Does a home mask add to a serum routine?

How the study worked

Forty-eight adults were split into equal groups. Both used a hyaluronic acid product for four weeks. One group also used a home mask with 660 nm red and 850 nm near-infrared light.

Researchers used imaging and skin measurements to assess folds, jowls, chin firmness, pores, flaking and skin density.

The results

Both groups improved across the measured areas. The mask-plus-serum group improved sooner and by more than the serum-only group.

The authors said the mask could be used daily at home and added to the topical product’s effect.

What is still unclear

There was no sham mask, so participants knew which treatment they had. The trial lasted only four weeks. Some authors worked for a company that makes LED masks.

What to take from this

The mask group improved more, but this short study had no sham mask and included authors linked to a mask maker.

Devices that list similar light

One of the 5 masks in the comparison list a wavelength in every band used here (red near 660 nm and near-infrared near 850 nm). They are examples, listed alphabetically, each with our specification page and the manufacturer’s own product page. Related devices are examples, not evidence that a study tested that retail model.

• Dr. Renú SpectraLift Advanced465 · 530 · 630–660 · 850 nm · Dr. Renú product page

Matching a wavelength is not the same as matching the study. Dose, irradiance, session length and schedule also differ, and a mask’s reported output is not independently measured. See how dose works and home vs clinic doses.