LED Therapy: Does it really work?

When people talk about “the future of skincare,” this probably isn’t what we imagined—but if you spend any time scrolling Instagram or TikTok, or just keep up with the latest skincare innovations, you’ve likely heard the buzz around LED light therapy.

Once reserved for in-office treatments with an aesthetician, LED therapy is now available at home whenever your skin feels like a little luxury. Blue light is commonly used to target acne, while red light focuses on anti-aging concerns. And while shining lights on your face may sound intimidating, these devices don’t emit UV rays—the only scary part is how they look.

With high price tags and big promises, LED masks raise plenty of questions. Do they actually work? How do they work? Are they worth it? And what exactly is light therapy, anyway? We’re breaking it all down.

What Is LED Light Therapy?

LED light therapy is a scientifically-backed skincare treatment that has been used for approximately 30 years in clinical and aesthetic settings. Originally developed by NASA for wound healing and plant growth experiments, this technology exposes skin to specific wavelengths of LED light including red (630-660nm), blue (415-445nm), green (525nm), cyan, yellow, orange/amber, purple, white, and near-infrared (850nm). Each wavelength penetrates skin at different depths to target specific cellular processes and skin concerns.

What Does LED Light Therapy Do?

When used consistently, LED light therapy provides clinically-proven benefits for multiple skin concerns. Red light stimulates fibroblast activity to boost collagen and elastin production, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Blue light wavelengths eliminate Propionibacterium acnes bacteria to clear breakouts and control oil production.

And the benefits go well beneath the skin's surface. In fact, LED light treatments have been applauded for their mental health benefits, too.

Client feedback suggests that a short period of time spent under in-clinic LED lamps could dramatically improve mood, lifting spirits and reducing stress levels. Need proof? LED light therapy boosts our ATP so that it can fuel other cells with energy and boost our serotonin count. Needed.

Since the results for your skin and mind are cumulative, you need to have regular treatments to see an effect. If you can't afford regular LED treatments at your local clinic, spa, or salon, at-home light therapy could be the answer. And that's where the best LED face masks come in.

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Source schoolofdermatology.com