How to Choose the Perfect LED Mask?

LED Basics

Our eyes are capable of seeing colors in wavelengths between the spectrum of 380 to 750 nanometers. The different colors we see from the LED masks are actually emission of different wavelengths. Red color has the longest wavelength while violet has the shortest.

The wavelength of UV radiation is shorter than violet light. Similarly, the wavelength of infrared light is longer than the wavelength of red light. They can affect our skin but we cannot see them.

Color	Wavelength Interval In nanometers	Skin Penetration Depth In minimeters	Treats Skin Conditions
Infrared light (invisible to the eye)	~ 700 –1,000 nm	2- 3 mm	Penetrate deeper into the skin for amplified results
Deep Red with Infrared light	~ 650 –1,000 nm	2 - 3mm	Wrinkles, volume loss, wounds, cystic acne
Red	~ 700–635 nm	1.7 - 2 mm	Skin repair, hydration, sunken skin, Sun damage, Rosacea
Orange	~ 635–590 nm	1.5 - 1.7mm	Rosacea and skin redness
Yellow	~ 590–560 nm	0.6 - 1mm	Redness, inflammation, sun damage, visible veins, scaring
Green	~ 560–520 nm	0.5 mm	Uneven skin tone, brown spots, freckles
Cyan	~ 520–490 nm	0.4 mm	Swollen capillaries
Blue	~ 490–450 nm	0.3 mm	Acne, eczema, psoriasis
Violet	~ 450–400 nm	0.1 mm	Increase cell regeneration

LED-mask-wavelengths

Imagine wavelength (measured in the form of distance between each peak) like the waves of the ocean, it could come in as Tsunami scale of waves (high frequency, low wavelength) which is massive and fast or it can come in as a form of surface ripples in the calm sea (low frequency, high wavelength) gentle and slow.

Light energy can penetrate the outer layer of skin, without damaging it while sending energy into the different layers under the surface of the skin to trigger different kinds of beneficial chemical reactions much like how plants are nourished and grow with the energy from the sun.

Related: LED: A Gentle Game-Changer

How to choose a LED face mask for home use?

With the wide variety of LED face masks in the market with similar-looking design, different models, functionality, pricing, usage time etc, choosing the right mask seems a daunting task. That’s why we made this comparison for you.

Safety

Safety is a priority. We look for reputable manufacturers, retailers and those backed by professional experts such as doctors and estheticians and products with sufficient genuine user reviews.

Among the selection of different brands and products chosen, we look into the following aspects:

Wavelengths - Which ones & functions
Treatment Modes/ Colors - How many?
Numbers of LED diodes (bulbs) and their grade
Price
Mask Fit
Mask Material

Wavelengths

Each wavelength of light has its own specific skin benefits. Pick a device that offers the wavelengths your skin needs.

Infrared Light - Not visible to human eyes but it penetrates deepest into the skin for amplified results.
Red - Antiaging (lessen fine lines, wrinkles, more supple-looking skin)
Blue - Acne control, Acne healing
Green - Pigmentation. Fade dark spots.
Yellow - Sun damage. Speed up skin recovery

Treatment Modes/ Colors

The most basic form of machine offers a single color treatment mode. The more comprehensive versatile LED masks offer multiple treatment modes with a combination of different wavelengths and adjustable intensity levels to suit your skin’s needs.

Researches have shown that a combination of wavelengths, at the same time offers greater efficacies. When a treatment mode includes different wavelengths treatment at different sequences (say first Red and then Blue) that provides convenience for users instead.

The key here is to choose a LED face mask with modes that suits your lifestyle and the specific LED colors you need. Just because you see different colors from a mask, it doesn’t mean it offers so many wavelengths.

Some companies market rainbow colors. Take violet and purple light, for example, they may appear similar but they are not quite the same. When you mix wavelengths of red and blue, your eyes perceives that color as purple but it is very different from violet light, a spectral color that has one single wavelength. Similar to Purple, the color Pink and Magenta are non-spectral colors, they are created by mixing different wavelengths.

Yellow on your computer screen is generated by a mix of red and green light, but the yellow that is produced in this way is not the same yellow as you would find in a rainbow that is a spectral yellow. Some masks claim they use white light. There is actually no white wavelength. It is a mixture of many different spectral colors.

Number of LED lights and their grade

Here, both quantity and quality matter. LED treatments through consistent use yield amazing long term results. Look for masks that are durable, uses medical-grade LED lights.

Price

Price often correlates to the number of LED lights, the grade of the LED lights and the material used in the mask. Beware that your skin condition will change over the years so you may consider picking a mask that offers a minimum of 3 wavelengths.

