by Gina Cronin
The first LightStim LED bed has made its way to Long Island. LED light therapy is a natural, noninvasive treatment 
that helps people achieve whole-body wellness. As shown by hundreds of studies over the past several decades, including those conducted by NASA, similar to plants, humans can absorb light and convert it to energy, providing rejuvenation on multiple levels.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared, patented, full-body LightStim LED bed is composed of 18,240 LEDs that simultaneously emit multiple wavelengths of light. The LED bulbs are different from those found in homes. Specific wavelengths are used to penetrate into skin and body tissue and trigger cellular processes that aid in healing and repair. “The gentle light treatment targets the entire body and stimulates its inherent healing process,” says Elizabeth Contello, esthetician and owner of Purely Skincare, in East Rockaway.
In studies, light therapy has been shown to stimulate the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is known as “cellular currency,” and is, in fact, the fuel the body runs on. Without it, cells cannot do their jobs. This may not sound so impressive until one begins to consider the endless functions performed by cells every moment of every day, including cell signaling, tissue repair, and immune response. Studies have shown that as a person ages, the body’s ability to produce ATP diminishes by approximately 5 to 8 percent per decade after the age of 18 in most individuals. This translates to roughly a 32 percent reduction in cellular currency by the time a person reaches the age of 60, which helps explain why as a person ages, wounds don’t heal as quickly and it often becomes more difficult to recover from certain illnesses.
Another important benefit associated with LED therapy in studies is the release of nitric oxide from cells, making it available for the body’s use. Nitric oxide is a critical signaling molecule that humans naturally produce, but, like ATP, the production of nitric oxide declines with age. Inadequate nitric oxide supply is associated with many age-related illnesses, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and loss of cognitive function.
Additional benefits attributed to light therapy include:
Skin rejuvenation – plumping, firming, diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin tone and texture, and reducing redness.
Acne treatment – Destroys acne-causing bacteria while reducing inflammation, redness and irritation.
Pain relief – Temporarily relieves muscle, joint and arthritic pain, and increases local blood circulation.
An LED session can be an uplifting addition to any wellness regimen. People often comment on a sense of euphoria or well-being after a single treatment. This may have something to do with improved cell signaling, which can stimulate production of the brain’s “feel good” chemicals. LED has also been used to successfully treat seasonal affective disorder. “One of my clients said, after a session, ‘I feel like I have happy cells—like I’ve been hugged and kissed by the sun,’” says Contello. “It’s really like being on vacation for 40 minutes—it helps you decompress and de-stress.”
Even NASA is currently doing experiments to help astronauts regulate their sleep patterns with the use of LED therapy, since certain wavelengths have been shown to suppress melatonin production. Plus, athletes use it for stamina, energy and improved performance.
“LightStim has been a favorite of plastic surgeons, dermatologists, estheticians, and other licensed skin care and wellness professionals for almost 20 years,” says Contello. “LightStim is FDA-approved, and all of their devices are designed, engineered and manufactured at LightStim headquarters, in Irvine, California. I’ve been using one of their smaller devices in my practice for many years with consistently outstanding results.”
Other services at Purely Skincare include facials, microdermabrasion, peels, laser hair removal, microcurrent, oxygen treatment, and makeup application. Contello has more than 35 years of experience in the beauty industry, and treats all skin types—dry skin, combo skin, oily skin, mature skin, acne skin, and reactive skin.
For the holidays, for every $100 gift certificate sold, Purely Skincare is offering a complimentary $25 gift certificate to give as a gift—cannot be combined with any other offer. In addition, Contello is extending three 40-minute LED bed sessions and a 20-minute anti-aging LED face treatment for only $135, to be used within seven days.
Purely Skincare is located at 29 Ryder Pl., in East Rockaway. For more information, call 516-612-9607 or visit PurelySkincare.net.
Gina Cronin is a writer for Natural Awakenings magazines. To connect, visit GinaImagines.com.
