Light Up Your Skincare Routine: How LED Therapy Can Transform Your Skin

Light Up Your Skincare Routine

How LED Light Therapy Supports Healthier, Happier Skin

LED Light Therapy has long been a favourite in clinic here at Skin Health Studio — because it works. It’s gentle on the skin, suitable for almost everyone, and supports deep healing and skin resilience from within.

Now, with professional-quality at-home devices like the IllumiaSkin Pro LED Mask, it’s easier than ever to add this skin-supporting ritual into your regular routine.

If you’ve been curious about what LED Light Therapy actually does, or how to use it at home safely, here’s a simple guide to help.

What is LED Light Therapy?

LED (Light Emitting Diode) therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to trigger natural healing responses within the skin. Each wavelength penetrates to a different depth and stimulates different processes — from calming inflammation to encouraging collagen production and helping clear breakouts. Surprisingly enough, it was NASA who first encountered the healing effects of red LED light while trying to grow potatoes in space! This groundbreaking discovery led to the exploration of the potential of LED light for medical purposes. Eventually, this technology made its way into the medical field and became a significant innovation in beauty treatments for the cosmetic industry.

At Skin Health Studio, we often recommend LED Light Therapy alongside other skin treatments — but it can also be a wonderful way to maintain skin health between appointments, or to simply give your skin some extra support at home. It’s non-invasive, pain-free, and supports the skin without causing trauma or damage.

Red + Near-Infrared Light: Collagen Boosting, Deep Healing & Inflammation Support

Red and Near-Infrared light work beautifully together to support both surface and deep skin health. Red light helps stimulate collagen and elastin production, improving firmness, elasticity, and texture over time. It also enhances circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the skin for a brighter, more radiant complexion.

Near-Infrared light penetrates even deeper, supporting the skin’s natural healing response and reducing inflammation in the lower layers of tissue. This makes it especially helpful for calming stressed or reactive skin — whether you’re dealing with rosacea, post-treatment sensitivity, or a weakened skin barrier. Together, Red and Near-Infrared light not only help the skin look better on the surface, but also strengthen it from within, promoting resilience and long-term skin health.

Blue Light: Acne & Bacteria Control

Blue light works at the surface of the skin to target and neutralise acne-causing bacteria. By reducing this bacteria, Blue light helps prevent breakouts and calm existing blemishes — all without harsh ingredients or irritation.

It’s a safe and effective option for supporting clearer skin, especially when combined with good barrier repair and calming ingredients. It also has gentle anti-inflammatory effects, helping to soothe irritated or reactive skin.

Purple Light: Healing & Balancing

Purple light combines the benefits of Red and Blue wavelengths, making it a beautifully balanced option for skin that needs both healing and clearing. It helps reduce acne-causing bacteria while simultaneously promoting collagen production and supporting skin regeneration.

Purple light is ideal for anyone dealing with post-acne healing, skin prone to breakouts with lingering sensitivity, or anyone wanting to maintain healthy, balanced skin while calming inflammation. It’s a versatile option that works across many different skin needs.

Why Home LED Can Be a Useful Addition

One of the reasons we like LED so much is that it works gently with the skin — supporting barrier function and overall skin health without creating stress.

At-home use allows you to build consistency, which is where LED really shines. Using your device 2–4 times per week can help maintain results between professional treatments and keep your skin on a steady path of improvement.

Of course, like all good things in skincare, results take time and regular use.

Choosing a Safe, Effective Device

Not all LED devices are created equal. The IllumiaSkin Pro LED Mask uses clinically-proven wavelengths (the same ones we trust in clinic) and delivers them evenly with 270 LEDs.

It’s also TGA and FDA approved, which gives peace of mind around safety and quality.

Three pre-set 10-minute treatment modes make it very simple to use — even if you’re busy.

How to Use It

Start with clean, dry skin.
Choose the light setting that suits your skin’s current needs.
Relax and wear the mask for 10 minutes (great for pairing with a little quiet time!).
Follow with your regular skincare routine.

Consistency matters more than anything — regular sessions will yield the best results.

LED Light Therapy is one of the gentlest, most supportive ways to care for your skin at home.

Whether you’re working on calming breakouts, building skin strength, or simply wanting to support a brighter, healthier complexion, incorporating LED a few times a week can be a valuable part of your routine.

If you’d like to know more about the IllumiaSkin Pro LED Mask, or whether LED is right for your skin, feel free to ask next time you’re in clinic — or just drop me a message.

