I've written about LED light therapy devices before. Finally after about nine months of testing the Omnilux Contour FACE I feel ready to talk about it here. What is this device? It's a flexible silicone skincare device that uses LED light therapy for a variety of reasons. I'll get more into that below. For now here's the basic details per the Omnilux site:
FDA-cleared, dermatologist-recommended red light therapy device with clinically-proven results for skin rejuvenation.
Clinically Proven Benefits:
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
- Reduces the appearance of pigmentation and redness
- Promotes healthier, younger-looking skin
- All natural. No pain, side effects, or downtime
Suggested Use Three to five, 10-minute treatments per week for 4-6 weeks followed by maintenance as desired
FAQs:
- What is Omnilux Contour? Based on the world’s leading Omnilux MedicalTM light therapy technology, Contour is an FDA cleared flexible, portable, affordable home use device that uses light emitting diodes (LED) to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve overall skin tone, firmness, and health.
- How Does it Work? Optimized energy output and two clinically proven wavelengths of light (red 633nm and near-infrared 830nm) work on a cellular level to stimulate new collagen, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and reduce sun damage and the visible signs of aging.
Full list HERE
Technical Specifications:
- LED Type Red and near-infrared
- Number of LEDs 132 LEDs (2 per LED bulb), 66 LED bulbs
- Wavelengths 633nm and 830nm
- Certifications FDA
- Warranty 2 years: device, 1 year: controller
- Includes Flexible silicone FACE device, Rechargeable battery controller, Power supply & plug adaptors, USB C line to USB A connector, Head straps, Carry bag
LED (Light Emitting Diode) devices are well established in clinical anti-aging and skin-care therapy, as well as in the treatment of a wide variety of skin conditions. Omnilux™ Professional LED devices are the gold-standard medical technology used by dermatologists and aestheticians world over because of their ability to promote skin recovery and healing.
Omnilux products combine clinically proven wavelengths of light with optimized energy levels in a process called LED phototherapy.
When you use an Omnilux product, the LEDs emit light into your skin.
Light photons of specific wavelengths are absorbed by cell components, particularly the mitochondria, triggering a cascade of biochemical reactions as explained below.
Each wavelength, or color of light stimulates a specific skin response:
- Red reduces inflammation, pigmentation, and redness and helps prompt cellular repair and circulation for a more vibrant complexion.
- Near-infrared targets deeper fibroblast cells, stimulating new collagen and elastin production, resulting in plumper, firmer, more youthful looking skin.
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Omnilux home-use products are based on the same technology as our Omnilux Medical phototherapy system used by thousands of dermatologists and aestheticians worldwide.
Omnilux has been the gold standard in medical phototherapy since 2003.
Ultimately with LED phototherapy using red/near infrared think photorejuvenation (which is the all things anti-aging part) as well as reduction of inflammation, redness and promotion of wound healing. Inflammation is a key part of aging so it makes sense to use this to reduce inflammation to help as well. There are other benefits to reducing inflammation as well like for those who suffer from medical conditions like rosacea. From my research and best understanding the wavelengths 633nm and 830nm are best for achieving results. It's not just the wavelengths though, it's the irradiance and dose. All three have to be right to get the best result. There's a lot of studies looking into the differences which is exciting. I'm not going to go into the actual scientific mechanism or other details. My friend Vanessa aka Goalstogetglowing has an incredible post on not only this mask, but all the others comparing them with a research dive. I see no point in saying anything extra but please go read her post HERE.
I do however want to talk about my experience with the Omnilux. I bought mine last March (2021). First off I will say this is the easiest light therapy product or device I have ever used. I can put it on, wear it for 10 minutes and be done. I walk around the house doing a number of things while treating my skin. I do laundry, pick up the house, scroll Instagram, get my kid ready for bed. You name it, I've done it while masking in this (well minus some things obviously). Does my husband make fun of me every time I wear this? Yes. I've been called the Man in the Iron Mask and Iron Man more times than I can count. Don't care. Though it does take some getting used to running around wearing it. One of the things I hate about any wand style device is being tied to my outlet while treating plus my hand gets tired waving a wand around my face. With this one you literally just strap it on, push a button and go about your business. You could relax if you wanted to but I have no time for that so I really enjoy its ease of use. It's the only device I have ever committed myself to in my life and actually was able to stick with it. I always start off string with a new device but quickly grow tired of it because it's so much effort. Not with a light mask. It's so easy.
