Keep your eyes closed for the whole session, wear the eye protection that comes with the mask, and never look directly into the LEDs. That covers most of it. The rest of this guide explains why each rule exists, which modes need the most care, and who should ask a doctor before starting.
The three rules
- Eyes closed for the whole session. Close them before you switch the mask on. Open them only after it has switched off and you have taken it off.
- Eye protection on, every time. Goggles or eye shields, as supplied with the mask. Not instead of closing your eyes; as well as.
- Never look into the LEDs. Not to check the mode, not to see whether it is working, not when the mask is in your hands rather than on your face.
Add a fourth, which is really a rule about everything else: stop if you feel discomfort, heat or eye strain, or get a headache.
Why closed eyes are not the whole answer
Eyelids are thin. Close your eyes in sunlight and you see a warm red glow; that is light passing through the skin of the eyelid. The same happens under an LED mask. Red and near-infrared, the wavelengths that travel furthest through skin, are the ones that pass through eyelids most readily.
So closing your eyes reduces the light reaching them, but it does not block it. Eye protection reduces it further. Using both is a small effort for a part of the body you cannot replace, which is why every page on this site asks for both rather than either.
The modes that need the most care
Every mode needs the three rules. Two need particular attention.
Blue
Blue is the shortest, highest-energy wavelength on most masks. Eye-safety standards for lamps are most cautious about bright blue light, because of its potential effect on the retina with enough exposure. A mask sits a few centimetres from your face for the whole session, so the eye protection matters most in this mode.
Near-infrared
Near-infrared is invisible or nearly so. Bright visible light triggers a reflex: you squint, blink or look away. Near-infrared does not trigger it, because you cannot see it. A near-infrared mode that looks dim is not a mode that is safe to look at. The difference between the two wavelengths is covered in red light vs near-infrared.
Bright red and the mixed colours
Bright visible light at close range can dazzle and leave afterimages, whatever the colour. The rules are the same. The mode guide lists each mode on the Folliqen LED Mask and its wavelength.
Who should check with a doctor first
Ask a doctor before using an LED mask if any of these apply:
- You are pregnant.
- You have epilepsy, or a condition that makes you sensitive to light. Masks with pulsing or flashing modes need particular caution.
- You have an eye condition, or have had recent eye surgery.
- You take medication that increases sensitivity to light. This includes some retinoid medicines, some antibiotics and others. The leaflet usually says so; if you are unsure, ask a pharmacist.
- You have a history of skin cancer.
- You have a skin condition you are currently being seen for.
LED masks are not for use by children. Keep the mask out of their reach, and out of reach of anyone who might switch it on and look into it.
Signs to stop
Take the mask off and do not resume until the symptom has settled if you notice any of these:
- Discomfort or a feeling of pressure around the eyes.
- Eye strain, watering eyes or afterimages that last after the session.
- A headache or dizziness.
- Heat. Mild warmth is normal; heat is not.
If a vision symptom does not settle, see an optician or a doctor promptly. Do not wait for the next session to see whether it happens again.
Habits that keep it simple
- Choose the mode first. Select it before you put the mask on, so there is no reason to open your eyes to check.
- Eyes closed, then switch on. In that order, every time.
- Let it switch itself off. Wait for the auto-off, then take the mask off, then open your eyes.
- Check the LEDs the safe way. Place the mask face down on a table, or facing away from you. Some phone cameras show near-infrared as a pale glow, which is a reasonable way to see whether those LEDs are on.
- Sit or lie still. Do not wear the mask while doing anything that needs your eyes.
- Store it switched off, away from children.
These habits fit into the routine without adding time. The rest of the routine is in where an LED mask fits in your routine, and the step-by-step version is on the usage instructions page.
What to look for in a mask
Eye safety starts with the product. Before buying any LED mask, check that it comes with eye protection in the box, an auto-off timer, a manual with plain warnings, and a stated wavelength for every mode. A listing without warnings is not a safer mask; it is a less careful seller.
The Folliqen LED Mask comes with two eye shields, switches itself off after the time you set (10, 20 or 30 minutes), and lists red 620–630 nm, green 520–525 nm, blue 440–465 nm and near-infrared 850 nm. Its full guidance is on the safety page.
Questions people actually ask
Can I wear glasses or contact lenses under the mask?
Glasses will not fit under it. For contact lenses, follow the manual; if it does not say, take them out first. It is simpler, and nothing is lost.
Can I open my eyes for a second to check the mode?
No. Choose the mode before you put the mask on, or wait until it has switched off. A second of looking into bright LEDs at close range is the one part of the routine worth avoiding entirely.
Is blue light from a mask like blue light from a phone?
Not really. You do not hold a phone a few centimetres from your face, pointed at your eyes, for minutes at a time. The precautions are about that closeness, which is why the eye protection stays on in every mode. What the colours on an LED mask are for covers blue in more detail.
If you want to try one: Folliqen LED Mask, $99, 10 minutes a session, 30 days to decide.