As always, I’m happy to chat about what will genuinely support your skin best.

Try it for yourself!

Not sure? Let's chat

Meet Dunedin’s skin disorder expert, Jemma Marr

Follow Jemma Marr’s beauty therapy journey from high-tech to slow beauty and learn why grateful clients reverently pass on her name to people who are suffering with skin disorders.

An editorial by Kathryn Overall – Autumn edition of Beauty NZ 2017

After a decade of working in skincare clinics throughout New Zealand, America and the United Kingdom, Jemma returned to her hometown, Dunedin, with her husband and baby daughter.

When she began offering skincare services part-time from the spare bedroom of their home in 2011, she didn’t imagine that she would soon need a bigger house to keep up with demand.

Once the word got out about the amazing results Jemma was achieving by holistically treating serious skin disorders like acne, rosacea, pigmentation and eczema, a steady stream of hopeful women began to walk through the door.

Over the last five years, Jemma’s Skin Health Studio in St Clair has been the epicenter of many skin transformation journeys. Jemma, whose own flawless, radiant skin is her best business card, says she loves the challenge of solving skin disorders and the rewarding work of coaching people through the life-changes they need to make in order to heal their skin.

“I remember one lady who came with horrific acne and rosacea all over her face,” says Jemma. “It was so bad you couldn’t cover it with makeup. She had tried everything medically possible and nothing had worked.”

Jemma undertook a thorough investigation into the woman’s diet and discovered she had a severe intolerance to dairy.

“I put her on a full nutrition and topical healing protocol regime, “says Jemma. “Within six months her skin was completely clear. She was in tears one day in my clinic thanking me so much for helping her. She was a pleasure to work with because she followed all the rules and it has changed her life.”

Jemma became disillusioned with beauty therapy before she discovered the holistic way of working with skin that serves her so well. The results she now enjoys can be traced to the influence of two significant mentors in different chapters in her life.

The London chapter | Donna Gershinson

When Jemma moved to London in 2005 she began working at ‘Face It’, owned by Donna Gershinson, one of London’s most respected skincare educators. Over the next five years Donna mentored Jemma, emphasizing the importance of advanced skin analysis.

“A key thing I learnt with Donna was to be extremely detailed and thorough in consultations, to try and get as much information out of the client as possible,” says Jemma.

During this chapter, Jemma also gained a greater understanding of the links between nutrition and skin health, and she undertook an advanced nutritional programme.

The slow beauty chapter | Janine Tait

Upon her return to New Zealand, a chance meeting with Janine Tait of Bestow and Janesce opened Jemma’s eyes to the power of working from within to treat the underlying causes of skin disorders.

Janine Tait is a leading figure in the New Zealand beauty industry who educates therapists about the Slow Beauty approach to skincare. This growing movement champions a move away from invasive, quick fix topical treatments and champions a holistic approach to skincare with a focus on dermo-nutrition, wellness and topical skincare, which rebuilds and preserves the barrier function of the skin.

Jemma began using Janine’s Janesce botanical skincare range and Bestow skin-friendly super food blends and recipe books with her skin disorder clients.

“Until I met Janine, I was still that ‘technical, heaps of machinery type therapist’,” says Jemma. “When I took on the Janesce range and philosophy I was amazed by results we got. The Janesce training and the mentoring I received from Janine are a huge part of what I am doing now.”

Jemma Moran’s tips for correcting skin disorders

Use Healing Topical Skincare Ranges

I use both Janesce and Dermaviduals skincare ranges in my clinic. With skin disorder clients I usually prescribe the Janesce Hypersensitive range as a starting point. I am a big fan of Dermaviduals Cleansing Milk and will often use this in conjunction with Janesce.

Be Gentle and Go Slowly

If a skin is really inflamed and reactive I go slowly. I often introduce the Janesce soaking protocol twice a day followed by the Janesce Lavender Soothing Mist and Avocado and Sesame Oil. The goal here is calm the skin and begin to rebuild a healthy barrier function. It’s likely the client has been on harsh regimes previously, which have broken this down.

Once the skin is ready for the next step, I add in specific Janesce herbal concentrates or Dermaviduals tailor-made serums.

Ask Questions, Listen Carefully

Your client’s skin is a reflection of their life so it’s very important to understand what their life is like. I get each client to fill out an online form and food diary before I see them. During the first consultation I ask them to run through a normal day for me. Detail is important here: how do you start your day? Does work get stressful? What time do you get home? I’m listening for their lifestyle habits, their stressors and their triggers.

