LED light therapy is a popular, non-invasive skin treatment used by leading experts to treat common concerns including fine lines, pigmentation, and breakouts. Now, beauty brands have embraced it too, with wearable LED face masks designed for use in the comfort of your own home.
These clever devices claim to deliver targeted results for all skin types and concerns when used consistently. But are the at-home versions worth introducing to your beauty routine? We investigate how at-home LED light therapy works – plus share the best, expert-selected, LED face masks on the market for you to choose from.
What is LED therapy?
“LED light therapy – or light emitting diode – is an effective, non-invasive, pain-free treatment that involves exposing your skin to an array of coloured wavelengths,” explains the aesthetic practitioner Dr Ayah Siddiqi. These wavelengths of light are visible to the human eye, and are not the same as the sun’s potentially damaging UV rays, which also means you won’t get a ‘tanning’ effect from them.
Depending on the type of light utilised, LED therapy is popular for targeting many skin concerns. That includes signs of premature ageing, mild-to-moderate acne, and skin dullness. Results get gradually better with sustained usage.
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What do the different LED light colours do?
The different colours we see as visible light are caused by different wavelengths. Most importantly for light therapy treatments: the longer the wavelength of light, the deeper it penetrates into the skin.
Blue light, for example, works predominately on the skin surface. It is particularly helpful for breakout-prone skin, due to its antibacterial effect, and is “the most clinically proven wavelength” according to Georgina Mackley, the training specialist at Déesse. Red light is also clinically proven for skin benefits, but it can penetrate deeper to stimulate collagen production. This means it can help reduce signs of fine lines and uneven texture. Yellow, amber, pink, and green lights are also used in some LED face masks.
Green and yellow light is increasingly popular for boosting skin radiance, and may also have some effect on reducing pigmentation. Visible light is also frequently used alongside ‘near infrared light’ – white light which is invisible to the human eye – which is said to increase the skin’s healing ability, by boosting circulation and improving blood flow.
Confused which is best for your skin? Luckily, nowadays you don’t have to choose just one colour. Many masks use a combination, or have different settings that can be alternated for the best results.
How do at-home LED face masks work?
At-home LED face masks are wearable pieces of beauty tech – often secured to the face with straps – which are either battery or mains-powered. It’s becoming more popular to have targeted masks for the eye area, lips, and neck too, with Dr. Dennis Gross and CurrentBody leading the way.
Whichever LED mask you choose, it is likely to be made up of lots of diodes (or bulbs) that emit the tailored wavelengths of light to treat the skin. Importantly, these aren’t as strong (and therefore also not as quickly effective) as their in-salon counterparts, but they are safe to use at-home. Depending on the mask’s design, the overall material can vary, although it’s often either sturdy plastic or softer silicone. Most are designed to be worn for around 10-15-minutes per session, up to five times a week to see the best results.
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Who are LED face masks suitable for?
Broadly speaking, LED face masks are suitable for all skin types and colours, as their non-invasive nature means they don’t cause irritation or redness. Moreover, when used according to the safety guidelines and purchased from a reputable supplier, there are minimal health risks associated with them. However, to avoid any risk of eye irritation – especially if you have sensitive eyes or are prone to headaches – you may wish to wear eye protection. Or, at the very least, we recommend you close your eyes to ensure maximum comfort and safety throughout treatment.
How quickly can you see results?
At-home LED face masks aren’t as powerful as the light therapy techniques used in-salon, so you will need to wait a little longer to see results. Consistency is also really important because light therapy has a cumulative effect on the skin.
“At-home LED masks tend to deliver about 50 per cent of the power of the machines I use in my clinic, but with at-home convenience you can enjoy light therapy more frequently”, explains the leading aesthetics doctor Dr. Maryam Zamani. While slow and steady may win the skincare race, most LED masks deliver visible improvements in skin appearance within 8-12 weeks. Some even claim initial results in as little as 5 weeks with regular use. That’s not dissimilar to starting a solid skincare routine from scratch…
If you’re inspired to invest in a LED face mask for your at-home beauty routine, we’ve reviewed the very best LED face masks on the at-home market – for all skin types and concerns:
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