Red light therapy masks have become one of the most popular methods of administering red light therapy treatment. But are they as effective as the marketers claim?
In this article, we will discuss clinical findings as well as some alternative ways to administer red light therapy treatment, including RLT panels, which offer more coverage and in our case, a wider variety of wavelengths.
What Are Red Light Therapy Masks?
Red light therapy masks are devices designed to be worn directly over the face. As such, they only offer facial treatment.
Red light therapy masks contain LEDs that emit red, near infrared, and sometimes other wavelengths in the visible light spectrum, with blue being the most popular color outside of the red spectrum.
Each color affects the skin differently. Blue light kills bacteria on the skin’s surface, which is useful for treating acne.
During treatment, red light is absorbed by the skin, improving skin health by boosting collagen and elastin production, although treating the face may not result in other holistic benefits found in full-body red light therapy treatment, including improved circulation and reduced inflammation.
Near infrared light administered by some red light therapy masks may go deeper into the subcutaneous tissue, where it helps reduce chronic inflammation strictly in the face that could be contributing to poor skin health.
They are used for facial rejuvenation including reducing fine lines and wrinkles, smoothing skin texture, reducing the appearance of age spots and firming up thin, crepey skin.
Red light therapy masks are also used to treat acne and chronic skin disorders such as rosacea.
Some people use them to reduce the appearance of scars on the face and to generally improve the health of their skin.
Red light therapy has been used for decades by dermatologists, but masks are relative newcomers to the consumer market.
Given that there are quite a few new entrants to the market, consumers should be wary of some red light therapy mask brands, as some are far less reputable than others and may have varying results.
Clinical Findings on Red Light Therapy Masks
In this section, we review some of the clinical research findings on red light therapy masks. Masks that offer therapeutic wavelengths do have a positive impact on treating the face, leaving out considerations about red light therapy treatment for the remainder of the body.
Anti-Aging
In 2023, researchers confirmed that using LED red light therapy masks could actually reverse the signs of aging. And, the effects lasted for up to a month after stopping the treatment. Since red light therapy is safe, regular ongoing maintenance treatments could help you stay younger-looking.
As far back as 2014, researchers observed the effects of red light therapy on 136 participants. The study aimed to determine whether red light therapy was safe and effective.
The treated subjects’ skin complexion and skin feeling improved. Beneath the surface, ultrasounds revealed increased intradermal collagen density, or collagen density within the skin layers. No side effects were reported.
A small 2020 clinical trial observed 24 participants with photoaged skin. All subjects received red and near infrared LED treatment twice a week for 8 weeks, but only on the left side of their face.
All 24 participants experienced significantly higher skin elasticity than the control group during the 6 and 8-week assessments. At the 8-week mark, the treatment group also demonstrated improved skin texture, with no side effects.
The researchers concluded that red light therapy is an effective self-administered treatment for aging skin.
These results are nothing new. Red light therapy has long been used to boost cellular performance, which in turn helps with photoaged skin.
In a study that observed the effects of red light therapy on photoaging, 90% of study subjects experienced smoother skin texture, less erythema (redness), more even pigmentation, and increased collagen.
Another study observed the effects of red light therapy on the body’s natural synthesis of hyaluronic acid, collagen protein and elastin protein - three essential elements of treating photoaged skin and photodamaged skin - and found significant increases in all three.
Acne
Blue light is used to kill acne-causing bacteria.
Red and near infrared light are used to reduce inflammation to make the skin inhospitable to bacteria, reduce pore size, reduce skin oiliness and the appearance of acne scars, smooth the skin’s texture, and boost the skin’s ability to fight off these pathogens and heal faster.
A combination of blue and red/NIR light is the ideal treatment for acne.
Chronic Skin Disorders
Red light therapy can be used to treat psoriasis and rosacea by calming and soothing the skin while reducing the inflammation that ultimately causes these chronic skin conditions.
The treatment is safe for long-term use so it can be used not only to treat the condition but prevent future flares.
Scars
Scars on the face can be a big source of emotional distress. Fortunately, red light therapy can help reduce the appearance of scars by promoting the growth of healthy skin tissue - as the scar tissue naturally sloughs off over time, new skin will replace it.
Red light therapy can also help prevent scars from forming, if used immediately after an accident or surgery.
Hyperpigmentation
People who suffer from melasma (uneven, blotchy sun-induced darkening of the skin) can benefit from red light therapy. The treatment can stimulate normal skin cell function, specifically the melanocytes that cause pigmentation to fade the dark patches over time, reducing melasma symptoms. Researchers also found that red light therapy may also precondition the skin to help it become more resistant to future UV damage.
Efficacy and Exposure: Are RLT Panels More Effective?
With these benefits, it makes sense to use red light therapy. But are masks worth the hype and the money? As you’re about to see, the answer is no.
Light Energy Output
One of the biggest drawbacks to masks is that they lack power. Because they have to be thin enough to be worn comfortably, this also means that the components have to be lightweight - and that means less robust components including individual LEDs.
There are also fewer LEDs on most masks than you would find on a red light therapy panel, again for the purposes of light weight and wearable comfort.
The result is less light reaching the skin - which means less satisfactory results.
Red light therapy panels deliver significantly more light energy to the skin for faster and more profound results.
Versatility
Masks are designed for one thing: treatment of the face. While many people enter the world of red light therapy for this very reason, they quickly discover that this all-natural treatment has many more applications beyond youthful-looking skin.
Panels give you a lot more treatment versatility. You can’t, for example, effectively treat low back pain effectively with a mask - or knee pain, hair loss, or widespread skin disorders.
A mask can’t treat large muscle groups after a tough workout, or more than one aching knee at once.
It’s important to consider all of the potential applications for red light therapy that might be applicable to you - and then decide if a mask is really worth the money.
Therapeutic Wavelengths
Red and near infrared are the most widely studied and effective wavelengths for a variety of conditions, and most red light therapy masks feature one red and one near infrared wavelength. But why stop there?
The body benefits from all wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation we know as visible light, so many masks feature a rainbow of colors.
While this is based in science - since each wavelength has its own biological effects on the body - most masks have so few LEDs that only a very small portion of the skin would benefit from each wavelength anyway.
Panels such as the BIOMAX Series feature two red, three near infrared wavelengths, plus trace amounts of blue and infrared wavelengths. Why does this matter? You get the most benefits from the five powerhouse red/NIR wavelengths, plus trace amounts of blue and infrared.
But since the panels are not meant to be in direct contact with the skin, more of the “trace” light actually reaches the skin since light disperses as it goes outward from its source.
Comfort
Finally, it’s important to briefly address comfort. Masks are space-age and have a certain “wow” factor but they aren’t for everyone. If you’re feeling claustrophobic or stuffy in a mask, or if it just doesn’t fit your face shape, you’re less likely to use it.
BIOMAX Series with PlatinumLED
Check out the BIOMAX Series to learn about the most advanced red light therapy panels on the consumer market.
Choose from small sizes for targeted treatments, larger sizes for full-body treatments, or a combination of panels for the ultimate in light energy output and treatment area.
Check out the Learning Center to discover the many ways red light therapy can benefit your health!