The Best LED Face Masks to Brighten, Tighten, and Clear Your Skin at Home With Light Therapy
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Achieving professional results from the comfort of your couch is a win in any beauty lover’s book. One way to do just that is with the best LED face masks. Like sauna blankets and deep tissue massagers, these top facial tools make great self-care gifts for the women or men in your life who deserve some relaxation.
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LED face masks sound — and look — futuristic, with the results to match. Unlike sun exposure, LED (light-emitting diode) masks deliver a healthy kind of light to your skin, and you don’t need sunscreen to bask in them. The painless and quick at-home treatments are available in a number of different colors and wavelengths; red and blue light therapy are the most common options you’ll find. Red light therapy helps treat signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles, and blue light therapy is a non-irritating way to treat acne.
Light therapy used to be reserved for the dermatologist’s office, but now the skin care trend can come straight to you: LED face masks and red light therapy devices have come a long way and now offer the same professional technology at home. (But keep in mind that treatments at the doctor’s office typically have stronger results, so it’ll take longer to see that with at-home devices.) We tapped the pros to share the best options to try at home.
What Are the Benefits of LED Face Masks for At-Home Light Therapy?
There are four main types of LED light therapy — red, blue, yellow, and green — and each color treats a different skin concern. Here’s a primer on what these lights can do.
Red light is used to stimulate collagen production and strengthen our skin. “If we increase the elasticity of the skin, we reduce the appearance of fine lines, scarring, stretch marks and enlarged pores,” says celebrated aesthetician Joanna Czech. “Every single person can benefit from red light — it doesn’t matter if you are 30 years old with acne or 70 — and you use it across your body, wherever you need increased elasticity, like your face, hands, and skin above your knee.”
Blue light has antibacterial properties, according to Czech, and is best for someone with blemishes, acne or rosacea. “It surprises people, but rosacea is a bacterial condition, usually from stress, diet or lifestyle that brings it to the surface.” It’s often used during facials after the extraction phase to zap any lingering bacteria on the skin.
Green light prevents hyperpigmentation from forming, according to Czech. “It’s also known as a calming light and works on vascular systems, so it’s an anti-redness light as well, like for acne scars,” she explains.
Yellow light prevents photoaging, meaning from the sun or other external factors, like environmental stressors or smoking, and works to evens out skin tone.
Top LED Face Masks of 2023
Best Overall: HigherDose Red Light Face Mask
Best Overall, Runner Up: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro LED Light Therapy Device
Best Budget Mask: Project E Photon Skin Rejuvenation Face & Neck Mask
Best for Targeted Goals: Foreo UFO 2 Power Mask & Light Therapy Device
Best Aesthetician-Approved Mask: Lyma Laser
Best Multipurpose LED Face Device: Therabody TheraFace Pro
Best Portable Mask: Priori Skincare Unveiled LED Face Mask
Best for a Fickle Complexion: Skin Gym WrinkLit LED Mask
Best Mask for Fast Results: CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask
Best Basic Model: Beautimate Facial Skin Care Mask
Best Mask for a Secure Fit: Omnilux Contour Face
Best Two-For-One: Hime Sama LED Skin Mask-CE Cleared Pro 7
Best for Ease of Use: The Light Salon Boost Advanced LED Light Therapy Face Mask
Best Multilight Face Mask: MZ Skin Light Therapy Golden Facial Treatment Device
Best for Lips: Revive Light Therapy Lip Care
Best for Acne: LightStim for Acne LED Light Therapy Device
Best for Neck, Décolletage, Hands, and Back: Revive Light Therapy dpl II-Professional Anti-Aging Panel
Best Splurge: Shani Darden by Déesse Pro LED Light Mask
Best for the Eyes: Vanity Planet Alya Red LED Eye Glasses
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HigherDose Red Light Face Mask
Best Overall
Skin concerns: Fine lines, wrinkles, and dullness
Treatment area: Face
Types of LED lights: Red
Special features: Cordless; straps to keep it in place while you’re wearing it
HigherDose has long been loved for their infrared sauna blanket and they recently added an LED face mask. “One of my favorite LED light therapy masks is the HigherDose Red Light Face Mask,” says Dr. Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD (who has worked with the brand). “This mask is high-quality and delivers red and near infrared light to the complexion in a safe and effective way. These devices are only as good as how often you use them, which is another reason why this mask is a good choice. The comfortable material, eye holes, straps, and cordless design make regular use easy as you can wear it anytime, anywhere.”
