5 LED masks to upgrade your beauty routine - including the one Lee Min-ho used

Use light therapy to give your skin a glowy, healthy boost

Credit: SBS
Credit: SBS
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If you've ever been to a facial salon or aesthetician, you know that light therapy is one of the treatments they offer. This method employs different wavelengths of light to increase collagen production, calm redness and inflammation and generally help with anything from acne to signs of ageing.

But if you're looking for some pampering at home and to give your beauty routine an upgrade, pick up a LED mask. These portable devices give you similar results at the comfort and safety of your own home. They've also been seen in the popular Korean drama The King: Eternal Monarch, where Lee Min-ho and Jung Eun-chae have been spotted using them to achieve their flawless mien. Ahead, we take a look at the exact product they used and the alternatives you can consider.

Lee Min-ho in The King: Eternal Monarch

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With its Iron Man-like design, we reckon that this LED mask used by Lee Min-ho will also catch men's fancy. Good news though, this LED mask is actually sold in Singapore (but more on that later). The black and gold colourway looks sleek and modern and detracts from the usual ones we find in the market.

Jung Eun-chae in The King: Eternal Monarch

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In the show, Jung Eun-chae, who plays the prime minister Koo Seo-ryeong, also uses an LED mask during her rest time to sneak in a little extra help for her skin. This white and gold iteration is actually the same model as Lee's but we reckon the colourway imparts a softer, more feminine vibe.

LED Mask Platinum Black Edition, $2,646.11 from Cellreturn

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Loved by both Lee and Jung's characters, this model is said to be a new upgraded model. Besides the snug fit, the LED mask also features a whole host of skin-benefiting technology.

For one, it employs near-infrared light to penetrate deeper into the skin layers, which helps to stimulate cells, slow signs of ageing and impart a tightening effect.

In addition, even if you're not the ruler of a kingdom, you lead full, busy lives where time is precious. For such instances, you can use the Fast mode for an intensive nine-minute light therapy. To achieve long-term goals, use the mask daily for 20 minutes, with red, blue or pink light settings to target different concerns.

Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro, $709 from Sephora

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This LED mask has two colour modes. Red light stimulates collagen production and reduces the damage caused by the sun. Blue light, on the other hand, targets bacteria to improve blemishes and prevent future breakouts.

Usage is simple too - just wear the mask for three minutes each day. After two weeks, it is touted to reduce skin inflammation and the appearance of fine lines.

In addition, the white and rose gold colour pairing is elegant and sophisticated. The eyes aren't covered so you are able to do the mask while you fiddle with your phone or do housework - perfect for multi-taskers or those who get claustrophobic.

Pra.L Derma LED Mask, $1,349 from LG

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Highly raved about in South Korea, this LG mask has 120 LED lights that are strategically placed for maximum anti-ageing efficacy. Red LED and infrared are used in tandem to penetrate into the depths of the skin to achieve beautifying results.

Wear this mask for nine minutes every day over a span of six weeks and it is said to achieve results including reduced pore size and greater skin elasticity.

Charging is simple too as it uses a USB type-C cable, with a single full charge giving you seven days of use. Another feature we need to mention is that though this appears to be a mask you can't see through, the gold stripe along the eyes is actually made with see-through material. As such, you will not be confined to the bed while giving your face a boost.

The Light Salon Boost Advanced LED Light Therapy Face Mask, US$576.84 (S$) from Net-a-Porter

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This mask is said to be loved by Victoria Beckham and Alexa Chung. It has 98 LEDs that emit red and near-infrared waves. The former is said to boost collagen production and even out skin complexion while the latter is able to reach deeper into the skin and boost the efficacy of your skincare product.

This mask also has a unique hook-ear mechanism that allows for greater security and comfort

Anti-acne Light Therapy Phototherapy Mask, $55 from Neutrogena

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For those who are watching their budgets, there are high-street alternatives you can pick up too. The Neutrogena mask is fitted with 12 bacteria-eliminating blue light bulbs and nine red light that can calm and soothe angry breakouts, perfect for those who are acne-prone.

Use it for 10 minutes a day and you should see visible results in a week. Another thing worth mentioning is the plastic lenses. These are specially made to reduce glare and discomfort from the light but it still can be seen through so you can continue to multi-task.

Each mask is controlled by the remote control, which limits the use to 30 uses, batteries not included. The bulbs can be used for 720 times, so you can replace the remote to continue using the mask.



This article first appear in NUYOU; Translation by Ho Guo Xiong.

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