For my birthday last year, I was treated to a great facial which included Buccal massage which has a focus on the muscles inside the mouth. However, there was a part of the treatment the Therapist said she couldn’t do on my skin due to acne / hyperpigmentation so she instead use blue light and red light therapy.
I asked her about the benefits of these therapies and if it was something I should consider doing myself with at-home devices, and she said yes, for sure.
So the hunt was on to find the best red light therapy devices to choose from.
After that facial, I seemed to stumble across red light therapy everywhere which made me more and more intrigued by the science
I stumbled upon red light therapy while scrolling through beauty blogs and watching countless YouTube reviews. I was intrigued by the science behind it and the glowing testimonials (pun intended). After trying it out myself, I knew I had to share this incredible discovery with you all.
What is Red Light Therapy?
Red Light Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to penetrate the skin and stimulate cellular activity promoting various health benefits.
Red Light Therapy works by emitting different types of red and near-infrared light, each with specific wavelengths that penetrate the skin at varying depths to provide different benefits.
Red light, which falls within the visible light spectrum with wavelengths ranging from 620 nm to 750 nm, penetrates the skin to a depth of approximately 1-2 mm and is particularly effective for skin rejuvenation.
Near-infrared wavelengths range from 700 nm to 1400 nm (commonly used ranges are 800 nm to 880 nm), penetrates deeper into the tissues, reaching up to 5 cm below the skin surface.
Many RLT devices combine both red light and near-infrared light to provide a comprehensive treatment that addresses both surface-level and deeper tissue issues. This combination maximises therapeutic benefits by promoting overall skin health and deeper tissue recovery simultaneously.
Benefits of Red Light Therapy
Red Light Therapy offers a wide range of benefits – even beyond skincare – making it a versatile addition to your skincare routine. Here’s a little overview of some of these benefits:
Skin Health
Reduction of Wrinkles and Fine Lines
One of the biggest draws of RLT is its ability to reduce wrinkles and fine lines by stimulating collagen production which helps to smooth out your skin.
When it comes to skincare, I always believe that prevention is better than cure so while wrinkles are fine lines aren’t a major issue for me, it can only benefit me to work towards keeping them at bay, alongside a good skincare routine.
Improvement in Skin Texture and Tone
RLT can give your skin a noticeable boost in texture and tone. It helps to even out your complexion, making your skin look fresher and more vibrant. If you’ve been struggling with dull or uneven skin, this could be a game-changer.
Reduction of Acne and Other Skin Conditions
If you have acne – like me – RLT can help. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the redness and swelling associated with acne. Plus, it helps to heal the skin, reducing the risk of scars and blemishes.
Wound Healing
Accelerates Healing Process
RLT isn’t just about looking good; it’s also about healing. It speeds up the healing process for wounds and scars by stimulating cellular activity. Whether it’s a minor cut or a post-surgery scar, RLT can help you recover faster.
Inflammation Reduction
Decrease in Inflammation and Redness
If you have sensitive or inflamed skin, RLT can be incredibly soothing. The red light reduces inflammation and redness, making your skin feel calmer and more balanced.
Pain Relief
Relief from Chronic Pain Conditions
Beyond skincare, RLT can also provide relief from chronic pain conditions. It penetrates deep into the tissues, helping to alleviate pain and improve overall well-being.
Whether you have muscle soreness or joint pain, RLT might offer some comfort and aid muscle recovery as part of your post workout recovery.
Typically, near-infrared light is used for treatments needed to reach deeper tissues, making it suitable for muscle recovery, joint pain relief, deeper wound healing, and reducing inflammation in muscles and joints.
Devices that use near-infrared light are often larger red light therapy panels for a larger treatment area, full-body beds, and medical devices used in physical therapy and sports recovery.
Unlike the other treatments, RLT typically has no downtime and minimal risk of side effects, making it an excellent option for those seeking low risk devices for a maintenance-friendly skincare solution in the comfort of your own home.
The Bon Charge Red Light Face Mask
When Bon Charge got in touch about reviewing their Red Light Face Mask it was a great opportunity to potentially find a device worth the price tag, for at home use. Personally I always like to go by recommendations and read reviews when making mid-range purchases too.
