Therapeutic light for skin recovery
Dermalux Tri-Wave MD
LED Phototherapy
A non-invasive, clinically recognised light therapy used to support skin repair, regulate inflammation and restore compromised skin towards healthier function.
LED phototherapy — also known as photobiomodulation — uses specific wavelengths of low-level light energy to influence biological activity within the cells. When delivered at the correct wavelength and intensity, light is absorbed by cellular receptors, helping to regulate processes involved in energy production, inflammation, repair and regeneration — without creating heat, trauma or injury to the skin.
At Skin by Freja, I use the Dermalux Tri-Wave MD, an advanced medical-grade LED phototherapy system distinguished by the precision and therapeutic output of its wavelengths. Unlike many cosmetic LED devices, Dermalux MD has achieved medical-device certification across international markets for a range of therapeutic indications, reflecting the level of clinical testing, safety and efficacy behind the technology.
The Tri-Wave MD delivers three clinically recognised wavelengths — Blue 415nm, Red 633nm and Near-Infrared 830nm — which can be used independently or simultaneously depending on what the skin requires. Each wavelength penetrates to a different depth and interacts with different cellular processes, allowing treatment to be prescribed for concerns ranging from acne and inflammation to skin rejuvenation, tissue repair and wound-healing support.
At a cellular level, photobiomodulation helps influence mitochondrial activity and the production of ATP — the energy cells require to function, repair and regenerate. In simple terms, precisely delivered light provides energy that can help cells perform more effectively: supporting repair where the skin is compromised, regulating inflammatory processes where the skin is reactive, or stimulating activity involved in regeneration and rejuvenation.
Dermalux LED is integrated throughout Skin by Freja treatments wherever it is safe, appropriate and beneficial to the skin. The wavelength or combination of wavelengths is prescribed according to the skin, the treatment performed and the response we want to support — whether that is calming inflammation following a peel, supporting repair after microneedling, providing antibacterial action for breakout-prone skin, or encouraging recovery and regeneration following more active treatment. It is not offered as an add-on; where I believe LED will meaningfully support your treatment, it forms part of the treatment itself.
Standalone Dermalux serves a different purpose. Rather than being an alternative to a facial, it is a focused, supportive phototherapy treatment for times when the skin needs light therapy without additional stimulation. There is no exfoliation, extractions or massage. It can be particularly valuable during periods of acute inflammation, impaired barrier function, inflamed acne, dermatitis or other reactive skin states, for wound-healing and post-procedure support, or as part of a prescribed course where more frequent phototherapy is indicated.
For clients requiring repeated LED therapy, courses of 4 and 6 treatments are available, allowing the cumulative effects of photobiomodulation to build across a structured treatment programme.
Your treatment includes:
/ Gentle double cleanse
/ Dermalux Tri-Wave MD LED Phototherapy
/ Wavelength or combination of wavelengths prescribed according to the skin and treatment indication
/ Tailored finishing products & SPF
The Wavelengths:
Blue | 415nm
Blue light operates closer to the surface of the skin and is particularly useful for acne-prone and breakout-prone skin.
The 415nm wavelength has an antibacterial action against C. acnes, the bacteria associated with inflammatory acne, while also helping to support a calmer, clearer complexion.
It may be prescribed independently or combined with other wavelengths depending on the condition of the skin.
Red | 633nm
Red light penetrates more deeply and is used to support cellular renewal, circulation and skin rejuvenation while helping to regulate inflammation.
The 633nm wavelength can support collagen and elastin production, improve overall skin vitality and assist the skin's natural repair processes. It is particularly useful for compromised, depleted or inflamed skin and as supportive therapy following certain clinical treatments.
Near-Infrared | 830nm
Near-infrared is an invisible wavelength that penetrates more deeply into the tissues.
It is particularly valuable for inflammation modulation, tissue repair and wound healing, while also supporting cellular regeneration and relief of certain types of pain.
For highly inflamed or reactive skin, NIR can allow us to support repair without introducing unnecessary heat or further trauma.
