UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Dermatologists warn that at-home LED masks provide only slight skin improvement and lack strong evidence for treating acne, wrinkles, or aging.
As reported by The Independent, dermatologists have long relied on LED technology to manage skin problems, including acne and sun damage.
Manufacturers of at-home LED masks, costing up to £400, claim the devices can enhance skin cell function, smooth texture, diminish wrinkles, and treat acne.
Experts warn that despite their appeal, at-home LED devices are unregulated and offer only limited benefits for wrinkles and skin issues.
Advertising watchdogs banned claims that LED masks improve acne or rosacea, warning against mixing cosmetic and medical statements, highlighting the importance of not “blurring the line between cosmetic benefits and medicinal claims.”
There is limited clinical support for these health claims, and the devices must also be approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
What did dermatologists say about at-home LED masks’ effectiveness?
Harley Street dermatologist Dr Justine Kluck said,
“There have been all sorts of claims from treating acne, rosacea, improving skin ageing, fighting inflammation, tackling redness and improving pigmentation. All of these things have somehow ended up being lumped together and whatever your skin concern is, these masks offer some sort of solution.”
She stated,
“It has been used in dermatology for a really long time – particularly red light, which is often a component of how we would treat certain types of sun damage, pre-cancerous skin changes, and even some superficial skin cancers.”
Dr Jonathan Kently, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, said LED masks work by delivering light energy to the skin, promoting collagen and elastin production through photobiomodulation.
Dermatologists are divided on whether home-use LED masks are as effective as medical-grade devices used in clinics.
Dr Kently explained that professional LED therapy delivers light more evenly and with greater intensity than home devices, making it more effective.
Dr Kluck said,
“We’re assuming that it does the same thing that the stronger in hospital or in clinic devices do, but people haven’t really done head to heads between them.”
According to her, LED therapy is used in clinics to treat acne but is not as widely employed as topical or oral treatments, resulting in limited evidence.
Dr Kluck continued,
“There is even less data available for at-home LED masks for treating these skin conditions and out of the handful of studies they are published by the companies who sell them, so there is bias in interpreting the results – they probably wouldn’t publish data that showed they didn’t work.”
She acknowledges that buying a mask can be faster than a dermatology referral, but warns that delaying acne treatment increases the risk of scarring.
Dr Kluck added,
“It does make me upset that people would believe in these devices, which would mean that they delay getting treatment. We know the risk of acne scarring depends on the severity of the acne, but also the duration of the acne. So the longer someone spends trying things that don’t work, the higher the risk of scarring.”
Experts warned that at-home LED masks lack evidence for reducing wrinkles as well as for treating skin conditions.
Dr Kluck added,
“There is evidence that these at-home devices, if used every day consistently for months and months, might deliver a modest improvement in skin quality.”
Dr Kently said consistent use of red light on the skin may boost collagen and elastin and also improve overall skin appearance.
He warned,
“There is insufficient evidence to claim they reduce wrinkles” and to get any benefit the mask would need to be used regularly for 10 to 15 minutes a day.”
Dr Kently stated,
“The masks are quite expensive and really it isn’t clear how much benefit you will actually gain from them.”
He continued,
“They are also quite unregulated and not all masks are created equal: some companies have gone to great efforts in research and development of their masks, whilst others are mass produced with little thought.”
How are LED masks made at home?
A home LED mask can be created using basic materials and some soldering. LED light strips, red or blue as needed, are mounted inside a face mask or plastic shield and connected with wires using glue or tape.
After this, solder the wires to form a circuit, ensure the connections are safe, and add a battery pack or power supply for use.
Before using the mask for skincare or display, make sure to test it for even light distribution and safe operation.