Do Light Masks Actually Help with Depression?

You might have seen people wearing glowing LED masks recently. There are many examples of this on social media. While these tools can help with your skin, they are not designed to improve your mood or address your mental health.

Still, some people who have heard about light therapy hope that these masks can treat depression. However, the reality is that they are exclusively for skin issues like acne and wrinkles. If you want to improve your mental health, you need a different kind of light.

Light Therapy for Skin Health vs. Mental Health

LED light therapy is a non-invasive way to help the layers of your skin heal. Experts use different colors of light to treat specific problems.

For example, red light is often used to reduce inflammation and help with anti-aging. Blue light is popular for destroying the bacteria that cause acne. You can even find masks that treat psoriasis and sun damage. These masks are placed directly on the skin for a set amount of time.

However, light masks aren’t designed to affect the parts of the brain that control your mood. For that, you need a specialized treatment often called light therapy or phototherapy.

Recognizing Seasonal Affective Disorder

Many people feel a shift in their energy when the days get shorter and the weather gets cold. You might feel sad or tired and have a hard time getting out of bed. This is often called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. It is a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern.

While some call it the “winter blues,” it is a real condition that affects millions of Americans. Symptoms often include:

• Persistent sadness
• Low energy
• Social withdrawal
• Weight gain
• Carbohydrate cravings

If you notice these changes every year, it is worth talking with your primary care physician to see if treatment is appropriate.

The Power of Light Boxes for SAD

Light boxes can be effective for treating SAD. These boxes are very different from the masks used for skin.

A light box mimics the bright light of the sun and can cause chemical changes in your brain that lift your mood. To be effective, most experts recommend a box that provides 10,000 lux of light. This is about 20 times brighter than the lights in your home.

You typically sit in front of the box for about 30 minutes right after you wake up. You should keep your eyes open, but you should not look directly into the light. Researchers recommend boxes that have a large surface area. Smaller boxes can also work, but you have to sit closer to them to get the full effect.

Light Therapy Visors and Other Wearable Options

Some people want the option to be mobile while they get their light therapy. This has led to the development of light visors and special glasses.

A light visor is a small device that fits on a headband and shines light into your eyes. While these are very convenient, they are newer treatment options, so the evidence for their effectiveness is not as strong as it is for light boxes.

Safety First During Light Therapy Treatment

Before you start any light therapy you should talk with your physician to make sure it is safe for you. Bright light can be a problem if you have eye issues like glaucoma or cataracts, or if you are experiencing SAD plus bipolar disorder.

If you don’t have a Baptist Health physician, you can find one on our provider directory.