Tech has infiltrated the beauty world and as a result, there has been a hi-tech transformation of our bathroom cabinets.
Mimicking the tools used in professional clinic treatments, the at-home gadget offering has become more sophisticated, accessible and affordable than ever with the likes of IPL laser hair removal machines, microcurrent devices and LED face masks leading the pack.
LED face masks have proven particularly popular with various setting to target specific skincare concerns. We’ve consulted the experts to get the lowdown.
Do LED face masks work? Are they effective?
Dr Ayah, aesthetic practitioner and CurrentBody’s resident LED expert says, “There are so many benefits to using LED light therapy. It suits the majority of skin types so I can safely recommend it to all my patients.”
“LED face masks work – but remember that not all devices are created equal”, reveals Dr Dennis Gross board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Dr Dennis Gross Skincare. “Power is a super important feature that leads to best results. The right power allows for a quick, daily treatment that can fit into your lifestyle”.
How do LED face masks work?
“LED light therapy works by using specific-coloured wavelengths to enact change within the skin cell. The skin is receptive to LED light like any other topical ingredient, such as vitamin C or retinol”, explains Dr Gross. “Red LED can immediately diminish redness and inflammation, and with continued use, can also stimulate skin cells to make more of its own collagen, resulting in smoother, stronger skin.
“Blue LED is a powerful tool for targeting acne without harming good bacteria or the surrounding skin. It connects to acne-causing bacteria encouraging them to self-implode, thus treating acne and preventing breakouts in the first place”.
Are LED face masks safe?
“LED face masks are safe, and LED therapy has extensive proven efficacy and safety”, confirms Shantel Noble, Skin & Injectables Aesthetic Nurse at the INJECTUAL clinic. “However, you do need to be wary to always cover your eyes”.
Dr Gross stresses this, “LED is different to ultraviolet radiation. When used as directed, LED face masks are generally safe. Be sure you are using a device that has undergone clinical testing”.
How to use LED face masks
Dr Gross says “I always advise to follow the directions listed on the device. I designed my LED face mask to be easily incorporated into your everyday skincare routine with one three-minute daily treatment. One treatment a day is all you need to clinically boost collagen production, smooth wrinkles, and clear blemishes.
“Use your mask on clean, dry skin. Applying topicals beforehand can block LED light from properly penetrating the skin. You can use in the morning or at night”.
Dr Ayah highlights the importance of clean skin, “It’s important to clear the face of make-up and oil that might block the LED light from reaching the skin cells”.
Can I use LED face masks every day?
“You certainly can”, according to Dr Ayah who adds that “using three to four times a week will also offer significant results”. This is agreed by Dr Gross who stresses that “Consistency is key to see the benefits of LED light therapy”.
Can you use LED face masks when pregnant?
“Most companies advise against it, not because it would harm the pregnancy but because you can’t do clinical tests on a pregnant person”, explains Nurse Noble.
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Dr Dennis Gross SpectraLite FaceWare Pro
Legendary dermatologist Dr Dennis Gross is the expert behind this LED face mask that was created with acne suffers in mind.
Bringing the in-clinic experience to the comfort of your own home, you need not travel to Dr Gross’ Manhattan establishment to get the results. In just three minutes, the combination of 100 red collagen boosting and 62 blue bacteria busting lights will work their magic to bring you a clearer, plumper and more youthful complexion. It’s a powerful treatment that encourages cell turnover and so is ideal for healing those red raw blemishes.
You will notice the control button on the forehead that is pressed to activate a different mode. After the alloted time, it turns itself off but while in use, the cordless design allows you to go about your typical tasks.
We suggest popping it on during one of the many Zoom meetings you have in a day - just don’t forget to turn your camera off. Results are not immediate but gradual with consistent daily use over the course of 10 or so weeks.
Available with a luxe-looking white and gold exterior or a sleek black iteration.
Buy now £430.00, Harrods
MZ Skin Light Therapy Golden Treatment Mask
Dr Maryam Zamani is one of the most sought-after oculoplastic surgeons and aesthetic doctors in London as well as the eponymous founder of MZ Skin. She is also the brains behind this chic, gold-hued LED mask that is an all-rounder to suit all manner of skin concerns.
This is made possible through the five different colour lights that you can choose between to maximise their benefits. Opt for red and you’re looking for results in the domain of elasticity and firmness, while blue will help banish blemishes and decongest. Go for green and you’ll be minimising the appearance of hyperpigmentation, while yellow is soothing for those with sensitivies. Whether it’s from harsh skincare products or a particularily brutal breakout, the white light encourages healing.
Choosing between the different programs is as easy as pressing the button on the remote control, which also has the time and the ability to adjust the level of intensity.
The brand explains that you should gradually build up your tolerance to this by beginning with around 10 minutes around three times a week and then increasing to 30 minutes every other day.
There is no pain whatsoever but you should be able to notice the lightening of marks, more elasticity in the skin and a radiant glow.
Buy now £310.00, CurrentBody
Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Face Mask
Cryotherapy has proven results for a manner of health concerns - be it pain relief, muscle recovery and even weight loss in some cases. Charlotte Tilbury is bringing its healing properties to skincare with her Cryo-Recovery Face Mask. To be used hand-in-hand with the legendary make-up artist’s beloved product line-up, it was created in order to lift, firm and rejuvenate skin.
The mask itself combines a cryotherapy treatment with acupressure techniques. It adapts to the contour of the face with its cushioned silicone construction and has tactically-placed cooling gel bead pockets to target different areas - the forehead, cheekbones, nasolabial lines and under the chin. In these places, it relaxes the muscles and contricts the blood vessels, which is turn provides a tightening effect, while stainless steel metal beads activate pressure points to relieve tension.
