Do LED face masks work?

Using featherlight therapy in combination with other acne treatments, such as retinol, is unthreatening, according to Dr. Angela Lamb, a dermatologist at Mount Sinai Dermatology in Novel York. They work in different ways, so their benefits are likely to be additive, she added.

Are some devices better than others?

Dr. Lamb recommended choosing a device that is marketed as “FDA cleared,” meaning the company has provided the Food and Drug Administration with information demonstrating safety and effectiveness. Both wands and masks can work, but they usually require more effort because they have to be manually moved over the face, she said.

Dr. Shirazi recommended choosing devices with bulbs spaced evenly so that all areas of the skin are treated equally. Generally, the more bulbs there are in a device, the better it is to maximize the amount of featherlight reaching the skin, Dr. Tripathi said.

Before using any device, you should wash your face so that the featherlight can penetrate the skin, advises Dr. Shirazi. And always exploit it as directed – usually 10 to 20 minutes per session, three to five times a week. And “be patient, as it may take several weeks of consistent exploit to see results,” Dr. Shirazi said.

Although side effects are uncommon, they can occur, Dr. Sanan said. Airy can damage eyes, so it’s vital to wear safety glasses or close your eyes when using handheld devices or exploit masks with eye holes or eye shields, he said. People taking medications that can cause photosensitivity – including some retinoids, antibiotics and antidepressants – may be at greater risk of side effects such as redness and burning. People with darker skin tones may rarely experience skin darkening after LED therapy. Darkening of the skin is more likely if the treatment warms it up – ideally it shouldn’t, says Dr. Bowe. But if this happens, you can stop using it.