What reviewers say: “I have been using the HigherDose mask three times a week for this past month and have begun to see a real difference in the texture of my skin and reduction of rosacea I have on one cheek. My skin is firmer and some of the fine lines around my mouth are starting to soften. It’s easy to use and clean and I certainly can’t argue with the price point!”
HigherDose Red Light Face Mask
HigherDose Red Light Face Mask
HigherDose Red Light Face Mask
HigherDose Red Light Face Mask
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro LED Light Therapy Device
Best Overall, Runner Up
Skin concerns: Skin laxity, redness, acne, hyperpigmentation and fine lines
Treatment area: Face
Types of LED lights: Red, blue, and combo red and blue
Special features: Adjustable head strap; cordless
It only takes three minutes for this FDA-approved LED red and blue light mask to zap fine lines and the bacteria that causes acne. You can opt for just red or blue light or use both. Taking inspiration from the laser treatments in Dr. Gross’ dermatological practice, this mask delivers the at-home version. In addition to its anti-aging perks — including reducing wrinkles and dark spots as well as firming —i t’s been clinically proven to clear acne in two weeks. If you’re all about a spot treatment, downsize to the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare SpotLite Acne Treatment Device instead.
What reviewers say: “When I first got it and was really good about baking it into my daily routine, I saw results. My normally large pores looked smaller, my skin looked slightly tighter and more smooth. I’m 41 and really good about my anti-aging products but I’ve discovered that by also using this, I can make those results push just a bit further.”
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro LED Light Therapy Device
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro LED Light Therapy Device
Project E Photon Skin Rejuvenation Face & Neck Mask
Best Budget LED Face Mask
Skin concerns: Irritation, fine lines and wrinkles, acne, and uneven skin tone
Treatment area: Face and neck
Types of LED lights: Blue, red, yellow, green, white, purple, and cyan
Special features: Separate attachment for neck is included
This affordable mask offers every LED light color you can think of with seven different choices, so it can tackle practically any skin-care issue. There’s red light to boost blood flow and collagen; blue to calm and tighten skin; green for pigmentation, fine lines and anti-aging; yellow to reduce redness and smooth skin; purple for an allover relaxing boost; light blue to soothe; and white to improve skin color.
What reviewers say: “I have been using this LED mask consistently for about a month and a half and I do see some results. My neck wrinkles are noticeably lighter, pigmentation and acne scars fade much faster, and I’m experiencing fewer breakouts.”
Project E Photon Skin Rejuvenation Face & Neck Mask
Foreo UFO 2 Power Mask & Light Therapy Device
Best for Targeted Goals
Skin concerns: Firmness, fine lines, acne, uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, and scarring
Treatment area: Face and neck
Types of LED lights: Full-spectrum of LED colors
Special features: Hot and cold therapy and massage settings
Designed to activate the effects of a single-use UFO Activated Mask (which are sold separately), this professional-grade device only takes 90 seconds to work its magic. It relies on heating, cooling and T-Sonic pulsations to drive the ingredients deep into skin to maximize benefits of the specific masks, including deeper hydration and smaller pores.
What reviewers say: “I have really never had issues with my skin until this year. I’ve tried many different things to keep the acne at bay, which had resulted in sensitive skin. In the week I’ve had this, my skin has started to look a lot better. I utilize the LED therapy (without a mask) the most. The technology baffles me precisely because my skin is sensitive to sunlight, but this hasn’t irritated or broken me out! The heating and cooling features are fantastic.”
