EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LED MASKS

In recent years, beauty tech breakthroughs offered countless possibilities to high-end skincare. Unique ingredients, remarkable compositions, and innovative products can deliver professional results that meet any concern. Speaking of innovation and tangible results, we present you with the hottest accessoire du jour; the LED light therapy mask or LED mask, which, apart from its impressive look, has the power to transform your skin in a matter of weeks and the comfort of your own home.

WHAT IS THE LED LIGHT THERAPY?

The abbreviation LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. In simple words, it is a wavelength of light that’s emitted from a machine. NASA originally developed the LED light therapy in the 80s to help astronauts’ tissue healing and repair. Since then, it has been used by clinics and dermatologists to treat different skin concerns.

According to Hannah Measures και Laura Ferguson, founders of The Light Salon, a UK-based salon specialising in LED Light treatments, this light source can invigorate skin’s energy. The skin, in turn, uses this energy to repair its cells where needed.

Similarly, world-renowned dermatologist, Dr Dennis Gross, refers to LED light therapy as “the next big ingredient in skincare.”

Editor’s note: A fully “charged” cell by LED light can perform much better (+150-250%). As a result, your skin looks firmer, more radiant and definitely younger.

LED MASKS: HOW DO THEY WORK?

As their name suggests, the therapeutic benefits of LED Masks are due to the use of light. Both visible light – red, blue, amber, green – and invisible part of the spectrum have the ability to penetrate in different depths of the skin. As the light wavelength increases, so does the penetration depth and the energy transmitted to the cells. The receptors in your skin absorb the light as any other active ingredient like vitamin C – replenishing dermal and epidermal cells, essentially boosting action at a cellular level and creating positive skin changes. Each colour of light stimulates a different skin response, and their combination can be even more effective for optimising skin health.

WHAT DIFFERENT COLOURS DO?

RED

Red light is renowned for boosting the production of collagen and elastin while enhancing cell repair. It also reduces redness and improves skin tone. It is an excellent treatment for slowing down the ageing process and repairing any damage caused by sunlight or even the negative factors of our lifestyle, such as smoking, unhealthy diet and stress.

BLUE

Blue light aims to improve the surface of the skin by neutralising bacteria. Therefore, if you suffer from acne or scars from older pimples and breakouts, it is quite beneficial.

AMBER

Amber light has a soothing effect on rosacea and redness. It stimulates the production of red blood cells, which play a vital role in skin healing and skin cell rejuvenation.

GREEN

Green light is used to even skin tone. The specific wavelength targets melanocytes to slow down the production of melanin so that pigmentation can not reach the top layers of our skin.

WHITE (INFRARED)

White light is the strongest of the wavelengths and penetrates deep into the skin while invisible to the naked eye. It stimulates the natural production of collagen and elastin, enhances cells’ regeneration, improves blood and lymphatic circulation (provides nutrients and oxygen to the area while removing toxins) and cures skin that is vulnerable and inflamed.

IT’S GOOD TO KNOW: LED light is not similar to UV or blue light (HEV) emitted from screens. 

ARE LED MASKS BENEFICIAL?

Research has proven that LED light therapy effectively treats various skin concerns as long as it is done systematically. Don’t expect miracles overnight. If regular appointments to a beauty salon or dermatologist aren’t an option, investing in an at-home LED device is an excellent way to bring a normally in-office treatment to the comfort of your home.

According to Dr Maryam Zamani, oculoplastic surgeon and founder of MZ Skin, “These at-home devices are not as strong as the LED light used in a clinic setting, but they do have similar benefits.”  Regular use of the LED Mask and the technology behind it promise wonders to your skin like elasticity, firmness, even skin tone, slowing the ageing process – light therapy activates collagen and elastin production, reduces acne bacteria, prevents wrinkles and pigmentation and accelerates the cell renewal that helps to improve the overall health of the skin.

ARE LED MASKS SAFE?

According to the experts, LED light therapy is totally safe, whatever your skin type or concern. You can use it any time of day and as frequently as you like. LED light therapy combines clinically proven wavelengths of light to deliver safe and efficacious results to treat several conditions with no downtime or discomfort. More specifically, LED light penetrates the skin at a longer wavelength (roughly 5mm), stimulating cellular repair rather than damaging cells.

There’s almost no contraindication, except for those with epilepsy, as the lights can trigger seizures. However, should you decide to invest in a LED Mask, you can ask your dermatologist first if your skin suffers from a serious infection or other problem.

Before you use your mask, you don’t need to follow a specific beauty routine, provided that your skin is clean.

Are you ready for a one-stop shop to skin perfection?