There are two things I look for in skincare devices now: one, results (duh), and two, super easy to use. That’s why the CurrentBody LED Mask has been a staple in my routine for the past 2 years… until now.
CurrentBody released an updated version of their mask, aka Series 2, and boy are there a lot of great updates. I’ll go into all the details, share my results, and compare this to the Series 1 to help you decide which device is best for your needs.
Overview
What is it
An FDA-cleared, at-home anti-aging device that uses clinically recognized red and near-infrared light wavelengths to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and redness while improving skin texture and promoting a healthier, brighter complexion in just 10 minutes per treatment.
Available For
$469 on CurrentBody – get $46 (10%) off with code GEEKY!
Wavelengths
633nm (red light), 830nm (near-infrared light), and 1072nm (deep near-infrared light) with a total of 236 led bulbs
Irradiance
30 mW/cm2
Fluence
18 J/cm2
Size & Fit
Extended flexible silicone that now wraps the face better, with a full nose flap and additional chin strap for maximum coverage. The 3-way adjustable strap allows for an even better fit while still being comfortable.
Treatment Time
10 minutes for at least 3-5 times a week. Just clip the controller on to your pants/skirt/shirt and you’re free to move around and multitask!
Pain Level & Downtime
Still none!
Charge Hold
Once it’s fully charged I get around 10-15 uses. When the light on the controller starts blinking that’s when you need to recharge it.
A quick refresher on red light benefits
I went into details in my original LED Mask review, but red light has been shown to:
- Increased collagen and elastin production
- Improve wound healing.
- Help with repairing sun damage.
- Reduced inflammation and redness.
Specifically you’ll want to look for wavelengths of 633nm and 830nm, an irradiance of 40-150 mW/cm2 to prevent overheating the skin, and a fluence of 1.2 J/cm2 to 126 J/cm2.
Deep near-infrared light benefits
A major highlight of the Series 2 LED Mask is its addition of deep near-infrared lights (1072nm NIR), which I’ve only seen in one other mask that’s marketed for men. The idea is that since the 1072nm wavelength can reach more cells throughout the epidermis and dermis compared to other wavelengths4, so it should be better at penetrating men’s thicker skin.
Yes it’s as dumb as it sounds, because skin is skin, and deep near-infrared light can benefit anyone:
- improved appearances of fine lines around the eyes and eye bags!1
- improved skin texture (self-reported) 2
- reduced wound healing time 2
Another study used both red light and near-infrared lights (the same 3 wavelengths in this mask actually) and saw improvements in wrinkles, UV spots, brown spots, and pores.3
The proof isn’t as robust as red light, and a lot of the studies done were for treating herpes, but what we do see is promising. Eye bags have been a pain point for me, so it’s so encouraging to know that CurrentBody has strategically placed their 1072nm bulbs right around the eyes to treat these first signs of aging.
Veritace: Testing at every step
In addition to studies verifying the efficacy of LED on the skin, CurrentBody takes it a step further and tests to make sure the LED bulbs themselves deliver the effective wavelengths!
Each mask comes with its own NFC card that you can scan with your phone and see the exact tests your mask hardware went through. This is reassuring, because as we’ve learned with the whole Korean sunscreen scandal, what you see on the labels isn’t always what you get in your product.
How I Use The CurrentBody LED Face Mask
I typically use it as part of my morning routine, and it’s super simple. Just make sure your face is clean, put on your mask and turn it on, wait 10 minutes, then continue with your skincare routine.
Seriously, it’s that easy.
I’ll sometimes use a watery essence before the mask, but I’d definitely save your milky toners and more viscous serums for after. The only exception would be if you used CurrentBody’s Green Tea Serum that’s designed to be worn with the mask, but I didn’t find it to significantly improve the mask’s efficacy, so it’s totally optional.
My Usage Experience Compared to Series 1
I said the first mask was easy to use, but CurrentBody managed to make things even better by adding a much needed clip to the controller. Now I can prep food, do chores, walk on the treadmill, all without worrying about where to put the controller.
The multiway strap is another update meant to improve fit, but I personally liked the single strap better. With the new thicker multiway strap it becomes even harder to wear my hair in a ponytail with the mask. Not a dealbreaker, just something I had to get used to.
As for the fit itself? Such a fantastic upgrade. I love that it hugs my face completely, and with the increased number of bulbs, every inch of skin is getting the red light benefits. No more awkward gaps on the side of the face or around my jawline.
