Red light therapy face masks are all the power to thank for beauty and wellness on social media. Also known as LED masksthey use red, near-infrared or blue light at different wavelengths they say they can improve the appearance of your skinboost collagen production and, if it has blue light, target acne.
The best part is that you can use these masks at home without setting foot in an esthetician’s office. However, these LED masks are not cheap and some are FDA cleared, while others are not.
If you are going to invest in an LED mask, it is important to know how to use it correctly and what to look for when choosing the right one for your needs. I spoke with a dermatologist and a plastic surgeon to learn the best way to use your LED light therapy mask, as well as any risks and benefits to consider.
Where to include an LED mask in your skin care routine
If you use red light therapy during your skin care it is important to get the best results.
A skin care routine usually includes serums, creams, lotions and other topical products that target your skin’s needs. If you are using an LED mask, it is important to know the best place to place your system in order to get the most out of it.
Dr. Eleonora Fedonenko, medical director and dermatologist at Your Laser Skin Care in Los Angeles, told CNET that she recommends starting any LED mask treatment on a clean face, free of creams and serums. “If there are residues from makeup or sunscreen, it can prevent light from reaching the skin and reduce the effectiveness of the session,” said Fedonenko.
Important considerations
When choosing an LED therapy mask, it is important to choose one that has FDA approval, as this indicates that the product has been tested for safety and efficacy. Fedonenko also recommends researching the company and making sure it has done clinical studies on the length of time used.
“Red light should be between 630 and 660 nanometers, and near-infrared light should be between 830 and 850 nanometers as these two wavelengths are often shown to stimulate collagen growth while reducing inflammation,” explains Fedonenko.
You’ll also want to make sure the mask fits your face well and distributes the light evenly across your skin for the best results. Other models CNET recommends it: Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask, RENPHO Artemis LED face mask again Omnilux Contour face.
How often to use your LED mask
Using a red light therapy mask a few times a week should be enough to see an improvement in your skin.
Knowing how often to use an LED treatment mask is important as you don’t want to overdo it. Fedonenko recommends that you aim for 10 to 20 minutes of therapy, three to five times a week.
“There is an optimal time depending on the power output of the device. For example, 10 minutes may be enough for a high-output irradiance mask and another for a low-output mask,” said Fedonenko. Irradiance refers to the amount of light reaching the skin.
Dr. Amy Bandy, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, recommends an at-home red light therapy mask with a radiance of about 20 to 50 milliwatts per square centimeter, saying, “This level of irradiance has been shown to be sufficient to produce measurable results from home use while providing comfort and safety.”
Fedonenko notes that FDA-cleared devices typically have an irradiance of at least 30 mW/cm2. Try to avoid masks with light levels between 10-30 mW/cm2, because although the light penetrates the skin, Fedonenko says it is not strong enough to produce results, as it brings a small measurable cellular response.
Be careful of masks with irradiance levels above 100 mW/cm2, as these tend to be more powerful, especially if you are moving from a lower intensity version. Fodenenko says, “Many of my patients come to me with persistent redness because of their switch from a low-power machine to a high-power machine, the output is the cause and not because of the frequency used.”
Fodenenko warns against using your LED mask every day because some people think that doing more will speed up the process, when it can have the opposite effect. “Patients came in with skin that was rough and raw, we used a mask every day to speed up their results,” said Fedonenko. Instead, it’s important to give your skin time to recover in between red light therapy treatment because light stimulates cellular repair.
Bandy agrees and says that frequent use of harsh products can also cause damage. “If a person behaves frequently and / or at the same time uses harsh skin care products such as retinoids or exfoliating acids, the skin’s barrier may be damaged, leading to persistent inflammation and irritation,” says Bandy.
However, it is common for the skin to become red, dry, itchy or tight when using the LED mask. If these symptoms persist or worsen after treatment, it is best to seek medical advice.
Precautions to take with LED masks
Be careful with the type of red light therapy mask you use because it can cause other skin problems if it’s not the right fit.
One thing people may not consider about LED medical masks is that the eyes need to be protected.
“Masks are worn close to the face, and wearing them without glasses for a long time can cause eye fatigue,” said Bandy.
This is because the mask can cause light-induced headaches in those who are sensitive to light or those with certain eye conditions. It’s something to keep in mind if you have sensitive eyes or ocular conditions.
Fortunately, most LED masks have built-in mirrors, so you should think twice before buying one that doesn’t. You should also make sure that this part of the mask fits properly before opening it. If you still end up with headaches or sensitivity, stop using the mask.
Other non-eye related symptoms that you should take a break from include peeling or acne on areas of the skin where you normally don’t experience rashes or breakouts. “Reduce the number of sessions and allow your skin time to heal,” says Bandy.
Indicates that the LED mask is active
If you’re new to using an LED mask, there are some ways to tell if it’s working for your skin. Usually, you may start to see improvement within a few weeks. “These improvements include reduced inflammation, improved brightness and clarity of their skin and a much better complexion,” Bandy said.
Smoother skin and reduced fine lines are common weeks after using the LED treatment mask because the light therapy stimulates collagen production. Acne sufferers may notice fewer breakouts and improvement in hyperpigmentation. Those with rosacea or who experience redness will notice that their skin starts to calm down. “This surprises them as they came up with the idea that they were there to worry about skin aging,” said Fodonenko.
However, if it’s been eight weeks and you don’t see a difference in your skin, Fodonenko says the device’s irradiance may be the problem, so you may want to replace your current model with one with a higher brightness.
Decision on LED masks
As with any product, you find yourself influenced to buy on social media, it is still important to approach these methods with caution. If you’re interested in adding an LED mask to your skin care regimen, be sure to do your research and choose an FDA-cleared product. This ensures that it is completely safe and tested for efficiency, so you know you are getting your money’s worth.
Remember that it may also take time to see improvements, so if you don’t see results right away, give it a few weeks to see changes. If you notice your skin getting worse, stop the treatment and seek medical attention for further help.
