Facelifts scare the heck out of me. If you’re gonna come at my face with a needle or a knife, I’ll start running in the opposite direction as quickly as my short legs can carry me. I want to age gracefully as much as anybody else, but there’s a limit to what I’ll do to achieve it.
- Using thick sunscreens that make me look like a ghost? Check.
- Gulping down vomit-flavoured green smoothies by the gallon? Check.
- Anything that involves needles or cutting up my face? I’m outta here!
All this to say that I had filed down face lifts into the I’ll-never-try-it folder. Then, I heard of a facelift that doesn’t require needles or knives. And it’s as pretty as a rainbow. This cool facelift is called Luminous Lift LED Light Therapy Facial and is available at EF MEDISPA in Canary Wharf (it was invented by the clinic’s founder). Here’s how it went:
How Does Light Therapy Benefit Skin?
Luminous Lift LED Light Therapy Facial uses the NASA-developed Dermalux machine, which emits a rainbow of frequencies: red, yellow, blue, orange and violet, as well as infra-red and cold wave laser. Rainbow Bright would have been proud.
So, what do all these lights do?
- Violet Light: It gets rid of acne-causing bacteria.
- Blue Light: It kills infections and helps the healing process.
- Yellow Light: It reduces hyperpigmentation and boosts the production of collagen and elastin.
- Red & Orange Lights: It increase the synthesis of collagen and the activity of fibroblast (they are involved in the production of elastin).
Basically, this treatment is good for acne, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles. If you ask kindly, it may even make you coffee (just kidding!). But if you’re suffering from any of these conditions, this is definitely something you want to consider.
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The Treatment
Yours truly is lucky to have escaped acne and hyperpigmentation so far (hope I don’t jinx it now!), but at 33 I already have some fine lines I want to get rid of. And anything that promises to boost collagen, which helps keep skin firm and wrinkle-free, is something I’m willing to try (as long as it doesn’t involve needles or knives, of course).
Before I could try the treatment, though, I had to fill in all the usual forms. You know, the ones where you tell the staff about any medical conditions you may have and agree not to sue them if something doesn’t go according to plan. Safety first.
The treatment itself is very relaxing. First, Bethan, the lovely nurse and clinic manager who took such great care of me, cleansed my face. Then eye patches went onto my eyes to protect them from the light. Finally, she put the “hood” that emits the rainbow low over my face.
That’s it. For the next half an hour, all I had to do was lie flat on my back and listen to the relaxing music in the background. Bethan left the room but returned a couple of times to check up on me and, both times, found me half asleep! That’s how relaxing this treatment is.
In case you’re wondering, the light doesn’t hurt or anything like that. It’s a bit warm, but the temperature remains constant throughout the treatment so it never gets too hot or too cold under that hood. There’s one downside, though. That rainbow is so pretty, it’s a shame you can’t see it while you under it.
The Results
As I said, I don’t have any acne or dark spots to get rid of (yet!), but after the 30 minutes had passed, my skin already looked a bit brighter. That’s the only big difference I saw on the day.
A week later, I noticed something else. My skin is a tad firmer too. That’s due to the extra collagen being produced, which doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, I’m sure I’ll see even better results in the next couple of weeks.
Of course, though, its effects aren’t permanent. That’s why, for best results, you may want to invest in a course of ten treatments (with 3 extra sessions!), especially if you’re trying to get rid of hyperpigmentation. Wear your sunscreen girls, cos those dark spots are so hard to remove completely!
Best of all, there is no downtime. You’re in and out within 40 minutes and don’t have to put up with any redness or anything like that. It’s the perfect way to give your skin a boost before a special event or up your anti-aging skincare game.
Who’s It For (And Who Should Skip It)?
LED facials aren’t a one-size-fits-all miracle, but they do shine (literally) in a few specific cases. If you’re dealing with early fine lines, stubborn pigmentation, or annoying breakouts, you’ll probably notice the most bang for your buck here. It’s also a dream option if you’re needle-phobic like me or just not ready to commit to something as intense (or pricey) as Botox or fillers.
On the flip side, if your skin is already sagging significantly or you’re expecting facelift-level results from a rainbow lamp, this isn’t your ticket. Think of it as a boost, not a total overhaul. It’s preventative and supportive more than it is corrective.
Maintenance & Frequency
Here’s the thing: one session is like a gym workout. You’ll see a little glow after, maybe a touch of firmness a week later, but if you want lasting results, you need consistency. Most clinics recommend a course of ten treatments, spaced out once or twice a week, to really make a dent in pigmentation and keep collagen humming along.
And once you’re done with your “course”? You’ll want to book top-up sessions every now and then (usually once a month) to keep the results going. Otherwise, your skin slowly slides back to baseline. It’s not a one-and-done deal, but the upside is zero downtime – you can literally pop in on your lunch break and go right back to work, glowing like you slept twelve hours and drank three litres of water.
Quick FAQs
Can I wear makeup after?
Yep. No scary redness, no “I just had a treatment” face. You can throw on your concealer straight after if you want.
Does it work on darker skin?
Yes. Light therapy doesn’t care what shade you are – it’s safe across the board.
Any chance it burns?
Nope. It just feels warm, like a sunbeam on your face. The only time it’s an issue is if you’re on meds that make you extra sensitive to light.
When should I book it before an event?
The day before is fine if you just want that fresh, glowy look. If you’re gunning for firmer skin, start a couple weeks ahead so the collagen boost has time to kick in.
Price & Availability
Luminous Lift LED Light Therapy Facial is available at EF MEDISPAs in London. Book your free consultation to learn about pricing and if it’s the right fit for you.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t some magic facelift in a lamp – it’s more like a skin boost on steroids (the safe kind). You’ll look glowier after one go, firmer if you stick with it, and you can do it on your lunch break without anyone knowing you were basically napping under a rainbow. If you’re needle-shy but still want results that go beyond what your serums can do, this is 100% worth a try.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
