Are LED Red Light Masks Worth It?
Apr 01, 2026 06:00AM ● By Susan Gonzalez
Regardless of the social media platform, ads for LED red light “hockey-type” masks populate feeds day and night. Promises of plump, collagen-rich skin, smooth texture, a more even skin tone and reduced discoloration make it hard to resist their claims. Especially when the treatment is as simple as wearing a mask for 10 minutes several times a week. Is it all too good to be true? Here’s a guide to find out.
The Basic Science
In 1903, Danish physician Niels Ryberg Finsen won the Nobel Prize for successfully using light spectrums to treat skin infections. Light and its rainbow-colored components continued to be studied for disease treatment, mood disorders and hair growth. The term “photo biomodulation,” or using light as a tool to alter biology, was coined in the 1960s when a Hungarian scientist accidentally discovered that low-powered red light accelerated hair growth on mice.
Then, in 1990, when NASA was testing LED lights for plant growth in space, it noticed that when people who’d been working with the plants got injuries to their hands, they healed faster.
Studies of the different effects of various colors on skin cells led to the discovery that red LED light, with a wavelength of between 630-700nm, stimulated the mitochondria—the energy-producing part of the cell—of the epidermis cells, causing the cells to produce more energy. This increased energy resulted in more collagen formation and more elasticity. The first LED light devices were expensive and only used by dermatologists and skin professionals, but with the gain in popularity, more affordable devices have since flooded the market.
A Quick Note About Light
Light travels in waves. The distance between one wave and the next is its wavelength, which determines characteristics such as color and how deeply the light can penetrate tissue. The height of the wave is its amplitude. Greater amplitude means greater intensity—essentially, more energy delivered to the skin. Intensity is typically measured in milliwatts per square centimeter (mW/cm²).
This matters because only certain wavelengths, delivered at the right intensity, can reach the appropriate depth in the skin and stimulate cells to produce collagen.
Light therapy devices emit specific wavelengths of light, measured in nanometers (nm), and each wavelength interacts with the body differently. Shorter wavelengths, like blue light, work mainly at the skin’s surface. Longer wavelengths—such as red and near-infrared—penetrate more deeply, reaching the dermis where collagen is produced. Research suggests that in the right doses, red and near-infrared light might support cellular energy production and help stimulate processes involved in tissue repair and collagen formation.
Far-infrared devices are often found in full-body saunas. A regular sauna uses heat to warm the air, which in turn warms the body. An infrared sauna heats the body directly without warming the air. Far-infrared light has whole-body beneficial effects, such as controlling inflammation, increasing circulation, supporting nervous system healing and serving as a supportive treatment for certain types of cancer, among others. Sometimes, as with near-infrared, the red LED is paired with far-infrared for additional benefits.
The Color Spectrum
Each LED color corresponds to a different wavelength and can accomplish different things.
Red light (600-800 nm) has the most research showing it works. It is used for facial rejuvenation, wrinkles, fine lines and some dark spots. Red LED also treats hair loss and can stimulate follicles to produce hair in areas that are thinning; however, it can’t treat an area that is bald. There is limited data about treatment for eczema.
Green light (500-570 nm) is used to treat pigment, brown spots and inflammation. However, there is not enough high-quality research to confirm how well it works or to define clear treatment guidelines.
Blue light (415-455 nm) is used to treat acne and oil production. An analysis of 50 research studies conducted by the National Institute of Health concluded that the use of blue LED light demonstrated a “significant improvement in the overall picture of acne.” A study of 216 participants published in JAMA Dermatology showed blue LED therapy to be “considered a safe and effective option for treating mild-to-moderate acne.”
Some brands offer several spectrums of light in the same device and offer the option of two or three lights to be used at the same time, making treating several skin issues easier.
Questions To Ask
When purchasing an LED device to address skin issues, consider the following questions:
What am I planning to use the LED device for?
If the intention is to increase collagen production on the face and neck, optimal results can be achieved with a mask that only covers the face and emits red LED light with a wavelength of 600-800 nm and a power output of 20-200 mW/cm2. Note that many masks don’t publish the power output. However, the mask will be most effective when both the wavelength and power output metrics are met.
Also, a device that treats hair loss may not treat skin issues, as the wavelength and power will differ between devices. Only use the device for what it is intended.
Has the device received FDA clearance?
The packaging of the device should say “FDA cleared.” If it doesn’t, or if it says, “FDA approved,” that is a misleading claim, and you should not purchase the product.
Does the device come with a warranty?
Make sure you can return it if it stops working or doesn’t meet the promises made by the manufacturer.
What part of the body are you treating?
If you think you might want a combination of red light LED to treat skin wrinkles and near infrared to treat back pain, be sure the surface area of the device is big enough to cover both areas.
Will you use the light as directed?
Manufacturers’ instructions will vary as one might advise to use the device daily while another says to use it several times a week. Consistency is key to getting the best results.
Precautions
- Research shows that people with darker skin tones are more sensitive to visible light, such as red light, than people with lighter skin tones. This can lead to hyperpigmentation, and the resulting dark spots can be more intense and longer-lasting than dark spots caused by sunlight. Because of this, those with black or brown skin should use red and blue LED lights with caution.
- If you have light sensitivity conditions, such as lupus, LED lights might worsen symptoms. Check with your doctor before using an LED light.
- If you are taking medications that cause light sensitivity, such as certain antibiotics, some chemotherapy and Accutane, among others, LED light therapy is not advised.
- LED therapy is not intended for children under the age of 12, and since there are limited studies on using LED on those who are pregnant and those with epilepsy, it’s best to consult a medical professional before using.
- Always use the device as directed. Excess exposure may cause damage to the skin.
- Always wear the protective eye covering provided with the device. Don’t substitute other eyewear.
Finally, as the number of brands competing for market share continues to increase, claims made by device manufacturers have become less truthful, which has led to class action lawsuits. Three manufacturers—NuFACE Trinity+, Aphrona Moonlight Pro and Omnilux—are facing lawsuits stemming from false advertising and claiming FDA “approval” instead of FDA “clearance.” Buyer beware!
