TheraBody Mask Review 2024: One Vogue Writer Tests the ...

A TheraBody face mask review was bound to happen. There’s been a surge in skin-care devices, with reports that the market will grow to nearly $500 million by 2027. Their popularity is clear on the shelves, too, with more and more microcurrent devices, LED light-therapy tools, and other gadgets claiming space.

And while LED light therapy devices aren’t necessarily the newest among them, the TheraFace Mask is raising the bar for the competition. It’s purportedly capable of smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin tone and texture, and firming lax, loose skin—all for less than a single injectable appointment, making it a powerful addition to any skin-care routine. But that brings us to the question: Is it really worth it?

In This Story:About the TheraFace MaskHow to Use the TheraFace MaskMy experience with the TheraFace MaskWhat does the TheraFace Mask do?Is TheraFace FDA approved?How often should I use a TheraFace Mask?

Moreover, this isn’t the first LED light therapy mask to hit the market. The CurrentBody LED Face Mask is beloved by dermatologists and Vogue editors alike, while the Solawave LED Light Therapy Wand has a following among celebrities, including actress Debby Ryan. And I’ve been content with my Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro, which Vogue considers one of the best skin-care tools for its hands-free design and speedy, three-minute treatment time (the shortest I’ve encountered). That said, here’s what sets the TheraFace Mask apart from the competition—and whether it’s worth the splurge.

TheraBody TheraFace MaskWhat It Is: A light therapy tool powered by red-, near-infrared, and blue light to enhance collagen production, firm and smooth skin, even out skin tone, and boost elasticity, improving texture and tone with consistent, long-term use. After eight weeks, 93% of users saw an improvement in the overall appearance of their skin.Device Type: Rigid polycarbonate maskTarget Treatment Area: Entire face, partial neckTreatment Time: 3-9 minutesSpecs: FDA-approved, protective eye shields, vibration therapy, three light wavelengthsAbout the TheraFace Face Mask

The TheraFace Face Mask uses at-home LED light therapy, which harnesses controlled wavelengths of light that reach skin’s surface and beyond. The function of each wavelength can vary: Red light activates fibroblasts to spur collagen production; red infrared light minimizes pigment production to brighten skin; blue light nixes acne-causing bacteria, clearing congestion.

The TheraFace Mask stands apart from the crowd on two fronts. For one, it has hundreds of LED bulbs. For reference, the Dr. Dennis Gross LED mask has 162 LED lights in total, whereas the TheraFace Mask has 648 lights. (It’s worth noting, however, that there are no studies to show that a greater number of LED lights yields a better result.) And the CurrentBody, for the sake of comparison, has 132 bulbs.

The TheraFace Mask also offers built-in vibration therapy. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, seeing as the brand pioneered percussive massage with its massage gun, but it’s still a nice bonus. Powered by 17 QX-Micro motors, the vibrations target pressure points on the face and scalp to help ease tension and promote relaxation.

How to Use the TheraFace Face Mask

Start with a clean face. Pull the TheraFace Face Mask over your head and adjust the straps as needed. One button near the ear begins the nine-minute-long treatment—which encompasses each of the three wavelengths—with a single long press. However, you can toggle the same button again to experience the individual wavelengths, each broken up into three-minute cycles.

A button on the opposite side of the mask controls the level of vibration; press it to move through the cycles of Continuous, Breathing, Wave, and, if desired, Off. You can use both modalities together or separately.

Vogue senior beauty writer Kiana Murden trying on the Therabody TheraFace Mask.

Video: Courtesy of Sam Ravin

My experience with the TheraFace Face Mask

You’re only as old as you feel—but I’m a skeptic, which is why I set out to conduct my Therabody face mask review on the cusp on my 35th birthday, testing the LED-powered mask in the hopes that it would turn back the clock just a decade or two. My goals were to address the various gripes I have with my skin: Crinkles around my eyes, frown lines between my brows, errant dark spots from the sun, and the occasional hormonal breakout around my chin and jawline. They keep me young, I suppose?

I found that the TheraFace Mask was ready to use as soon as I unboxed it; I did charge it for about 15 minutes before I put it on, but then that charge lasted for days. (In fact, not once did it ever run out of battery. I did charge it preemptively and at random here and there, but its two-hour battery life is generous.)

The mask itself is surprisingly heavy—though not entirely in a good way—and it comes with adjustable straps that reach above and around the head so you can easily customize your fit. I pushed the button on the right side of the mask to start the preset treatment, which consists of three-minute sessions each of red light, near-infrared + red light, and blue light, as well as the facial massage.

I was able to glimpse my phone through the eye holes, which are flanked by washable silicone eye protectors so the LED lights don’t cause strain on the eyes. I appreciated that the mask was slightly away from my skin; it merely hovered over the lower half of my face. As someone who’s struggled with breakouts, I did not love the prospect of repeatedly pressing a mask against my skin, as is the design with many LED light therapy masks.

For over a week, I used the nine-minute treatment on a daily basis. I found that I preferred to use it without the built-in vibrations; they’re a nice option and perhaps I’ll revisit them at some point, but I found the motors to be a bit loud, and the vibrations gave me sensory overload. Maybe I’m just delicate—always a possibility—but it just wasn’t for me. Kiana Murden, Vogue’s senior beauty writer, however, had a more positive experience. “When testing the device, I found that, yes, with consistent use, my skin felt firmer and bouncier thanks to the LED treatment, but what I most enjoyed was the gentle massage it offered, alleviating my jaw tightness and boosting relaxation,” she previously wrote. Across the pond, British Vogue’s beauty commerce writer Tracy Achonwa has described the vibration mode as “nine minutes of utter bliss.”

Although eight weeks are recommended for the best results, I noticed that my skin was calmer and less congested after just a week. Even a newfound zit on my chin came and went in a day or so with the help of this mask. I have yet to see a sharper jawline, but my skin does look more supple and smooth than it did—possible proof that my skin is getting its collagen-formation in order.

The lone downside was that the mask left dents on my forehead, one above each brow, and a mark on my nose. I experimented with the adjustable straps to try and avoid it, but the sheer weight of the mask makes that hard to skirt. The dents eventually disappeared, but they did mean that on one occasion—after which I used the TheraFace in the morning—I did arrive at a mom-and-baby music class with red marks on my face.

What does the TheraFace Mask do?

The TheraFace Mask uses three separate wavelengths of light to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, fade discoloration, and even minimize acne in a nine-minute treatment. It also includes vibrational therapy to help release tension around the face and neck.

Is TheraFace FDA approved?

The TheraFace Mask isn’t FDA-approved, but rather FDA-cleared, meaning that the FDA has determined it’s “substantially equivalent” to LED devices that have been FDA-approved—and is both safe and effective. FDA clearance is standard among LED devices, with other popular models like the Dr. Dennis Gross SpectraLite and CurrentBody devices also earning FDA clearance.

How often should I use a TheraFace Mask?

Skin thrives on consistency. The brand recommends using the TheraFace Mask on a daily basis (and is safe for such), especially if you’re hoping to maintain the results for the long-term. However, some experts have told Vogue that just three days a week should help support long-lasting results.