A new wave of beauty technology is emerging, extending LED light therapy beyond facial masks to address body concerns like sagging skin and waist circumference. The "This Works" brand offers a red light body wrap, priced at approximately £100, which claims to reduce waist size by up to 3cm and improve the appearance of stretch marks and crepey skin, particularly common after pregnancy.
LED masks, which emit specific wavelengths of light, are already popular for their purported benefits in stimulating collagen production, reducing inflammation, and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. Advocates suggest that these devices can help skin cells repair damage. The application of this technology to the body involves wraps, belts, and even specialized sleeping bags and yoga mats designed to tone, tighten, and potentially reshape the body.
Dr. Brendan Khong, a leading aesthetics doctor, explains that both red and near-infrared light are believed to activate pores in fat cells, causing fat to be released into the surrounding tissue. This released fat is then processed and cleared through the body's natural metabolism. However, Dr. Khong cautions that fat cells shrink rather than being destroyed, meaning that claims of waist reduction relate to the size of fat cells rather than a permanent alteration of body shape. He also noted that the company's trial involved only 20 participants, suggesting a need for more robust clinical studies to validate the 3cm waist reduction claim.
A beauty editor with two decades of experience and a mother of two, who was left with abdominal skin laxity after her pregnancies, tested the This Works red light body wrap. Following the brand's instructions, she used the wrap for 20 minutes three times a week for four weeks. The wrap itself is described as a wide, flexible LED panel attached to an elasticated Velcro band, making it relatively easy to apply, though the reviewer found it easier to half-lie down while wearing it, typically in the evenings while watching television.
After the four-week period, the reviewer measured her waist, which remained at 71cm, the same as before the trial, indicating no reduction in waist circumference. However, she reported a significant improvement in the skin texture of her abdomen, noting that it became gradually smoother and less crepy. She plans to continue using the wrap to further improve the skin's tone and texture.
The trend of body-specific red light gadgets is expected to grow, with Dr. Khong observing that body contouring is a logical expansion following the success of red light devices for skincare, biohacking, and hair growth. The potential health benefits of maintaining a healthy waist circumference, which is linked to an increased risk of life-threatening diseases according to some studies, also highlight the interest in such technologies.