Foreo UFO 2 Power Mask & Light Therapy Device
Foreo UFO 2 Power Mask & Light Therapy Device
Foreo UFO 2 Power Mask & Light Therapy Device
Lyma Laser
Best Aesthetician-Approved Mask
Skin concerns: Skin laxity, scarring, cellulite, fine lines and wrinkles, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, and acne
Treatment area: Face, neck, and body
Type of LED lights: Near infrared
Special features: Diffused retina protection for eye safety; 808 nanometer wavelengths to target the skin, muscle, and fat tissue
Czech says that she is “in love” with the medical-grade Lyma laser from the UK. “And everyone knows I hate lasers!” One reason she loves the Lyma is because it’s not just a laser, it’s also an LED device, featuring four high-intensity blue LED lights to eliminate surface bacteria-causing acne, strengthen skin elasticity and tighten cellulite, as well as neutralize the appearance of rosacea and hyperpigmentation. Dr. Engelman is another fan of the Lyma, calling it “an absolutely amazing tool that gives anyone the power to substantially improve their skin’s appearance at home.”
What reviewers say: “The Lyma Laser is a magic wand. I am 47 years old and have tried many an anti-aging procedure and gadget. Anti-wrinkle injections, filler, LED, microcurrent, ultrasound, skin boosters, microneedling, etc. This is the best thing I have tried by far! I have seen a great improvement in all of my problem areas on my face. Lines are reduced, skin and lips are plumper, skin is tighter and more glowy and the sagging in my jowls is much better.”
Editor’s testing and review notes: “Thanks to frequent sunburns on my chest area during my teenage years (my greatest regret in life) my décolletage has a smattering of sun spots,” senior beauty and lifestyle commerce editor Claire Sullivan admits. I got to test-drive this device for three weeks during the pandemic, and daily 15 minute session made a noticeable improvement in my pigmentation and surprisingly, my skin texture.”
Lyma Laser
Lyma Laser
Therabody TheraFace Pro
Best Multipurpose LED Face Device
Skin concerns: Hyperpigmentation, acne, skin laxity, dullness, and fine lines
Treatment area: Face and neck
Types of LED lights: Red, blue, and red and infrared
Special features: Interchangeable heads for microcurrent, massage, cold and hot therapy, and deep cleansing
Finally, the brand that healed and recharged our bodies has launched an all-in-one facial device, the TheraFace Pro, letting us receive the very best the tech world has to offer. This handheld device combines LED therapy, percussion, microcurrent and cleansing to treat both your complexion and your facial muscles. The LED ring encircles the device’s entire head, so you can cover a lot of facial real estate fast, and you can choose your LED light therapy color — red, blue, and red + Infrared light — to reduce wrinkles around the eye, banish acne and blemishes, or a provide warming sensation to temporarily reduce irritation and discomfort. Read our full review for more details on the do-it-all device.
What reviewers say: “I have tried the percussive attachment, microcurrent, and LED head’s so far and I feel like my skincare routine has been elevated. I love the ability to do some self-care and at-home facial massages with this. I also have some acne that pops up from time to time and I think the blue LED light has started to help calm it down!”
Editor’s testing and review notes: “My TheraFace is among my post prized skin care possessions,” says Sullivan. “I use the cleansing brush nightly and the cold ring to depuff after wine night. But the blue light LED ring is the attachment I’m most thankful for. It’s a godsend when I feel a breakout coming on: I massage my face with the ring and notice decreased inflammation and redness the next day.”
Therabody TheraFace Pro
Therabody TheraFace Pro
Therabody TheraFace Pro
Priori Skincare Unveiled LED Face Mask
Best Portable LED Face Mask
Skin concerns: Fine lines, dullness,
Treatment area: Face
Types of LED lights: Red and near infrared
Special features: Flexible material that hugs your face; cordless
Since you can juice up this LED face mask by Priori Skincare thanks to its rechargeable battery, it doesn’t have to be plugged in to use it, giving it bonus points for portability. It only takes one 10-minute session to see results, specifically plumper, brighter skin with improved texture. The FDA-approved mask is made out of a very flexible and lightweight material that wraps around the face, making it comfortable to wear.
What reviewers say: “I have seen improvements in a few fine lines by my eyes, way less redness in my cheeks, and overall skin radiance! I’m in my early 30’s and very vigilant about skincare, and it’s one of my favorite parts of my nightly routine. Yes it’s pricey, but it’s truly worth every penny.”
