Red Light Therapy Mask vs Panels: Which Works Better For Your Skin?

Red light therapy masks might look like they’ve come out of a sci-fi film - but they’ve taken the beauty world by storm. From A-list celebrities to beauty gurus, you can see these masks all over social media, backed by claims that they can help to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and have an anti-aging effect on the skin. 

Within the scope of Red Light treatment, red light panels are another means of implementing therapy. Both provide the same LED (light-emitting diodes) light therapy that has been backed by research and studies for their skin benefits - but, which is better?

How Does a Red Light Therapy Mask and Panel Work?

Light therapy masks, or LED face masks, are devices worn over your face that emit various light colors and wavelengths to treat different skin concerns. Red light panels fundamentally do the same thing - however, instead of sitting directly on your face, they’re often placed at a certain distance, though in close proximity, to you.   

The LEDs from these two devices release photons or light particles that are then absorbed by light-sensitive receptors in your skin cells. This kickstarts the process of photobiostimulation. 

This process allows the light to interact with the mitochondria of the cell, which results in an increase in cellular metabolism. This then produces a range of benefits, including the production of collagen and elastin. These are proteins that help to improve your skin’s elasticity and reduce wrinkles.

Research by NASA also found that red light can also speed up wound healing which is beneficial in healing acne scars. Additionally, another approach to LED light treatment, called Blue Light Therapy, kills acne causing bacteria, which can be beneficial for those with acne-prone skin.

Many light therapy masks offer these benefits beyond simple emittance of red light. However, it’s important to note that effects and their duration of effect will vary per person. 

Types of Light Therapies for Skin Concerns

Different kinds of light therapy treat specific skin concerns. It’s important to understand these before you try out LED light therapy.

• Red Light: This is often used for anti-aging purposes. As said previously, red light encourages the production of collagen and elastin - two vital proteins that keep the skin looking young and smooth, by maintaining structural integrity of fibrous molecules in the dermis.
• Blue Light: Aside from eliminating bacteria that causes acne, blue light also has anti-inflammatory properties that helps improve the look and feel of your skin - reducing sebum instigation and keeping pores clear for longer.
• Yellow Light: This light has soothing effects on the skin, and provides anti-inflammatory properties to reduce redness. These benefits make it especially helpful for people with rosacea-prone skin.
• Green Light: This light helps reduce the production of melanocytes, which is often responsible for creating age spots. It also aids in breaking up excess pigmentation in the skin, which helps even out skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation.
• Infrared Light: In contrast to red light - and indeed, other colors here on the spectrum - infrared penetrates the skin more deeply, and is often used to promote circulation and wound healing. 

Red Light Therapy - Mask vs Panel

Red light therapy masks are compact devices making them easily portable. However, they’re specifically designed to treat facial skin, limiting their ergonomic usage to specifically apply in the given area. In contrast, panels are made in various sizes, making them much more adaptable to the needs of the user. While some may be bulkier and provide a challenge in portability, they generally cover larger surface areas of treatment, making them capable of providing general benefits to your entire body. Given that they offer more coverage, these panels also deliver more light and power than masks. 

In terms of their light spectrum outputs, LED face masks provide a wider spectrum. Some masks allow you to switch between red, blue, yellow, green, or purple light. For most LED panels, they only offer red light and infrared treatment. 

Cost-wise, LED face masks have slightly lower prices than panels, with prices varying between $100 - $1000 depending on the brand and device quality. Meanwhile, smaller LED panels can start at $100, with bigger models costing from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. 

In the end, the choice of which to use between these two rely on your treatment needs, health goals, budget and ease of use, among other considerations. 

Are Red Light Therapy Masks and Panels Safe?

Many masks and panels have been cleared by the FDA, which means they’re generally safe to use. However, one important thing to note is their effect on eyes. High-intensity exposure to LED light can have harmful effects, leading to many of these products coming with forms of protection to the eyes, or the recommended use of such.

More caution must be given, however, for red light therapy masks. For those more sensitive to the effects of light over extended periods of time, we recommend using additional eye protection, like sunglasses or opaque glasses if possible. It’s also important to research the quality of the product, and follow its safety instructions before its use. 

If you want to learn more about the benefits of red light therapy, feel free to visit our page. If you want to invest in your very own at home red light therapy, take a look at our red light panels or contact us for more information.