While some complain about typical teenage acne, others do so when they see the first wrinkles and spots appear on their face. Faced with these and other situations, people look for skincare routines or dermatologists who can help combat them.
You can read this article published in OkDiario by Inés Aguerri Alonso by clicking on this link .
And one of the solutions for some of these facial skin conditions is LED masks, a beauty treatment that has gone from being performed in specialized clinics to becoming part of the domestic consumer market.
These LED masks work, as their name suggests, through a lighting system that promises some benefits for the face.
To learn about them and discover how they work, we have the help of Dr. Keila Mitsunaga, from the Dermomedic dermatology team, and dermatologist Montserrat Fernández, from Madriderma.
What is an LED mask?
LED technology was invented in the early 1960s, although it has not been until the last ten years that its use has skyrocketed with multiple functions, developing different types and formats.
In the case of LED masks, “small, multiple LED lights called arrays are inserted into them,” explains Fernández. This facial LED treatment, also known as phototherapy, works when “the light penetrates the skin through its wavelength and acts at the cellular level in the different layers of the skin,” adds Mitsunaga.
What are its benefits?
“What this LED treatment seeks is biomodulation, an effect that was used for the first time at NASA to keep astronauts' skin in good condition,” says Fernández. Instead of using light at high doses as occurs with the use of laser , this type of treatment is done in small doses. “The intention is to stimulate the biological curve of the organism in relation to light to modulate the biological effects that the organism has on the skin.”
One of the disadvantages of the treatment, as the dermatologist explains, is that it is not immediate: “By using very small doses, it is necessary to carry out repeated sessions, applying it about three times a week for several weeks to achieve effects. “The longer the wavelength, the greater the penetration into the skin: each wavelength has a color, which in turn has a different effect on the skin.”
This is why you can see that the colors of LED masks vary, as Keila Mitsunaga explains regarding the three main ones:
- Blue light has a bactericidal and healing action, which is why it is widely used for the treatment of acne.
- Yellow light is used in skin conditions related to redness, swelling and spots due to its calming effect.
- Red light is related to collagen regeneration and production, which is why it is used for tissue regeneration and to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, it seems to have an effect on sebum production, which is why it is used in cases of active acne.
In short, the LED mask is another tool for the treatment of many inflammatory skin conditions or aging. Even in other formats, it is used in conditions related to hair growth or for the treatment of chronic wounds.
Does its use entail any risks?
“According to the electromagnetic spectrum, the light we know as harmful is ultraviolet light, which is not present in this type of mask,” says Montserrat Fernández.
The dermatologist goes on to explain that “the only type of light that could cause us harm is blue light if used at a deep level, however, in these devices it does not interfere at these levels, so it should not pose any problem, as long as we use them properly.”
The main risk arises from incorrect use of LED masks: “applying them for longer than indicated could cause a thermal effect due to the heat, creating some type of oxidation or photoaging,” explains Fernández.
As Mitsunaga points out, “although LED masks are quite safe , incorrect use can cause skin redness, itching and even burns, so it is essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions and never extend the time or frequency.”
If you want to use LED masks at home, Dr. Mitsunaga is clear that “it is essential to only use those that have European medical certifications.”
This is due, as Fernández explains, to the fact that "the EC of the European Union They are more demanding than others who come from China or the East and, in addition, they have technical services closer at hand in case of any problem."
Although following the instructions and checking the CE marking should not entail any risk, Mitsunaga recommends “using them under the supervision of a professional who can fully evaluate the patient for any photosensitive medications or other aspects that contraindicate their use.”
Contraindicated cases
These contraindications usually occur in cases of pregnancy or breastfeeding, since in many cases they are not tested under these conditions. In addition, in cases of lupus erythematosus, eczema, photosensitive disorder or albinism they can cause a serious skin reaction.
In addition, having the treatment done by a professional will help us “find the appropriate combinations between the dose, frequency and intensity of the treatment to achieve optimal effects on the pathologies treated,” explains Mitsunaga.
For his part, Fernández says that these masks are a very simple system: “I sometimes prescribe them to a patient, since the power is set in joules per square centimeter (j/cm2), with a determined wavelength and a determined color, so it does not require any technical specialty.”
The same dermatologist stresses that “the main advice is that before using them, their use should be assessed by a specialist, since we must not forget that these LED masks are a complementary treatment, so we should not rely too much on their use being curative.”
