Tried an LED mask for 6 weeks straight and my skin actually looked worse at first

I grabbed one of those Dr. Dennis Gross LED masks during the Sephora sale back in February because the reviews were all glowing. Used it for 6 weeks, 3 times a week, 3 minutes each session like it said. First two weeks nothing changed. Week 3 I broke out in small bumps along my jawline and forehead. Not like acne, just texture. I almost stopped but read somewhere that it can push stuff out before it clears. Kept going and by week 5 it was smooth again. Now at week 8 my hyperpigmentation from old acne is definitely lighter. Anyone else get that initial purge phase with LED? Or did I just use it wrong?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_miles28d ago

It's funny how so many beauty things follow that same pattern where it gets worse before it gets better. I noticed the same thing with retinol and even with some vitamin C serums where my skin basically threw a tantrum for a few weeks before actually cooperating. Makes you wonder how many people give up right at the point where things would have turned around if they had just stuck with it a little longer. What was the worst part for you during that rough patch with the mask?

miles_garcia28d ago

Actually I think it might be a little different with the retinol though... that one's more about irritation and peeling while the clay masks are pulling everything to the surface which is a different kind of "getting worse". The mask was mostly just embarrassing because I'd wake up with these tiny whiteheads that weren't even there the night before, like my pores were finally giving up their secrets. But yeah, you're probably right that a lot of people ditch stuff right when it's about to click.

derek_perez28d ago

Disagree actually cause with the mask the purge hit all at once versus retinol's slow burn which feels more manageable.