If you are looking for a product that will elevate your skincare routine while providing a spa-like experience at home, an LED mask may be what you need. Sometimes, the usual topical skincare products are simply not enough to get the job done. Enter the LED mask.
While an LED mask looks futuristic, the foundational principles of light therapy were discovered a long time ago (think the 19th century). However, it was not easily accessible to the general public or used to target specific skin concerns. Recent years have seen LED masks and light therapy become increasingly popular among the masses.
Different skin types, skin concerns, and areas of concern have certain LED masks that are best-suited for them. For example, if you want to target the area around your eyes, you can go for LED eye patches that work best for your delicate under-eye skin. On the other hand, an LED face mask may be a better choice for you if you would like to target all of your facial skin.
Before moving to know different factors to consider when choosing the perfect LED mask, first learn how LED masks work.
How LED Masks Work?
Before getting into the different factors to take into consideration, let’s have a quick overview of how an LED mask works. Your skin contains “photoreceptors,” i.e., light-sensitive receptors, that trigger certain cellular reactions when subjected to light. Light rays can penetrate through the skin without damaging it, which allows them to harness your body’s in-built mechanisms to repair and rejuvenate your skin from within.
LED masks use light rays that trigger positive cellular reactions in the skin. They do not use certain types of light rays, such as UV rays, that damage the skin. LED masks can be a great addition to your skin care routine. They are usually used on dry, cleansed skin before applying other products.
Now that you know how an LED mask works and how to use it best, let’s get into the ultimate guide to choosing the perfect LED mask for you.
Top 5 Factors to Consider How to Choose the Perfect LED Mask:
1. Wavelengths of Light in an LED Mask
Different light rays have different wavelengths, which determine whether they are visible to human eyes or not, as well as the colour you perceive them as. The spectrum of visible light ranges from violet (the shortest wavelength) to red (the longest wavelength).
Depending on the wavelength (or colour) of the light, each type of light ray penetrates the skin at different depths, triggering different cellular reactions. The usual range of wavelengths used in LED eye patches is from blue to infrared (IR), with each targeting specific skin issues, types, and areas. Learn here all about what are LED eye patches.
> Effects of Blue Light in an LED Mask
Blue light rays clear acne and improve other skin conditions, like eczema, by regulating sebum production. Sebum is the substance that the sebaceous or oil glands in the skin produce. Excessive sebum production clogs pores and results in acne breakouts.
> Effects of Green Light in an LED Mask
Green light rays help reduce hyperpigmentation, brown spots and freckles.
> Effects of Yellow Light in an LED Mask
Yellow light rays have anti-inflammatory effects and reduce redness, in addition to repairing sun-damaged skin and scars.
> Effects of Red Light in an LED Mask
Red light rays have an array of skin benefits, including skin repair, hydration, firming the skin, volumising, and wound healing, along with helping repair sun damage.
> Effects of Infrared (IR) Light in an LED Mask
Infrared light rays penetrate skin the deepest and boost collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid expression in the skin, resulting in youthful and hydrated skin.
Depending on your skin type, concerns, and areas of concern, different combinations of these wavelengths are used for precise targeting. For anti-ageing effects in the under-eye area, an LED eye mask often uses a combination of red and infrared light.
2. Safety & Proven Results of LED Mask
It is crucial to make sure that the skincare product you are using has undergone testing, received approval, and comes highly recommended by medical professionals, even more so when it is designed to be used on facial skin. Checking for customer reviews, researching the credibility of the brand, assessing independent study results, and checking for medical approval are important when it comes to choosing an LED mask. This is especially important for an LED eye mask due to its proximity to the eye and potential side effects.
Besides testing and approval, make sure the LED mask you want to purchase is durable and made of medical-grade material. LED mask product descriptions should also contain a comprehensive list of contraindications that make them unsuitable for some. Ensure that you don’t fall into any of the categories mentioned in this list before making a purchase.
3. Functions & Features of the LED Mask
The wavelengths are not the only technical specification that is important. The number of LED lights is also relevant in determining the coverage and intensity of an LED mask. Due to the different nature of skin on different parts of the face, it is preferable to use specifically designed panels for different areas, such as an LED eye mask.
If you are looking for a solution for various skin concerns, an LED mask that offers customization options to modify the combinations of lights that can target each of those concerns will be useful and more cost-effective.
4. Ease of Use of the LED Mask
The usability factors of any device play a big role in the user experience. The mode of operation should be intuitive, without overly complicated instructions or user manuals. The device itself should be easy to put on, remove, and clean. During use, the chances of any accidental adverse effects should be minimised, and clear instructions should be shared as to what not to do (such as the light directly shining on your eye).
The fit of the mask on your face is also important. There should only be a small gap between the mask and the skin to allow the skin to breathe and sweat while preventing light from escaping through the sides. Well-designed LED masks take the contours of your face into account. LED eye masks, for example, sport a semicircular shape that fits snugly on your undereye area without allowing the light to spill out into your eye.
5. Price of the LED Mask
LED masks with more functionalities and personalisation options tend to be more expensive than more basic variants. However, the highest-priced product may not be the best-suited for you. On the other extreme, the most affordable LED mask may not be the safest or give the best results. Researching different LED masks within your budget and assessing which functions you need is the best way to go about choosing the perfect LED mask for you. The primary filter should always be to check if the product meets your requirements, i.e., if it’s suitable for your skin type, issues, and areas of concern.
If you are in the market for an effective product that enhances your skincare routine, it may be worth it to invest in a high-quality, doctor-approved, and science-backed product. The cumulative cost of visiting a beauty clinic for light therapy sessions is often higher than the one-time cost of a great product that brings the spa experience to your home.
Now, You Can Choose the Right LED Mask for You
LED light therapy, known for its healing and repairing effects on the skin, is leveraged in LED masks to effectively tackle your skin concerns and elevate your existing skincare routine. To choose the perfect LED mask for you, you must consider:
1. Wavelength or colour of the light used
2. Safety and proven results
3. Different functions & features, like customisation
4. Ease of use and good design
5. Price
