LED masks, are they worth the hype?
When I think of an LED mask, I think of Kourtney Kardashian. She was one of the first to post a selfie with such a futuristic mask on in 2016, one with a price tag of a meager €2000. Since then, many more brands have launched such LED masks (also for a slightly nicer price) with different light colors, each with a different purpose. You would think some are better than others, but what does it actually do for your skin and does it really have an effect? According to many celebs, an absolute YES; even Victoria Beckham, who has the most beautiful skin, recently shared a selfie with such a mask: she is a big fan. So we had to dive into this.
Light Emitting Diode (LED) is actually not such a hyper-modern invention as we think. The use of light therapy has been done for years, but of course, there are many, many new developments today, and more and more is possible with light therapy at home, but also with a specialist to tackle skin problems. The most well-known colors in such LED masks at home are red and blue, but there are more, and they all have a different purpose. Here are the most well-known ones in a row:
Blue light works more on the surface of the skin and is suitable for reducing acne complaints, pimples, and bacteria.
Green light has a calming effect, reduces age spots and hyperpigmentation (often a collection of pigment on your face that darkens).
Red light can penetrate deeper into the skin and stimulates cells that produce collagen. It's no wonder that you see most celebs with this red color. Infrared is very similar but can penetrate even deeper into the skin layer and helps against wrinkles and fine lines.
Yellow light reduces inflammation and improves skin hydration, making your skin look fresh and calmer.
So it really depends on which skin problem you want to tackle and what budget you have when it comes to possibly purchasing such an LED mask, which many specialists believe is the future. Be critical of what you buy; get well informed and also consider what you like: a stiff mask like Kourtney's from Dr. Dennis Gross or a softer, more flexible variant like the bestseller CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask that Lily Collins also uses in Emily in Paris. Also read (yes, this time really, believe this millennial) the leaflet, pay attention to what the specialists advise you, and don't just follow your favorite TikToker, because each mask works in a different way. Think about usage duration, how often you can and may use it (on average about 2 to 3 times a week), and especially how long, to avoid unpleasant side effects and use accompanying accessories like eye protection (!) or a serum for even better results. If we're going to do it, let's do it right, right?
If you find such a mask complicated and prefer something that you can grab quickly and perhaps fits in your bathroom cabinet, then you also have a smaller device like the UFO from Foreo and the Raydiant from the Dutch brand Lumy or the Medicube Age-R Booster-H (which Hailey Bieber swears by), with which you gradually go over the skin and perhaps place a bit more emphasis on certain areas for the ultimate glowy skin.
@haileybieberskin prep for a shoot day ✨
So we can conclude that it is definitely worth the hype, but do start by finding the right skincare routine that suits your skin. These are the nice extras for a beautiful (glowing) skin, and if you really want to tackle skin problems, then visiting a specialist is really worth the money.
PS: The LED light fortunately contains no UV, so you don't have to lie under your mask with a thick layer of SPF. In fact: LED light has a significant influence on the production of vitamin D, so if you have a deficiency (get this checked by a doctor), you will benefit greatly from it. Good to know.
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Source: time.com, Dr. Jetske Ultee Linda.nl, poosh.com
Image: @kourtneykardashian