Priori Unveiled LED Face Mask
Priori Unveiled LED Face Mask
Skin Gym WrinkLit LED Mask
Best for a Fickle Complexion
Skin concerns: Fine lines, breakouts, inflammation, and acne
Treatment area: Face
Types of LED lights: Blue, orange, and red
Special features: Spacious eye opening; sunglasses-style arms for easy wearing; wireless
If you’re battling breakouts one day and dullness the next, then this is the best LED face mask for you. This Skin Gym smart mask is designed to change with your skin, since it has blue, red, and orange lights to treat different conditions. You can choose whichever your complexion is calling for that day. Even better, the wireless shield works anywhere.
What reviewers say: “Lately I’ve noticed that my fine lines were becoming more noticeable and I had noticed a faint age spot starting to show. Using this mask has allowed me to hit the rewind button! It’s so easy to use and the different colors allow you to target different problems at different times. A great value!”
Skin Gym WrinkLit LED Mask
Skin Gym WrinkLit LED Mask
CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask
Best LED Face Mask for Fast Results
Skin concerns: Acne, hyperpigmenation, rosacea, uneven texture, fine lines, and skin laxity
Treatment area: Face
Types of LED lights: Red and near-infrared
Special features: Straps for wearability; skin-hugging flexible silicone material
“Our CurrentBody mask is a celebrity due to the flexible silicone and how easy it is to use,” Laurence Newman, CEO of CurrentBody. “Fans include Kate Hudson, Renee Zellweger, and Kaley Cuoco. It is flexible silicone and doesn’t need to be plugged in to a power supply, so once you put it on, you’re free to carry on your day as you wish! It has a 10-minute treatment timer so you know when to take it off — it really does the thinking for you.” Designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles in just four weeks, this anti-aging LED light therapy mask firms and tightens the skin to create a more toned, lifted and rejuvenated-looking complexion thanks to its anti-aging red and near-infrared light therapy technology.
What reviewers say: “I’ve been using the LED mask for five months, around four times per week. When I first started using the mask, I noticed the inflammation around my cheeks improved and the texture of my skin improved a bit. Continual use of the mask improved the texture, hydration, and overall look of my skin. The inflammation around my spots reduced a lot, especially around the cheeks.”
Editor’s testing and review: “This mask is one of the most comfortable LED face masks I’ve ever tried,” says Sullivan. “The silicone material feels cool and soft on my skin, and the ear loops keep it snug on my skin while I’m folding laundry or answering emails.”
CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask
CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask
Beautimate Facial Skin Care Mask
Best Basic Model
Skin concerns: Dullness, acne, and hyperpigmentation
Treatment area: Face and neck
Types of LED lights: Red, blue, green, cyan, yellow, purple, and white
Special features: Separate neck panel
Perfect for those who don’t need all the bells and whistles, this Beautimate LED face mask gets the job done while going easy on your wallet. You can choose from seven different settings to warm up (pun intended) to the sensation of using a LED light therapy mask. Each treatment only takes 10 to 15 minutes to soothe your complexion and boost blood circulation and cell growth.
What reviewers say: “I use it for myself to build collagen and for my teenage son for acne. It’s great for helping you relax.”
Beautimate Facial Skin Care Mask
Omnilux Contour FACE
Best LED Face Mask for a Secure Fit
Skin concerns: Fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, and redness
Treatment area: Face
Types of LED lights: Red and near infrared
Special features: Straps and flexible material for comfortable fit
To ensure this won’t budge during 15-minute treatments, this Omnilux LED face mask is sculpted to fit your face, while the straps on the back ensure a snug yet comfortable fit. After four to six weeks of use, dedicated fans can expect to see minimized redness, pigmentation and fine lines and winkles. Skin is left looking younger and healthier.
What reviewers say: “Working in a hospital still wearing an N95 thick mask has traumatized my skin. This product heals, reduces redness, and improves my facial texture. My face looks brighter, like I’ve had a good night’s sleep.”
