Celluma Compared to other LED Devices
We believe most LED devices sold on eBay, Amazon and many more outlets are imports from undisclosed origins with no industry standard credentials, meaning they have not been reviewed by the FDA, TUV, UL, CE, ISO or any other agency that regulates the manufacture of medical devices for safety and efficacy. One serious red flag is that they are available under different names all over the internet as well on eBay, Amazon and many more outlets. The price range is from approx. $150-$320. In addition, they may purport to use green and yellow, or amber wavelengths which have no basis for treating skin conditions in scientific research.
As the manufacturer of Celluma, a Class II medical device, BioPhotas is registered and regulated by the FDA, ISO (International Standards Organization) and many other regulatory agencies. Celluma is also medially CE-Marked as a Class IIa device in Europe, and is the first device of its kind to receive this status. We cannot compare a medical device like Celluma to this kind contrivance and we would advise anyone who is considering purchasing this machine to be forewarned as it is certainly not proven to do anything. There are well-understood and proven parameters that affect the efficacy of a light therapy device, and no other device on the market meets these parameters like Celluma.
Effective light energy is dependent upon how much energy the cells absorb over the treatment time.
Recognizing that the key to light therapy efficacy is not “power output”, but “energy absorption”, the internationally patented “flexible and shape-taking” characteristic of the Celluma allows it to deliver a comparable or superior dose of light energy using a less powerful, and therefore less expensive, product design. Or said another way; it’s not the power emitted by the device that matters, it’s the dose available for absorption that matters. Dose diminishes as power travels across distance (Inverse Square Law). This is not just a marketing claim. We proved it with peer-reviewed and published clinical research conducted at the prestigious Beckman Laser Institute at the University of California.
Celluma uses 3 Powerful wavelengths simultaneously in each of its 3 programs to upregulate a variety of compromised cells at different tissue depths. This is why Celluma is effective for so many different types of conditions. No other LED panel has this capability. Additionally, Celluma is shapeable. This patented design feature allows the device to flex and be placed close or directly on the skin which GREATLY enhances the ability of the under-functioning cells to absorb the light energy. This gives faster and better results and is key to Celluma’s effectiveness and excellent outcomes.
Device Information & Tips
The 1st setting is Acne: This is the blue dominant program and is anti-bacterial. Blue is the least penetrating of all three wavelengths. In the Acne setting there is also lots of red and a little infrared being emitted. These 3 wavelengths work synergistically to enhance outcomes. The red increases micro-circulation to bring more oxygen and nutrients to the area for healthier skin and tissue repair. The red also reduces the redness and inflammation associated with the acne lesions. Red enhances immune and lymphatic response for better drainage/removal of dead cells and toxins from the area. Keratinocytes also respond well to the red wavelength and are responsible for skin tone and firmness.
The 2nd setting is Wrinkles: The Red dominant program, called Wrinkles is the USA/Canada and Red Light outside USA/Canada. This is the wrinkle/anti-aging program and may be used for everything other than Acne or Pain. So, when in doubt use this program. It is the only program with almost equal emission of each of the 3 wavelengths. Use it for all skin related conditions. It is ideal for use following laser, microdermabrasion, microneedling, peels, and injections. Also, ideal for use following surgery and deep ablative procedures. Many different cells respond really well to Red and Infrared. See additional information below.
The 3rd setting is Aches & Pain: This is near-infrared dominant and is the deepest penetrating setting. Use this for all pain, joint, muscle issues. This is an anti-inflammatory setting and is excellent for increasing micro-circulation, angiogenesis and neurogenesis. This is a great setting for supporting any condition located deeper in the tissue, such as post-surgical incisions.
In reviewing the clinical research on phototherapy there are several keys to optimizing the efficacy of a LED device:
1. Wave Length – The Celluma PRO has a total of 345 diodes. Approximately (115) light emitting diodes that emit energy in each of the Blue (465 nm), Red (640 nm) and Infrared or IR (880 nm) portion of the light spectrum. There are several devices that do this, but they typically cost 5 to 20 times as much as the Celluma and are large rigid flat panel light arrays which cannot conform to the body.
2. Power Output – Again, this is the standard by which the FDA compares light energy devices such as the Celluma. The Celluma delivers between 2 and 10 J/cm2 over the course of a 30 minute treatment time. These numbers vary a little depending on which Mode of treatment is selected on the Celluma. This translates into a total dose of approximately 3,500 to 6,100 Joules for the Celluma LITE and approximately 5,200 and 9,000 Joules for the Celluma PRO. This amount of energy delivery is intentionally lower than the devices mentioned above for the reasons explained below.
3. Delivery Distance – LED light energy is most effectively absorbed by the body when it is emitted at or very near the surface of the skin. In fact, as light emission is move away from the skin, the body’s ability to absorb the discreet wavelengths of energy decreases dramatically to the point that about 2 to 3” away from the skin, absorption is negligible. This means that despite the amount of energy being emitted by the device, the body only absorbs the energy if emitted very close to the body. The key feature that differentiates the Celluma from all other light energy devices is its formability and shape-taking characteristics. The Celluma can be formed to any size of patient or area of treatment to ensure the optimal absorption of the energy being emitted by the device. In contrast, LED devices with rigid flat panel light arrays do not conform to the area of treatment, emitting energy inches from the body and minimizing the amount of energy the body actually absorbs. This is why the Celluma is a more effective device, even when it delivers lower amounts of energy.
4. Energy Delivery – The scientific research bares out that cells are much more efficient in absorbing light energy when that energy is delivered over a longer period of time and when the light is delivered in pulses rather than a constant stream of light. Again, this is where the Celluma is differentiated from the other devices on the market. The Celluma uses very complex electronic algorithms to modulate the light energy to ensure optimal cellular absorption. The Celluma’s treatment times are also intentionally longer in duration to ensure optimal cellular absorption. Competing LED devices use higher levels of energy emission and shorter treatment times, claiming to be more efficient in energy delivery. The truth of the matter is that “slower and lower” is better. Too much energy delivered too fast just results in the non-absorption of the energy and a diminished therapeutic benefit.
