How Long Should LED Face Mask Sessions Be? (The 10-Minute Myth)

Most masks have a 10-minute timer. Is that a magic number? Sort of. It's all about Dosage (Fluence).

The Formula: Joules = Watts x Seconds

Light therapy is like filling a bucket with water.

• Irradiance (Watts): How fast the water flows (how powerful the LEDs are).
• Time (Seconds): How long you leave the tap on.
• Dose (Joules): How full the bucket gets.

Scientific studies show the "sweet spot" for skin rejuvenation is a dose of 4 to 6 Joules/cm².

Scenario A: The Powerful Mask (e.g., CurrentBody, Omnilux)

These masks typically output 30mW/cm².

• In 10 minutes (600 seconds), they deliver exactly the target dose.
• Recommendation: 10 Minutes.

Scenario B: The Cheaper/Older Mask

Many budget masks only output 10-15mW/cm².

• In 10 minutes, they only deliver half the dose.
• To get the same result, you would need to wear it for 20-30 minutes.
• Recommendation: check the manual. If the power is low, increase the time.

Scenario C: The Clinical Machine (e.g., Dermalux Flex)

These output huge power (70mW/cm²+).

• They can deliver the dose in just 5 minutes.
• Recommendation: Do not exceed the professional timer.

Can I Just Do 1 Hour Once a Week?

No. You cannot "bank" the time. Cells have a saturation point. Once the mitochondria have absorbed enough photons to produce peak ATP, any extra light is useless (and potentially harmful, leading to inhibitory effects). It is better to do 10 minutes daily than 70 minutes on Sunday.

What If I Miss a Day?

Don't panic. Just pick up where you left off. Do not try to "double up" the next day.

Summary Table: Duration by Device Power

Device Type	Typical Power	Recommended Time
Professional (Clinic)	>50mW/cm²	5-10 mins
High-End Home Mask	30-45mW/cm²	10 mins
Budget Mask	10-20mW/cm²	20 mins
Handheld Wand	5-10mW/cm²	5-10 mins per spot