OmniLux Contour Face
Hime Sama LED Skin Mask-CE Cleared Pro 7
Best Two-For-One
Skin concerns: Redness, fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, and acne
Treatment area: Face and neck
Types of LED lights: Red, blue, green, yellow, purple, and white
Special features: Separate neck panel
Get two for the price of one with this Hime Sama LED light therapy mask that comes in two separate pieces to treat your face and neck. The options don’t end there — there are five levels of seven different color lights to choose from. There’s red light to increase blood flow and collagen, blue light to calm and tighten, green to improve pigmentation and fine lines, yellow to smooth and reduce redness, purple to relax, light blue to soothe, and white to accelerate tissue metabolism.
What reviewers say: “I’ve been using this face mask for several months now. It’s such a great beauty routine find. A light therapy treatment can cost a lot in a spa so I love that I have this at home to use as much as I want to! I love that it has seven different lights on it all to tackle different skin concerns.”
Hime Sama LED Skin Mask-CE Cleared Pro 7
The Light Salon Boost Advanced LED Light Therapy Face Mask
Best for Ease of Use
Skin concerns: Dullness, fine lines, and wrinkles
Treatment area: Face
Types of LED lights: Red and near infrared
Special features: Cordless; clinically-proven 830 nanometer wavelengths
What makes this one of the best LED light therapy masks is the fact that it’s flexible, so it’s easy to shape the soft silicone design to your face. It brings The Light Salon’s signature Skin Health & Rejuvenation Treatment into your home to deliver the same perks for your skin: brightening, rejuvenating, lifting, plumping and strengthening. The FDA-approved device has both LED red and near-infrared light to get the job done. To reap all the rewards, do a 10-minute session three to five days a week for four to six weeks.
What reviewers say: “This mask is worth every penny. I am a beauty gadget freak and this one is my favorite. It is easy to use and every time I use it I feel I look better. It gives a nice glow and makes the skin look healthier and more luminous.”
The Light Salon Boost LED Face Mask
The Light Salon Boost LED Face Mask
MZ Skin Light Therapy Golden Facial Treatment Device
Best Multilight Face Mask
Skin concerns: Redness, fine lines, acne, broken capillaries, and pigmentation
Treatment area: Face
Types of LED lights: Red, blue, yellow, green, and white
Special features: Adjustable strap
The MZ Skin Light-Therapy Golden Facial Treatment Device has unique light settings to bring in-office treatment results at home. It has red light for a collagen and elastin production boost, to reduce inflammation, help improve the appearance of scars, and heal sun damage and blemishes. There’s also clarifying blue light as well as green light to calm, minimize pigmentation and home in on broken capillaries and sun spots. Yellow light brings down redness and ups circulation, and white light gets deep into the skin to help heal wounds and repair skin. The mask can be used two to three times per day, gradually working your way up from 10- to 30-minute sessions.
What reviewers say: “After using this mask, I get no spots ever, my pores look reduced (because they are super clean) and my dermatitis is barely even noticeable to me. The yellow light also works wonders for anyone susceptible to face puffiness.”
MZ Skin Light-Therapy Golden Facial Treatment Device
MZ Skin Light-Therapy Golden Facial Treatment Device
MZ Skin Light-Therapy Golden Facial Treatment Device
Revive Light Therapy Lip Care
Best LED Light Therapy Mask for Lips
Skin concerns: Loss of lip volume and fine lines on lips
Treatment area: Lips
Types of LED lights: Red
Special features: Hands-free design
Turn back time to get fuller, smoother lips with this LED light device that is just for your lips. Red LED lights trigger collagen production in the lips to increase elasticity and circulation, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and increase firmness. Its clever design is hands-free, as you can keep it in place with your bite.
What reviewers say: “I’ve been using this about a year now and have experienced the following: more relaxed look around d mouth, fuller lips, lines are much fainter. It’s extremely easy to use.”
Revive Light Therapy Lip Care
Revive Light Therapy Lip Care
LightStim for Acne LED Light Therapy Device
Best LED Light Therapy Mask for Acne
Skin concerns: Acne
Treatment area: Face and body
Types of LED lights: Blue and red
Special features: Self timer set for three minutes per treatment area
When zapping zits is your main goal for LED light therapy, then reach for this little guy that treats current breakouts and prevents future ones, too, by killing the bacteria that causes breakouts (it’s FDA-approved for the treatment of mild to moderate acne). The combination of red and blue light also brings down redness and inflammation, and works just as well on blackheads as it does for cystic acne — or even backne. Best of all, it only takes one minute a day.
