmer skin and less wrinkles. Infrared light which is in laser treatments promotes scar healing and increases circulation. The only thing still hampering use for diminished wrinkles or increased hair growth is the price. Also a downside is the salon time and travel time associated with in-office visits. Well, the dermatology arena is now promoting an in-home LED wand that emits red and blue (for killing bacteria found in acne and rosacea) lights together. Skin remains younger looking longer and certain skin conditions vanish. Now laser hair therapy comes in an in-home device as well. It’s the latest treatment for thinning hair which is gaining popularity as our population ages.

The Nutreve Personal Hair Therapy Laser has a contoured head like the contoured mask of lights that dermatologists use. It houses 35 pulsing red light lasers that target the base of the hair follicle where all hair is born. The increased circulation of blood in this area provides nutrients for healthy hair and takes away waste products that can build up and hamper strong hair growth. Following instructions is extremely important as the optimum use is for only 15-20 minutes every OTHER day. All thinning areas can be targeted and any viable follicle will start to produce thicker, shinier hair. This method of thinning hair treatment uses NO prescription medications, no invasive surgeries, no downtime and the cost is only about $600 for a one-time fee for the device and its rechargeable batteries. It even comes with an available hands-free stand so you can sit under it and use both hands to text, use your computer, knit, sew or hold your e-book.

We’re all trying to stay healthy and young looking for as long as possible. Skin and hair are usually the first thing a person notices as it starts to sag or thin. Even if we keep our weight down and our exercise program up, sagging skin and thinning or balding patches on our heads negates all of that hard work. Some of us turn to drastic measures such as surgeries or take endless amounts of prescription pills, others go in for endless amounts of treatments that work only for the rest of the day it seems, yet others just go all-natural and age gracefully. Whichever way you choose to live your life as you age, seek the light!

It promises to help us all ease into a happier, healthier more youthful looking life ahead!