The entire treatment is just 10 minutes but it is important to place the reusable mask in the freezer for 30 minutes before use. It is a godsend on hot and humid days to depuff the skin.
Buy now £49.00, Cult Beauty
CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask
Beauty tech is CurrentBody’s bread and butter so we had high hopes for its own-brand LED mask - and we weren’t disappointed. For pre-party prep, this treatment has you covered.
There’s a combination of collagen stimulating red lights as well as infrared that has a rejuvenating effect on areas of the skin that need healing. There’s anti-ageing benefits too where you may see a reduction in the look of wrinkles - with many users suggesting that this happens in just one month. This is of course depending on how deep set these are, but you should at least notice the improvement of tone, texture and tightness - consistency is key though.
Easy to slip into your everyday routine, you can used the mask for just 10 minutes three to five times a day. Pop on the kettle and take the opportunity to use this time for a respite from the craziness of everyday life. When you’re travelling or out and about, the flexible silicone exterior means you can slip it into your luggage with ease, while also being kinder and better fitting on the contour of the face.
Buy now £279.00, CurrentBody
MAGNITONE London Get Lit Tri Colour LED Face Mask
With LED face masks, there tends to be a one-sized fits all approach to their construction, which isn’t always ideal. That’s where MAGNITONE has created this alternative that’s not too dissimilar in appearance to PPE.
Pop on the goggles and let the screen get lit. There are three different settings; blue for clearing pores below the skin’s surface and treating spots and scars, yellow to stimulate blood flow, treat hyperpigmentation and leave a radiant finish, and red that’s all about firmness, collagen and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.
The nature of this mask makes it completely portable with the controls on the temples of the frame. It’s wireless, USB rechargeable and will automatically turn itself off after the 15 minutes treatment. As far as these masks go, this is a price-friendly alternative, yet it still makes a noticeable difference when you persevere.
Buy now £60.00, lookfantastic
The Light Salon Boost LED Face Mask
The Light Salon was founded in 2015 to offer in-clinic treatments using, you guessed it, LED lights. But if you’re not able to book in at their Harvey Nichols, Selfridges or Cowshed locations, you can still treat your complexion to the penetrating nourishing rays.
This mask is created to adapt to the contours of the face with its silicone material. The red light tackles redness, evens out tone and boosts collagen, while Near-Infrared harnesses the power of deeply penetrating wavelengths to encourage circulation, remove toxins and nourish the skin as one of the more unique treatments that makes this stand out from the crowd. Not only will this help rebuild and counter signs of ageing, but it also encourages better absorption of skincare products that follow.
Treatment time is 10 minutes and the brand suggest usage between three to five days a week.
Buy now £395.00, John Lewis
Sensse Professional LED Face Mask
This LED mask is different to others on the market and you’ll notice that straight from the outset. First and foremost, it has a flexible feel so adapts to the contours of your face more comfortably than its contemporaries. It is crafted from a high grade silicone that has the added bonus of being easy to clean, you just use a cloth and wipe it.
From first opening the box to your treatment, there’s very little for you to do. You simply connect the mask to the controller, apply the velcro and you’re good to go. The controller has just two buttons. One allows you to switch between auto and manual modes, while the second flicks through the manual modes on offer.
Start by exfoliating your face to encourage a better penetration of the light and then choose the mode that suits you best. Red improves blood circulation and repair, blue is to reduce oil production, yellow for lymphatic draining, elasticity and fine lines, and purple for imperfections. The automatic mode takes you through the rainbow to give you up to five minutes illumination on each, but if you’re looking for a more targeted treatment, stick to manual.
The brand suggests gradually increasing the length and frequency as you go but begin with just five minutes once every three days and work your way up to 10 minutes everyday if you wish. It is rechargeable through USB.
The comfort of the mask and the ability to sit back and relax when applied makes each use feel like a pampering spa-worthy treatment.
Buy now £110.00, Boots
No7 LABORATORIES Age-Defying LED Mask
Boots’ own-brand No7 label has brought technological development to its collection of powerhouse skincare. The label is best known and beloved for its anti-ageing treatments and with this mask, takes it to new hi-tech heights.
The intensive treatment uses red and near-infra red LEDs to go deep beneath the skin’s surface level where ageing begins and is designed to leave a radiance, plumped and smooth complexion in its wake with the reduction in the appearance of fine lines, minimised pigmentation and the calming of redness.
Use once a day, five times a week and for just 10 minutes to see an improvement in skin’s health. Best of all? It’s flexible enough to be placed on the neck once the facial treatment has finished.
Buy now £149.95, Boots
L(A)B=LIFE+BEAUTY LED Face Mask
You’d be forgiven for mistaking this mask for part of a Stormtrooper’s white armour. The Michael Myers-esque face mask takes a different approach to its design credentials to many of the other LED alternatives on this list but works in much the same way. The added bonus? Noone will disturb you while you’re enjoying the treatment.
Like many of the others above, there are five different treatments where each light represents a different concern. Red for anti-ageing, blue for the killing of acne-causing bacteria, green for evening out skin tone and improving the appearance of broken capillaries, yellow for sensitive skin and purple for detoxification.
Use for 10-15 minutes.
Buy now £225.23, CurrentBody
Rio DecoLITE Beauty boost LED light Treatment
According to plastic surgeons, there has been a surge in interest of people requesting treatments for the neck. This is often where the signs of ageing are most visible as we take care of our face with all sorts of lotions and potions but forget that it should be used all the way down.
This LED mask is created for this exactly with a specialised design for the decolletage. It uses wavelengths of light - red and infrared - to revitalise the area, improve firmness, reduce fine lines, and boost cellular function. It takes just 10 minutes and then automatically switches off.
Buy now £349.99, Boots
