This safe, non-invasive light treatment is now available at select Equinox Spas.
Whether you’re a casual runner or a regular weightlifter, recovering from a workout can sometimes be an uncomfortable and cumbersome experience. But now, you can help your body bounce back quicker with the LightStim LED Bed available at Equinox Spas in four NYC Clubs: Dumbo, Flatiron, Brookfield Place, and East 85th.
Using full-body red light therapy, the beds speed up recovery time and offer many other health and aesthetic benefits that’ll raise the bar on your self-care and high-performance lifestyle. Here, learn more about the healing powers of LED light therapy.
What Is LED Light Therapy?
LED (Light-Emitting Diode) therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses low levels of different wavelengths of light. The common frequencies are red (which treats the outermost layer of the skin) and near-infrared (which targets deeper layers of the skin, as well as muscles and connective tissue). When used for pain relief, LightStim beds employ a variety of wavelengths of light red, dark red, infrared, and deep infrared LEDs, according to the company.
LED light therapy doesn’t contain harmful ultraviolet light, so it will not burn skin. Plus, there’s zero downtime after a session, so you can get back to your day right after a treatment.
The Benefits of LED Light Therapy
“The LightStim LED Bed is the first and only FDA-cleared bed to relieve muscle and joint pain, arthritic pain and stiffness, and muscle spasms,” says LightStim CEO Steve Marchese. “It increases blood circulation, which brings oxygen and nutrients [to muscles and other tissue] to help heal the body faster. If you’re using LED light therapy for post-workout aches, you’ll experience a much faster recovery period.”
While LED lights were invented in the 1960s, in the last few decades, researchers have found they can also be used as a skin treatment. The benefits of LED light therapy were first clinically studied by NASA to treat skin wounds on astronauts. Since then, more recent studies have shown red LED light can stimulate collagen production for healthier-looking skin, reduce inflammation, and address fine lines and wrinkles.
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What to Expect During a LightStim Session
Schedule your 20- to 40-minute session at the participating Equinox Spas, and from there, the process of getting a LightStim LED Bed treatment is as convenient and easy as lying down. First, the bed is warmed up for about 10 minutes. During that time, you can disrobe, find what you want to listen to on your earbuds, and begin to get zen. “We recommend no clothing, so there’s nothing to inhibit the rays from penetrating your skin,” says Marchese.
Lie down on your back, put on your protective goggles, hit the start button, and pull the face panel down about one to two inches from your face. “One of the differences of LightStim is that our technology features sensors that ascertain the exact temperature of the body part touching it. It then raises the entire body's temperature equally for maximum effectiveness,” says Marchese. When you’re halfway through the session, you can ditch the goggles and flip over to your stomach to complete the full-body treatment.
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Is LED Light Therapy Right For Me?
The simple answer is yes. “However, if you’re pregnant or someone with a life-threatening illness, it’s best to speak with your physician before starting any new treatment,” says Marchese.
Though great for all skin types, you’ll want to keep in mind that LED light therapy “will exaggerate the benefits of all the ingredients in your skincare products,” Marchese. “For instance, Retin-A and benzoyl peroxide are typically very drying products, so counteracting with a great moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid and peptides will help prevent excess dryness,” especially after a LightStim Session.
Just like any new routine, consistency with LED therapy is key. A LightStim membership at the Spa costs $85 per month, which includes unlimited visits. “You can’t do LED light therapy too often,” says Marchese. “The recommendation is three to five sessions a week, but it’s a cumulative benefit: The more you go, the more you’ll see — and feel — the difference.”