There’s no denying that LED facemasks have gained a lot of attention. But what do dermatologists have to say about them? In this article, we’ll provide some key insights into what dermatologists think about red light therapy masks. After consulting a number of studies, we’ve learned that the findings are clear. It’s undeniable that some red light therapy masks have a positive impact on clearing up dermatological issues. Although this leaves us with a question as to whether they’re the optimal type of red light therapy device for regular home use, especially for those seeking full body treatment with more therapeutic wavelengths. Read on for more information about how to find the best red light therapy device for home treatment and about whether a mask or a panel would be an optimal choice. LED Masks and Dermatology Let’s start by looking at a few studies with findings on the impact red light therapy masks have on dermatological conditions, ranging from mild to more serious. In a 2023 study published by the Archives of Dermatological Research, researchers looked into the efficacy of using red light therapy masks over the course of six weeks. In this study, “the participants reported overall favorable results and improvements in all individual categories [and] were satisfied with the treatment.” These included the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles, a generally more youthful appearance, and the improvement of skin texture. This study involved the use of a mask that featured the following NIR wavelengths: 633, 830, and 1072, a somewhat limited wavelength spectrum in contrast to the latest red light therapy panel technology. While effective, treatment is typically optimized when using a broader wavelength spectrum. Another 2023 study published by the Journal of Skin Research and Technology found positive impacts of red light therapy mask use on the reversal of signs of aging. A 2024 study in the Journal of Emerging Technologies found that blue light therapy masks had a positive impact on skin conditions as well. It reports a 60 to 70 percent success rate in “participants with mild to moderate skin conditions.” And in severe cases, the researchers observed 25 to 50 percent improvement. Blue light treatment has an important dermatological function, as it treats only the surface of the skin, killing bacteria that can cause undesired skin conditions like acne. It’s the perfect complimentary treatment to red light therapy, which penetrates further into the skin, stimulating the mitochondria. While the above studies do indicate that red light therapy masks have a positive impact on facial treatment, we are left with additional questions about whether this leaves anything to be desired. In the following section, we take a look at the efficacy of red light therapy panels for dermatological treatment. This takes into account several additional factors, including whether red light therapy panels provide equal or better treatment for dermatological concerns, while also providing numerous other benefits to other parts of the body that red light therapy masks cannot provide. LED Masks vs. LED Panels: Which is Best for Optimal Results? Optimal red light therapy treatment typically comes from getting as much skin exposure to red light therapy wavelengths as possible. In the following section, we’ll discuss how panels may have an advantage in addressing this for individuals with specific conditions as well as for those interested in using red light therapy for purposes of broader health and wellness. LED Masks: Limited Use Cases from a Dermatological Perspective Being limited to facial use puts masks at an immediate disadvantage. In basic terms, users who only use face masks leave out a big part of the body that can benefit from red light therapy treatment. A remaining question is whether red light therapy panels are better at treating the face than masks. If that’s the case, there would be little reason to exclusively use a red light therapy mask, unless needed while traveling. As a product category, LED masks do not provide stimulation for the mitochondria in other parts of the body, leaving behind goals like faster healing, recovery from exercise, better circulation, relief from psoriasis, rosacea treatment, eczema treatment, and overall holistic wellness. And even if the main priority of users is for aesthetic purposes, signs of aging are not necessarily confined to the face. The neck, chest, arms, stomach, and legs are other areas of the body where skin health can be improved. For users seeking to treat fine lines and wrinkles, remove sun spots, or to treat crepey skin, red light therapy panels are often optimal simply because they provide full-body treatment. Red light therapy also significantly boosts collagen and elastin production. Not only does this help with anti-aging, but also helps treat and even prevent the development of scars from acne, surgeries, or injuries. In some cases, red light therapy may completely replace skin care products that can cause unwanted reactions, such as products containing acids. In other cases, it can be used to supplement a dermatologist-prescribed anti-aging skin care regimen. Additional benefits of full-body treatment include helping to relieve vitiligo and to treat melasma. These are often considered inflammatory conditions. As red light therapy panels help treat inflammation throughout the body, it also penetrates non-invasively into the skin to treat pigmentation conditions at the cellular level. Over time, red light therapy can help reduce the appearance of existing scars. As the outer layers slough off naturally, the treatment supports the skin underneath in growing back as normal skin rather than scar tissue. You can treat other kinds of scars like stretch marks with LED panels, but not with LED masks. Alternative Treatments for Dermatological Conditions Red light therapy is not the only form of treatment for skin conditions. Dermatologists often treat acne scars and other skin conditions with non red light therapy solutions, including laser resurfacing, chemical peels, and dermabrasion. In some cases, these treatments can work. However, sometimes these come along with undesirable side effects. They often recommend red light therapy to help with healing from these drastic procedures to restore normal skin tone and texture. They will also recommend continuing with light treatments a few times a week to prevent the overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria. It may also be beneficial to combine red and blue wavelengths to treat acne. Blue light effectively kills acne-causing bacteria on the skin’s surface, and red and near-infrared light supports healing. Power Intensity in Red Light Therapy Treatment A second limitation in RLT masks is that they often have far weaker energy output than red light therapy panels. The typical light intensity of red light therapy masks is from 5 to 15 mW/cm², whereas the typical light intensity of red light therapy panels is from 30 to 100+ mW/cm². Panels can also be combined in multi-panel setups to get even more intensity. Dermatologists agree that red light therapy is a revolution in dermatological treatment. Choosing the right category of red light therapy device can make a big difference. If you're seeking an optimal device for home treatment, panels are most likely the best way to go to ensure that you get full body treatment. BIOMAX Panels for Dermatological Issues Check out the BIOMAX Series red light therapy panels for more information!