“You are expecting your skin to change, you will have to make changes.”

Require Commitment from Clients

If someone wants to change their skin they are going to have to change their life, especially their diet. I am quite straight up about that with my clients. As far as I am concerned it is all or nothing. They can’t get a great result if they only do half of the treatment plan. Most people are receptive to this because they are pretty desperate by the time they come to me. They have tried lots of things and are being emotionally impacted by their skin condition.

Be Their Cheer-Leader

You need to be just as committed to the client as they are to the changes you are asking them to make. Regular check-ins with clients is crucial for keeping them on track and supporting them through each step. I say to each client, ‘you can text me or email every single day until you don’t need me anymore.’ And most of them take me up on it! Be their coach and biggest cheerleader. Your encouragement and praise gives them the confidence to keep going.

Begin With A Detox

The majority of my skin disorder clients start their journey with the Janesce 7 Days of Me Cleanse. If someone has a skin disorder, 9 out of 10 times, there are issues occurring internally. This gentle diet detox helps to reduce the inflammation in their body, and improve liver and digestive functioning. When they come back for their next consult often their skin has calmed right down and they are feeling better. After detoxing, the Bestow Recipe Books teach them how to make healthy skin friendly meals everyday. Bestow super-food boosters also become a key part of their skincare regime at home – especially Bestow Beauty Oil for moisturising the skin from within and regulating oil flow.

Kathryn Overall is a freelance writer and Slow Beauty movement advocate. She lives in Tauranga.

Lemon water and the importance for good skin health

Lemon water is nature’s best skin secret, they are one of the most amazing ‘skin super foods’ for many reasons. If you are wanting to improve the glow and health to your skin, lemon water is the cheapest and easiest way to get you started.

Have we got your attention yet?

Not only does lemon water help with overall health and wellbeing, it improves the health of your skin.

It’s time to start your day with a fresh lemon water

Here’s why:

Lemons help to eliminate toxins from the liver, helping to keep your skin clearer and smoother.

They also help to increase digestive enzymes in your gut to absorb and digest food properly, ensuring you receive all the goodness from your food.

Lemons are also very high in Vitamin C and we all know that’s a vital antioxidant! We need it for our collagen production and anti-wrinkle fibre.

And that’s not all!

Lemons are a great source of phosphorus (required for a healthy nervous system, brain repair and memory) and sodium, helping to eliminate wastes and prevent hardened arteries and arthritis.

So as you can see, the health benefits are for your entire wellbeing, but also your skin. To get started, get going everyday with the juice of half a lemon in a cup of warm water to get yourself on the road to beautiful skin. You might find it a bit tart at first, in which case start with just a couple of squeezes and build up to half lemon a day.

Get started and on the road to beautiful skin!

Here’s why we love Dermaviduals and you should too

If you’ve been to see us at the Skin Health Studio before, you’ll know that we love Dermaviduals and it’s one of the main brands that we use in our treatments and sell to our clients for homecare. But why do we love it so much?

A big reason is because Dermaviduals is a skincare product range that has been designed to work with every individual skin type and condition. This means that no matter what condition your skin is, there is a Dermaviduals solution available. As a stockist of Dermaviduals, we are able to tailor their products specifically to your needs, there is no one size fits all approach to skin.

Dermaviduals products have the ability to penetrate your skin to a cellular level and allows the skin to have every vital nutrient from within their products, allowing your skin to be the best it can be. This is because the brand follows the concept of corneotherapy and all of their products are developed with that philosophy in mind. Corneotherapy is the science of the epidermal skin barrier defense systems. Another reason why we love Dermaviduals so much, it uses science to restore and maintain a healthy skin function.

No wonder that Dermaviduals products are able to achieve these great results!

Dermaviduals is a prescription only product due to its high level of penetration into the skin. Being a prescription only product, this allows us to tailor make cleansers, serums and moisturisers specifically for any skin condition. It also means that we can’t sell it online, so if you are wanting some Dermaviduals product, you will need to contact us instead. You can however view the products here.

All the products contain no preservatives, perfumes, mineral oils, emulsifiers, amines and silicones. These ingredients are known and considered to be the cause of sensitive and irritated skin. With Dermaviduals you know that what you are putting on your skin is pure active ingredients with no nasties.

If you want to discuss how Dermaviduals could fit into your skincare regime, the best thing to do is book in for one of our skin consultations.