Is The LED Face Mask Worth The Hype?

If you can buy one home beauty device, it has to be an LED mask. If you don’t believe me, you can ask science (or Google). Unlike any other beauty device, LED is proven to be effective, requires no work on your side, and is safe to use.

In the 1990s, NASA began studying LEDs’ effects on wound healing in astronauts. Today, dermatologists and estheticians use LED light therapy to treat a range of skin issues, including acne, eczema, wounds, psoriasis, sun damage, and hair loss.

Red and blue light are the most commonly used LED lights for skin therapy. While blue light is used to help kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce oil production in the skin’s sebaceous glands, red light is used to stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation, increase blood circulation, and help ease inflammatory skin conditions. The professional machines are obviously much more impactful than the at-home ones if you have the time, energy, and funds. However you’re more of a homebody like me, the at-home masks are still a worthy purchase.

I have been using the Light Salon Boost LED since April 2020 (yes it’s a pandemic baby). The mask uses Red 633nm wavelengths (target and restore the skin’s surface, reducing inflammation and redness, and plumping the complexion) and near-infrared 830nm wavelengths (absorbed deeper than the dermis, triggering your cells’ production of collagen and elastin).

I put my mask on after I cleanse my face, sometimes with a hydrating mask or serum. It’s very comfortable, so I put it on while watching TV or reading in bed. Besides knowing that I’m doing something good for my skin, it gives me this soothing feeling, whether that’s real or not. Recently, you can find many specific LED masks made for specific body parts, but I use mine on my neck, chest, and whichever part of my body needs healing.

There are many new versions of the at-home LED mask, but I suggest going for the soft and bendable ones (mine here) for more comfort unless you can splurge almost £2k for something like this. I highly recommend going for the professional dose once in a while as well. Most facials you’ll get now include LED because it is that good.