Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1539961
96 ASCP Skin Deep Autumn 2025 IT'S A RARE OCCASION WHEN YOU ENGAGE in your nightly doomscroll and you don't see some iteration of a person wearing an at-home LED light therapy mask. Maybe they're relaxing in their bed, they're cocooned in an at-home sauna blanket, or they're multitasking by masking and reading a book at the same time. Social media wants to convince you to buy an at-home LED device and that you need to buy it now. But how legitimate are these devices, and do they stack up to the devices you use in the treatment room to complement a facial? ASCP Skin Deep consulted Brian Goodwin, education development lead at Éminence Organic Skin Care, to shed some light on this trend of at-home light therapy. THE GOOD LED light therapy in general is a great treatment for a variety of skin conditions: acne, inflammation, signs of aging. These at-home devices have the potential to preserve the work you do for these concerns. "It's a great in-between maintenance strategy that keeps skin in a more consistent healing and rejuvenation cycle," Goodwin says. "When clients use them regularly, they can reduce flare-ups, support collagen stimulation, and extend the posttreatment glow." BEHIND THE TREND At-Home LED Devices Investigating the good and bad of this viral fad by Jen Anderson THE BAD That's not to say at-home LED devices are a one-to-one comparison. "In-spa LED devices are in an entirely different league. Professional systems are typically FDA-cleared, medical-grade, and deliver higher energy output with more precise wavelengths, which means deeper penetration and faster, more targeted results," Goodwin says. There are also some purchasing details you should warn your clients about. There's a potential for poorly made devices to not deliver results or even cause harm by overheating. "With the sheer number of inexpensive LED gadgets and masks sold online (especially on platforms like Amazon), you have to wonder if the device delivers the claimed wavelength or intensity," he says. THE CONCLUSION Your clients might be ready to get their own device for at-home use. As the professional, it's your job to promote safe decision-making. Goodwin suggests three discussion points: • Device quality—Recommend they look for FDA clearance, reputable brands, and clinical testing. GETTY IMAGES • Proper use and frequency—Tell them to follow manufacturer guidelines exactly. Overuse won't speed results and can stress the skin. • Eye protection—Always recommend wearing the provided goggles or shields, especially with red or near- infrared light. For the clients who aren't ready to invest in an at-home device or in-spa LED light therapy services, you can recommend changes to their in-spa services and at-home skin care routines. "Think about antioxidant-rich serums, professional-grade exfoliation to help actives penetrate, and home-care routines that include ingredients like Hungarian paprika, niacinamide, peptides, and vitamin C," Goodwin says. Goodwin suggests encouraging clients to view at-home LED light therapy as a supplement rather than a substitute for the care you provide them. They can hit "add to cart" as long as they know the device will get them only so far.