With the higher number of bulbs I do notice that the light feels harsher on the eyes. It also feels more strained when scrolling or looking at a screen. But CurrentBody thoughtfully included two eye inserts to help alleviate that. They make a huge difference, but I do wonder if they block some of the red light from reaching the skin around my eyes.
Overall the usage experience has been a huge improvement, and that’s so important for skincare devices. A pleasant usage experience is key to using a device consistently, which is key to seeing results. Speaking of which…
Effects On The Skin: Before & After
Similar to the Series 1 mask, my results are very subtle, maybe even more so since I was using the Series 1 mask regularly prior to testing Series 2.
One main thing I noticed is that the areas under my eyes, specifically my tear troughs, have become less dark and noticeable. This was an improvement I never saw with the Series 1 mask, which makes me believe that the new addition of deep near-infrared lights around the lights really do work.
I think there’s been some improvement in my skin tone as well, but I also use a vitamin c serum regularly so it’s hard to say if that’s from the serum or from the mask.
I’ll try to update this in 3 months if there are more significant changes, but I’m hopeful!
CurrentBody Series 1 vs Series 2 LED Masks
I’ve touched on all these improvements throughout the post, but here they are again in a much easier to read table format.
| Series 1 LED | Series 2 LED | |
|---|---|---|
| Wavelengths | 633nm and 830nm | 633nm, 830nm, and 1072nm |
| Irradiance | 30 mW/cm2 | 30 mW/cm2 |
| Bulbs | 132 | 236 |
| Fit | Flat flexible silicone shape with a single strap | Contoured flexible silicone shape with a multiway strap and extender |
| Coverage | Good, but the nose and chin area could use improvement. | Excellent, thanks to the new nose flap design and the added chin strap. |
| Precision | Highly precise | Guaranteed precision as part of their new Veritace® product development process. Precision testing results are available for each mask. |
| Controller | Single power button | Single power button and a clip to easily attach to your clothes. |
| Price | $380 | $469 |
Obviously a lot of great changes, but if you already have the Series 1 or any other LED mask with similar specs, I don’t think spending another $400+ is necessary. The money could be better spent on other devices with different tech – microcurrent, radiofrequency, or even electroporation!
But if this will be your first LED mask, I 100% recommend the Series 2 mask. The improvements are absolutely worth the $89 difference!
Final Verdict
Pros
- Contoured fit provides excellent coverage to ensure the light hits all parts of the face.
- Super easy to wear while multitasking and moving around
- One of the few masks with 1072nm wavelength to address signs of aging around the eyes
- Each mask has been tested to ensure the precision of the LED bulbs.
Cons
- The new multiway strap makes it even harder to wear with a ponytail
- An expensive splurge if you already own an LED mask
Scores & Summary
- Design
- Comfort Level
- Ease of Use
- Performance
- Price
It’s clear that CurrentBody put a lot of thought into developing this new version and taking customer feedback into consideration. I know all the pain points (which were few) I had with the old mask have been fix in Series 2, plus a ton of great additions that aren’t available in most other masks! For me the most exciting change is definitely the near infrared light around the eyes, especially since I’m starting to see slight improvements already. While I don’t think an upgrade is worth it if you already have a Series 1, I 100% recommend this Series 2 mask if you’re still on the search for an LED mask!
Article Sources
To keep my content accurate and trustworthy, I rely on peer-reviewed studies, articles from reputable academic institutions, and quotes from certified healthcare professionals to back my claims.
Stirling, Richard J., and James D. Haslam. “A Self‐Reported Clinical Trial Investigates the Efficacy of 1072 Nm Light as an Anti‐Ageing Agent.” Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, vol. 9, no. 4, Informa UK Limited, Jan. 2007, pp. 226–30, https://doi.org/10.1080/14764170701400085.
- Jagdeo, Jared, et al. “Light‐Emitting Diodes in Dermatology: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, vol. 50, no. 6, Wiley, Jan. 2018, pp. 613–28, https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.22791.
- Mineroff, Jessica, et al. “Male Facial Rejuvenation Using a Combination 633, 830, and 1072 Nm LED Face Mask.” Archives of Dermatological Research, vol. 315, no. 9, Springer Science+Business Media, July 2023, pp. 2605–11, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-023-02663-w.
- R Glen Calderhead. “Photobiological Basics of Photomedicine: A Work of Art Still in Progress.” Medical Lasers, vol. 6, no. 2, Dec. 2017, pp. 45–57, https://doi.org/10.25289/ml.2017.6.2.45.
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