21st century beauty: LED Masks and light therapy

Imagine transforming your skin while relaxing in the comfort of your own home—LED light masks are making this a reality by harnessing the power of light for healthier, more even and smoother-looking skin.

Picture this: It’s getting dark outside. You’ve finished all your daily tasks and now is the time just for you. You slip into your cosy clothes – perhaps, light a candle, dim the lights, and put on some music, or your current favourite show in the background. After a long day, your skin needs cleansing, so you wash away the impurities of the day with a gentle cleanser, patting your face dry with a soft towel. Your skin feels clean, refreshed, and ready for the next step. You apply a gentle moisturising serum or essence, soothing your skin without preventing the light from penetrating it. Then, you take out your LED mask, put it on your face, and adjust the straps until you are comfortable.

Tonight, your choice are red (630 nm) and near-infrared (850 nm) light settings—perfect for boosting collagen production and soothing tired skin after a long day. Pressing the start button, you close your eyes as the gentle, warm light bathes your skin. For the recommended 10-15 minutes, you let the warm light work its magic. You use this time to unwind, to do a quiet activity that lets your mind calm down so you are relaxed before bed. The mask turns off automatically, and you gently remove it, feeling the subtle warmth lingering on your skin. You finish your routine by applying a nourishing night cream, locking in moisture. In the morning, you face the new you in the mirror.

Incorporating science into your skincare routine, LED light masks offer an at-home application of a modern technology that has been developing since the 1960s and has only become safer and more sophisticated. Light therapy has scientifically and anecdotally been shown to greatly help reduce inflammation, heal skin, and improve skin ageing issues like wrinkles, roughness, sagging, and uneven skin tone.

The simple principle behind light therapy is this – just like the sunlight influences our skin, so can other forms of light that have different wavelengths. The light from the mask is absorbed by the cells in skin, and that gives the cells a boost, making them function better. Photoactivated cells are then potentially able to repair themselves better, while at the same time synthesising collagen and elastin more efficiently. People who have used masks working on this principle then report the improvements to their skin, such as more even tone, less redness, less breakouts and easier healing post-breakout, reduced dark circles and some improvement to fine lines.

Red and near-infrared (NIR) lights are especially beneficial for skin rejuvenation because they penetrate deeper into the skin layers. Blue light is highly effective for reducing inflammation and treating acne, while yellow light aids in improving circulation in the skin. Every type of light is meant to address specific skin concerns, but red and NIR are without a doubt the most in demand, used by hundreds of thousands of women that pick up a home device for themselves.

While medical-grade light therapy treatments like IPL or laser use higher intensity light to achieve more dramatic results, at-home LED light therapy operates at a lower intensity and relies on consistent use over time. Users report changes after several weeks of use, with many achieving even better results through continued application over months. The benefits of such a device are, without a doubt, the ease of use, the ease of fitting a treatment into your schedule several times a week, and the slow but sure improvement that reduces the need for other treatments or expensive products.

In our current fantastic cult offering, you can find these masks represented in the BE OSOM brand:

Safety and Dermatologist Advice Disclaimer: Although LED light therapy is generally considered safe for at-home use, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and avoid overuse. If you have any pre-existing skin conditions such as melasma or other pigmentation issues, are on photosensitizing medications, or have concerns about how LED therapy might affect your skin, it is strongly advised to consult with a dermatologist before beginning treatment. Always discontinue use if you experience any irritation, discomfort, or unwanted changes.