illuMask Anti-Acne Light Therapy Mask: A Product Overview
While the illuMask Anti-Acne Light Therapy Mask doesn’t seem to be available for purchase anymore, it used the science of light therapy to target acne. Its sister product, the illuMask Anti-Aging Light Therapy Mask, is still available for sale on several retail sites and may offer similar benefits.
Below we’ll look at what happened to the illuMask Anti-Acne Light Therapy Mask, how it worked, and what its status is today.
What Happened to the illuMask Anti-Acne Light Therapy Mask?
The illuMask Anti-Acne Light Therapy Mask was an LED light therapy mask first released by beauty startup La Lumiere in 2014. The mask sold in numerous popular retail outlets such as Target and Walmart at a very affordable price point.
It’s difficult to find an illuMask Anti-Acne Light Therapy Mask today because the product is no longer in development. In 2015, Johnson & Johnson acquired all of La Lumiere’s assets, and the company liquidated directly afterward. Johnson & Johnson upgraded the illuMask Anti-Acne Light Therapy Mask to reduce the length of time users had to wear it and relaunched it under its Neutrogena brand as the Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask.
How Did the illuMask Anti-Acne Light Therapy Mask Work?
The illuMask Anti-Acne Light Therapy Mask used specialized light therapy to target facial acne. Let’s take a more in-depth look at how that works.
How Light Therapy Works
Light therapy is a medical treatment that shines specific wavelengths of light on the body to cause particular beneficial effects. Light therapy usually refers to treatment in a medical spa, physician’s office, or at home with a home-use device that uses light emitting diodes (LEDs) to shine wavelengths of red, blue, green, or full-spectrum light on the body.
Light therapy is widely used to treat skin conditions like acne, scars, and acne wrinkles. The primary colors of light used to treat acne are red light and blue light.
How Red Light Therapy Works on Acne
Red light therapy works on and below the surface of the skin, repairing damaged tissues, reducing inflammation, and rejuvenating the skin at a cellular level. It can improve the healing of current acne outbreaks and lessen the appearance of existing acne scars.
Researchers have conducted numerous studies on the efficacy and safety of red light therapy for acne. In general, they report that red light therapy is both safe and effective for treating acne.
How Blue Light Therapy Works on Acne
Numerous studies have shown that blue light effectively works against a wide range of pathogens. In addition to fighting mold and fungi, blue light also inactivates many kinds of bacteria, including P. acnes, the primary bacteria that causes acne.
Combination Red and Blue Light Therapy for Acne
The illuMask Anti-Acne Light Therapy Mask used a combination of red and blue light therapy to fight acne.
Red light therapy is effective against acne in many ways but doesn’t possess the antimicrobial qualities of blue light therapy. As a result, red and blue light work well together to treat acne. Red light promotes healing and calms inflammation, while blue light kills inflammation-causing bacteria. Evidence also shows that combined light therapy may reduce oil production in the skin, preventing future breakouts.
This 2013 study and an earlier 2008 study showed that combined blue and red light therapy effectively and safely reduce both inflammatory and noninflammatory acne.
Studies like this one specifically evaluate light therapy masks. They consistently show that light therapy masks are safe, effective, and even perform better and with fewer side effects than topical treatments like benzoyl peroxide. Clinical results using the illuMask Anti-Acne Light Therapy Mask also showed excellent outcomes in improved skin and reduced acne.
Current Status of the illuMask Anti-Acne Light Therapy Mask
While the illuMask company no longer exists and it is difficult to find the illuMask Anti-Acne Light Therapy Mask, a few of their products still sell on sites like Amazon or eBay. The illuMask Anti-Aging Light Therapy Mask is the main product still in circulation.
The illuMask Anti-Aging Light Therapy Mask is one of many handheld light therapy devices available for at-home skin treatments.
Features of the illuMask Anti-Aging Light Therapy Mask
The illuMask’s product description states that it reduces wrinkles, improves skin tone and texture, and produces smoother, clearer, and more radiant skin in 15 minutes of use per day.
Even though this device was developed for rejuvenating aging skin, it still appears on Amazon’s “Acne Clearing Devices” bestseller list. The illuMask also has an incredibly low price, which is one of its biggest selling points.
User Reviews of the illuMask Light Therapy Mask
Results seem to be mixed for users of the illuMask Anti-Aging Light Therapy Mask.
Positive Reviews
The Amazon listing for this product has many positive reviews. Reviewers state that this product is easy to use, fulfills its promises about fighting aging, and targets fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes. One 2016 reviewer also mentioned that the illuMask greatly helped to reduce her acne.
Negative Reviews
As with any product, there are also negative reviews. Some reviewers complain that they haven’t seen changes in their skin. Most of the negative reviews, however, appear related to quality control. Some people have received broken or incomplete devices or devices that stopped working after some use.
Always Consult With Your Doctor
It’s important to always speak with your doctor before you begin a new medical treatment. You should also be sure to tell your doctor about any medications you may be taking, especially prescription medication for acne. Some acne medications can cause photosensitivity, which could lead to unexpected side effects from light therapy.
You should also consult your doctor before you stop taking any prescription acne medications and swap them out for a facemask device like the illuMask Anti-Acne Light Therapy Mask or other similar products.