After my foray into red light therapy, I thought it was worth checking out some of the other options. I’m fortunate that thus far I haven’t had much need for blue light (for treating acne among other things)…but green light – that’s right up my alley.
Green light refers to visible light waves longer than 480 nm (nanometers) and shorter than 570 nm. Green light is purported to reduce hyperpigmentation (good bye sunspots and melasma!) and it helps soothe the skin. Green light penetrates a few millimeters into the skin which can get below the outer (epidermis) layer and start to impact the inner layer (dermis). It reduces melanin production which eventually results in less discoloration and brighter skin.
I did a bunch of research, both scientific papers and consumer reviews, before settling on Dermalight. It’s neither the cheapest nor the most expensive version on the market.
Though in an interesting twist MANY of them both look the same AND come in the same colored box! The only visible difference is the logo on the top of the yellow box with white top and bottom. This makes me suspect they are all manufactured in the same factory some place – pure conjecture! While I was writing this piece, I discovered that Dermalight has possibly gone out of business during the pandemic. The link I’ve included below is apparently the company that took over their product shipment. If it matters to you, this product IS sourced from China.
The Dermalight mask was particularly interesting to me because it has a neck/chest piece that attaches (or detaches) from the face mask. I’m generally a believer that more is better (though sometimes it really is just more), and I hadn’t treated my neck/chest before so I thought perhaps it was a more “untouched” canvas to review results.
How I Used It
I committed to using it daily for 15 minute cycles for 30 days. After I assessed progress, I would continue to use it for another 30 days. I started with the mask on July 6th.
During this time, I did not change my skincare routine so I didn’t introduce any new factors. I used vitamin C and glycolic acid moisturizer in the morning and tretinoin (generic retin A) at night. I did suspend my use of the red light mask during this time simply for practicality.
Bottom Line
Who puts the bottom line in the middle? Me. I don’t always love being left hanging and your time is valuable. I want you to be able to decide if you are curious enough to continue reading!
Do I think it works? Yes. I see noticeable VISIBLE differences in my skin. I think my melasma (hyperpigmentation) is lighter which makes my skin much brighter. I asked for a subjective second opinion and George said he thinks my skin is visibly brighter.
For the record I did NOT give him any of the words!
I wish I had thought to take a formal before:after of the visible improvement, and since I plan to continue using it (adding back in my red light therapy), perhaps I will for a 90 day check in.
Invisible Impact (UV Exposure)
I was mostly fascinated at the time on what impact it would have UNDER the skin. That is, using our new UV camera, could we assess any changes in the “invisible” pigmentation in my skin?
Judge for yourselves.
Before 
After
Before 
After
Before 
After
Before 
After
I think the hyperpigmentation lightened over 60 days but it’s certainly far from gone. The “invisible” hyperpigmentation we can see with a UV camera is much more dramatic than what you can see with a naked eye. I don’t notice much change in neck/chest but the light glare in the photos isn’t helping show the details.
Huge thanks to my photographer IG:@mobtowngeorge! I can’t do these without him and one day we will align on what I mean by comparison photos!
CONS
- Comfort Level – It hurts. The treatment is painless. I just find the eye cups on the mask (designed to protect your eyes from light exposure) are uncomfortable. George will attest that I fairly routinely said “I almost hope this doesn’t work so I don’t have to keep using it.” Well – you already know it will stay in my beauty regime rotation.
- Warning Label – It has a warning to use a grounded surge suppressor to avoid electrocution. That may be legalese they felt they needed to add, but I’ll admit, it added to my general concern.
- Wired – It is not battery powered so you have to stay still and tethered to a plug. In fairness I’m not sure how mobile you can be in a full LED face (and chest) mask but I always prefer the option to be mobile.
- Lack of Product Documentation – I know everything is online these days (and you can search for the documentation on the site) but I still prefer the printed copy to come with the device. I’m old fashioned that way.
- Flicker Option – I can’t find any documentation on what this is for or why you’d want to use it. I did NOT try it.
- Brightness Option – Again there isn’t anything in documentation about this. I gather from looking at other (identical!) products that it helps with intensity but I wasn’t able to determine if more was better, or not. I did NOT use this setting either.
- Removable Electrodes – These are included in the package but there is no documentation I can find online about what the intended use is.
- Head Strap – In my opinion the headstrap isn’t comfortable enough to wear for the treatment time or stand up and walk around (read the Wired part above!). Fortunately I prefer to lay down and use it for a little R&R time so I don’t use it.
PROS
- Seven LED Colors – This mask has seven (7) unique LED colors. There’s not much research I’ve found on yellow, purple, cyan, or white. However, light therapy is in its infancy in many ways AND the benefits of red, blue, and green light has scientific backing.
- Treatment Time – The device itself will accept treatments from 1 – 30 minutes. I used 15 but you have the freedom to tailor your treatment time.
- Neck Mask – It has a separate neck mask which is a large part of what made this one stand out for me. Bonus – it’s detachable if you don’t feel you need it! You can even use it alone – which is what I’m going to try for red light (for a separate review) since none of my other light tech toys have this capability.
- Eye Shields – You’re not hallucinating. These were also in my con list. However, some people are concerned about light exposure damaging your eyes. From everything I could find, dermatologist feel that with normal blinking, you’re just fine. But better safe than sorry, so I appreciate that it’s one less worry even though I think they could stand to be a bit more comfortable. Maybe I really am just a delicate flower…lol.
- Fit – This is a one-size fits all masks and unless you put it on a small child (don’t put it on a small child!) I’d wager it would fit every adult. I have a fairly average sized face and it’s roomy on me. It even fits George’s “cabeza grande”. There are slightly articulated “wings” that allow the mask to mold to your face shape a little.
- Shareable – This is not the priciest beauty technology out there…not by a long shot. But if you have someone else in your house who could benefit from one or more of the colors, you can easily share it. Just wipe it down in between uses.
I will continue to use it, perhaps I’ll increase the brightness setting to see if that has any positive effect, and check in another 30 days from now. I can only tell you that the brightness setting on max (8) makes the mask get hot, though not uncomfortably so, at 15 minutes.
Any other variations of light therapy with this mask that you’d like me to check out for you?
Please note I purchased this product for review with my own money and have not been compensated for this review in any manner. My opinions are my own. My selection of the Dermalight mask was also solely determined by my own research.
