This LED Face Mask Saved Me Thousands of Dollars on In-Office Treatments

When I'm not busy thinking about why so many men are obsessed with the Roman Empire (no, seriously, what's wrong with them?), I'm usually thinking about my skin. Whether it's because I'm having a breakout (curse you, hormonal acne!) or I'm noticing yet another wrinkle (is it time for Botox yet?), my skin is on my brain fairly often. I have a pretty solid skin-care routine, I drink a ton of water, and I'm always trying out wacky new treatments that promise an eternal glow. Basically, I'm willing to do anything or try anything in the name of good skin.

So I'm sure it's no surprise to hear that I use an LED face mask regularly. For the unfamiliar, LED (light-emitting diode) therapy is a treatment originally developed by NASA that utilizes different wavelengths of light, like red and blue, to combat concerns like signs of aging and acne. When I heard that Therabody was developing its own, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I'm already a huge fan of the brand's TheraFace (it basically got me through my last breakup), and its eye mask is also a huge hit in my household. (And yes, it is a household of one.)

Keep scrolling to read my full review of the Therabody TheraFace Mask ($599) and find out why it's become part of my everyday beauty routine.

Therabody TheraFace Mask

From

$599

$599 at Therabody

The first time I opened this product, I thought someone had sent me an early Halloween costume. The mask resembles something you'd see in a horror movie, but trust me, it's anything but. Yes, it's large, but there's a reason. Not only does it feature a whopping 648 medical-grade LED lights around the face, but it also contains vibration motors around the eyes and the top and back of the head. I've tested several LED masks, but none relaxes me quite like this one.

The fact that it comes with protective eye shields is a major upgrade. I've always been a little nervous about using LED masks with my eyes open, especially since in-office treatments often involve a pair of protective goggles. This is the first mask I've tested that makes eye care a priority, which is huge.

Although the mask is big, it isn't uncomfortable, and I've found that I can kick back and watch TV comfortably or lie down in bed without experiencing any issues. The fact that I can see through it also makes it easy to use while working, and I love a product that makes it possible to multitask.

The brand recommends using the mask with clean, dry skin. If you opt to use the included eye shield, you can keep your eyes open, otherwise, you should keep them closed during the treatment. After adjusting the mask to fit your face, you can either turn on just the vibration mode with the "H" button or the LED and vibration mode with the "G" button. You can then choose whether to do a nine-minute treatment that cycles through red light, red and infrared light, and blue light; one singular three-minute treatment; or a combination of your choice.

The brand notes that head vibration only accompanies the blue-light treatment, while face and head vibration accompanies red and red and infrared treatments. Also, its website states that the best results were seen when users completed the nine-minute treatment once a day for six days a week.

I like to use the mask first thing in the morning when I wake up, running through the entire nine-minute cycle. Occasionally, I use it at night either on the red-light mode with vibration or just vibration on its own because it helps calm me down before sleeping. When I use just vibration, the treatment time is 15 minutes.

My absolute and only gripe with this product is that it's freaking huge, especially in comparison to other LED face masks I've tried. I get that it has to be a bit bigger because of the massage capabilities, but I live in a tiny one-bedroom apartment that seriously lacks storage space, and it's been difficult finding a spot to house this product. It comes with a cool display stand, but because it so closely resembles Jason's mask from "Halloween," I don't love leaving it on my nightstand where it's visible. I get spooked easily.

While this product isn't the priciest option on the market (there are a few well over $3,000), it's certainly up there. However, it's also one of the only LED face masks that offer massaging vibration therapy in addition to light therapy. Plus, an in-office LED light treatment can cost you anywhere from $30-$85 depending on where you live, so after fewer than 10 uses, this product essentially pays for itself. Girl math at its finest. (Or is that just regular math?)

The Therabody TheraFace Mask is available directly from Therabody as well as Bloomingdale's, Best Buy, and Neiman Marcus.

Rating: ★★★★★