Think about the price you have to pay at professional beauty clinics for a phototherapy (light) facial. By doing this at home, you save money over time. It is worthwhile to equip yourself with a professional-grade one.

Mask Fit

Our preference is face-shaped LED masks because this form of LED masks is more suited to the home use environment as the mask conforms to the contour of the face with a minimal gap between the skin for the skin to breathe and sweat within the mask.

When compared to the flat LED boards or the arch shape LED device, the face-shape ones allow users to lay down comfortably during the 10 to 20 mins of treatment time and saves storage space. Most importantly, this design does not affect other people in the same household and avoid them staring into or disturbed by the bright lights.

Mask Materials: Polycarbonate, Plastic or Silicone

From the material perspective, we prefer Polycarbonate and Plastic over the bendable silicon. Since they allow a gap between the mask and the skin, allowing skin to breath and sweat. It is also more durable as the lights are securely fixed and not subject to the wear and tear of constant bending.

Polycarbonate provides up to 89% light transmission while plastic provides 80%. Polycarbonate provides excellent impact and weather resistance, compared to the average resistance in the case of plastics. It is self-extinguishing and plastic is flammable.

Our Verdict

Deesse LED Phototherapy Face Mask Device Premium Pro

deesse-led-mask-premium-pro

Deesse is considered the world’s most famous and original LED phototherapy facial device with clinical backed results and impressive Hollywood A-list celebrity following as well as endorsement by world’s top esthetician. Reputable media brands have been ranking this as the topmost trending LED device since 2018 and remain the most sought after LED facial mask today.

These were designed for professional use at hospitals and clinics. Deesse uses medical grade LED bulbs.

The 8 modes available in different intensity allow users to address all common skin concerns over the skin’s natural cycle and as skin ages over time.

This professional-grade LED device comes with a hefty price tag. The justification for it is the professional results it yields and the savings you get from visiting beauty salon. We tried it, we back it and it’s worth the investment.

Angela Caglia LED Wireless Mask

Angela Caglia's 'Cellreturn' device has a patented wireless design that targets your ears and neck which is great. The wireless design provides convenience but comes with the downside of lithium batteries running out in about 5 years. Due to the battery, the mask is heavier and less comfortable. We don’t mind sitting or laying down for that 10 to 20 mins treatment hence, the wireless function is not so valuable in our view.

Popular LED Masks Comparison Table:

	Deesse Premium Pro	MZ SKIN golden	Angela Caglia LED Wireless Mask	Deesse - Mellite	Dr. Dennis SpectraLite Faceware Pro

# of Wavelengths	5 (IR, Red,Yellow, Green, Blue)	5 (IR, Red, Yellow, Green, Blue)	3 (IR, Red, Blue)	3 (IR, Red, Green)	3 (IR, Red, Blue)
# of Mode	8	5	4	6	3
# of LED lights	770	750	690	180	162
Price	USD 1,648	USD 625	USD 1,900	USD 513	USD 435
Vendor	Thea Homebeauty	Net-a-Porter/Currentbody	Lane Crawford / Net-a-Porter	Thea Homebeauty	Sephora / Net-a-Porter / Nordstrom
Mask Material	Polycarbonate, PC	Plastic fitted	Plastic fitted	Polycarbonate, PC	Plastic fitted
Celebrity Endorsement on the brand	Madonna Kim Kardashian Kourtney Kardashian Kate Hudson Katy Perry Chrissy Teigen January Jones	N/A	Kang So-ra, Angela Caglia	Linda Evangelista	Olivia Palermo Zoe Kravitz Selena Gomez
FDA	FDA Cleared	FDA Cleared	FDA Cleared	FDA Cleared	FDA Cleared
Manufactured in	Korea	N/A	Korea	Korea	Unknown

	Dermalight	ECO FACE LED Photon Mask	Boost LED Mask	Currentbody LED Light Therapy Mask

# of Wavelengths	7 ( Red, Blue, Green, Cyan, Yellow, Purple, White)	2 (IR, Red)	2 (IR, Red)	2 (IR, Red)
# of Mode	8	1	1	1
# of LED lights	138 Face 54 Neck	120	98	50
Price	USD 110	USD 260	USD 495	USD 400
Vendor	iDermalight	Amazon	Net-a-Porter / Nordstrom	Current Body
Mask Material	Plastic fitted	Eco-friendly plastic	Flexible silicon	Flexible silicone
Celebrity Endorsement On the brand	N/A	N/A	Victoria Beckham Alexa Chung	Halle Berry Suki Waterhouse Rosie Fortescue Edith Bowman Sophie Milner Lauren Crowe Zara Martin
FDA	Nil	Nil	FDA Cleared	FDA Cleared
Manufactured in	China	Korea	N/A	China (Design in UK)