Suitable for:
Standalone LED is particularly useful when the skin is experiencing an acute inflammatory, reactive or healing phase, including:
/ Inflamed acne
/ Redness and inflammation
/ Compromised or impaired barrier function
/ Dermatitis, where appropriate
/ Psoriasis, where appropriate
/ Skin requiring wound-healing support
/ Post-procedure recovery
/ Reactive or sensitised skin
/ Skin that currently cannot tolerate more active treatment
It may also be incorporated into a broader treatment plan where repeated phototherapy can support recovery, inflammation management and overall skin function.
Dermalux LED can be used across all Fitzpatrick skin types and does not rely on creating controlled injury to produce a response.
Client suitability and the appropriate wavelength or programme will always be assessed prior to treatment. Where you are being medically managed for a skin condition, LED should be considered supportive care rather than a replacement for treatment prescribed by your GP or dermatologist.
Dermalux Tri-Wave MD
LED Phototherapy FAQs
What is LED phototherapy?
LED phototherapy is the application of specific wavelengths of low-level light energy to create a biological response within cells — a process known as photobiomodulation.
Rather than heating, resurfacing or injuring the skin, the light is absorbed by cellular receptors and influences processes involved in cellular energy, inflammation and repair.
In simple terms, we're using precisely selected light wavelengths to communicate with cellular processes and encourage the skin to function more effectively.
How does LED actually affect the cells?
One of the key mechanisms of photobiomodulation is its influence on mitochondrial activity.
Mitochondria are responsible for producing ATP — adenosine triphosphate — the primary energy source cells use to carry out their functions. Specific wavelengths of light can influence this energy-production pathway, helping support cellular activity involved in repair and regeneration.
Different wavelengths also interact with different biological targets, which is why the light programme is selected according to what we're trying to achieve rather than using the same setting for every skin.
Why do you use Dermalux Tri-Wave MD?
Not all LED devices deliver light in the same way.
Dermalux Tri-Wave MD is a professional medical-grade phototherapy system capable of delivering 415nm blue, 633nm red and 830nm near-infrared wavelengths, either independently or simultaneously depending on the treatment indication.
I chose the device because LED is something I use clinically — particularly when working with inflammation, acne, compromised skin and post-treatment recovery — so wavelength accuracy, treatment parameters and device quality matter.
Is Dermalux medically certified?
Dermalux Tri-Wave MD is positioned as a medical phototherapy system with regulatory clearances for therapeutic indications in different jurisdictions.
For the Australian website, however, I would have the exact TGA/ARTG indications and wording confirmed against the Australian device registration before publishing specific claims such as psoriasis, acne or wound healing. Therapeutic claims about treating conditions such as acne, psoriasis and wound healing are regulated in Australia, so this is one area where we should be very precise rather than relying on overseas marketing material.
Does LED produce heat or damage the skin?
No. Photobiomodulation works differently from laser and other energy-based treatments that intentionally create controlled thermal injury.
LED uses low-level light energy to influence cellular activity without deliberately heating, ablating or wounding the skin, which is one of the reasons it can be particularly useful when the skin is inflamed, compromised or recovering.
Does LED hurt?
No. Treatment is non-invasive and should not be painful.
You'll simply lie beneath the LED canopy while the prescribed programme runs. The light is extremely bright, so protective eyewear is provided.
Is there any downtime?
There is no downtime created by LED itself.
In fact, standalone LED is often selected specifically because the skin is already inflamed, reactive or healing and we want to support it without adding further trauma.
If LED is used following another clinical treatment, any downtime will relate to that procedure rather than the LED.
Can LED help acne?
Blue 415nm light has antibacterial activity against C. acnes, while red and near-infrared wavelengths can be useful for supporting inflammatory regulation and repair.
For inflamed acne, a course of LED can therefore be a useful supportive component of a broader acne plan.
Acne is multifactorial, however. LED doesn't replace appropriate skincare or assessment of the factors contributing to breakouts, and it won't correct congestion or abnormal keratinisation in isolation.
Can LED be used for dermatitis, psoriasis or highly reactive skin?
Potentially, and these are some of the situations where standalone LED can be particularly useful because it allows us to support cellular processes without exfoliating, heating or otherwise aggressively stimulating compromised skin.