I get maybe a dozen or so treatments with a full charge. Maybe more, honestly I've never counted. I think I charge once a month or so. The portability is fantastic. I do use mine at minimum 3x a week now but I strive for 5x a week. I did 5x a week for the initial first months then allowed myself to back down if I was busy or whatever. Honestly I find myself wanting to use it 5x a week because the benefits for me are so worth it. I'm not talking about the anti-aging benefits. In a few years maybe I'll do a deep dive into what I think anti-aging wise, but for right now the reason I am absolutely addicted to this is its ability to soothe and reduce redness. This mask is absolute gold for those two things.
It reduces the redness in my cheeks instantaneously after one use. Visible difference. More than anything I've ever tried. I have dry skin and rosacea for background information. While the mask only claims reducing the appearance of redness as clinically proven--it really does seem to be reducing redness, inflammation and the irritation I feel with my skin. That is a 100% subjective opinion that I will dive more into below. Omnilux can't say things like that or that it's even good for rosacea because they would have to clinically do the tests and prove it to the FDA for drug claims (it's expensive as well to do this). Because that's a drug claim, rosacea is a medical condition and they can't say it. I'm not claiming it as a drug claim nor that it fixes, cures or is intended to treat a medical condition like rosacea. I'm only speaking of my personal experience with the product and I am in no way affiliated or tied to the brand in any way. I have no discount code nor have I been gifted product. I purchased mine (using Vanessa's code).
For context prior to buying this mask in March I was at the point where I was using heavy creams, oils and Vaseline yet still having flare ups of painful red patches from my rosacea. My cheeks were always red to some degree. Every winter for about the year or two before grabbing this mask I had some sort of red patch under my left eye (and sometimes the right eye). The seasonal weather changes from summer to winter (our only two seasons here), and even winter to summer, threw my skin into a complete havoc that required a ton of TLC. Then last February Texas had this big freeze. Likely you heard about it. I was not using this mask at that time (I bought it a month later). The irritation and complete suffering my skin felt that week combined with the last two years dealing with this increase in my rosacea flares spawned my decision to purchase this mask after eyeing it for so long.
I've been using it pretty religiously for almost 10 months now and this recent summer to fall transition was the first time in over two years I had none, literally no big rosacea flares or red patches. I did get a random rosacea bump here or there but no patches or painful irritation like before. It was amazing to be honest. Was it the mask? I believe so. I didn't change my skincare that dramatically and I used many of the same products as before and in the same order. I don't think topical skincare did it and I'm not on any prescription medications for rosacea. Considering the mask has healing, inflammation/redness reducing properties it would make sense that it helped me control the flares (rosacea may have an inflammatory component to it). The mask didn't cure it, it just seemed to really help me manage the symptoms better than topical skincare alone. Now will it be the same for you? I can't say. Everyone's skin journey is different. For $395 versus all the other wasted money in skincare is it worth investing in? My answer is yes. If you suffer from any kind of redness, sensitivity, inflammation or rosacea I do suggest trying this. I would also love to hear your stories if you experienced anything like me. Could it be coincidence that my last flare up and red patch was a month before starting this mask? Maybe. If my rosacea gets worse will this fail to produce the same results? Maybe. Lets see what happens over the next year. I'm excited.
I will add two lights went out on my mask just a few weeks ago a little less than a year after purchasing. They have a two year warranty on the mask itself, I emailed them. They replaced it and sent out a new one same day as my email. Their warranty came through no hassle. Thought that would be worth mentioning for some. If you have any specific questions let me know and I will do my best to answer. My ultimate disclaimer is I do not claim this can cure a medical problem like rosacea and you should continue to see your dermatologist for medical conditions. If you do suffer from rosacea I highly recommend the splurge. If you're sensitive I would also talk to your doctor about it always take the cautious approach. I believe they have a 30 day refund policy so you might reach out to them first. I could care less about the anti-aging claims for now but I'll be curious to see what happens long term. If all this mask did was reduce redness, calm and soothe, and reduce my rosacea flare up frequencies or give even some improvement in my symptoms, then it's 100% worth it for me.
Another question I got a lot online was is there any heat and will it make melasma worse (melasma can become exacerbated with heat). I personally have some melasma and I have not noticed any worsening at all. In fact I find red light therapy seems to help with the overall evenness of my skin tone. I mean yes having lights turned on in an occlusive silicone mask near my skin does have a slight warming feel on my skin. It's faint and not hot nor really even warm in any way but it's not cold either. I wear a light layer of essence under my mask for treatment but no actives, only a hydrating style essence. This helps my dry skin with comfort. I copied two Q&A (below) from the Omnilux site as I think they're relevant to this post.