Size and fit of TheraFace LED mask
Given all of the interest in the latest LED mask to launch, I thought I would share my thoughts on the latest LED device by TheraBody– The TheraFace LED Mask.
The company sent me the mask so that I could experience it for myself, but this review will be focused on the device’s key specs and my initial impressions and not the results from the mask (which I would expect to be similar to the results I have seen with other masks with similar key parameters).
To read more about the evidence behind LED devices and their impact on signs of aging, skin healing, inflammation, and more, check out this blog post.
To dig into the specifics of the TheraFace LED mask, I examination the available data on their website, and one of their blog posts as well as cross-referencing that information with the publically available FDA 510(k) premarket notification documentation (that is what I am reporting below because the blog appeared to have some incorrect information).
These wavelengths are all evidence-based and have a small variance, which is great.
Dose: Also, note that the dose is impacted by how many sessions you do. The numbers reported are all based on a 3 min. session. If you were to do a 6 or 9 min session, the dose would increase.
Does it get warm? With such a high irradiance, I wondered if the mask would get warm while using it (which people with melasma that gets exacerbated by heat may want to avoid). As I anticipated, it does get warm after 3 min. and if you continue on with the main program (which cycles through the red, red + NIR, and then blue–which I always skip) then it gets even warmer by the end. This is probably due to both the high irradiance and because there isn’t a nose or mouth hole, so your breath probably contributes to the heat.
The mask defaults to a 9 minute treatment that starts with the 3 minutes of the red wavelength, then 3 minutes of the red + NIR (this is what I use 99% of the time) and ends with 3 minutes of the blue wavelength. If you just wanted to do the red and NIR as I do, you can just toggle to the second setting by short pressing on the side button. (It would have been nice if it came with an app so that you could just select a specific setting).
Let’s talk about the inclusion of blue light. I know some people want a mask that has 415nm to help treat moderate acne. When an LED mask includes blue wavelengths alongside red and NIR, I think it is very important that it has a setting that allows people to only use red and NIR (which is what this mask does, so that is great). That makes it possible for people to primarily use the red + NIR setting (which has the most skin benefits) and to only use the blue setting sparingly. Other things to keep in mind about using the blue wavelength.
So basically, I am suggesting you use blue light sparingly and only when you really need it.
I don’t personally see the benefit of having the solo red setting… so I feel like that setting is a waste. If anything I would have appreciated if they offered a NIR only setting, but since NIR doesn’t emit any light I bet that they didn’t do that because wouldn’t think the mask was on and working.
Before we dive into the finer details, here’s a quick look at some other stats:
TheraFace brings a unique feature to the table – vibration therapy. It has three different pattern modes that are each 5 minutes. The mask has a total of 17 vibration motors focused around your eyes, browline, and scalp. (There are 3 on the top of the head, which I feel the least, 3 on each side of the temple area, and then 8 around the eyes).
The vibration honestly feels great. When you turn on the device it will start with the “Continuous” mode — I usually skip that one.
You can short press the vibration button to get to the next program, which is “Breathing” mode. This one is relaxing. You are supposed to use the vibrations to guide you through a breathing exercise where you breathe in for five seconds as the vibration intensity increases and then a high speed vibration is your cue to start to slowly exhale.
The last mode is the “Wave” treatment, which I like best. This one has sequential vibration patterns that move from face to head. It feels pretty damn relaxing.
The nice thing is that you can use the vibration therapy either alone or with LED therapy. While the mask will default to using wave mode with Red (because that is the first LED program), then breathing with Red + NIR, and continuous with Blue, you are able to toggle through to whichever mode you want to use with whichever LED wavelength you want.
This mask has a formed shape (like the Dr. Dennis Gross), lacking the flexibility that would have made it easy to treat other body parts apart from the face (I like how with flexible masks I can lay it flat on my chest, for example).
This is personal preference, but I also really appreciate how flexible LED masks, like Omnilux, store more discreetly because they lay flat. (I keep my LED max in a skinny 2 inch tall box that sits next the couch —where I always use the mask. keeping it nearby helps me use it more consistently.)
One nice thing is that the box that this comes in is really nice. So, if you are like me and you don’t want to display the make on your counter, you could keep it discreetly in the box.
The TheraFace comes cordless with removable eye shields — not groundbreaking, but it matches up to some of the best out there. And I have to say that this are the most comfortable eye shields out of all of the ones I have tried. A lot of eye shield make it feel like my eyes are going to bulge out of my head from the pressure.
The eye shields are a must when using Blue light because Blue light can be damaging to the eyes.
