If you've just picked up an LED face mask, the mode buttons can feel cryptic. Red, infrared, amber, blue, and combinations of them — each colour is a different wavelength of light, and each is studied for a different purpose. Here's a plain-English breakdown so you can pick the right mode with confidence.
Red light (around 630 nm)
The most researched wavelength in at-home skincare. Red light is absorbed near the surface of the skin and is commonly used in routines aimed at the appearance of fine lines and overall radiance. It's the mode most people reach for as their everyday default.
Near-infrared light (around 830 nm)
Infrared is invisible to the eye and penetrates deeper than red light. It's often paired with red light — many masks offer a combined Red + Infrared mode — to support the look of firmness and skin vitality. If your mask has a combined setting, that's usually the one to use a few times a week.
Amber light (around 590 nm)
Amber, sometimes called yellow light, is used in routines focused on the appearance of an even tone and reducing the look of redness. It's a gentle, comfortable mode that pairs well as a finishing step.
Blue light (around 415 nm)
Blue light is the mode associated with blemish-prone skin — it targets the surface bacteria linked to breakouts. Because it works on a different concern than red and infrared, many people alternate: blue on the days their skin needs it, red and infrared the rest of the week.
Mixed modes
A Red + Blue or full-spectrum "mixed" setting combines wavelengths so you don't have to choose. It's a convenient all-rounder, though targeted single modes give you more control if you have a specific goal.
Which mode should you start with?
For most people: Red + Infrared three to five times a week as the foundation, and blue on the days you're managing breakouts. Sessions of 10–30 minutes are typical, and consistency matters far more than any single session.
The honest truth is that LED light therapy builds results over weeks, not days — most people notice changes in texture and tone somewhere between four and eight weeks of regular use.
For cosmetic use. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant or have a medical or light-sensitive condition, consult your clinician before use.