LEDTranslatedA clearer view of light.

How to read LED mask specifications.

LED face mask specifications describe the light a device emits, not how well it works. Wavelength (nm) says which colours are used, LED count says how many emitters are reported, and irradiance (mW/cm²) says how much optical power reaches a surface under the brand’s own, often unstated, conditions.

Updated · Applies to all 10 masks in the comparison

Wavelength (nm)

The colour of light, in nanometres. On this site, blue is 400–499 nm, green 500–569 nm, yellow 570–619 nm, red 620–699 nm and near-infrared 700 nm or above. Near-infrared is not visible as colour. Brands usually publish a nominal wavelength; actual LEDs emit a spread around it, and some brands also publish measured peaks.

In the comparison, eight of ten masks list near-infrared and seven list blue light. See the wavelength map

LED count

The number of light-emitting diodes reported by the manufacturer. Some brands count multi-chip bulbs differently from single LEDs, so the same physical design can be described with different totals. A higher count does not establish more even coverage, higher output or better results.

Reported counts range from 100 to 750 across the ten masks.

Irradiance (mW/cm²)

Optical power arriving per square centimetre of surface, usually given in milliwatts per square centimetre. It depends on distance from the LEDs, mode, wavelength mix, pulsing (duty cycle) and where it was measured. Brands rarely publish these conditions, so figures from different brands are not a laboratory comparison.

Six of the ten masks have a published figure, from 13.23 to 103.1 mW/cm². CurrentBody Series 3, Dr. Dennis Gross FaceWare Pro, Shark CryoGlow and Therabody Mask Glo had no numeric irradiance on the checked page.

Dose or fluence (J/cm²)

Energy delivered per square centimetre over a session. For constant output it is irradiance multiplied by time: mW/cm² × seconds ÷ 1000 gives J/cm². Because irradiance conditions differ by brand and mode, LED Translated does not calculate a dose for each mask.

Session duration

The treatment time the manufacturer recommends for one use. It may vary by programme or mode. Longer sessions are not inherently better; follow the device’s manual and use limits.

FDA cleared

In the US, a 510(k) clearance means the FDA found a device substantially equivalent to a legally marketed predicate device for a stated use. It is different from FDA approval, and it does not compare one cleared device with another. Claims here keep their source status, such as “manufacturer claim” or “as reported by LED Mask Specs”.

CE and UKCA marking

A declaration that a product meets the EU (CE) or Great Britain (UKCA) rules that apply to it. A mask may be CE marked as consumer electronics (for example under the Low Voltage and RoHS directives) rather than as a medical device under the EU Medical Device Regulation. The marking alone does not describe performance.

Reference price

A price seen in a named source on a given date, kept in its original currency. Reference prices are not current offers, are not converted between currencies, and may include older baseline figures that were not revalidated.

Related: evidence by wavelength · home vs clinic LED dose · FDA claims across the ten masks · research explained

This guide explains terms; it is not medical advice. Follow each device’s manual, including eye protection and contraindications, and consult a qualified clinician about suitability.