What reviewers say: I am a nurse and esthetician, and I firmly believe in blue light therapy. This particular device has been a lifesaver for my mild acne, and my perioral dermatitis.”
LightStim for Acne LED Light Therapy Device
Revive Light Therapy dpl II-Professional Anti-Aging Panel
Best for Neck, Décolletage, Hands, and Back
Skin concerns: Fine lines and wrinkles, breakouts, acne, and sun damage
Treatment area: Full face and body
Types of LED lights: Infrared, red, deep red, amber, and blue
Special features: 10″ by 14″ treatment size
Stocked with three settings that target the common signs of aging and treat breakouts, this Revive LED light therapy panel emits medical-grade infrared lights to promote your skin’s natural regeneration process and stimulate collagen production. Its oversized panel design makes it great for treating wrinkles, discoloration, uneven texture and acne on the neck, chest, hands and back as well.
What reviewers say: “I have been using this panel for almost 3 months now and can confidently say that this product has worked for me. Most of my adult life, I have had acne, blemishes, and cysts on my back that have been persistent and impossible for me to get rid of — until now.”
Revive Light Therapy dpl II-Professional Anti-Aging Panel
Revive Light Therapy dpl II-Professional Anti-Aging Panel
Shani Darden by Déesse Pro LED Light Mask
Best Splurge
Skin concerns: Acne, skin laxity, pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles
Treatment area:
Types of LED lights: Red, blue and near-infrared
Special features: Neck panel; remote for easy use
Celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden has touched many VIP complexions (Jessica Alba, Shay Mitchell, and January Jones, to name a few). This LED mask collaboration with Darden and tech-forward skin care tool brand Déesse gives you a taste of her magic at home. Many LED face masks can feel uncomfortable on the eye area, but this one has silicone inserts to protect and pad your delicate eye area. Equipped with three treatment modes and 238 LED lights, it’ll deliver visible brightening, tightening, and clearing results with consistent use.
What reviewers say: “The thing I didn’t realize I would enjoy so much from using my new LED mask is the 10 minutes of “me” time it gives me, but what I’m truly happy with is the noticeable smoothing of the horizontal lines in my forehead and the fine lines developing around my eyes, especially along the lower orbital bone. I’ve also noticed more of an overall glow to my skin since beginning the therapy.”
Shani Darden by Déesse Pro LED Light Mask
Vanity Planet Alya Red LED Eyeglasses
Best for the Eyes
Skin concerns: Crow’s feet and fine lines
Treatment area: Eyes
Types of LED lights: Infrared, deep red, red, and amber
Special features: Cordless; sunglass-style arms for easy wearing
Tackle dark circles, crow’s feet and other under-eye woes with this convenient LED eye mask, which uses four types of LED lights to brighten and smooth your eyes. Designed to fit like a standard pair of glasses, the device is comfortable to wear while you’re reading, working, or tidying up your place.
What reviewers say: “These have become a part of my nightly routine. I pop them on before bed as I read. They’re super comfy and the light doesn’t cause any discomfort. In fact, I feel like it helps me settle down and fall asleep faster. combatting wrinkles & a little light therapy? Sign me up!”
Vanity Planet Alya Red LED Eyeglasses
Vanity Planet Alya Red LED Eyeglasses
How Do You Use an LED Face Mask?
Cleanse your skin: Before using an LED face mask, make sure your skin and the device are clean. This may be the only time we tell you to not wear sunscreen. “Avoid using sunscreen before use as it can block the red and near-infrared light,” says Dr. Engelman. “You can apply the mask directly to your clean skin. For a deeper clean, treat your complexion to a detoxifying face mask before using the device.”
Set your timer: Some tools have automated timers so you know exactly how long to use them for max benefits. If they don’t, shoot for about 15 minutes daily, or more, if you can. Make your session something to look forward to by turning on your favorite show or slipping into silk pajamas before you power on the mask.
