you may have A wave of people was seen on social media channeling His best Hannibal Lecter When wearing an LED face mask with red or blue light emitting diodes. They are not eating liver with fava beans, but are claiming that wrinkles and fine lines on their faces have disappeared with the help of red light therapy masks. There's nothing wrong with aging, but after seeing such a huge rise in popularity, we had to find out if the technology behind these masks could have such a big impact on your skin. How does this work? Why does this happen
Research shows that certain lights can be beneficial for your skin. There are two primary types: red light therapy uses near-infrared light and can help with wrinkles, while blue light therapy uses longer wavelengths of blue light to help kill acne-causing bacteria. There are also many styles of masks – most are full-face masks, ranging from soft masks that wrap around your face to firm masks that form channels. the iron man inside youWith other variations such as walking sticks, neck masks and more. After talking to dermatologists and testing several LED face masks (as well as other LED devices), we're here to tell you everything you need to know about LED masks, how to use them, and Which affects our skin?
Don't miss our tips below on how to properly implement these tools into your daily routine. If you're looking for more beauty and self-care gadgets, check out our guide best electric toothbrush, best hair dryer, Best Showerhead Water Filter, best beard trimmerand this best hair straightener,
UPDATE NOVEMBER 2024: We've added new picks and updated test notes.
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How to use red light therapy in your daily routine
LED light therapy doesn't work for everyone, but consistency is important if you want to try it. If you don't think you'll remember to use a light therapy mask several times a week, you won't see results, and it won't be worth the money.
Follow the instructions for the specific device you're using, but in general you'll want to wash and dry your face And Use a mask before applying any skin care productThe devices must have a set session time, usually between three and 10 minutes. Use it all the time until it becomes uncomfortable. After this take care of your skin as usualFocus on hydrating serums or moisturizers, especially if you're prone to dryness. Do not use these masks for longer than indicated in their instructions.
While you can use red light therapy and retinoids in your routine, Waldman doesn't recommend using them together, as it may increase the chance of irritation.
Take some photos before you start using the mask so you can track progress. You may not see dramatic results right away, but from the pictures you can at least tell if something is happening.
Light therapy devices are often quite expensive, but there's good reason for that: You can't get the same effect with just any red LED from the hardware store. If the wavelength isn't strong enough, it won't penetrate your skin – sorry for the TikToker sitting in front chicken coop heat lamp,
These are the specific wavelengths, measured in nanometers, to see:
- red light therapy Typically uses wavelengths in the 630 to 660 nanometer range, with the shortest effective wavelength being around 600 nanometers.
- near-infrared red lights Generally 800 to 1,400 nanometers. These penetrate deep into the skin and are mostly used for healing and reducing inflammation.
- blue light It is usually 405 to 420 nanometers to kill the bacteria that cause acne.
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Best LED Face Mask
The LED Aesthetics Glotec Mask Pro has everything you might be looking for in an LED face mask at a great price. It includes both red light therapy, 63 nanometer red and 830 nanometer near-infrared wavelengths, and blue light therapy, 415 nanometer blue light wavelengths, which can help treat acne and better control your oil production. (Read below about how light therapy actually works). Most people think of LED masks as just red light, but both are beneficial for your skin, so having a two-in-one device really does get the most for your money.
It takes time and consistency to see results from these masks. While I didn't see much change in the lines of my 32 year old face after about six weeks of consistent use, I did notice a healthy glow in my skin and I constantly received more compliments since using the Glotec mask on an almost daily basis. I also found that scabs and acne healed faster and didn't leave scars, even without using the blue light mode, as it usually does.
It's a soft, flexible mask that you fasten over your head with a Velcro strap. I have a fairly large head and found I had a lot of straps and slacks to secure it. But the mask is heavy, and I found that with a single strap I couldn't really move around without pushing the mask or having it slip off. It is best to wear and sit or lie down; I used it while watching TV or reading a book after washing my face.
If you do not want blue light therapy: Omnilux Contour LED Face Mask for $395 This is the exact same style as the LED Aesthetics Face Mask, and the price is almost the same. Both masks have 132 LEDs and reach similar red light levels — the Omnilux reaches 633 nanometers of red light, the 630 nanometers of LED aesthetics, and both promise 830 nanometers of near-infrared light — but the Omnilux has blue light that causes acne. There is no option. If this isn't a concern for you, this is one such mask that is approved by the FDA with a 30-day return policy.
Photograph: Nena Farrell
Most Comfortable Firm LED Face Mask
Dr. Dennis Gross's SpectraLite FaceWare Pro not only includes red (630-nm red and 880-nm infrared) and blue light (415-nm) therapy like the LED Aesthetics Mask above, but it has a mode that allows both Adds up to one treatment. Not only that, but SpectraLyte's treatments work in under three minutes – much faster than other treatments we've tried, which almost all require 10-minute treatments. It also works with less LED illumination than other masks, with 100 red light-emitting diodes and 60 blue light-emitting diodes.
The quick healing time may be one reason this mask is so comfortable to wear. It's a firm mask rather than a soft one, and former WIRED reviewer Madea Giordano described it as “a little more superhero-esque than Hannibal.” He found it more comfortable to wear than the Omnilux Soft Mask, although he said its strap was annoying to use and not always secure. During testing, her breakouts cleared up quickly when using the combination setting of red and blue light.