If you have been following my content and posts for any length of time, you would have seen me share my love for all my LED skincare devices. I’ve been using multiple at home red light therapy devices for almost 3 years so I can really speak to their effectiveness. LED masks help to give smoother skin, fewer wrinkles, reduced acne, and a more youthful appearance without invasive in office treatments. I’ve had many people over the years consistently ask me if the results are backed by science or simply marketing. I’m thrilled to dedicate an entire post to why I love and regularly use LED masks so you can decide if it is worth the investment for yourself.

Do Red Light Masks Work?

While I can only speak to my own personal experience with the effectiveness of red light masks, I have also received countless positive messages and emails from readers who have purchased an LED red light mask upon my recommendation. Most of the feedback has been about how hesitant they were to splurge on an LED mask but the results truly have been worth the investment. Red light masks are one of the few at-home skincare technologies supported by a growing body of research. While they are unlikely to deliver dramatic cosmetic transformations, when used consistently they can improve skin texture, fine lines, inflammation, and overall skin quality along with the right skin care for mature skin. A well-designed red light mask may be a worthwhile investment, provided you view it as a long-term skincare tool rather than a quick fix for various signs of aging.

What Is a Red Light Mask?

Red light masks are wearable LED devices designed to expose the skin to specific wavelengths of light. Red light therapy does not damage the skin and is intended to support natural cellular processes associated with skin repair and renewal.

What Does a Red Light Mask Do?

Mitochondrial stimulation

Red light therapy helps to act on the mitochondria in your cells (known as the powerhouse of the cells). When cells have more energy, they are able to work more effectively on such things as repairing the skin and boosting new cell growth.

Increased cellular energy production (ATP)

It’s a domino effect in a way because my stimulating the mitochondria in the cells, it increases cellular energy production also known as ATP. Higher ATP levels can help cells repair themselves quicker, improve tissue function and reduce inflammation.

Support for skin repair and regeneration

LED masks and red light therapy help repair the skin and stimulate regeneration as well.

Enhanced collagen and elastin production

Red light wavelengths in particular will help to boost collagen production thus reducing the look and depth of fine lines and wrinkles.

Potential reduction in inflammatory responses

By stimulating the cell’s ability to increase energy output, they can effectively help cells repair quickly thus reducing any inflammatory responses the skin may be having.

Do Red Light Therapy Masks Work?

Collagen Production

Because collagen and elastin production declines as we age, using red light therapy and LED masks will help to stimulate this process again.

Skin elasticity

The skin loses its firmness and elasticity over time. Adding red light therapy into your routine can help add back in some of that elasticity making the skin appear firmer and more supple.

Wrinkle appearance

This is what I noticed first after using my LED mask for more than 6 months. Any fine lines I had appeared less noticeable. Wrinkles that were beginning to form did not deepen and looked less apparent on my face.

Skin texture

Red light therapy is fantastic for helping overall skin texture and tone.

Acne severity

Depending on the type of red light face mask you get, many can help reduce breakouts and calm inflammation associated with acne.

Overall skin quality

Because red light masks targets so many different concerns for the skin, it can greatly improve overall skin quality and health with regular use.

Are Red Light Masks Worth It?

For me, red light therapy and LED devices have become integral parts of my skincare routine. I have seen results such as lessening of fine lines and wrinkles, an even complexion, firmer skin and less redness with consistent use 5-6 days a week. It’s a slow process with results that are minimal at first but become more noticeable over time with more consistent use. I included a few of my personal red light therapy devices that I use and recommend at the bottom of this post. Using regular red light therapy is a great complement to ongoing professional treatments but doesn’t replace them. They are definitely worth it IF you are willing to dedicate the time to using it as recommended.

Who Should Not Use Red Light Therapy Masks

If you have any type of photosensitivity

Because the light is incredibly bright and near the eyes, it is not recommended for anyone with photosensitivity.

Those who suffer from light-induced headaches

Additionally, if you get light-induced headaches, it may be difficult to use any red light therapy masks unless you plan to close your eyes the entire time. This is completely feasible since the treatments are usually 10 minutes or less. Also, the LED masks I use regularly come with eye shields that help to block the light thus reducing any sensitivity you may experience.

Anyone with cataracts

This is definitely something to discuss with your eye doctor to see if using red light therapy will affect your eyes if you have cataracts.

