LED therapy devices and what they’re like to use.
When it comes to skin care, it seems like there’s a never-ending stream of shiny new products and trends hitting the market. Between the latest tools promising to reverse the signs of aging or one too many sleepless nights, I often find myself tumbling down a rabbit hole of products, wondering if they’re worth investing in.
I was first intrigued when I spotted celebrities donning colorful masks before major red carpets. After some research, I found a delightful range of LED tools ranging from wands, hats and even keychains, all at different price points. But I knew I had to try them myself after a particularly ruthless acne flare-up. So, I gained some insight into LED therapy’s anti-inflammatory benefits with double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp, among other skin care experts.
When I first started my quest to test LED devices, I had two questions on my mind. First, could these futuristic-looking gadgets truly help calm my acne-prone skin, saving me from frequent (and often expensive) facials? Second, I wondered if LED tools could work beyond just skin care. Were there other LED devices, outside of masks, out there?
Armed with a healthy balance of skepticism and hope, I dove headfirst into the world of LED therapy, hoping these glowing tools lived up to the hype. It turns out there’s more to them than just a fancy light show.
What is LED therapy?
There’s more than meets the eye to these red — and sometimes blue or purple — devices. Red light, one type of light-emitting diode (LED) therapy, has become a popular treatment not only for anti-aging but also to improve wound healing, manage chronic pain and even stimulate hair growth. Red light is now commonly found in places like saunas, spas and gyms.
There’s an interesting science behind LED masks and devices. “LED masks rely on the impact of specific wavelengths of light to affect biological change in skin cells,” Camp says. “Red and infrared light penetrates deeper into skin and is thought to be effective at addressing concerns related to photoaging, like collagen production and improvement in fine lines and wrinkles,” he says.
Although LED therapy comes in many shades and forms, you’re more likely to stumble upon red light, an anti-inflammatory treatment. “Red light therapy immediately targets redness, the root of inflammation, to calm the appearance and texture of the skin,” says Dr. Dennis Gross, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare.
Since these gadgets use LEDs to emit different wavelengths of light, they can penetrate the skin at varying depths to target various skin concerns. As someone who has invested in one too many red light facials, I can safely say they’re commonly used in skin care treatments. “Red light also reduces redness if the skin is associated with inflammatory conditions,” says Samantha Susca, lead esthetician at Casa Cipriani in New York City. “It stimulates circulation, leading to a higher oxygenation of the skin cells, which allows for blood to move out of the surface, reducing redness,” she says.
What are the benefits of LED devices?
Light therapy can tackle a range of skin- or pain-related issues. The idea is that the light energy stimulates different processes in your skin, such as boosting collagen production, reducing inflammation or killing acne-causing bacteria, depending on the color (or wavelength) of the light. These glowing devices are a noninvasive alternative to more traditional treatments like facials or laser therapy, and many people use them for everything from improving skin tone to accelerating wound healing to reducing pain or inflammation in muscles.
Red light benefits
“Red light is utilized for its anti-aging effects on skin, as a direct result of stimulated fibroblast production. This leads to the acceleration of collagen and elastin cells,” Susca says. “Red light also reduces redness if the skin is associated with inflammatory conditions because it stimulates circulation, leading to a higher oxygenation of the skin cells.”
Blue light benefits
Blue light is beneficial for antibacterial purposes, which Gross recommends for those struggling with unwanted blemishes. “Blue LED is a powerful tool for targeting acne without harming good bacteria or the surrounding skin,” he says. “It connects to acne-causing bacteria, causing them to self-implode, thus treating acne and preventing breakouts in the first place.”
“Blue light is utilized for its ability to kill [propionibacterium (P.)] acnes bacteria on the surface of the skin as well as reduce sebaceous gland activity,” Susca says. “Blue light from natural sources is not to be confused with artificial blue light (light from screens and devices with a high intensity) that can be damaging,” she adds.
LED devices we tried
To dive deep into the world of LED devices, I didn’t just rely on my instincts; I did my homework. I sifted through countless reviews, from our team and skin care enthusiasts, to see what the fuss was all about. I also spoke to experts in the field, tapping into their knowledge to get the lowdown on which devices deliver on their promises. Then I used each device on clean, makeup-free skin at least three times.
Keep in mind, I couldn’t evaluate if each tool actually changed the texture of my skin, considering LED therapy works with prolonged usage and each one may yield different results. Of course, I kept an eye on shiny new gadgets from trusted brands we already love, while also hunting for those under-the-radar gems that might surprise me.
It was a mix of the familiar and the unknown, all in the name of finding the most innovative LED devices out there.
After reading beauty and fashion editor Sophie Shaw’s review of the TheraFace, I was intrigued and knew I had to try this robotic-looking mask, especially since it’s one of the few devices I found with blue light, which is great for acne-prone skin. Not only does the TheraFace offer a range of light therapy but it vibrates to help relax tense facial muscles. This could be an extremely beneficial gadget for those who tend to clench their jaws at night or even stare at a screen with eyebrows raised all day.
“If you are using Therabody’s TheraFace Mask or TheraFace Pro, we recommend once a day up to seven times a week,” says Karen Chien, senior director of beauty sales at Therabody. “We recommend using our TheraFace Mask on clean, dry skin to maximize the benefits of LED therapy.”
After wearing the TheraFace for several nights (on clean skin as Chien recommended), I thought it could become an integral part of my nightly wind-down routine. But only if I am lying down. As much as I loved the mask, it did feel heavy, which is fair considering all the technology packed into one mask. It weighs a little over a pound, which may not seem like much but feels noticeable after prolonged wear.
The vibrating feature was more powerful (and louder) than I’d initially expected, and the light therapy seemed like a bonus. Though the mask is heavy, the hands-free design meant I could wear it while doing daily routines like mopping my floors or clearing my inbox. Again, the weight would wear on me while I did this, and I also found the light too bright to wear while reading or drawing.
Overall, I thought the TheraFace Mask was a one-stop solution for various skin concerns. With its red light for anti-aging, blue light for acne and infrared light for deep-tissue rejuvenation, this mask was one of the rare finds that tackled all skin conditions. I loved the hands-free design but it might be too bright or jarring to wear outside the comfort of your home. The nearly $600 price tag is hefty but worth considering if you’re committed to improving your skin.