The programme needs to be selected appropriately, and active diagnosed skin conditions should continue to be medically managed where required.
Can LED help with wound healing?
Photobiomodulation can be used to support cellular processes involved in tissue repair, which is why LED is frequently incorporated after procedures and during periods where the skin is healing.
If you have an open, complex, infected or medically managed wound, suitability should be established before booking and LED should not replace appropriate medical wound care.
Why do you often use near-infrared after clinical treatments?
Near-infrared light penetrates more deeply into the tissues and can be particularly useful for supporting tissue repair and modulating the inflammatory response following certain procedures. For this reason, I frequently use near-infrared as an adjunct to treatments such as microneedling and peels, where the intention is to support the skin through the repair process we've deliberately initiated.
Blue light may also be incorporated where its antibacterial action would be beneficial, particularly for acne-prone or congested skin. The wavelength — or combination of wavelengths — is selected according to the treatment performed, the condition of your skin and the response we want to support.
How many LED treatments will I need?
This depends on why we're using it.
LED has value as a single supportive treatment — particularly following a procedure or during an acute skin episode — but its effects are cumulative, and repeated treatments are often recommended when we're working with ongoing inflammation, acne, compromised skin or wound healing.
For these clients, I may prescribe a closer course of treatments initially before reducing frequency as the skin stabilises.
Packages of 6 and 10 LED treatments are available for structured treatment programmes.
How often can I have LED?
Because LED doesn't rely on creating injury or requiring a wound-healing interval between treatments, it can generally be performed more frequently than treatments such as facials, microneedling, laser or corrective peels.
The appropriate frequency depends on the indication and will generally be prescribed according to your skin rather than following one universal schedule.
Can LED be combined with other treatments?
Absolutely — and this is one of the main ways I use it within the clinic.
Dermalux LED is incorporated into many Skin by Freja treatments to support the skin alongside more active modalities, including microneedling, chemical peels and bespoke facials.
It can also be used independently between clinical treatments where additional support for inflammation or recovery would be beneficial.
Is standalone LED treatment the same as booking a facial?
No. Standalone LED is intentionally a supportive phototherapy treatment rather than a facial.
It includes cleansing, your prescribed Dermalux programme and appropriate finishing skincare, but does not include the exfoliation, extractions, massage, masking or broader skin treatment included within a Skin by Freja facial.
If you're a new client wanting your skin assessed, treated comprehensively and unsure where to begin, a Bespoke Facial or Clinical Consultation is the more appropriate first booking. Standalone LED is best suited to clients for whom phototherapy has been specifically recommended, those undertaking a course, or skin requiring focused support between other treatments.
I'm a new client with acne or sensitive skin. Should I just book LED?
Not necessarily.
LED can be an excellent supportive modality, but it doesn't replace understanding why the skin is inflamed, breaking out or repeatedly becoming reactive.
For new clients, I generally recommend beginning with a Consultation or appropriate Bespoke Facial so we can assess the skin, discuss your current routine and contributing factors, and determine whether LED should form part of a broader treatment plan.
Is LED safe during pregnancy?
LED does not rely on thermal injury or ablative energy, but pregnancy treatment policies can vary according to device guidance and individual circumstances.
I would insert your specific clinic policy here once confirmed rather than making a blanket pregnancy-safety claim on the website.
Who may not be suitable for LED?
Although LED is non-invasive and suitable for a very broad range of skins, there are still contraindications.
Certain photosensitising medications, medical conditions associated with light sensitivity and other individual factors may affect suitability. Your medical history and medications should therefore be disclosed before treatment, and client suitability will always be assessed prior to commencing LED phototherapy.
What should I know before booking?
Think of standalone Dermalux LED as support for the skin rather than a substitute for a facial.
Its greatest value within Skin by Freja is when the skin needs focused phototherapy — during an inflammatory or healing phase, as part of a prescribed course, or between more active treatments.
If you're simply looking for your first Skin by Freja treatment and aren't sure what your skin needs, start with a Consultation or Bespoke Facial. We can always incorporate LED into your wider treatment plan where it will genuinely add value.
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