There's now a small but growing list of options when it comes to at-home light therapy devices. For a complete facial treatment, an LED mask is the most obvious investment, but the emergence of targeted 'wands' and smaller (more portable) treatment lights is especially interesting for combatting areas of acne-prone skin (not to mention how effortless they are to use). You can use the device morning or night – whichever you prefer! Place the device onto your face and adjust the straps to fit securely. Press and hold the button on the forehead for two seconds to power on the device. Finally, select your treatment mode! All Red Mode: Anti-Aging Lights

As with most things in skincare, your LED mask will work best when used in conjunction with the right topical products. Before you fire up your device, cleanse your skin thoroughly to remove make-up and oil. It's fine to apply skincare before using your mask, but most experts advise to apply products after your treatment, as the boost in circulation will enhance absorption. LEDs might never have transitioned from your Christmas lights to your wrinkle-reduction device were it not for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (aka NASA). In 1993, NASA began to explore the idea of using a very narrow spectrum of all available red LED wavelengths to stimulate plant photosynthesis in space. (Spoiler alert: It worked.) But their studies had an interesting side effect—the red LEDs appeared to heal the scientists’ skin lesions as well. Déesse Pro point out that the technology used in LED masks was originally developed by NASA to help to grow plants in space. In zero gravity situations, LED light can provide concentrated energy at various wavelengths to help stimulate plant growth. By capturing this technology in masks, LED light helps to trigger natural intracellular reactions, meaning your skin responds to the wavelength by building, strengthening, and maximising cellular structure. The results? Skin will appear more plump, less inflamed and skin texture will appear more even, making it an excellent treatment for slowing the ageing process. How LED light can reduce toxins

The #1 At-Home Peel

However, like sunscreen, LEDs need to be used daily to achieve the desired results. If you’re only visiting your derm’s office once a month for an LED session, you’re most likely not going to see the improvements in lines and wrinkles that you’re hoping for. And you’re going to spend a lot of money for that first-hand knowledge. that violates any law, statute, ordinance or regulation (including, but not limited to, those governing export control, consumer protection, unfair competition, anti-discrimination or false advertising); With that in mind, I’m happy to say that my skin looked so much better while using the mask. I already use an AHA face serum to help with scars but I found that they went away so much faster when using the mask. I also noticed that I was more likely to get acne if I had gone a few days without using the mask, so it’s true what they say: consistency is key. Are all my pimples magically gone? No—I still get hormonal acne around that time of the month. However, I’ve found that I get fewer random pimples throughout my time using the mask. Red: “This acts directly on the cells that help to support collagen production, which helps provide structure to the skin. Red light is therefore used to help reverse some of the signs of ageing,” explains Dr Fabusiwa.

As aesthetician Angela Caglia explains, the benefits of LED for skin were discovered by happy accident. "Light therapy was originally developed by NASA for healing wounds in space. US Navy Seals in the 1990s began using it, and shortly thereafter aestheticians brought it to their treatment rooms, inspired by the clinical data that proved LED to help with not just skin repair, but to stimulate collagen, fade age spots, and decrease inflammation and acne too." Dr. Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon in New York. Engelman is an award-winning celebrity dermatologist and is often featured in the media as a consultant.a. The Infrared (IR) light spectrum is not visible to the human eye. These lights will look as if they are not illuminated, but they are operating properly. If the red and blue visible lights are on, then the device is operating as designed. Blue: “This is often used in home LED masks as a treatment for acne, due to its ability to reduce sebum (grease production) and the amount of the acne-inducing bacteria on the skin,” says Dr Wong. As LED treatments deliver cumulative results, commitment is key. As Debbie Thomas, laser aesthetician and celebrity facialist says, "just owning a device won’t give you any results."

Adam Hurly has been covering the grooming industry for a decade after getting his start at Birchbox in 2013. Since becoming a freelance journalist in 2016, he has written for nearly every men’s title. In addition to SPY, his frequent clients include GQ, Men’s Journal, Robb Report, Forbes, and more. Hurly is a South Dakota native, a University of Kansas graduate, a New Yorker at heart, and has resided in Berlin for 5 years.Be conscious of your skin needs and the treatment duration. Individuals with sensitive and hyperpigmentation-prone skin should focus on longer treatments with lower irradiance, Dr. Rogers advised. “Higher irradiance increases the likelihood of heat buildup, activating melasma and drying out the skin. Also, there is data suggesting too much energy delivered too fast overpowers cells and the energy is not able to be used. Instead, better outcomes are achieved with slower and lower light treatments… but anything too low will not have a biological effect.”