By Glowvene · Beginner Guides · 7 min read
If you've looked at LED light therapy devices and felt confused
by the colour options, you're not alone. Red, blue, green,
yellow, purple, orange, near-infrared — it looks like a mood
lamp, not a skincare tool.
But each of those colours is doing something specific. The
wavelength of light determines how deep it penetrates your skin
and which biological processes it triggers. Once you understand
this, the whole category starts to make sense.
This guide covers each wavelength in plain language — what it
does, who it's for, and how to use it.
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First: why wavelength matters
Visible light sits on a spectrum measured in nanometres (nm).
Different wavelengths of light interact with different structures
in your skin because of how deeply they can penetrate tissue.
Short wavelengths (like blue light at 415nm) are absorbed
closer to the surface. Longer wavelengths (like red at 630nm,
or near-infrared at 850nm) travel deeper into the dermis and
underlying tissue.
This is the physical reason why blue light treats acne —
which lives near the skin's surface — while red light
addresses collagen, which lives deeper in the dermis.
The mechanism is real, not marketing.
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Red light — 630nm
Best for: anti-aging, collagen, firmness
Red light is the most extensively studied wavelength in LED
therapy, and for good reason.
At 630nm, red light penetrates to the mid-dermis where
fibroblast cells live. Fibroblasts are responsible for producing
collagen and elastin — the proteins that keep skin firm,
plump, and youthful. Red light is absorbed by the mitochondria
in these cells, stimulating ATP (cellular energy) production
and prompting increased collagen synthesis.
A controlled clinical trial published in the Journal of
Photochemistry and Photobiology found a 36% increase in
collagen density in participants using 630nm red light therapy
over a 12-week period.
Use red light for: fine lines, loss of firmness, dull or
tired-looking skin, general anti-aging maintenance.
How often: daily, or at minimum 5 sessions per week.
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Blue light — 415nm
Best for: acne, oil regulation, bacteria
Blue light targets the epidermis — the uppermost layer of
your skin — where acne-causing bacteria (Cutibacterium acnes,
formerly known as P. acnes) live.
These bacteria produce compounds called porphyrins, which are
highly sensitive to blue light. When blue light at 415nm
hits these porphyrins, it triggers a photooxidation reaction
that destroys the bacterial cell walls. No bacteria, fewer
breakouts — without the dryness and systemic side effects
of antibiotic treatments.
A randomised controlled study in the British Journal of
Dermatology found that 77% of participants experienced a
meaningful reduction in inflammatory acne lesions after four
weeks of blue light therapy.
Use blue light for: active breakouts, oily or congested
skin, ongoing acne management.
How often: 3–5 sessions per week. Daily use is fine but
not always necessary — monitor your skin's response.
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Near-infrared — 850nm
Best for: deep repair, inflammation, amplifying red light
Near-infrared (NIR) is invisible to the naked eye — your skin
can't see it, but your cells respond to it. At 850nm it
penetrates deeper than any other wavelength in the Lumière 7,
reaching the hypodermis and underlying tissue.
NIR promotes cellular repair, reduces chronic inflammation,
and works synergistically with red light — the two wavelengths
together produce a stronger collagen response than either
delivers alone. It's also the most relevant wavelength for
reducing post-inflammatory redness and supporting recovery
after more intensive skin treatments.
Use near-infrared for: chronic inflammation, deep tissue
repair, maximising anti-aging results when combined with red.
How often: 3–5 times per week. NIR is gentle enough for
daily use but its effects are more pronounced with the
red light cycle.
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Green light — 525nm
Best for: hyperpigmentation, dark spots, uneven tone
Green light targets melanocytes — the cells in the epidermis
responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin
its colour. Excess melanin causes dark spots, post-acne marks,
and uneven skin tone.
At 525nm, green light regulates melanin production by
influencing the enzymatic pathway that creates it. Over
consistent use, dark spots fade and skin tone becomes more
even. It doesn't bleach or strip — it works with your skin's
natural pigment regulation system.
Use green light for: sun spots, melasma, post-acne
hyperpigmentation, general uneven skin tone.
How often: 3–4 sessions per week. Results are gradual —
expect meaningful changes at 6–8 weeks of consistent use.
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Yellow light — 590nm
Best for: redness, sensitivity, rosacea-prone skin
Yellow light penetrates to the upper dermis where your
capillary network lives. It reduces vascular inflammation —
the flushing and persistent redness that characterises
sensitive and rosacea-prone skin.
Unlike red light, which primarily targets fibroblasts,
yellow light has a calming effect on the vascular system.
It's one of the only non-invasive treatments recommended
for reactive skin types precisely because of its
anti-inflammatory, non-aggressive action.
Use yellow light for: redness, visible capillaries, rosacea,
reactive or easily irritated skin, post-treatment calming.
How often: 3–5 sessions per week. Particularly effective
as a morning mode to calm skin before makeup application.
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Orange light — 610nm
Best for: circulation, radiance, cellular metabolism
Orange light sits between yellow and red on the spectrum
and shares characteristics of both. It boosts circulation
at the skin's surface, supports cellular metabolism, and
promotes a healthy, natural glow.
It's the least targeted of the seven modes — it doesn't
address one specific concern the way blue light addresses
acne — but used regularly it contributes to overall
skin vitality and radiance.
Use orange light for: dull, tired-looking skin, improving
overall circulation and glow, complementing red and yellow
in a full-spectrum routine.
How often: 2–3 sessions per week as a complement to
your primary modes.
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Purple light — Red + Blue combined
Best for: acne scars, active breakouts with scarring
Purple light isn't a single wavelength — it's the simultaneous
combination of red and blue light, which is why the Lumière 7
can deliver it in a single mode.
The combination is particularly effective for acne scarring
and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Blue light addresses
active bacteria and inflammation at the surface while red
light simultaneously supports the repair and collagen
regeneration that fades scarring. Running both wavelengths
at once is more efficient than alternating between modes.
Use purple light for: acne that leaves marks or scars,
active breakouts combined with healing existing damage,
transitioning out of an acne phase.
How often: 3–5 sessions per week while managing active
breakouts and scarring.
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How to choose your starting mode
If you're new to LED therapy, the temptation is to cycle
through all seven modes and use every one equally.
A more effective approach is to identify your primary concern
and use that mode as your daily default, adding secondary
modes 2–3 times per week.
Your skin concern and recommended starting mode:
- Anti-aging / collagen → Red (daily)
- Active acne → Blue or Purple (daily)
- Hyperpigmentation → Green (daily) + Red (3x week)
- Redness / sensitivity → Yellow (daily)
- General skin health → Red (daily) + rotate others
After 4–6 weeks of consistent use, reassess and adjust.
Skin changes, needs change, and the beauty of a seven-mode
device is that your routine can evolve with it.
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Further reading
- Glowvene Science Page — clinical research behind each wavelength
- How to build a 10-minute morning skin routine
- Red light therapy vs. chemical peels — which is right for you?
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not
constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed dermatologist
for personalised recommendations.