Love the red light mask overview and information

This post is sponsored by Ulike.

I did a deep dive into the science behind the red light a while back. Since then, I have been trying many products and Like ReGlow LED mask (use code MUFFIN for $100 off) it was one of my favorites so far. It has great specs, and user-friendly design features that make it easy for me to use it regularly – essential for getting the most out of home devices.

I also took pictures of my face while using the mask for 32 days, with small changes throughout my process – the changes were amazingly visible!

Important features

• The waves are waves: Red (630 nm), NIR (830 nm), Blue (465 nm), Yellow (590 nm)
• Modes and capacity: Recommended 3 times a week, 5 to 16 minutes per session
  • Light mode: Red + NIR + Yellow (20 mW/cm²) – 5 min
  • Strong mode: Red + NIR (40 mW/cm²) – 8 min
  • Regeneration mode: Red + Yellow (40 mW/cm²) – 8 min
  • Clear mode: Blue + Red + NIR (30 mW/cm²) – 5 min
• Lights: 272 in total (68 of each color)
• Weight: 404 g (mask + straps)
• Details: Rigid mask with mirrored lights, protective headband, built-in eye shield
• Battery/controller: Removable, 3.7 V, 2600 mAh battery, rechargeable via USB-C (3 hours charging time, 40 minutes battery life)
• FDA cleared (510(k) market notification, equivalent to predicate devices): safe and effective for the treatment of full-face wrinkles and the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne
• Available on the Ulike site (use code MUFFIN for $100 off) or Amazon

Wavelengths and modes

Ulike ReGlow has 4 wavelengths (colors) of LEDs. Like many of the highest quality masks on the market, it has the most common and best-tested red and infrared wavelengths (at 630 and 830 nm) that can penetrate deep into the dermis to heal and repair, increase collagen and elastin, and reduce inflammation. In addition, it has blue LEDs (465 nm) for acne mode (but this has a high risk of causing hyperpigmentation), and yellow LEDs (590 nm) are less studied, but may be better absorbed by the blood and may help with redness.

These wavelengths are combined into 4 different modes, which target more skin concerns than standard red light masks. You can mix and match these methods based on what your skin needs. He recommends using 1-2 methods each time (a total of 8 to 20 minutes), not exceeding a total of 20 minutes per session.

• Glow (Red + NIR + Yellow, total 20 mW/cm²): skin discoloration and uneven skin tone
• Strong (Red + NIR, total 40 mW/cm²): anti-aging (fine lines and firmness)
• Stimulate (Red + Yellow, total 40 mW/cm²): to calm redness and make the skin firmer
• Clear (Blue + Red + NIR, total 30 mW/cm²): to identify acne

Auto-off is set to 5 minutes for Glow and Clear mode, and 8 minutes for Firm and Rejuvenate modes.

There are 68 spots containing one LED of each color, for a total of 272 LEDs. They are evenly spaced inside the mask. There is a mirror area that supports each area, and between all the spots, to distribute the light and increase the amount that ends up on the skin (they want 77.4% of the maximum light).

Design

In my opinion, the best thing about this mask is the design. Ulike has been making at-home IPL hair removal devices for over a decade, and it sounds like their experience making those translates into this mask. I didn’t think the design would make that much of a difference, but once I started using the super red light mask, I quickly changed my mind!

With red light masks, you really need to use them regularly (several times a week) to see the benefits. I’m not good at sticking to using products consistently, so it can be a real challenge to force myself to use a mask that feels uncomfortable, needs to be wiped off after use, and forces me to sit still and close my eyes. But this is the most comfortable, easy-to-use mask I’ve tried so far.

Most masks need to be attached to your head with a few velcro straps. This has a pointed headband that you adjust once, then place it on your head each time after that. No more adjustments are needed and it takes half a second.

It feels very secure when it’s on – I can walk around and do most normal tasks with it. Although it’s heavier than a standard red light switch mask, the headband makes it feel light.

A built-in eye shield is great for blocking light – while red and undertones should be safe, blue light can be harmful to some people’s eyes, and light really limits what you can do during treatment. The shield also helps protect the mask from your head, and keeps the lights away from the skin (about 1 cm). There is no nose or mouth hole in this mask, but I found the gap big enough to breathe, and I didn’t experience any heat build-up.

What I like about most hard masks is that you don’t need to wipe the inside each time to avoid risking breakage. While giving up skin contact, for me it’s worth it, and I got a dark spot by pressing the LED too hard on my skin in front (I tightened the flexible mask too much).

It also feels sturdy and solidly built – I’m not smart, so I worry about accidentally breaking the connections on flexible masks.

Before and after pictures

I’ve mostly been using the Light and Hard modes. My skin is prone to hyperpigmentation, so I avoid treating it with blue light.

I have to admit, I was skeptical that there would be enough changes to see them in the photos, but I took them anyway just in case. Halfway through the trial period I also got a big pimple on my cheek, which only happens once a year or so.

Here are Days 1, 18 and 32 of using Light Mode for 5 minutes 3 times a week, and Hard Mode about once a week:

I was really impressed with the reduction in redness, especially around my nose – my skin has been very sensitive lately, and although I know some people say it helps with this, this really cleared it up for me.

Clinical studies

Ulike has also conducted some clinical studies through an independent testing lab (SGS Guangzhou). There were several parameters measured, including:

Study 1: 32 Asian women (aged 32 to 45), 28 days – 6 treatments per week, 10 minutes each Glow and Firm method

• 14% increase in skin gloss
• 9% improvement in skin elasticity
• Reduction of wrinkle area: crow’s feet (10%), lower wrinkles (20%), forehead wrinkles (10%), nasolabial wrinkles (5%), glabella wrinkles (8%)

Study 2: 34 Asian women with sensitive skin (aged 21-35), 28 days – 6 treatments per week, 10 minutes each for Rejuvenation and Clarity methods

• 26% increase skin hydration
• 23% reduced skin sebum
• 9% reduced skin tone*
• 4% reduced the melanin content of the skin
• 38% reduced acidity (lactic acid)
• 13% reduced skin redness (dermatologist test)
• Less than 20% acne lesions (dermatologist examination)

Consumer perception scores were pretty similar across the board: 97% of users saw reduced forehead lines, less acne, fewer wrinkles and smoother skin, and less redness.

I was very impressed with the noticeable changes after only 4 weeks, which made sense as there was a noticeable difference in my skin with the more intensive treatment regimen in 4 weeks as well. It was also interesting to see that Clear Mode with blue light led to a decrease in melanin in (I think) mostly Southern Chinese subjects, which is where my family is from.

Overall, I’m really impressed with this mask – and the results are surprisingly noticeable on my skin, I really like the convenient design which removes a lot of friction when it comes to sticking to using it.

The Ulike ReGlow mask is available on the Ulike website (you can use code MUFFIN for $100 off) or Amazon.

This post is sponsored by Ulike, however the content is all based on my independent research and my honest knowledge. For more information, see the Disclosure Policy and sponsorship information.