Pregnant women

There is little research on the effects of red light therapy for pregnant women, so it’s best to speak to your doctor about it to get a professional medical opinion on someone who knows your health history.

If you have open sores on the face

Any time there are open sores on the face, it’s best to use as little product or device to avoid any further infection or irritation.

How To Use A Red Light Mask

Start with clean, dry skin.

Make sure your skin is completely dry and clean. Do not have any skincare products on your skin while using the mask.

Remove makeup, sunscreen, and skincare products if recommended by the manufacturer.

Always be sure to read the instructions on your LED mask but most of them recommend that it be used on dry skin with any makeup or sunscreen already removed.

Position the mask properly.

Be sure you are wearing the mask or device correctly. I always like to double check in the mirror to ensure it fits properly on my face, chest, head, etc.

Follow the recommended treatment time.

Follow the instructions on your particular mask for how long it should be used. Do not try and deviate from this to increase results or speed up potential benefits.

Use the device consistently according to instructions.

It’s important to use the device as consistently as it states in order to get the best results.

Apply skincare products afterward if appropriate.

Once I am finished with my red light device, I will apply the remainder of my skincare routine.

Continue using sunscreen daily.

Sun damage is one of the biggest culprits of numerous skin issues so be sure you are wearing SPF every single day. If not, you could be hindering all the great results you get from using an LED mask.

My Favorite Red Light Therapy Masks + Devices

Currentbody LED Hair Growth Helmet (discount code: ALITTLEBITCB)

After seeing all the amazing benefits I was getting from using the LED masks, I really wanted to try the Currentbody LED Hair Growth Helmet. It’s red light therapy treatment designed to help increase hair growth, increase hair density and thicken your hair overall. It’s a full coverage helmet that you wear for 10 minutes at a time at least 5-6 days a week. You just put the helmet on, press the start button and after 10 minutes it turns off. It is truly one of the easiest devices to use and incorporate into your daily routine. Once I began using the LED helmet, I saw my hair growth increase rapidly. The areas around my hairline that were already beginning to fill in, filled in faster and thicker.

The LED light helps to increase blood flow to the scalp which helps stimulate the hair follicle. It is powered by a spectrum of red light (620-660nm) which energizes the hair follicle, reduces inflammation and lowers DHT levels (a hormone known to cause hair thinning). Improving blood flow to the scalp ensures the follicles have all the oxygen and nutrients needed to grow new healthy hair. Read my full review here.

Currentbody Multi-Light LED Mask (discount code: ALITTLEBITCB)

My LED mask is the main reason my skin currently looks its best at 46. I have a great skincare routine but using an LED mask daily for the past 2 years has done WONDERS for my skin. However the mask I had before only focused on anti-aging concerns but this newest mask has various light settings to target different issues. There is a setting for overall anti-aging, brightening the skin, calming the skin (reducing redness), reducing breakouts and a setting that does all of them together. I have been using this mask for months and I LOVE that you can change up your focus based on your skin’s needs.

CurrentBody LED Mask for the Face and Neck/Decolletage (discount code: ALITTLEBITCB)

My favorite and most used beauty device are my LED masks. They have given me the most significant results and are the easiest to incorporate into my routine. For those unfamiliar with LED masks, they have a ton of great benefits such as: boosting collagen production, improving tone/texture/firmness, improving recovery from surface scarring, calming redness and healing breakouts.

This particular mask from Currentbody is 27% more powerful than many other LED masks on the market which really helps to deliver efficient and successful results. The red light helps to penetrate beneath the skin’s surface in order to boost circulation which brings oxygen and nutrients to the cells. Another benefit of using an LED mask is that the red and near infrared light speed up cellular renewal which can aid in helping skin heal faster. Especially with blemishes, using a LED mask can help it heal quicker and with less scarring. There is no pain or discomfort associated with using the mask. And I hardly even notice I have it on. However you should always patch test your skin with any new skincare product or tool to ensure you don’t have any adverse reactions.

This product takes consistency and patience but after about 30 days, I really began to notice a difference. For me the most significant changes in my skin have been:

  • more even toned complexion
  • less redness
  • quicker healing of blemishes
  • less noticeable dark spots
  • minimized fine lines
  • overall clarity