LED Light Masks: the Easiest Way to Achieve Glowing Skin?
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Introduction
An LED mask is a plastic or silicone mask, usually with openings for eyes, nose and mouth, with lights on the inside that shine onto your face. There is generally always red light and there may also be other colours, such as green, blue and purple. The idea is that different colours achieve different outcomes.
Manufacturers claim that LED Masks can reduce wrinkles, improve skin tone, reduce pigmentation and clear acne. But is this all true? Let’s find out!
The Scientific Evidence for LED Red Light Therapy
In an article by Harvard Health Publishing, “LED lights: Are they a cure for your skin woes?”, they seem to suggest that the development of LED treatments for skin is a promising area but, as of yet, there is insufficient proof. For example, the theory seems to suggest that red light could reduce the effects of photoaging and that it is possible that blue light kills acne-causing bacteria but that it is too early to say for definite at this point.
However, in a study published by the National Library of Medicine entitled “Phototherapy with Light Emitting Diodes” they looked at the impact of light treatment on skin rejuvenation and found very exciting results, including reductions in wrinkles and fine lines, and an improvement in skin softness. This study also looked at light treatment for a range of medical conditions and found it to be beneficial.
It should be noted that in this study they used LEDs with frequencies of 415nm (blue), 633nm (red), and 830nm (infrared). Presumably, these are medical grade LED lights. Unfortunately, the lights in LED masks for home use are not as strong, and can vary in quality and consistency.
Let's Hear from a Scientist
If you want to dive further into some research, check out this YouTube video from our favourite Neuroscientist, Dr Andrew Huberman
How to Buy Red Light LED Therapy Masks
The good news is that there are many options to buy ranging from very expensive to very cheap. So, if we assume that there is in fact some benefit to shining light on your skin, the next question is whether the light from more expensive masks will be more effective than the cheaper versions.
High Price Range
Over €250
One of the better known and more expensive is the Currentbody Skin LED Therapy Mask which is around €340. This mask combines anti-aging red and near infra-red light therapy, and is made of flexible silicone rather than hard plastic. Harpers Bazaar wrote an article in 2021, “The A-list are obsessed with these LED face masks”, in which they reference this particular LED mask and list celebrities, from Chrissy Teigen to Victoria Beckham and Julia Roberts, who are using LED masks for “red carpet skin prep”.
Mid Price Range
Between €100 and €250
A mid-range option would be the Project E Beauty Photon Skin Rejuvenation Face & Neck Mask, which has seven different LED colours . This is made of hard plastic and comes with an attachment for your neck so you can do the treatment on both your neck and face at the same time. This is sold on Amazon and has received good ratings, with users seeing results such as their skin becoming tighter and softer, crows feet diminishing and a more even skin tone.
One user complained about the weight of the mask on her face causing discomfort. Other users had issues with the functioning of the device but seemed to have gotten good support from the supplier.
Project E Beauty Photon Skin Rejuvenation Face & Neck Mask
- This light therapy mask provides you 7 different light colors to treat a myriad of skin problems.
- The UV-free non-heat producing LEDs penetrate your facial tissue to boost collagen, clear and tighten your skin, reduce lines and wrinkles, improve skin color, and much more.
Low Price Range
Less than €100
If you want to stay at the cheaper end of the scale, the Hangsun Light Therapy Mask might be for you. It receives good ratings on Amazon and has a very high number of reviews. It has blue, red and orange lights, and one happy reviewer said that the mask had improved their skin texture, and noticeably diminished acne breakouts.
Another reviewer said that the mask was good at keeping her skin looking plump and firm but that it had some annoying drawbacks – it switches itself off after ten minutes and it has to be plugged into a power source in order to work.
As masks go, it is quite light so it is easy to lie back and relax with it on your face. But do be careful to wear the goggles that come with it to protect your eyes.
Hangsun Light Therapy Mask
- Lights in red, blue and orange
- Powered by USB port or portable battery power bank
When Purchasing...
You may want to consider:
- The number and strength of the light bulbs
- Whether it is made of flexible or hard material
- Whether it comes with attachments for other parts of your body like the neck and décolleté
- The colour of the light the mask can emit
The theory is that the light emitted by your LED face mask is absorbed by your skin, and each different colour stimulates a different response, which means every colour has different skincare benefits such as those listed below:
- Red light stimulates the skin cells to produce collagen, leading to firmer, fuller skin.
- Blue light kills the bacteria that can lead to acne.
- Green light reduces redness and pigmentation.
- Near infra-red boosts metabolism, stimulates white blood cell production and promotes cell regeneration.
How To Use
All manufacturers will give slightly different instructions along the lines of use for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 to 4 treatments a week, reducing to 1 or 2 treatments a week once you achieve the desired result.
Even though the masks have eye holes, it is still difficult to watch TV or read a book while doing a treatment because of the intensity of the light. The eye holes are more for safety than the utility of actually using your eyes during the treatment, so we recommend lying down and relaxing.
Pros
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It is a very easy and relaxing treatment (much nicer than a micro-needling session or a chemical peel!)
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LEDs are non-ablative and non-thermal, and do not, when used on their own, cause damage to the skin tissue.
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There is scientific evidence to suggest that treatments can lead to improvements in skin condition for both aging and acne related issues.
Cons
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Light is bright and may be irritating for some (the devices appear to be safe for short-term usage but you may wish to err on the side of caution and purchase an FDA approved device)
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They can feel heavy and awkward on your face, depending on the model you choose.
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You have to have the time and discipline to actually do the treatments on a regular basis to see results.
Conclusion
We are big fans of LED masks. It is a relatively inexpensive, one-off cost. It is easy to use, store and carry with you. There is good scientific evidence to support the manufacturers claims. And there are plenty of user reviews on Amazon and YouTube that are very encouraging.
Unfortunately, we cannot answer the question as to whether the more expensive masks give better results – we really don’t know. But what we suspect is that, no matter what model or price range you go for, the most important factor is consistent use.
Finally, we like LED treatments because they give us a good excuse to lie down and take a well deserved power nap for twenty minutes!
What is your experience with LED light therpay masks? Do you think they are worth investing your time & money in? We love to hear your thoughts so please let us know!
For more ideas on how to achieve glowing skin check out some of our other articles:
Vitamin C – why you really need it to slow down skin aging!
Top #5 ways to achieve the perfect summer glow with radiant skin