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I'll be the first to admit it; I kind of thought LED face masks were a bit of a fad. That was until The Light Salon's Boost LED Mask came into my life.
Sure, I'd seen plenty of before and after pics that accompany most beauty tools these days, but, forgive me for being human, I just assumed they were all a bit…embellished? Well, after getting my hands on one of the best and trying it out for six weeks, I can safely hold my hands up and say I was wrong.
Since coming off the contraceptive pill just over a year ago my skin has been put through the wringer – think severe hormonal acne, dryness and post-inflammatory pigmentation. I've been trying everything from the best retinol serums to even adjusting my diet in hopes of helping it, and while those things have definitely contributed to active spots and irritation, this device has truly worked wonders for my scarring and overall appearance.
The Light Salon Boost LED Mask specifications, at a glance:
- GLAMOUR star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
- Tested by: Georgia Trodd, GLAMOUR UK's Senior Commerce Writer.
- Tested for: 6 weeks. Read more about how we test here.
- Light types: Red and near-infrared.
- Skin concerns: Acne, redness, fine lines.
- Treatment modes: 1.
- Duration: 10 minutes.
- Recommended usage: 3-5 times per week.
- Reasons to buy: Comfortable, stays on during use, delivers on results.
- Reasons to avoid: Expensive, takes a few weeks to see results.
- Price: £395.
- Our verdict: “If you're looking for a boujee self-care treat then call off the search; this is it. It's no wonder Victoria Beckham loves it, my acne has vastly improved and my complexion looks like some life has been pumped back into it.”
Self-proclaimed as the original LED brand, The Light Salon began back in 2015 with their Collagen Boost Facial that made light therapy accessible to the masses. It became the go-to treatment for make-up artists and celebrities, and so founders Hannah Measures and Laura Ferguson decided to create the wearable Boost mask.
Clinically proven to trigger cellular renewal, transforming the complexion, 95% of people who have used the Boost LED Mask agree their fine lines appeared less visible and texture, redness and irritation improved in just four weeks – to which I concur. Don't just take our word for it, though, apparently it's Victoria Beckham's favourite too.
Product deep dive:
The Light Salon's Boost LED Mask comes in a nifty dust bag which, like the mask itself, can lay flat in any drawer and be safely transported when travelling. On the front of the dust bag you'll find slip pockets to store the charging cable (no, you don't need batteries for this – thank God), and controller, and inside you'll find the device's user manual.
Now for the interesting part. Where other brands offer masks with a broad spectrum of light colours, The Light Salon claims that “most of these are ineffective at making a visible difference to your skin.”
“Green wavelengths, for instance, penetrate poorly and are absorbed by melanin and superficial blood. They will not reach the dermis where the main cells for healing and rejuvenation are located, and therefore will not stimulate the production of collagen and elastin,” The Light Salon says.
“By contrast, longer wavelengths such as red 633nm and near-infrared 830nm,” which is what the brand uses, “do penetrate well, reach the dermis, and are clinically proven to be optimal wavelengths for skin health and rejuvenation.”
“Whether you have 99 or 199 bulbs in a device, if the wavelength is inaccurate or inconsistent, the light will not hit the targeted area and in turn, won’t have the desired effect on the skin and body. Precision wavelengths are everything,” says The Light Salon.
GLAMOUR Road Test: The routine
- Cleanse and pat dry your face as you would normally, but hold off adding any lotions or potions to your skin for now.
- If your eyes are sensitive to light, apply the eye shields.
- Secure the mask comfortably to your face using the adjustable straps at the top and back of the head.
- Attach the controller and switch it on by firmly pressing the button
- Relax. The device will automatically time out at the end of your treatment, and in the meantime you can sit and scroll on your phone or read a chapter of that new book you've been meaning to pick up for a while…
After your 10 minutes are up you can go about performing the rest of your skincare routine (i.e. serum, moisturiser and SPF if it's the daytime), and don't forget to clean your device by using a water-based wipe or damp clean cloth when required.
Can you use it after Botox, fillers or surgery?
Yes. LED will actually help to take down the swelling in a day, too, but bruising tends to take longer to treat. The best practice for that is to use the mask consistently for 2 days prior, as that will lessen your chances for bruising, and then continue for the week after.
GLAMOUR Road Test: The verdict
The Light Salon's Boost LED Mask is an investment device, there's no denying that. At £395 I can see why it's been dubbed as couture skincare – but my honest take? It's worth it. While I may need something a bit more chemical-grade to help with my older and more stubborn acne scars, I have definitely seen a vast improvement overall. My complexion is much less angry, and even the fine lines on my forehead have smoothed out.
The Light Salon offer everything from devices (for the face, neck, chest and body) to haircare, optimised skincare, and even salon treatments. As a bride-to-be, I've got my sights set on their Bridal Facial packages next…
GLAMOUR Road Test: TLDR
Let's recap…
What do you get? The Light Salon Boost LED Mask, control unit, power supply and country specific adaptors, 2x head straps, protective bag, eye wear.
What does it do? Stimulates collagen and elastin production cells, improves blood flow and tissue oxygenation.
How do you use it? Wear over clean, make-up free skin. Firmly press the button until the lights turn on and wait for the mask to turn off automatically after 10 minutes.
How often should you use? 3-5 times a week or daily if preferred.
Is it worth it? It's comfortable and easy to use and shows good results with consistency, but it is one of the more expensive options in our best LED face masks edit.
For more from GLAMOUR UK's Senior Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd.
