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Does handheld LED light therapy unit cause hyperpigmentation?

Posted 29 Mar 2008

I am an African American female in her mid fifties. I recently purchased a hand held LED light therapy unit (red with infrared). I used it for 11 days and I have noticed that I am experiencing more hyperpigmentation in my skin.

I was looking for it to help even out my skin tone, but now, my face and neck areas are darker than the rest of my body. I need to know if this is normal considering the melanin in my skin. Should I stop using the unit completely and use a topical product? I just don't know what I should do at this point. Please advise.

Comments (14)

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Jumping June (unregistered guest) 29 Mar 2008
i had a marvel mini led device and thought it was causing hyperpigmenting too. i stopped using it right away. fortnuately bought it at nordstrom which take back anything! what's the name of your led device?
netta (unregistered guest) 13 Apr 2008
I just recently bought the marvel mini green which is supposed to help hyperpigmentation. I just used it for the first time. Will keep you posted. I am African American also.
Glenda Lee (unregistered guest) 16 Apr 2008
I hope you have better luck. I am very tempted to try the green or the red. I stopped using mine on my face and neck. I am trying it on my arms to help with some scaring. Good luck .
Christie Jones (1 post) 15 Sep 2008
I am interested in the green light, what is your verdict ? Does it cause hyperpigmentation, I am dark brown skin type. Thanks
honu66 (1 post) 12 Nov 2011

Hello Netta, was wondering how the green led worked for your hyperpigmentation? I have stubborn melasma and am considering green led as well. Any luck or recommendations? Thanks!

samgreen22 (5 posts) 18 Sep 2008
i have the tanda LED device. it is the only one that is FDA approved and dermatologist recommended.
ellenna (1 post) 17 Oct 2008
are led effective?safe?worth the money?
zane (1 post) 24 Nov 2008
LADIES... I'm an esthetician from Dallas and have also recently been using the TANDA LED light in blue and red. It has helped my acne but has caused pigmentation. I do love it though as it has staved off major breakouts.The most important thing I must tell you is DO NOT USE THE LED LIGHT ON YOUR NECK AREA... Thats around your thyroid and glands...it's not safe for that area.... thanks. zane dallas tx
mayfair115 (1 post) 8 Apr 2010
When you use the LED light on an area with hyperpigmentation it will initially cause it to get darker before breaks down the pigment. It requires several sessions before you will see it get better. It will look worse before it gets better
gotu (16 posts) 23 Jul 2010
A few years ago I had fraxel laser which brought out severe hyperpigmentation. It's been tolerable however because it basically covered my entire face. Made me look like I had a year round tan. Unfortunately though the fraxel also caused some volume loss in my forehead which created some major folds. I had been reading about led light therapy and decided to buy the Baby quasar. After about 6 weeks of use I'm definitely noticing the tightness back in my forehead however I'm also noticing the skin lightening. This is a problem because now because I'm seeing HYPOpigmentation on my cheeks. Mixed within the now lightened hyperpigmentation. I feel like I'm chasing my tail here. Is the Baby Quasar making the white spots? Or is it just that the hyperpigmentation was covering the hypo and now its more noticeable? More importantly, if I stop using the baby quasar on my cheek area will it get dark again and appear more even? Or should I continue to use the light on my cheeks and gamble that it will all eventually even out? Please anybody with some knowledge feel free to offer your thoughts. I am getting depressed over these complications.
MtPMom (13 posts) 29 Aug 2010
I have been considering the Baby Quasar? Can you give an updated since a month has passed? I have never heard of hypopigmentation from led but who knows.....
gotu (16 posts) 6 Oct 2010
Hi, Yea, all seems well. I've been using it now for a few months. I think I was freaking out a little because of everything I've been through.. It's working pretty well. Definitely firming things up and it hasn't affected the pigment to much.. making it overall a little bit lighter..
dr. micki (1 post) 10 Apr 2011
I recently bought a Lightstem Led skin therapy system. I am an African-American female. I want to know if this system is safe for people with higher concentrations of melanin. I understand the system was approved by the feds. However, I can find no data on the results for Black people.
giggly (1 post) 30 Aug 2011

I have hyperpigmentation on the both sides of my face upwards to my temple & side of my forehead. I have tried just about everything. I would like to try the baby quasar. I am not sure that's its the right thing
for African Americans. Are there any product(s) out there specifically to handle hyperpigmentation in African Americans

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