red light therapy

So, after trying the red light wand, I decided to foot the bill for the face mask.

Kinda, anyway.

I definitely bought the less expensive “still good” option to see if I even liked it. Automatically, my brain began to draw comparisons… While the pros of the red light wand are that you can target specific areas and rub serums into your skin while massaging your face – great both for skin care and for health, inasmuch as massage helps release serotonin too –  it is a lot of work. (Unless you have a partner willing to do this for you on a daily basis, you’re gonna have one jacked gun.) This is fine if you’re going for spot treatment on just one painful area of your body. (Like after a foot or knee injury.) It’s preferred in that case even. But if you’re generally trying to treat your face and neck region evenly, there are better options. With the wand, my arms are doing work for 20 solid minutes. And, as someone who also does handheld microcurrent and handheld radiofrequency, I just wanted a lazier option if I could have it.

So that’s why I got this:

That’s the one.

With the Houzi mask, I can just lay there with my eyes closed and let the light bathe my face gently. It’s an immediate feeling of relaxation – not unlike the days of my youth when I used to stretch out in the sun, uncaring – or perhaps disbelieving – that I would ever get a single wrinkle from it. (And half the reason I need a RLT mask now.) Peaceful. Serene. Perfect. Almost… I got this mask because it was a fraction of the cost of some of the other more popular options. Also, it had awesome reviews about how effective it is. That said, it’s not without drawbacks. The mask is superheavy so the band it comes with is kind of a joke. There’s no way you could wear this around your house. And that’s actually only in part because it’s heavy; it also has to be plugged in at all time. The lithium battery heats up pretty quickly too. While I haven’t had an issue yet, I have heard that can be a fire hazard.

And, finally, there’s the lifetime. My first one shorted out in less than a year. It’s actually kinda good this happened, though, because although I Amazon ordered another straight away, I had to go several days with nothing (after doing it every day for eight months) and can confirm without a doubt: the light made a difference. I’d been relying on its effects for an anti-depressant. It lifted the resistance I constantly felt against work, interpersonal relationships, and general adulting. Without it, suddenly everything became a chore I resented again. Granted, this all happened during the chillier and dreary part of March, so it’s more likely I was dealing with SAD and depending on the light for that (rather than being perma-dependent on it). I’ve had the chance to inadvertently run this test with weekends away from home since it turned warm, lush, and viridescent outside… and I’ve done just fine. But it remains a mood improver.

So, who’s the final winner decision?

Well, the wand is good if you don’t mind doing the work or use serums.

But, seeing as we’re here to talk about about mental health and obsession:

The mask is superior – as you can relax in meditative crimson luminescence.

The only problem? It’s now my new obsession…