Meet the Founder of iSMART, Sue D’Arcy on our latest Q&A:
From a chance discovery in hospital cancer wards to safe, clinical-grade devices you can use at home – the personal mission that’s been driving us for over 25 years.
Q1. Sue, can you tell us a little about your background and your earlier days working with light therapy?
My background is in biochemistry, and I also hold an MBA. I’ve been working with LED technology for around 25 years now, starting out with the professional models that were used in hospitals and doctors’ clinics.
I love telling the story of how light therapy was first discovered for skin rejuvenation, it wasn’t even what it was originally intended for! LED therapy was initially used in hospitals to treat non-melanoma skin cancers. Doctors noticed that the skin surrounding the treated area was also improving, it looked healthier, smoother, more youthful. That observation led to the very first study on LED therapy for skin rejuvenation, which showed incredible results. Since then, LED has continued to grow in the medical field, becoming one of the most exciting areas of non-invasive treatment.
Q2. What was the core mission or the “problem you wanted to solve” when you started iSMART?
I’ve always been a huge advocate for light therapy because I’ve seen firsthand the amazing transformations it can bring. The results we saw in clinical trials with the professional-grade models were truly life-changing for some people.
But I also knew that this technology shouldn’t be limited to clinics or hospitals. I wanted to make LED therapy, or photobiomodulation, more accessible, without compromising on the clinical standards or safety that define a doctor-led treatment. LED therapy is so versatile and safe, and I wanted more people to be able to experience its healing and rejuvenating benefits in their own homes.
At that time, LED for home use was still developing. Our mission with iSMART was clear: to create scientifically proven, safe, accessible LED therapies that empower people, whether professionals or at-home users, to take control of their skin health, wellness, and confidence.
Q3. Why do you personally believe so much in light therapy as a treatment?
For me, it’s the perfect combination of being effective, non-invasive, and gentle. There’s no downtime, no pain, no harsh side effects; just real, visible results.
From a scientific point of view, when you get the wavelength, intensity, and protocol right, your cells respond beautifully. They renew, repair, and rejuvenate. But what really inspires me is seeing how it helps people, not just in how they look, but how they feel.
Too often, the first treatments people turn to can be invasive, painful, or come with unwanted side effects. LED offers a safe and effective alternative. For example, our LED glove, which has been cleared for the treatment of dermatitis, can calm inflammation and irritation and strengthen the skin barrier, all without the downsides of steroid creams. It’s helping people heal from the inside out, which is what light therapy is really about.
Q4. How do your company values reflect this belief and shape your approach to product development?
From day one, I wanted iSMART products to truly work; to make people feel better, inside and out. But that also meant ensuring they could stand up to the highest levels of scrutiny for safety and efficacy. I personally believe it’s unacceptable for health and wellness products to go to market without rigorous testing.
That’s why it was so important for us to become an ISO 13485-certified company. It keeps us accountable and ensures we’re always delivering the highest-quality, safest products possible.
Our values really drive everything we do:
- Innovation – we never stop pushing boundaries to see what’s next.
- Quality – every device reflects our commitment to excellence and safety.
- Collaboration – we love working with partners and sharing our success.
- Sustainability – we’re conscious of how we design and manufacture.
- Empowerment – we want people to feel confident and in control of their wellbeing.
And we’re still just scratching the surface of what LED can do for the human body — that’s what keeps me inspired every day.
Q6. As LED therapy becomes more well-known, what challenges does iSMART face?
Our biggest challenge is that the market still isn’t as regulated as it should be. We put an enormous amount of time and care into our research, development and regulatory compliance which is why our devices continue to perform so well globally. But not all devices are created equal, and that’s something we’re passionate about educating people on.
We want consumers, and professionals, to really understand what makes good LED therapy: things like correct wavelengths, dosing, and safety standards. Without proper design and validation, light therapy can be misunderstood or even dismissed, which is such a shame. So we’ve made education and scientific integrity a core part of who we are.
We are also committed to campaigning with the regulatory groups to make sure that there is more control of the LED marketplace with only safe and properly regulated devices being brought to market.
Q7. Looking ahead, what excites you about the future of light therapy and iSMART’s role in it?
Honestly, so much! Light therapy is no longer just about skin rejuvenation, we’re seeing it used for pain relief, inflammation, wound healing, and even in broader wellness routines. People are discovering how powerful it can be for overall health and vitality, and that’s really exciting to me.
We’re also committed to making LED therapy more accessible at home, so anyone can benefit from it, not just those who visit clinics. And as we innovate, we’re also focused on doing things sustainably; creating products that are both effective and kind to the planet.
Collaboration is another big one for us. Working with brands and experts around the world allows us to share knowledge and bring trusted, science-backed solutions to more people.
At iSMART, we want to stay at the forefront of LED technology, not just leading innovation, but helping redefine what skincare, health, and wellness can look like for everyone.
