By now, you have probably heard a lot of talk about the red light therapy mask trend.

 

Let me tell you, it’s a good trend to be on right now… and for the rest of your life (not to be dramatic or anything).

 

However, red light therapy should be a staple in your anti-aging skincare routine that you know you need to start ASAP if you haven’t already.

 

 

What is Red Light Therapy?

 

Red light therapy is a treatment that promotes collagen growth, reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and scarring, and also repairs sun damage by using 630-700 nanometers of red light.

 

Red light therapy can come in the form of a mask that you can wear on your face at home or at a skincare facility.

 

Skincare facilities, like acupuncture places, can have red light therapy machines that are stand-mounted and can move around the room to reach any part of the body. 

 

 

What are the benefits of red light therapy?

 

→ Promotes collagen growth

→ Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

→ Reduces the appearance of scarring

→ Repairs sun damage

→ Reduces the appearance of sunspots

→ Improves skin texture

 

 

Is red light therapy FDA approved?

 

Red light therapy has been studied clinically and has been FDA approved.

 

When looking for the right red light therapy device for you, make sure that the device itself is FDA approved. 

 

Below, I have a (small, but mighty!) list of FDA approved, science backed devices that I recommend. 

 

 

Is it ok to do red light therapy every day?

 

Yes, it absolutely is!

 

However, too much of anything is never good.

 

Stick to 3 minutes a day if you have an at home mask or machine.

 

If you are getting treatments at a skincare facility, you will most likely get 20-minute red light therapy sessions, which is perfectly fine because it’s most likely not every day.

 

 

Can red light therapy reverse aging?

 

Unfortunately, nothing can reverse our aging. 

 

However, red light therapy can help make us look younger by tightening our skin and reducing our fine lines and wrinkles. 

 

Will it make us look 20 years younger? Probably not.

 

But … ultimately, it will help us age gracefully & confidently.

 

(Which is the real goal of anti-aging skincare.)

 

 

Do you need to wear eye protection for red light therapy?

 

You do not have to wear eye protection during your red light therapy session. 

 

If you know your eyes are sensitive to bright lights, it is a good idea to wear eye protection for a more comfortable session. 

 

There are no known studies showing that red light therapy can damage the eyes. 

 

 

How many sessions of red light therapy to see results?

 

Consistency is key here.

 

You might not notice any difference after one session.

 

With daily, consistent use, you should notice improvements in 4-6 weeks. 

 

Before and after photos are great for seeing results and keeping you motivated to keep using it.

 

I have found that my skin is so soft after using my red light mask.  

 

 

 

Pin for later if you’re busy!

 

 

 

Does red light therapy have to touch the skin?

 

No. However, the skin has to be directly exposed to the red light for it to effectively reach the cells and get all the great benefits.

 

Clothing or any garments on the body will not get the benefits of red light therapy. Be sure to remove anything in the way of the red light. 

 

My mask from Dr. Dennis Gross does touch parts of my face, while my acupuncturist’s Celluma light therapy device hovers above my face.

 

Both work great!

 

*Side note: If you wear eye protection, your eyelids will not be exposed to the red light. In my personal opinion, I would rather not wear eye protection so that the red light could get to my eyelids. Only because eyelids are one of the first things to start sagging (& getting crepey) on the face. 

 

 

What should I do after red light therapy?

 

After red light therapy, you should moisturize the skin by applying any serums that you want to the face or by applying a face moisturizer. 

 

Depending on if you do red light therapy in your morning or nighttime skincare routine, you always want to do the therapy with a clean face. 

 

After completing the red light therapy, you should go on with your skincare routine as usual.

 

 

What does blue light therapy do?

 

Most red light therapy masks and machines come with blue light therapy as well.

 

Blue LED light is great for improving acne prone skin.

 

The blue light kills the P.acnes bacteria (the bacteria on the face that causes acne).

 

If you struggle with acne, it is best to do 3 minutes of the blue light therapy and then 3 minutes of the red light therapy a day (because HELLO… we are still here for anti-aging always).

 

*Note, if you are at a skincare facility with a trusted skincare expert using a red light therapy mask or machine, ask them if you are able to use both light modes and if you actually really need it.

 

 

Red light therapy masks and machines that I recommend:

 

It is always important to do your own research.

 

The two brands of red light therapy masks and machines that I recommend are science-backed and FDA approved.

 

1. Dr. Dennis Gross’ DRx SpectraLite TM FaceWare Pro

 

I bought this one for daily at home use. It is an investment, but it is so worth it!

 

It has both red light therapy and blue light therapy.

 

This is an actual face mask, but it can also be used on other parts of the body. 

 

2. Celluma Light Therapy 

 

My acupuncturist uses this brand of red light therapy in her office.

 

It has red light and blue light.

 

It treats acne, aging, pain, and wounds. 

 

This is a great brand because it offers a wide range of devices of all sizes. 

 

 

You need to get a red light therapy mask like yesterday.

 

Do you see now why you need to get one ASAP?

 

This is one of the top 3 anti-aging skincare devices in the skincare industry that will keep us looking young and healthy. 

 

Botox? We don’t know her.

 

This is a holistic way to keep your skin firmer, bouncier, and smoother. 

 

*Note: We don’t judge around here. There is nothing wrong with botox. You want it? Go get it! I just wanted to point out that this is a great natural approach to avoiding wrinkles and fine lines. 

 

 

Red light therapy mask routine

 

You can use the red light therapy mask in the morning or at night.

 

I typically use it at night before I go to sleep.

 

Here are the steps I take:

 

 

Step 1: Cleanse face

 

I first wash my face with CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser.

 

 

Step 2: Use red light therapy mask on face.

 

Dr. Dennis Gross’ DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro has a 3 minute built in timer so that after 3 minutes, the mask will turn off. 

 

Three minutes a day is all you need!

 

 

Step 3: Use red light therapy mask on neck.

 

I will rest the forehead part of the mask on my chin and let the bottom part of the mask rest on my chest so that it targets my neck.

 

I do this for 3 more minutes.

 

 

Step 4: Use red light therapy mask on chest.

 

I then rotate the mask so that it is horizontal and I rest it across my chest so that it gets my entire décolletage. 

 

I do this for 3 more minutes as well.

 

 

Step 5: Moisturize

 

I then moisturize my face with CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.

 

Then I am ready for a good night’s sleep & bam… I wake up with soft, even skin.

 

The whole process takes 15 minutes & can be done laying in your bed watching tv. 

 

Can’t beat it!

 

 

Are there any cons to red light therapy?

 

Red light therapy has been tested clinically and is FDA approved.

 

However, there have been reports of people getting burned or getting blisters from using certain red light therapy devices. 

 

These are most likely caused by using the device for extremely long sessions or from faulty devices.

 

It is so important to pick brands that are science backed and quality made. 

 

I trust the brands I have listed above because I know that a lot of research went into the making of the devices. 

 

When you are first starting out, monitor how your skin responds to the red light. 

Everyone’s skin is different.

 

Also, remember that 3 minutes a day is all you need to get the benefits of red light therapy.

 

I suggest NOT going over 3 minutes a day UNLESS you are at a trusted skincare facility with a skincare expert.

 

 

Conclusion

 

I am a big believer and lover of red light therapy.

 

There are a million and ten face creams that claim to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, reduce sunspots, and all that.

 

& while they might, they are 100% not as effective as red light therapy. 

 

It has the power to reverse sun damage. If that’s not motivation enough to get a red light therapy mask, then I don’t know what is 😂

 

I hope you love it as much as I do!

 

 

Email [email protected] and let me know what you think & if you have tried red light therapy before or are going to!