I’ve been a red-light therapy user for nearly six years, almost just as long as I’ve been writing about and recommending it as a beauty editor. These beauty devices, usually LED masks and panels, are consistently recommended by dermatologists, aestheticians, and, you guessed it, beauty editors like myself. They can help boost collagen production to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, smooth uneven skin texture, and fade hyperpigmentation. Plus, there’s a lot that researchers are still studying about red light, including how it can improve circulation, speed up wound healing, and reduce inflammation. With something this good, it’ll have you wondering what actually is the best LED device on the market.
But it’s not that simple. “Red light therapy seems pretty simple, but there is a lot of physics behind how these devices work,” says Michigan-based dermatologist Fatima Fahs, MD. Recently, while sitting under an LED blanket with a red-light mask on my face, I had the thought: What actually is the difference between a mask and a panel? And is there more of a benefit the closer an LED sits to your skin? Could standing in front of a device be just as good as wearing one a few inches from your face?
With a few clicks on my keyboard (and my network of go-to dermatologists), all of these questions got answered.
How close does an LED mask have to be to work?
Nope, there isn’t an ideal distance for your mask, device, or panel to be placed for it to work the best, according to both Dr. Fahs and Connecticut-based dermatologist Annette Czernik, MD. “Unfortunately, this isn’t as simple as, the closer the device, the better the result,” says Dr. Fahs. “Wavelength indicates the type of light being delivered; irradiance refers to how much power the device can emit to the skin,” she explains. “Together, wavelength and irradiance, along with the treatment time recommended on the mask, determine the actual energy dose delivered to the skin.” All this to say, a device that’s further away could potentially reduce how strong the device emits light to your skin. But often, the way the device is set up and the recommendations from the manufacturer make up for this to ensure you’re getting the correct dose.
Basically, if your LED mask is designed to be placed directly onto your skin, it might deliver a higher dose in a shorter period of time (think: three to five minutes), whereas a panel that’s further away might require a 20-minute treatment for the same efficacy. In that instance, it tends to come down to personal preference.
The actual specifications of the device are what matters the most when it comes to choosing the right device for you and your goals, says Dr. Fahs. “Red light (630-650 nanometers) and near infrared light (810-850 nanometers) are different wavelengths, and depending on the beam configuration in the device, they can emit substantially different amounts of power,” she says. “It’s super important with these devices to actually read the manufacturer-specified treatment guidelines, including the recommended distance from your skin.” With that in mind, you would expect that many of the top-of-the-line models, like the Shark CryoGlow and Dr. Dennis Gross LED Mask, have taken the masks’ design into account when figuring out how much power is emitted from the device to match up with how close it sits on your skin.
But less intensity isn’t always a bad thing. Your skin type can play a role in how you respond to red light therapy, says Dr. Czernik. “Someone with very sensitive or reactive skin may tolerate a lower-intensity treatment better than a stronger one,” she says. “This is another reason why more light or a closer distance isn't always necessary to get a benefit.”
What’s the difference between a red light mask and a red light panel?
“Masks and panels can both be useful, but they deliver light in slightly different ways,” says Dr. Czernik. “A mask keeps the LEDs very close to the face and can provide fairly consistent coverage,” she says. On the other hand, “a panel sits farther away, but it may contain more powerful LEDs and cover a larger area.” Either format works. In fact, she notes that she “wouldn’t automatically consider a mask better just because it touches the skin.”
“Having a mask directly against your skin can reduce the amount of light that’s lost before reaching your face,” says Dr. Czernik. “It also keeps the treatment distance very consistent from session to session—but that doesn’t necessarily make a mask more effective than a good panel. The wavelength, irradiance, treatment time, and overall dose are extremely important.”
FWIW, Dr. Fahs says she does love that masks have the “advantage of actually keeping the light source at a consistent position on the skin so your dose is more predictable with each treatment.” With a panel, you can treat a much larger surface area of your skin, but you have to follow the directions and stand or sit at the same distance every time to get consistent results. “Depending on the device specifications, the distance may substantially reduce the amount of light actually reaching the skin,” she says.
Can an LED mask get too close to your skin? What happens?
“Yes, certain devices can be used too close, especially if they’re powerful panels,” says Dr. Czernik. “Red and near-infrared light themselves aren’t supposed to burn the skin when a device is used correctly; however, some devices can generate noticeable heat when you’re sitting very close to them,” she says. “That may leave sensitive skin feeling warm, dry, or irritated.” In this case, “too much exposure can be counterproductive if it causes discomfort or inflammation.”
Final verdict
“When it comes to collagen production, I would focus less on whether you choose a mask or panel and more on the device’s specifications for use and your consistency of use,” says Dr. Fahs. “Photobiomodulation is not an overnight process; it is gradual and requires consistent use over time to see meaningful benefits,” she says. So just like sunscreen, “the best device is ultimately the one you will actually use consistently and correctly.”
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Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair, makeup, nail, and fragrance stories.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
