I work with many women with skin conditions - especially acne and rosacea. There’s been a lot of talk about red light therapy for skin health for the past 20 years or so, but what’s really in the spotlight these days are red light face masks.
Yes, I’m talking about the masks that make you look like Hannibal Lecter. Or a die-hard fan of Daft Punk.
I’ve been a bit of a red light therapy device junkie for a few years now - everything from red light therapy devices for sore muscles, to red light therapy wands to help with acne scarring.
Let’s dive into red light therapy for acne and rosacea specifically, with a focus on red light therapy masks.
Does red light therapy actually work? Is it practical to use regularly? Who should try red light therapy masks?
Why is red light therapy beneficial for skin?
Red light therapy (RLT) uses low level wavelengths of red light to help manage skin conditions. These low level wavelengths have been shown to stimulate the production of multiple biomarkers associated with anti aging skin benefits, such as synthesis of hyaluronic acid, collagen protein and elastin protein.
In simple terms, red light is thought to increase energy production in cells so they can function more efficiently. This leads to cell repair and regeneration which can improve healing, reduce inflammation, and help create a more vibrant, youthful complexion.
Some of the benefits of red light therapy on skin can include:
Reduces the appearance of wrinkles. RLT helps stimulate elastin and collagen in the skin, which can lead to skin feeling smoother and help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Decreases inflammation, including inflammation coming from acne or rosacea
Helps with scarring, such as scars after active acne has healed
Helps with hyperpigmentation
There are many ways to utilize red light therapy for skin health, including during a dermatological procedure, through an esthetician, or with an at-home device (like a red light face mask!).
BON CHARGE Red Light Face Mask Review
There are tons of red light therapy brands and different devices on the market. One of the more popular devices these days are the red light therapy masks (yes, they are funny-looking, but they are also so damn convenient!).
I’ve been trying out the mask from the company BON CHARGE. BON CHARGE is a leader in the wellness space and makes lots of other gadgets like bluelight blocking glasses, sauna blankets and even EMF shielding devices. I like that they run lab testing to make sure their products are actually effective!
I’ve been using the BON CHARGE Red Light Face Mask for about a month.
Here are some of the features I like about the BON CHARGE Red Light Face Mask:
Comfortable & easy to strap on
Cushioned eye protectors for extra comfort (plus you’re not getting blasted by red light while wearing it, so you can actually see and use your eyeballs!)
Zero EMF radiation
Made from silicone that’s easy to clean (not plastic)
Cordless so you can easily multitask (it’s so easy to pop on while I’m at my computer or reading!)
Heat-free (beneficial for those with rosacea who are sensitive to heat)
Comes with a travel bag in case you want to travel with it
This mask emits red light at 630nm and near-infrared light at 850nm, which is in line with the wavelengths that show health benefits. Red light reaches the skin's top layers, while longer-wavelength near-infrared light targets deeper tissues. You can set the mask to use either light type or both (I always use both to get all the benefits!).
I’ve only been using the mask for a few weeks, but I feel like my skin looks brighter and my skin texture is more even. I’m excited to see what other changes I’ll see over the next few months!
How to use the BON CHARGE Red Light Face Mask
A few safety things to consider before using a Red Light Mask:
Always follow the device instructions, and use it as directed. These types of masks are generally considered safe for all skin types. However, if you have any type of photosensitivity, make sure to consult with your healthcare professional before using the Red Light Face Mask.
Additionally, avoid products that have ingredients that increase photosensitivity before using the mask. If you are using medicated products prescribed by a dermatologist, make sure to check with your provider before using red light therapy.
BON CHARGE recommends using the Red Light Face Mask several times a week for between 10-20 minutes.
Is red light therapy helpful for acne?
Yes, but with a few caveats! Although there is a ton of anecdotal reporting that red light therapy is helpful for acne, high-quality evidence on the use of light therapies for people with acne is lacking.
There is evidence that therapeutic applications of blue light leads to improvement in acne, especially in inflammatory lesions. Blue light therapy is similar to red light therapy but uses the blue wavelength which is known to kill the bacteria that causes acne.
Overall, I believe red light therapy may be helpful when used along with other methods for addressing skin conditions like acne. I don’t believe it’s a magic bullet or the only solution for acne, but it’s great for managing inflammation. Because red light therapy has anti-inflammatory effects, it may help reduce the appearance of breakouts and redness.
If you struggle with acne, what you really want to do is get to the root cause of WHY your skin is breaking out. Here’s the truth: you’re not breaking out because you are deficient in red light. You acne is likely related to inflammation coming from inside your body, and for that you want to look at your gut health.
Is red light therapy helpful for rosacea?
There seems to be compelling evidence that red light therapy may be an efficient and safe therapy in treating rosacea. One important factor to consider is whether you are using any topical products to address your rosacea, so make sure to check with your doctor before using a red light therapy device to confirm it’s safe.
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is not completely understood. However, since it is inflammation-related, red light therapy may be helpful since it’s known to reduce inflammation, as well as heal and repair damaged tissue.
What makes red light therapy particularly beneficial for rosacea is that it’s tolerated by almost all skin types; if you have rosacea, you likely know that your skin is very sensitive. Red light therapy may be a good therapy to try out if you struggle with rosacea.
Who would benefit from a red light face mask?
I think a red light face mask is a fantastic option once acne is under control to address scarring (that’s what I’m using it for!). Red light helps to accelerate the skin's healing processes as well as the regeneration of collagen and elastin. Both of these could be very helpful in addressing acne scarring.
Additionally, because of these healing effects, red light therapy appears to be beneficial for signs of skin aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
Interested in red light therapy, but not for skin?
If you’re not interested in the appearance-enhancing benefits of red light therapy, but still want to utilize the healing benefits, something like an Infrared Sauna Blanket is something to consider! I have not personally used the BON CHARGE blanket, but I’ve heard that it’s hotter and heats up faster than other brands available (which is tempting…).
Discount code for BON CHARGE products
If you want to try out any of BON CHARGE’s products, use the discount code TABLETOCRAVE to get 15% off sitewide!
STRUGGLING WITH SKIN ISSUES?
If you have acne or rosacea, you need to figure out what the root cause is.
Take the ACNE QUIZ to understand WHY your skin is inflamed!
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