Getting glowy skin and reduced breakouts are the two big reasons why everyone is investing in LED face masks. But can anyone say, hand on heart, that they know exactly what these light-diffusing masks are doing? There are dozens to choose from in beauty halls and online, and they vary greatly in terms of prices and promises. We wanted to get the lowdown on how effective LED face masks are so we spoke with the creators of the latest to arrive on the scene to hear what they had to say. And we have chosen the five most popular on the market you might be interested in trying... LED stands for light-emitting diode, and it's a non-invasive therapy using different coloured lights to penetrate at numerous wavelengths to stimulate natural responses that will improve the skin. Initially, LED light therapy was an in-clinic treatment but, in the last few years at-home LED face masks have surged in popularity. Price and convenience is probably a factor for their success, but the results you can get from using LED depends on keeping a regular routine and using the mask as directed. The masks are used on the face, but some brands offer extension masks that can treat the neck and chest for reducing lines, pigmentation caused by sun damage. The most common wavelengths used are: LED face masks are targeted to all skin types with a benefit for everyone – it works well on people who suffer from rosacea or acne, have fine lines and wrinkles and those want to improve collagen production. Jeanette Dunne and Sinead Gallagher are co-founders of Renew Skin Clinics and SkinKrush, and after using LED light therapy in their clinics for almost 12 years, launched two LED face masks; Clear and Calming, which works to reduce redness and breakouts, and the Rejuvenating LED mask which regenerates the skin, reducing fine lines and redness. Sinead says: "Red and infrared light has been shown to promote collagen production, reduce redness, and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and skin smoothness." She explains that when the light is absorbed by the mitochondria in your cells, it gives more energy to those cells, increasing their functionality and repairing the cells. Infrared light, meanwhile, travels even deeper into the skin than red light. On the other hand, blue light doesn’t penetrate the skin as deeply as red light, so it’s used mainly to treat topical conditions like mild to moderate acne. "It’s brilliant for those with certain types of acne that may have become resistant to antibiotics or may not want to go on medication," says Sinead. Finally, a combination of both blue and red light can calm the skin and reduce redness. Sinead recommends using an LED mask for 10 minutes a day, three to five times a week for six weeks to see a noticeable improvement. "An LED mask should be used during a time of relaxation without anyone disturbing you, whether before bedtime or a moment in the day when you can take 10 minutes of me-time to pause and lie back," she advises. Choosing an LED face mask isn't without its challenges as they vary wildly in price. Not all masks are equal, the quality (and not necessarily the quantity) of the LED bulbs is paramount to deliver real results for whatever you hope to treat. Doctor or nurse-led brands aim to create masks that are as close to professional grade as possible, and as such will have excellent safety levels and effective LED bulbs. Unbranded or spurious cheap LED face masks you can buy online may have weak bulbs that do little or nothing for your skin except dwindle your skincare fund. If you need advice on what mask to buy, how to use it, and how to incorporate skincare that will complement the effect of LED light, go talk to a skin professional. Dr Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro, €525.40 For all skin types, this tool features 162 LED lights and has three treatment options to choose from: red light therapy, blue light therapy or red and blue light therapy. Developed by leading dermatologist Dr Dennis Gross, the red LED setting helps to reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and redness, whereas blue LEDs minimise the appearance of blemishes and help to prevent future breakouts. SkinKrush Clear and Calming or Rejuvenating LED Face Masks, €350 each Jeanette and Sinead's Clear and Calming and Rejuvenating LED Face Masks are made from soft silicone to conform to your facial features and they each have 132 LED bulbs for maximum efficacy. Both work on reducing redness and inflammation, choose Clear and Calming for skin prone to acne and breakouts, and Rejuvenating if fine lines and dullness are your concern. Theraface Advanced LED Skincare Mask with Relaxing Vibration Therapy, €599 Therabody's Theraface has 648 LED lights that offer the skin-transforming benefits of red, red and infrared, and blue light to the entire face. A little different from other LED face masks, this one has a gentle massaging vibration action that relaxes the face, especially around the eyes, brows and scalp to reduce tension and boost circulation. CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask: Series 2, €449 CurrentBody's Series 2 LED face mask is an upgrade from the brand's original mask for rejuvenating the skin. Now with 236 LED bulbs, it emits red, near-infrared and deep near-infrared light to boost collagen production, reduce redness, and wrinkles and promote youthful-looking skin. The new version has a flexible liquid silicon composition for comfort, and it can be bought with an extra LED mask attachment that treats the neck and chest area, (€691 for both). Foreo FAQ 201 Silicone LED Mask, €529 Foreo's FAQ 201 is another pliable silicone mask that sits comfortably on the face. This has three LED light actions - red, blue and green - to rejuvenate and keep the skin blemish-free. Red and blue light work on redness, inflammation and breakouts, but green light works on radiance and dark spots, boosting even the dullest skin and making it glow. Ultralight to wear, this mask has 600 points of light, a non-slip headband to keep it in place and it's cable-free so you can move about easily. Check out moremakeup, skin and hair tips and ideas hereor in ourfashion and beauty shopand make sure to follow One Fab Day onInstagramJump straight to...
What is an LED Face Mask?
Why Use an LED Face Mask?
Why are There Different Coloured Lights in LED Face Masks?
When Will You See Results
Are They Worth the Money?
Which LED face masks to buy
See Also
LED Lichttherapie Maske Test 2024 • Die 6 besten LED Lichttherapie Masken im Vergleich - ExpertenTesten.deLED-Maske Test 2024: Die 17 besten Produkte für HautproblemeLED-Gesichtsmaske ErfahrungLED-Masken als Pflege: Lichttherapie für zu Hause im Selbsttest