The three wavelengths you'll see most often in LED face masks are 630 nm red, 850 nm near-infrared, and 465 nm blue. Each wavelength penetrates skin to a different depth and has been studied for different skin concerns. Photira's mask combines them into three modes — red (630 ± 5 nm), red + near-infrared (630 + 850 ± 5 nm), and blue (465 ± 5 nm) — aligned with its FDA-cleared indications: wrinkles and mild-to-moderate acne.
What "nm" means on an LED mask
"nm" stands for nanometers — the wavelength of the light each LED emits. Shorter wavelengths (blue, ~465 nm) are absorbed near the skin's surface; longer wavelengths (red, ~630 nm, and near-infrared, ~850 nm) penetrate deeper. Two masks can both say "red light" and still differ, which is why the specific nm value — and the tolerance around it, like Photira's ± 5 nm — matters when you compare.
630 nm red: the most-studied visible band
Red light around 630 nm is the workhorse of LED skincare and the most researched band for fine lines and wrinkles. It penetrates into the dermis, where researchers have studied its effects on collagen-related endpoints. Most serious LED masks include a red mode near this wavelength — CurrentBody lists 633 nm, Solawave lists 630 nm, and Omnilux lists 633 nm (all per the brands' published specs, as of October 7, 2026).
850 nm near-infrared: the deeper partner
Near-infrared around 850 nm is invisible to the eye and penetrates deeper than red light. It is commonly paired with red in a single mode because the two bands reach different depths. Solawave lists 830 nm and CurrentBody lists 830 nm plus a deeper 1072 nm band (per brand specs); Photira pairs 850 nm with 630 nm in its red+NIR mode.
465 nm blue: the acne-studied band
Blue light around 465 nm barely penetrates past the skin's surface — which is exactly the point. It has been studied for acne, targeting acne-associated bacteria where breakouts form. This is why masks positioned for blemish-prone skin include a blue mode, and why Photira's blue mode (465 ± 5 nm) lines up with its FDA clearance for mild-to-moderate acne. Note: blue light is for acne; it is not a wrinkle treatment.
What to check when comparing masks
- Published nm values with tolerances. Brands that publish them (CurrentBody, Solawave, Omnilux do) give you something verifiable. Shark has not published wavelength values in nanometers for the CryoGlow — treat any third-party nm claim about it with skepticism.
- FDA clearance matched to indications. A 510(k) clearance tells you what the device was actually reviewed for — e.g., Photira's K254007 covers wrinkles and mild-to-moderate acne. Verify the K number in the FDA database; don't take "FDA-cleared" on faith.
- Modes vs. marketing. More wavelengths aren't automatically better. What matters is whether the wavelengths, the dose, and the cleared indications line up with your skin goal.
Frequently asked questions
What does nm mean on an LED mask?
Nanometers — the wavelength of light each LED emits. It determines how deeply the light penetrates skin: blue (~465 nm) stays shallow, red (~630 nm) reaches the dermis, and near-infrared (~850 nm) goes deeper still.
Is 630 nm red light the same on every mask?
Nominally similar, but check the tolerance and whether the brand publishes it at all. Photira specifies 630 ± 5 nm. Brands that don't publish nm values can't be compared on this dimension.
What's the difference between red and near-infrared light?
Penetration depth. Red (~630 nm) is visible light absorbed in the dermis; near-infrared (~850 nm) is invisible and reaches deeper tissue. Many masks pair them in one mode for that reason.
Why do some LED masks include blue light?
Blue light (~465 nm) has been studied for acne — it acts near the skin's surface where breakouts form. Photira's 465 ± 5 nm blue mode corresponds to its FDA-cleared indication for mild-to-moderate acne. Blue light is not a wrinkle treatment.
Do more wavelengths mean better results?
Not necessarily. Results depend on the right wavelength at an effective dose for a specific concern — plus whether the device is FDA-cleared for that concern. A focused three-mode mask with a matching clearance can beat a six-wavelength mask with no clearance for your goal.
Which Photira mode is for wrinkles vs. breakouts?
Per its cleared indications: the red (630 nm) and red + near-infrared (630 + 850 nm) modes for wrinkles, and the blue (465 nm) mode for mild-to-moderate acne. Photira is FDA-cleared (K254007) for wrinkles and mild-to-moderate acne only — not for pigmentation, melasma, or whitening.