What is the Difference Between an LED Facemask and an LED Panel?

IN THIS ARTICLE: 

• 01 What is an LED Facemask?    
  02 What is an LED Light Therapy Panel?    
  03 Red Light Therapy Face Masks: Precision for Facial Skin    
  04 Red Light Therapy Panels: Versatility for Larger Areas    
  05 Which is Better an LED Light Therapy Mask or LED Light Therapy Panel?   06 The Bottom Line: Device Specifications Matter    

4-minute read 

LED light therapy mask or panel? While both offer remarkable skin benefits and typically use the same technology, before investing, you should be aware of some differences between the two based on your unique skincare goals and lifestyle.

What is an LED Facemask?

An LED facemask is a wearable device fitted with LED bulbs (light emitting diodes). The device is typically strapped around the head exposing the face to different light wavelengths to improve skin health. The most popular wavelength is red, but LED masks can have up to 8 different wavelengths including blue light for acne, infrared light for anti-aging and inflammation, green light for hyperpigmentation. 

What is an LED Light Therapy Panel?

A red light therapy panel looks more like a square board, they vary in size and are usually targeted towards wellness or spot treatments for pain and rejuvenation. Unlike an LED mask, a panel is typically placed a distance from the skin by being mounted on a wall or table. So which is better, LED mask or panel?

Red Light Therapy Face Masks: Precision for Facial Skin

If your primary concern revolves around facial skincare—especially tackling fine lines, wrinkles, or general anti-aging—a red light therapy face mask might be your best bet. These masks are designed specifically for the contours of your face, ensuring that the red light targets areas where signs of aging often appear first, such as crow’s feet and forehead lines. Many masks now have more than a single light wavelength that can treat a broader range of skin concerns - this makes them a very versatile device because the skin is ever-changing and may you may face several concerns at once. 

Benefits of Red Light Therapy Face Masks:

• Targeted Treatment: Perfectly designed to fit the face, providing even exposure to the skin.
• Convenience: Many masks are hands-free, allowing you to relax while they work their magic.
• Anti-Aging Focus + More: Specifically beneficial for fine lines, wrinkles, and overall skin texture improvements. Multi-LED masks can treat acne, hyperpigmentation, redness, inflammation and scarring. 
  

However, keep in mind that masks are generally limited to facial treatment. If you’re looking to address issues on other areas of your body, you may need a different device.

Red Light Therapy Panels: Versatility for Larger Areas

Red light therapy panels, on the other hand, offer versatility and broader coverage, making them an excellent choice for spot treatments or larger areas of the body. Whether you’re addressing muscle soreness, joint pain, or skin concerns beyond your face, panels are a great option

Benefits of Red Light Therapy Panels:

• Wider Coverage: Ideal for treating larger areas such as the back, legs, or chest.
• Spot Treatments: Panels can be positioned to target specific problem areas with precision.
• Multi-Purpose: Beneficial for skin rejuvenation, muscle recovery, and pain relief.
  

While panels are versatile, they might not offer the same level of facial precision as a mask, so if facial skincare is your primary goal, a mask could be more suitable.

Which is Better an LED Light Therapy Mask or LED Light Therapy Panel? 

There is much chat online claiming red light panels are more powerful or better quality than LED masks. Claims like this should definitely be met with some caution and authors probably have a vested interest in promoting one over the other.  A blanket statement that one device is somewhat superior to another does not consider the broad spectrum of devices that exist on the market and the difference in quality, power and durability of each specific device. In essence, and it sounds obvious to say, a higher quality, well-made LED mask will outperform a low quality red light panel.

Body Panel

LumaLux Dome | Face & Body LED Light Therapy Device

8 wavelength full body LED light therapy device for skin rejuvenation, fine lines, acne, muscle recovery and mood boost

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The Bottom Line: Device Specifications Matter

Whether you are purchasing an LED mask or panel - there are some key factors to consider to determine whether the device is worth your money

1. LED Light Wavelength 
This simply refers to the length of the wavelength emitted by the LED bulb. Specific wavelengths are scientifically proven to perform optimally on the skin and you should always look for a device that uses these wavelengths because they are the most studies 

Red - 630nm and 660nm
Infrared - 850nm
Deep Infrared - 1072nm 
Blue - 460nm 
Green 520nm

2. Number of LEDs
The number of LEDs is vital for ensuring complete and even treatment coverage. Devices like the LumaLux Face and LumaLux Face+ feature 800 and 1600 densely packed LEDs, delivering professional-grade treatments with maximum light energy output—four times the industry average. High-quality LEDs with safety certifications ensure effective and efficient skin therapy. Rather than focusing on a single LED’s power, it's crucial to assess the total energy output of the entire device for optimal results.

Project e Beauty LumaLux vs Competitor Brand

3. Irradiance 
Irradiance, or power density, measures the strength of an LED in milliwatts per cm², indicating how much energy reaches one square centimeter of skin per second. Many brands measure power density using a spectrometer, which tests a single LED, but this method doesn’t account for the total number of LEDs in a device. A device with densely packed LEDs provides more effective treatment and better energy output compared to one with fewer, sparsely placed LEDs. It's essential to choose a light therapy device with enough LEDs to ensure full coverage and efficient treatment within the recommended time.

 written by Charlotte Rycroft