Is Your LED Mask Secretly Sabotaging Your Melasma? Dermatologists Reveal the Shocking Truth!

So, you’ve probably seen those glowing LED masks lighting up your social feed and thought, “Heck yeah, let me jump on that skincare bandwagon!” After all, who wouldn’t want clearer, brighter skin with minimal effort? Just slap on one of these futuristic face gadgets for 10 minutes a few times a week—easy peasy, right? But here’s the twist: what if that radiant glow is actually casting a shadow on your complexion? Yep, a growing number of skincare lovers are sounding the alarm that these red, blue, and infrared light therapy masks might be backfiring, triggering melasma—the pesky, patchy skin discoloration nobody invited to the party. I mean, how wild is it that what’s supposed to zap your dark spots could end up making them worse? I dove deep into the dermatologists’ scoop and the online buzz, and let me tell you, it’s a total game-changer for anyone who thought LED masks were all flawless skin and no risk. Curious to find out what’s really going on beneath that glowing surface? LEARN MORE

Are you even really a skincare enthusiast if you don’t own an LED mask? These at-home devices have exploded in popularity over the last five years because they offer a low-effort, high-reward approach to reducing acne and inflammation, promoting collagen production, and minimizing the appearance of dark spots and wrinkles. Just pop on the glowing mask of your choice a few times a week, for 10 minutes at a time, to achieve brighter, clearer skin—easy, right?

There’s one problem, though: a growing number of women report that red, blue, and infrared light therapy masks, which are touted as one of the best skincare options for dark spots, are doing more harm than good. They claim that LED masks are the cause of their newfound melasma, an overproduction of melanin in the skin that can result in significant patches of discoloration.

“Red light therapy 100% causes melasma,” writes one frustrated Reddit user. “I never had it, and after only a few sessions, I now have a dark mask on my face, and it’s extremely hard to get rid of it.” Reddit is flooded with similar stories and posts: “I have never had problems with melasma until I started using my mask. Now I’m here, wondering WTF to do now that I have apparently made my face worse.”

Dermatologists say that this side effect is not only possible but increasingly common. “I have seen a few cases where at-home LED masks worsened melasma, and heat is likely the culprit,” says Dendy Engelman, a dermatologist in New York City. “Melasma is highly sensitive to both UV and thermal triggers, and some LED devices, especially those with infrared light, can generate enough heat to activate pigment cells. It’s not the light wavelengths themselves but the cumulative heat exposure and overuse that pose a risk.”

Morayo Adisa, a dermatologist in Chicago, agrees: “LED masks can trigger or induce melasma in someone who is susceptible to or predisposed to getting melasma,” she says. “Anyone, particularly women, with a history or family history of melasma, sun or heat-induced discoloration, and of medium to darker skin type, could be at risk of developing melasma from the LED mask.”

The issue here is twofold. The first is that LED masks generate heat on the skin, which is one of the most common causes of melasma. “The etiology of melasma is multifactorial, and yes, heat can exacerbate and worsen melasma by initiating pigment-producing cells, or melanocytes, to produce pigment, or melanin,” says Nava Greenfield, a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC. If you’re using the mask as an acne treatment, there’s a second issue at play: “LED lights can also cause melasma by the blue light component, which can also be a melanin stimulator,” Greenfield adds. That is, blue light therapy, which is used to treat acne by killing the P. acnes bacteria, can also stimulate melanin production.

Knowing your skin history with melasma is the first step in determining if you might not be the best candidate for light therapy. “If you’ve had melasma before, especially during pregnancy, while on hormonal birth control, or after sun exposure, you’re already at higher risk. If your skin reacts strongly to heat or you’ve noticed dark patches flare up after hot yoga, saunas, or steam, that’s another red flag,” says Engelman. “Medium to deeper skin tones tend to be more pigment-reactive overall. If any of these apply, it’s smart to be cautious with LED devices that emit heat and stick to pigment-safe topicals instead.”

If you notice worsening skin discoloration while using an LED mask, all three dermatologists I spoke with recommend discontinuing use and consulting with your doctor about alternative treatment and skincare options. “Look for ingredients like tranexamic acid, niacinamide, azelaic acid, and cysteamine, all of which help fade discoloration gently,” adds Engelman. “Daily mineral sunscreen is essential, and antioxidants like vitamin C can help prevent further pigment formation. For those with melasma, I also recommend wearing a tinted SPF, the iron oxide in these formulations helps protect against non-UV induced hyperpigmentation triggered by heat, blue light, and infrared exposure.”

Melasma can be stubborn, though. If the discoloration persists even after you ditch the mask, Engelman says to pay a visit to your dermatologist for “compounded creams or in-office treatments like chemical peels or low-heat lasers designed for pigment-prone skin.”