Beauty trend alert: LED Masks

Scrolling through the Instagram feeds of celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Jessica Alba, Madonna or January Jones you will surely have seen them relaxing around the house with their faces covered by some sort of dystopian masks, like Michael Myers 2.0. Well, those strange objects are the coolest beauty devices of the moment, able to elevate the home skincare routine to the levels of the best beauty center. They are called LED face masks (acronym for Light Emission Diode) and are a valuable ally able to give the skin a wow effect, but also to combat various problems ranging from wrinkles to acne scars. For this reason, although they were originally developed by NASA to help the healing and repair of astronauts' skin, they have become a real must for professional treatments. 

LED masks use light energy to stimulate and regenerate cells. The different wavelengths in the visible light spectrum correspond to different colors and penetrate the skin at different depths, acting on different cell types. As these wavelengths increase, so does the depth of penetration and, as a result, the action of the photons that give the cells the energy needed to perform actions such as reducing inflammation or biostimulating collagen. The benefits, in fact, vary depending on which type of light is used. Pink and red lights have an anti-aging effect and, by penetrating deeply, help the production of collagen and elastin, which fades wrinkles and expression lines. Thanks to its soothing and decongesting abilities, the yellow light is perfect for reducing redness; the green light speeds up the repair of the epidermis, brightens and increases elasticity; while the white light acts as a firming and anti-inflammatory. Purple light, on the other hand, is recommended for those who suffer from acne, redness or scars because it helps regulate sebum production, the same antibacterial action that also makes blue ideal for skin purification and against hyperpigmentation. 

The LED mask should be applied in contact with the skin of the face and décolleté, clean and without makeup, and emits only a slight warmth. The exposure time, depending on the treatment and the type of mask (always read the instructions carefully!) is around 10 minutes once a week. According to experts, the skin appears visibly improved from the first treatment, but, as with any good skincare product, constant use is necessary for multiple and lasting effects. Despite being lower in power, home LED devices are also a safe and effective tool for boosting skin tone and health. The important thing is to use them correctly and to buy CE marked devices that are tested for compliance and safety with current standards.

Many celebrities can't live without them. Some names? Kate Hudson, Chrissy Teigen, Gal Gadot, the beauty guru Huda Kattan and the Kardashian sisters, first of all Kourtney Kardashian who, with her lifestyle brand Poosh, has even launched a multitasking model at a cost of $190. Jessica Alba, on the other hand, prefers emergency sessions from skin expert Shani Darden; while make-up artist Quinn Murphy treated Kate Hudson's skin for the 2021 Met Gala with the CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy mask.  If you too want red carpet skin, we suggest two LED masks to try: the ultra luxurious Mz Skin - Device "light therapy golden" face mask and the WrinkLit LED by Skin Gym.