LED eye patches and face masks have been all the rage for a while now, especially since going viral on social media thanks to A-list celebrities like Victoria Beckham, Chrissy Teigen, Suki Waterhouse, Kourtney Kardashian and many more. The impressive list of their benefits, like visible signs of improvement in the skin, an at-home spa experience, scientific evidence supporting their claims, celebrity endorsements, and ease of use, makes LED eye patches a popular choice that can elevate your eye skincare routine.
Naturally, you may be hesitant to use this futuristic-looking device that lights up right on your face without sufficient research. What are LED eye patches? How do they work? What are these LED eye patches used for? Is it safe to use? Could it damage your skin? Look no further to find all the answers to these questions swirling around in your head. By the end of this blog, you will be equipped with the information you need to decide if an LED eye patch is right for your skin and skincare needs.
What Are LED Eye Patches?
Basics first: what are LED eye patches? Let’s start with what an “LED” is. You can think of an LED (Light-Emitting Diode) as a tiny light bulb that lights up when supplied with electricity. Different colours (or wavelengths) of light that the LEDs emit penetrate the skin at different depths, which in turn induce different effects. NASA scientists discovered this phenomenon by accident as part of a different research project, and the technology was first used to accelerate the wound healing process in astronauts.
Extending this principle to skin care, light rays of certain wavelengths that have been identified to have a healing effect on the skin are used to resolve skin concerns. Combining normal eye patches with this LED technology results in what we fittingly call LED eye patches. They make use of LED light therapy to precisely target skin concerns. Light rays of specifically chosen wavelengths are used to repair and brighten the delicate skin around the eyes. Let’s explore how LED eye patches work in detail.
How Do LED Eye Patches Work?
Human skin is photosensitive (photo = light); this means different cellular reactions are triggered in your skin in response to different types of light that fall on it. A common example is tanning; the body responds to UV rays (from sun exposure, for example) by increasing melanin production, which is responsible for the tanning effect. Similarly, LED eye patches leverage skin photosensitivity by using light colours (or wavelengths) that will induce a healing effect on your skin.
LED eye patches are perfectly calibrated to emit certain light rays, which are best suited for the fragile, sensitive skin around your eyes. These typically range from amber to near-infrared light on the wavelength spectrum. These light rays have effects similar to those of active ingredients in skincare products (retinols, ceramides, peptides, etc.), in that they function by communicating with “receptors” in your skin cells, which in turn trigger desired cellular reactions. In other words, they leverage your body’s own repair and rejuvenation mechanisms to resolve the targeted skin concerns.
What Are The Effects Induced By LED Eye Patches On Skin?
The effects of LED light rays of these specific wavelengths include improvements in:
- Collagen and elastin production, which makes your skin firmer and smoother with reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles;
- Skin cell repair and regeneration, which makes your skin healthier, brighter, and more youthful;
- Cell turnover and efficiency, which makes your skin clearer and more even-toned.
This is music to a skincare aficionado’s ears. These results, combined with the several additional benefits of using an LED eye mask, make it an ideal product to introduce into your skincare routine.
What Are The Other Benefits Of Using LED Eye Patches?
LED eye patches come with an array of additional benefits, which secures their spot in the skin care hall of fame.
The additional benefits of LED eye patches are:
- They are ideal for use with other eye skincare products, like eye serums and creams or hydrocolloid eye patches (these eye patches improve moisture retention and boost the body’s skin barrier repair process).
- They offer a spa-like experience from the comfort of your home.
- They are completely non-invasive.
- There is no downtime.
- They are very easy to use.
- They do not emit light (like UV rays) that can tan or damage your skin.
- They can give visible results in as little as 4–8 weeks.
What Are LED Eye Patches Used For?
LED eye patches flood the skin with light rays that penetrate deep into the skin and trigger several cellular reactions that heal and repair your skin. These cellular reactions allow the LED eye patches to help resolve all major skin concerns around your eyes, including:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Dark circles
- Discolouration or hyperpigmentation
- Patchy or uneven skin tone
- Damaged skin
- Tired-looking eyes
Several products that use LED technology for skin care—LED eye patches, for instance—have been scientifically proven to show visible results in as little as 4–8 weeks with consistent use. It can be a great addition to your skincare routine and can even increase the efficacy of the skincare products you already use by improving their absorption.
LED light therapy for the skin is generally safe for use. However, please note that different products have different specifications and associated contraindications (any condition that makes the product potentially harmful to the user). Make sure to go through the product description thoroughly to ensure its suitability for your skin and skincare needs before making a purchase.
The Final Verdict: Do LED Eye Patches Do What They Say?
Congratulations! You have learned everything you need to know about what LED eye patches are, how they work, and what they are used for! Now, you can make an informed decision after going through the specifications of the LED eye patch you are interested in.
Once it is ascertained that there are no applicable contraindications, LED eye patches are definitely deserving of a big thumbs up! They are highly effective and scientifically backed, while being easy and comfortable to use. In addition, they offer a spa-like experience from the comfort of one’s own home and work well in combination with existing skincare routines, all without any downtime whatsoever. In conclusion, LED eye patches absolutely live up to the hype.
Check out our blogs to learn more about eye skincare, such as tips on on how to get rid of eye bags.