Bon Charge is a wellness technology brand that specialises in products designed to improve health and well-being by addressing modern lifestyle challenges. Their range of products includes blue light blocking glasses, light therapy devices, and other innovative health solutions.
The Bon Charge Red Light Face Mask uses both 630nm red light wavelengths and 850nm Near Infrared with 240 LEDs. The mask itself is made from A-Grade Silicone with a net weight of 200g.
The mask connects to a power bank and controller, which you charge to in order to use the mask. It takes a couple of hours to charge but for a number of uses obviously dependant on how long you use it for.
In regards to FDA Clearance, I think that’s an American thing?! Bon Charge do have clear text on the face mask listing stating that The Food and Drug Administration or Therapeutic Goods Association has not evaluated the statements made.
That the product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical conditions. And that the product is intended as a general-use beauty product.
My Red Light Mask Routine
The key with RLT is consist, regular use, so since I’ve got the Bon Charge Red Light Face Mask at the end of April 2024, I’ve used it (both RL and Near Infrared) either every day or every other day for 10-15minutes.
I’ve anchored it to parts of my morning or evening routine depending on which is the best for that day.
First thing every morning, I take my shot of Symprove after washing my face and brushing my teeth. You then have to wait at least ten minutes before eating so if I’m using the mask in the morning, I’ll use that ten minutes before having my breakfast.
In the evening, I try to drink at least one cup of camomile tea before bed. So I’ll wash my face, make the tea and use the mask while the tea is cooling. At the same time I can either read a book, listen to a meditation or simply catch up on small tasks.
I’ll typically always apply a serum before using the mask and the add moisturiser afterwards. Then in the mornings, I apply sunscreen (every single day) to protect my skin from harmful UV light.
That highlights one of the benefits of a face mask over handheld devices – you have your hands free to do other things. You just need a pocket for the power bank or a place to have it sit.
I have removed one of the fastening straps as usually when I have my hair in a puff, it has to sit either side of my hair on the top of my head and pulls the mask to that side. I’ve found using it without that strap to work perfectly well and it’s much more comfortable.
One thing I think they could improve though is the battery status. It does show you how much is left but only in bars, not in specific time so there have been times where I’ve started my treatment time, and the battery has died.
My Individual Results
Now of course, nothing is ever guaranteed. Whilst I do have a number of skin concerns (which I’ve actively spoken about on the blog), I have made a huge effort recently to look after my skin as best as I can.
This does mean it’s impossible to say that the results I’ve achieved are solely down to my use of red light therapy masks, but I do think the potential benefits are clear and I’m happy with the results.
From my research though, it seems that combining RLT with other treatments can significantly enhance overall results so this helps to explain my results. For example, pairing RLT with topical skincare products like retinoids or hyaluronic acid can amplify the benefits of both treatments.
RLT’s ability to stimulate collagen production and improve cellular function complements the effects of these products, leading to more profound improvements in skin texture, hydration, and elasticity.
I’ve not yet dabbled with microneedling or chemical peels (via a qualified health professional of course), but using RLT with these can accelerate healing and again, enhance skin rejuvenation for the best results.
I also started my treatment protocol with Dermatica around the same time as I started using this led light therapy device and my skin has done so well despite the harsh products.
I think I’ve managed to keep my skin hydrated and kept the side effects of the Dermatica skin treatments at bay. Wanna make clear that I never use RLT with my Dermatica prescription – only before I apply it.
My hyperpigmentation dark marks have faded dramatically over the past few months which allows me to feel way more confident to wear less makeup especially foundation. My skin is brighter, plumper and less prone to breakouts. I’ve noticed that if I feel a spot coming, it usually calms down after a short treatment using the face mask.
I’ve loved the compact size of this face mask, which is super easy to store in the satin bag you get with it. It’s east to clean – just give it a wipe down with a damp cloth before use.
Whilst its not cheap (£275 plus free shipping at the time of publishing), with continual use it works out as a cost effective alternative to paying a therapist (you can use your treatment time for other things) and to see greater benefits in between other forms of treatment.
Are any red light therapy tools on your wish-list?!
Elle
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