As vaccinated Americans began to take off their masks in public, some people switched to using different types of masks at home in the hope of getting better-looking skin.
LED face masks are becoming more and more popular, thanks to celebrities’ hype about the use of LED face masks on social media, and the general pursuit of more brilliance after the pressure of the pandemic. These devices are expected to play a role in treating acne and improving fine lines through “light therapy”.
Dr. Matthew Avram, director of the Department of Dermatology Surgery and head of the Dermatology Laser and Beauty Center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, said that many potential buyers became interested after a full day of video conferences.
“People see their faces in Zoom calls and FaceTime calls. They don’t like their appearance, and they are more actively acquiring devices than ever before,” Avram told Today.
“This is an easy way to feel like you are solving a problem. The problem is that if you don’t understand the true efficacy of these devices, you may spend a lot of money without getting much improvement.”
LED stands for light-emitting diode-a technology developed for NASA’s space plant growth experiment.
It uses much lower energy than lasers to change the skin. Studies have shown that LED light therapy can “greatly promote the natural wound healing process” and is “conducive to a series of medical and cosmetic conditions in dermatology.”
Dr. Pooja Sodha, director of the Center for Laser and Aesthetic Dermatology at GW Medical Faculty Associates, said that LED therapy has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of recurrent facial herpes simplex or cold sores and herpes zoster (shingles). Washington DC
The American Academy of Dermatology pointed out that masks sold for home use are not as effective as masks in the dermatologist’s office. Nonetheless, Sodha said, the convenience, privacy, and affordability of home use often make them an attractive option.
They can be used to illuminate the face with blue light to treat acne; or red light-penetrating deeper-for anti-aging; or both.
“Blue light can actually target acne-producing bacteria in the skin,” said Dr. Mona Gohara, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut.
Using red light, “heat energy is (is) being transferred to change the skin. In this case, it increases the production of collagen,” she pointed out.
Avram pointed out that blue light can help improve acne, but many over-the-counter topical drugs have more evidence of efficacy than LED devices. However, if someone is looking for an alternative treatment for acne, there is nothing wrong with using LED lights, he added. Gohara believes that these masks “add a little bit of strength to the anti-acne granules that already exist.”
If you just want to improve the beauty effect, such as making your skin look younger, don’t expect dramatic results.
“In terms of preventive aging, if there is any effect, it will only be moderate at best for a long period of time,” Avram said.
“If people see any improvement, they may notice that the texture and tone of their skin may have improved, and redness may be slightly reduced. But usually these improvements (if any) are very subtle and not always easy to be affected. Find.”
Gohara pointed out that the LED mask is not as good as Botox or fillers in smoothing wrinkles, but it can add a little extra shine.
Gohara says that acne and any anti-aging skin changes will take at least four to six weeks, but it can be longer. She added that if a person responds to an LED mask, people with more severe wrinkles may have to wait a long time to see the difference.
How often a person should use the device depends on the manufacturer’s guidelines. Many masks are recommended to be worn for at least a few minutes a day.
Sodha says this may not be the best option for people seeking quick improvement or those struggling with their daily diet.
Experts say that in general, they are very safe. Many have been approved by the FDA, although this is more indicative of their safety than their efficacy.
People may confuse LEDs with ultraviolet light, but the two are very different. Avram said that ultraviolet light can damage DNA, and there is no evidence that this can happen to LED lights.
But he and Gohara urge people to protect their eyes when using these devices. In 2019, Neutrogena “very cautiously” recalled its phototherapy acne mask because people with certain eye diseases have a “theoretical risk of eye damage.” Others reported the visual effects when using the mask.
The former president of the American Optometric Association, Dr. Barbara Horn, said that there is no conclusion about the degree to which artificial blue light is “too much blue light” for the eyes.
“Most of these masks cut off the eyes so that light does not enter the eyes directly. However, for any type of phototherapy treatment, it is strongly recommended to protect the eyes,” she pointed out. “Although the intensity of household masks may be low, there may be some short-wavelength visible light that will overflow near the eyes.”
The optometrist said that any potential eye problems may also be related to the length of time the mask is worn, the intensity of the LED light, and whether the wearer opens his eyes.
She recommends that before using any of these devices, research the quality of the product and follow the safety instructions and manufacturer’s guidelines. Gohara recommends wearing sunglasses or opaque glasses to provide extra eye protection.
Sodha said people with a history of skin cancer and systemic lupus erythematosus should avoid this treatment, and people with diseases involving the retina (such as diabetes or congenital retinal disease) should also avoid this treatment. The list also includes people taking photosensitizing drugs (such as lithium, certain antipsychotics, and certain antibiotics).
Avram recommends that people of color should be more cautious when using these devices, because the colors sometimes change.
Dermatologists say that for those seeking cosmetic improvements, LED masks are not a substitute for treatment in the office.
Avram said that the most effective tool is laser, followed by topical treatment, whether through prescription or over-the-counter medications, of which LED has the worst effect.
“I would worry about spending money on things that provide subtle, modest, or no obvious benefits to most patients,” he pointed out.
Sodha recommends that if you are still interested in buying LED masks, please choose FDA-approved masks. She added that to have realistic expectations, don’t forget important skin care habits such as sleep, diet, hydration, sun protection, and daily protection/renewal programs.
Gohara believes that masks are “icing on the cake”-this may be a good extension of what happened in the doctor’s office.
“I liken it to going to the gym and working out with a hardcore coach-it’s better than doing a few dumbbells at home, right? But both can make a difference,” Gohara added.
A. Pawlowski is TODAY’s senior contributing editor, focusing on health news and special reports. Prior to this, she was a writer, producer and editor for CNN.