Follow with skin care: Your skin should feel refreshed, not sensitive or itchy after your treatment (if it does, dial your derm). If you’re masking in the morning, follow up with your daytime moisturizer or tinted moisturizer with SPF. At night, Dr. Engelman suggests applying a moisturizer to hydrate and nourish the skin, post-treatment.
Commit to regular treatments: LED face masks work best with regular use. According to Czech, you should stick to a program. “You need to do it four times a week minimum, for about two to four months. The start-up needs to be a little more intense and definitely consistent,” she explains.
How Long Does It Take to See Results From Using an LED Face Mask?
You’ll get the quickest results by getting a treatment at your dermatologist or aesthetician’s office, but at-home devices will help improve your skin with consistent use. Other than consistency, the time it takes to see results depends on the device itself and your skin type. “With at-home LED face masks, you might notice your complexion has an inner glow after use,” Dr. Engelman says. “Other results will take longer and depend on the individual. With regular use, you might start to notice changes after around four months.”
In clinical trials for the CurrentBody Skin LED mask, Newman says users saw results from four weeks of use three to four times a week, though it can be used more often.
Is LED Light Therapy Safe?
You should not be using LED light therapy if you are pregnant or have a Pacemaker, but other than that, Czech doesn’t know of a single negative side effect for any of the four light therapies. “I’ve been using LED light therapy for almost a quarter of a century and I chose to work with it because they were used on chemotherapy patients with challenged immune systems,” says Czech. “So I thought, well if they can use it, anyone else can use it and benefit, too.”
Although they’re generally safe, it’s always best to talk to your primary care physician or dermatologists to make sure the mask won’t do you any harm. Look for the mask’s FDA seal of approval if you’re concerned about the product’s safety or efficacy claims.
What is LED Light Therapy and How Did It Start?
“LED is a skincare treatment that uses varying wavelengths of light,” explains Newman, and the therapy overall has a truly remarkable history.
“It was discovered about 60 years ago when NASA engineers were approached by Johnson & Johnson to create medical equipment involving red LED light, knowing the range of the wavelength would get into your dermis, because that’s where collagen synthesis happens,” explains Czech.
And what, exactly, was NASA’s intent? To discover how to get the body to absorb medication via LED light therapy.
“They wanted to use it for chemotherapy patients who could not swallow medication because of nausea and who were very fragile,” says Czech. “They applied it on the skin via medicinal patches, and doctors would shoot the patches with red light, and when patients returned for check-ups several sessions later, doctors noticed a different quality of skin where the patches were. Skin was tighter, brighter and skin markings were more shallow.”
Now, research linking LED light therapy with the medical world abound, with one of the more recent studies confirming that light therapy accelerates the healing of skin damage from cancer radiation therapy by up to 50%, so even if you were skeptical about the efficacy of these buzzy, futuristic-looking light therapy masks, you can’t argue with science.
Can You Combine Light Therapies?
Czech reassures us that it is safe to combine different light therapies. You could easily use a red LED face mask on a Monday and safely use a blue LED face mask the next day without a hitch.
Meet the Experts
Joanna Czech is a world-renowned aesthetician to some of the world’s most famous faces. With studios in New York City and Dallas — along with the celebrity house calls she regularly makes — her clientele is loyal, discerning and of course, they all have impossibly gorgeous skin. And rumor has it that her wait list is six months long.
Dr. Dendy Engelman is a New York City-based dermatologist. She’s also a regular on morning shows, giving her expert medical opinion on all the latest and greatest in dermatology.
Laurence Newman serves as the CEO of CurrentBody, one of the leading companies that offer salon-quality treatments via luxury at-home beauty devices.
Meet the Authors
Kaitlin Clark is a former Beauty and Style Commerce Editor at WWD who has tested several LED face masks during her career. Kait has written, edited, and researched beauty products for nearly a decade, testing the latest skin care trends for publications such as Allure, Instyle, Reader’s Digest and more. Clark wrote the original version of this story on the best LED face masks.
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor at WWD. In her previous role, this writer and editor covered beauty and wellness trends at Martha Stewart Living Magazine for over six years, and has had her writing and reporting published in Instyle and Byrdie. Sullivan updated this best LED face masks guide with new products and more in-depth information about light therapy devices.
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