But they aren’t necessary for when you use the red or Red + NIR setting (unless you have light sensitivity). Red and NIR wavelengths are completely safe for the eyes and are even used in some optometry research.
My husband and I opt to not use the eye shields because we never use the Blue setting and just use the Red + NIR for a quick 3 minute treatment. The reason we don’t use the eye shields is (1) the light doesn’t bother us and (2) we want to treat the eyes and area around eyes. Quin gets eczema patches on his eyelids and red +NIR has really helped to reduce and calm those flair ups. With the eye shields in, the light isn’t able to hit that area for him.
Number of lights: While the company boasts about having “3x more lights than the leading mask competitor”, I’m not sold on this. Literature suggests that the number of lights is not a vital aspect; what truly matters are the irradiance and wavelength coverage.
Light Coverage: Not having a hole for the mouth may be a con for folks that want to be able to multi-task as in masking while sipping on a beverage or eating a snack. But for others they may like that the mouth is covered to really maximize lip coverage (although because of how lights reflects on the skin, you are still treating your lips with the masks that have holes for the mouth)
Pros
Cons
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View Comments
Would you recommend this over the omnilux?
It depends on your preferences, so I have presented the pros and cons so that folks can decide for themselves because I would recommend both as being high quality LED devices. For me personally, the Omnilux Men is my pick over this because it is flat and flexible (so I can use it on other parts of my body and store it more discretely). And while I enjoy the vibration therapy a lot, the size of the mask means I would have to put it further away from where I tend to use the mask (i.e, on my couch while I watch TV) and if something isn't convenient to access then I am less likely to use it consistently. And consistent use is what matters most. While a 6m in session is definitely nice (vs 10 min) it doesn't offset my strong preference for a flexible silicone LED mask over a hard shell one.
I’m curious based on this comment about the Omnilux Men, would you recommend the Omnilux Men over the regular Omnilux?
Yep-- I have an entire blog post talking about why I prefer the Men's over the Contour
I rather the vibration over convenience
My mom is 75 with more wrinkles than she likes, could she benefit from using a mask light this?
I wonder how much the vibration technology supports the LED Lights to do what is intended.
It doesn’t support the LED. it’s just an extra nice touch. But it doesn’t impact the LED’s benefits in either a good or bad way
So helpful thank you!
Hi Vanessa, thank you for the detailed information. Do you know the irradiance of Qure masks/neck/chest and have you reviewed or tried it? Also any info on the Numiere mask sold at Costco? Thank you!
Hi! I have reviewed the Qure mask in my main blog post (here: https://goalstogetglowing.com/2021/01/17/led-face-mask-research/) I will update the blog post later today with info about the Costco mask but the bottom line is that it is (unfortunately) not a good one.
Do the massage nodules that go against your face also block the light similarly like the eye shield does? Otherwise is the mask away from your face?
The massage nodules don't block light in the way that the eye shields do. because of the diode placement, your eye area is getting good coverage despite the nodules being in place. The eye shield stop from getting in your eyes and blocks light on a smaller area of the eye (mainly the eye socket/orbital bone) The only part of the mask that touches your face is the raised eye area
Thank you so much for the quick reply! I really appreciate it.
Is this definitely NIR and not Just IR? There is no mention of NIR on the website and I can't find any literature suggesting it's NIR? Thank you
Is it possible to use led with no massage? Thanks
Yes it is! You can turn off the massage
You state that you can't lay this on other parts of the body like the flat masks but you technically CAN just set it on your chest, right? Would it not be close enough to provide any benefit? I have the Therabody Mask (and like it) and I'm wondering if I could place it over my breasts to help with my scars from my recent lift. They are 4 months old and functionally healed but still very red and a bit tender. Thoughts?
thats valid-- yet you could lay it on your chest. As the distance from the skin to the mask increases, the lights ability to penetrate decreases. However, one thing the Therabody mask has going for it is that it has a high irradiance, so while its power will be reduced when it is further away from the skin, I would imagine it still has sufficient power to at least provide some benefits from the red and NIR for your scars.
Hi! Thank you so much for this informative blog! It is super helpful. ☺️ I am really torn between this Theraface mask and the Omnilux Men's one - I have some mild acne and hyperpigmentation so I would like to have a mask that offers the blue light function. But also using blue light seems somewhat risky as it can also cause hyperpigmentation and should not be used long-term. Based on the study mentioned in your other blog about the Omnilux Men's mask, red and IR light also might be able to fight acne causing bacteria, right? Also, it seems like the Omnilux mask is better researched and also the only one that's FDA approved (and not only FDA cleared), right?