I was first introduced to light therapy and its benefits nearly two years ago, and I've been a fan ever since! As a special treat I added it on as a facial treatment at the recommendation of my aesthetician, and now it's a must add for all my facial sessions. The benefits of light therapy for the skin has grown in popularity as more is learned about the use of light therapy in treating inflammation, skin irritation, promoting collagen production, killing acne bacteria, and even in enhancing mood and well being.
After my first LED light treatment, I felt as if my pores were staying clearer longer and my skin felt more vibrant. Sure a lot of this was due to 60 minutes of masks, steaming, and lavishing in dermatology grade skincare products, but what I noticed was that my breakouts healed more quickly during the days following the treatment.
LED Facials were usually my quarterly treat to myself, a blocked out time on my calendar to ensure I took some time for myself, but now we're in month 4 of lockdown-- and my skin was begging for a bit of TLC. I stumbled onto the DMH Aesthetics Light Shield while swiping through on Instagram. While there wasn't much information available at the time, as the Light Shield was on pre-order only, on a endorphin rush filled whim I preorder the mask from DMH cosmetics. I had been curious about purchasing an at home mask for a while, but the masks on the market looked like something out of a Marvel comic book, and I knew my kindergartener and husband would have jokes for days if I were to wear it around the house, so I hesitated buying one. When I saw the Light Shield was handsfree, had 3 light color modes, and had a chic 'of the future look' I immediately clicked buy without doing much research.
What is LED Light Therapy?
LED light therapy has been shown to fight acne and signs of aging through the use of varying wavelengths of light. Each color of light triggers the skin’s natural healing processes to repair the skin, and different wavelengths of light in LED lights, including blue and red, penetrate the skin at different depths.
LED light therapy has been used to treat skin problems, including:
acne
dermatitis
dull skin
eczema
psoriasis
rosacea
scarring
signs of aging, including wrinkles and age spots
sun damage
wound healing
other inflammatory skin conditions
LED light does not contain UV rays (which can be harmful to the skin), and it is believed that LED therapy is suitable for regular use. You should consult your GP, dermatologist, or aesthetician to learn more.
DMH Aesthetics Light Shield Initial Impressions
My first thoughts were on how lightweight the mask was, only slightly heavier than a standard pair of sunglasses. At first there is a slight chemical smell to the mask, but that has seemed to decrease with each wear. When I tried it on it seemed as though it had immediately heated up, I then realized it was being warmed by my breath (haha).
The DMH Lightshield has the following wavelengths:
"RED Light Therapy: (Wavelength between 620nm to 750nm) Used for its anti-aging benefits because of its ability to stimulate collagen and elastin production. Also believed to reduce cytokines, which cause inflammation." [recommended efficacy level for red light therapy is said to be 650-850 nm]
"BLUE Light Therapy: (Wavelength between 405nm to 420nm) Used for its anti-bacterial benefits and therefore used in acne treatment. This specific wavelength stimulates the production of oxygen radicals that kill P. Acnes bacteria (the acne-causing bacteria), without damaging the skin."
[recommended efficacy level for light therapy is said to be 402-420 nm]
"AMBER Light Therapy: (Wavelength of between 590nm to 620nm) Used to flush waste from the skin, boost lymphatic flow and increase cellular growth, aiding in cell-turnover, or production of new skin cells."
[recommended efficacy level for red light therapy is said to be 570nm to 620nm]
In an act of self care I turned on the blue light for 10 minutes followed by 5 minutes of red light, in keeping with my typical in office facial treatment. The mask comes pre-charged, and I was able to use the mask 3 times before requiring charging.
Initial Thoughts.
Pros: This is super lightweight and easy to use. It comes with 3 color modes and each is at the recommended wavelengths for efficacy. You can used this hands free, and you're not tethered to a wall which is a major plus. I can roam around and do some smalls tasks while getting the treatment. The mask recharges quickly, and there is good amount of battery time between recharging. After my first use, the next day my skin seemed more even and a few clogged pores opened up. Last plus, it's pretty. It looks just futuristic enough that my family only partly laughs at me as I bop from room to room. lol
Cons: The mask doesn't cover the full perimeter of your face. The mid cheek to ear area does not get as much direct light from the mask. Despite that, if you're wearing the mask in a dark room, I do believe there is enough residual light for that area to get exposure to light, but if doing this while watching TV I think it is likely less effective in that area. While this can be used to do handsfree tasks, (I unloaded the dishwasher while treating my skin = multitasking win!), I think to get the full benefits of the mask you'll need to sit in a dark room for a few minutes. The mask does steam up a bit from your breath, which is to be expected, but it does block a bit of your vision. The most concentrated light tends to be around the forehead and eye area, and less around the cheek area.
Overall I think this was a good buy. I don't think it will replace my regular LED treatments, but while we wait for the world to restore to some sort of normal this will be my small peace of luxuriating and self care...albeit the home addition. I'll do a follow up blog in a few weeks sharing an update on how my skin has responded.
